Hercules Metals talks targets at Hercules

Executive Summary

• Hercules Metals Corp. has engaged Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd. to manage drilling operations and officially commence its 2026 exploration campaign at the 100%-owned Hercules property in western Idaho.
• The company is advancing a reconnaissance 2-D induced polarization (IP) survey over the Pegasus and Hook targets to complement a 2025 magnetotelluric (MT) survey, aiming to refine drill targeting for concealed porphyry systems.
• Permitting is substantially complete for both primary targets, with the Idaho Department of Lands approving Pegasus and the USFS completing NEPA review for Hook, positioning both for drill testing in 2026.

Key Details

• Consultant Engagement: Signed letter of engagement with Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd. (Vancouver-based, ~40 years experience) to manage drilling operations, expand operational capacity, improve drilling efficiency, reduce sampling/analytical turnaround times, and provide flexibility to scale up drilling operations.
• 2026 Campaign Focus: Program designed to extend the exploration season, support additional drill rigs, sharpen exploration execution, increase drilling productivity, and accelerate the delivery of geological results.
• Geophysical Survey: Engaged Simcoe Geoscience Ltd. for a reconnaissance 2-D IP survey over Pegasus and Hook targets to evaluate chargeability responses associated with 2025 MT conductivity anomalies.
• Survey Design: IP lines will be ~3.5 to 4.5 km in length to maximize depth of investigation, using 100 m dipole spacing to maintain shallow data resolution. Depth of investigation will vary based on near-surface conductivity.
• Pegasus Target: Concealed beneath postmineral basalt cover in an unexplored area. MT inversion model indicates a cylindrical conductive feature consistent with a potential undiscovered porphyry center. Prospectivity supported by nearby skarn mineralization on adjacent Cuddy Mountain property (Scout Discoveries). Idaho Department of Lands permit received; drill testing scheduled for 2026.
• Hook Target: Lower conductivity target obscured by landslide cover. 2024 non-selective lithogeochemical sampling identified anomalous copper and molybdenum in soil/rock. A single oxidized float rock sample contained quartz-veined porphyry with anomalous molybdenum (48 ppm), suggesting potential porphyry leach capping. USFS categorical exclusion permit application completed NEPA review; drill testing likely in 2026.
• Technical Validation: Scientific and technical information reviewed and approved by Dillon Hume, PGeo, Vice-President Exploration, designated as a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
• Company Context: Hercules Metals is focused on developing Idaho's newest porphyry copper district. The project hosts the Leviathan porphyry copper system, discovered via blind drilling in 2023, and is supported by a strategic investment from Barrick Mining Corp.

Notable Quotes

• Chris Paul, CEO & Director: "We are pleased to welcome Equity to the Hercules team as we expand our overall operational capacity, extend our exploration season and position the project to support additional drill rigs. Equity's involvement is expected to enhance sampling and assay turnaround, while providing our technical group with greater flexibility to focus on geological targeting and improved data workflows. Together, these initiatives are intended to sharpen our exploration execution, increase drilling productivity, and support a stronger and more consistent flow of results as we advance into an important growth phase for the company in 2026."