Western Capitals Rotate Into Sovereign Sanctuary: Antimony, Uranium, Graphite

The most recent updates (Jan 19 and Jan 20, 2026) provide a comprehensive operational update on the Auld Creek Project in the Reefton Goldfield, New Zealand. * Drill Results: The company reported significant intercepts extending the deposit strike length by 250 meters to a total of 870 meters. Key intercepts include hole ACDDH050 returning 3.0m @ 21.27 g/t AuEq (4.5 g/t Au & 3.9% Sb) from 137m, and hole ACDDH056 returning 5.1m @ 5.3 g/t Au. * Resource Growth: Three drill rigs are currently operating on a double-shift basis. The mineralized system remains open in all directions and at depth. The company is targeting a resource update in Q1 2026 (specifically February per the Jan 19 release) with a target of exceeding 300,000 ounces of gold. * Permitting Strategy: CEO Robert Eckford explicitly stated the intention to utilize New Zealand's FAST TRACK legislation for Auld Creek, citing the recent approval of OceanaGold’s Wharekirauponga project as a precedent. The application is targeting submission in H1 2026. * Financial Health: The Jan 20 release claims a cash position of US$14 million (approx. C$19.5M), positioning the company to fully fund the aggressive drill program.

These developments are Material - Positive. * Derisking Geology: The drill results confirm the continuity of high-grade antimony (a critical mineral) alongside gold. The presence of 3.9% Sb in step-out drilling validates the "Sovereign Sanctuary" narrative regarding critical minerals. The extension of the strike length to 870m materially increases the tonnage potential for the upcoming resource estimate. * Regulatory Clarity: The explicit commitment to the Fast Track permitting process removes a significant layer of jurisdictional risk. New Zealand has historically been viewed as a strict permitting jurisdiction; the government's pivot to "Fast Track" for critical minerals like Antimony directly benefits RUA. * Capital Adequacy: If the US$14M cash figure is accurate (likely bolstered by warrant exercises given the stock price performance), RUA is fully funded through its critical 2026 catalysts without the immediate need for dilutive financing.

• Company: RUA GOLD Inc. is a Canadian-based explorer focused on New Zealand.
• Flagship Project: Reefton Goldfield (Auld Creek) on the South Island. Reefton is a historic high-grade gold district (historical production of ~700k oz @ 25.2 g/t Au). Auld Creek is unique due to its significant high-grade Antimony (Stibnite) content, which is now classified as a critical mineral.
• Secondary Project: Glamorgan (North Island), an epithermal gold-silver prospect adjacent to OceanaGold's Wharekirauponga project.