Hercules Metals outlines 2026 drill plan at Hercules

Executive Summary

• Hercules Metals Corp. has commenced Phase I of a 12,500-metre drill program at its Hercules property in western Idaho, targeting five new areas along the trend of the Leviathan copper discovery.
• A second drill rig has been mobilized ahead of schedule to resume drilling at hole HER-25-18, featuring winter upgrades to improve efficiency and targeting a broader Footwall zone based on observed potassic alteration.
• The company also granted 1,325,000 stock options to officers, employees, and consultants, exercisable at $0.64 per share with a 5-year term and 24-month vesting schedule.

Key Details

• Phase I Drill Program: Initial 12,500-metre program commenced across five new target areas along trend from the Leviathan copper system.
• Future Drilling Scope: Anticipated expansion to 20,000–30,000 metres upon completion and evaluation of Phase I results.
• Rig Mobilization & Upgrades: Second drill rig mobilized ahead of schedule to resume hole HER-25-18 (previously paused at 841 m depth); rig upgraded for winter conditions to materially improve drilling efficiency.
• Geological Targeting: Observations of potassic alteration at depth suggest potential for a broader Footwall zone than previously interpreted.
• Leviathan Southwest Extension (~3,000 m): Drilling will focus on extending known mineralization southwest and testing for continued system growth.
• Leviathan's Footwall MT Anomaly (2,500 m): Two deep holes planned to evaluate a deeper northeast-plunging magnetotelluric (MT) anomaly, following recent drilling that encountered increasing copper grades at depth.
• Southern Flats Target (~3,000 m): Largest/most robust geophysical anomaly on property; defined by a discrete, vertically extensive cylindrical conductor south of Leviathan; ~3 deep holes planned to test strike extent.
• Pegasus Target (~3,000 m): Similar MT signature to Southern Flats; coincident induced polarization (IP) chargeability anomaly increases confidence it may be an untested porphyry centre.
• The Hook Target (~1,000 m): Moderate conductivity anomaly with strongest chargeability response from 2026 IP survey (comparable to original Leviathan discovery anomaly); final IP results pending, additional IP planning underway.
• Option Grant: Aggregate of 1,325,000 stock options granted to officers, employees, and consultants under the omnibus incentive plan.
• Option Terms: Exercisable for 5 years at an exercise price of $0.64; vests in four equal tranches over 24 months.
• Qualified Person: Technical information reviewed and approved by Dillon Hume, PGeo, VP Exploration, per NI 43-101 standards.