Valkea's New Leadership Provides Outline of Company's Systematic Approach to Discovery in Central Lapland Greenstone Belt

Executive Summary

• Valkea Resources Corp. announced its first comprehensive 12-month exploration work program for its 350 km² land package in Finland's Central Lapland Greenstone Belt, with funding secured for the 2026/2027 cycle.
• The company plans to recommence drilling in H2 2026, targeting approximately 6,000 base-of-till (BoT) points and up to 10,000 metres of diamond drilling (DDH), initially focused on the Paana property.
• A new technical leadership team, comprising key contributors to the Ikkari discovery, will lead a systematic four-phase exploration strategy ranging from target ranking to drilling campaigns and ongoing evaluation.

Key Details

• Leadership & Technical Appointments: Thomas Credland appointed President & CEO; Dr Chris Bonson appointed VP Exploration; Dr Charlotte Seabrook appointed Technical Advisor. All are former key contributors to Rupert Resources' Ikkari discovery.
• Funding & Timeline: Funding secured for 2026/2027 exploration programs; initial drilling planned for H2 2026.
• Four-Phase Exploration Program:
• Phase 1 (Ongoing to July): Review properties/datasets to develop a prospect pipeline of >20 targets.
• Phase 2 (July-August): Rank top 5-10 targets by prospectivity/permits; commence baseline environmental studies and stakeholder engagement.
• Phase 3 (August-March): Execute ~6,000 BoT points and 5,000-10,000m DDH on the top 5-10 targets.
• Phase 4 (Ongoing): Review drilling results and assess opportunities for consolidation, divestment, or new permitting.
• Paana Project: 12 new targets identified via aeromagnetic, EM, and VTEM surveys combined with BoT geochemistry; targets include anomalous gold, conductive features, structural settings, and lithological traps (ironstones/graphitic tuffs).
• Aarnivalkea West: Planning strike and depth extension drilling post-geological model review; incorporates 2025 core relogging; diagnostic metallurgical test work planned.
• Pahasvuoma / Rova: Historical 1983 BoT sample graded 3.97 g/t Au and 0.5% Cu; 2026 work includes geological mapping, sampling, BoT drilling, and UAV-magnetic survey acquisition/interpretation.
• Putaanperä: Encompasses 3.5 km of the Sirkka Shear Zone; plans to test existing geochemical anomaly with BoT drilling following revised structural interpretation.
• Sikavaara Joint Venture: JV with Rupert Resources since 2021; Rupert committed CDN$5M total to earn 70% interest over six years in two stages. Stage 1 ($1.7M) completed; Stage 2 ($3.3M) elected. Licences revert 100% to Valkea if stages are not completed.
• Palvanen: Hosts interpreted continuation of the Kiistala Thrust; 2026 focus on dataset analysis to evaluate potential for Tier 1/2 orebody or satellite mineralisation near future Kittilä/Ikkari mills.
• Land Package Overview: 350 km² across six project areas spanning >50 km of highly prospective regional geological structures.

Notable Quotes

• Thomas Credland, Chief Executive: "Our 350 km2 of prospective exploration properties in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt makes Valkea the second largest landholder in the district following Agnico Eagle's acquisition of the Ikkari Project and consolidation of the exploration properties in the region. However, it also repositions Valkea as the dominant exploration-focused company in the belt. While Paana is our most advanced exploration project, our new technical team is currently evaluating Valkea's entire land package with the goal of developing a ranked pipeline of targets for priority exploration with a geoscience-led approach."