Val-d'Or Mining signs first nations exploration deal

Mr. Glenn Mullan reports VAL-D'OR MINING SIGNS EXPLORATION AGREEMENT WITH THE MATACHEWAN FIRST NATION AND MATTAGAMI FIRST NATION (WABUN TRIBAL COUNCIL) Val-d'Or Mining Corp. has signed a milestone exploration agreement dated Oct. 15, 2025, with the Matachewan First Nation and the Mattagami First Nation, members within the Wabun Tribal Council (WTC). The exploration agreement was signed by the three companies within the Zed Zed Group: Val-d'Or Mining, Cleghorn Minerals Ltd. and International Prospect Ventures Ltd. The exploration agreement covers the company's operational areas of interest (the properties) within the first nations' traditional lands, located in Northeastern Ontario's Abitibi greenstone belt. The exploration agreement outlines the terms on how consultation and impact mitigation on exploration activities will be conducted. It also delivers financial benefits, including contracts, jobs and training opportunities during the exploration phase, for both current and future work programs across the property portfolio covered by the exploration agreement. Further, the exploration agreement provides that the company will, subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange, issue to each of the Matachewan First Nation and the Mattagami First Nation 50,000 common shares of the company and will also grant to each of the Matachewan First Nation and the Mattagami First Nation incentive stock options to acquire 50,000 shares of the company at a per-share price of 8.5 cents for a period of five years from issuance, in accordance with its incentive stock option plan and a consulting agreement among the parties. The exploration agreement will remain in effect until such time that an impact benefit agreement (IBA) has been concluded. Michael Rosatelli, senior geological consultant and vice-president exploration of Val-d'Or Mining, commented: "I'm deeply honoured to be part of this historic milestone, which stands as a powerful testament to what can be achieved when we unite around a shared vision. I extend my gratitude to Chief Batisse of the Matachewan First Nation and Chief Constant of the Mattagami First Nation, along with their respective councils, the negotiating committee led by their mineral development advisers, the Wabun Tribal Council and the local community members. Your unwavering commitment, thoughtful collaboration and dedication to fostering this agreement, grounded in mutual respect and attentive listening to the voices of elders and individual community members, have been truly inspiring." This milestone represents the culmination of more than five years of relationship building and dialogue between the company, the Matachewan First Nation, the Mattagami First Nation and the Wabun Tribal Council and establishes a strong foundation for continuing co-operation among all parties. The Matachewan First Nation has provided a support letter to the Ontario Ministry of Mines endorsing the maiden drill program on the company's Baden prospect (see Val-d'Or Mining's Oct. 21, 2025, press release), prior to permit issuance. Val-d'Or Mining and its joint venture partners remain committed to responsible exploration and to delivering shared economic opportunities to the local communities. An official signing ceremony will be held at the Wabun Tribal Council offices in Timmins, Ont. Details will be announced once confirmed. About Val-d'Or Mining Corp. Val-d'Or Mining is a junior natural resource issuer involved in the process of acquiring and exploring its diverse mineral property assets, most of which are situated in the Abitibi greenstone belt of Northeastern Ontario and northwestern Quebec. To complement its current property interests, the company regularly evaluates new opportunities for staking and/or acquisitions. Outside of its principal regional focus in the Abitibi greenstone belt, the company holds several other properties in Northern Quebec (Nunavik) covering different geological environments and commodities (nickel, copper and platinum group elements). The company has expertise in the identification and generation of new projects and in early-stage exploration. The mineral commodities of interest are broad and range from gold, copper/zinc/silver and nickel/copper/PGEs to industrial and energy minerals. After the initial value creation in the 100-per-cent-owned or majority-owned properties, the company seeks option/joint venture partners with technical expertise and financial capacity to conduct more advanced exploration projects. We seek Safe Harbor.