Rua Gold Inc. (TSX: RUA, NZX: RGI, OTC: NZAUF, WKN: A40QYC) (“RUAGOLD” or the “Company“) is pleased to provide an update on exploration and resource drilling at its Auld Creek gold-antimony project (the “Auld Creek Project”) in Reefton, New Zealand.
Ongoing resource drilling at Auld Creek continues to demonstrate strong continuity of the high-grade mineralized shoots, with mineralization remaining open along strike and at depth. Following the Company’s July 2026 announcement 1 that Auld Creek had been accepted as a listed project under New Zealand’s Fast Track Approvals regime, RUA GOLD remains on track to submit its substantive application in October 2026 and publish a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) in December 2026.
Highlights:
- Four drill rigs continue to advance resource drilling across the growing Auld Creek system, which remains open along strike and at depth.
- Recent drilling continues to intersect high-grade gold-antimony mineralization, including narrow zones of exceptional gold grades in ACDDH127 and ACDDH130 of 0.3m at 43.6 g/t Au (>1 oz/t Au) and 0.3m at 69.2 g/t Au (>2 oz/t Au), respectively. Visible gold continues to be observed in drill core.
- Highlighted assay results from drilling at Auld Creek include:
- ACDDH121: 11.7m @ 5.0 g/t AuEq2 (4.1 g/t Au & 0.4% Sb) from 365m
- ACDDH123A: 2.2m @ 34.6 g/t AuEq2 (10.3 g/t Au & 11.3% Sb) from 228m
- ACDDH123B: 5m @ 7.4 g/t AuEq2 (4.8 g/t Au & 1.2% Sb) from 236m
- ACDDH127: 6.6m @ 24.9 g/t AuEq2 (10.5/t Au & 6.7% Sb) from 359m
- Incl 0.3m @ 43.6g/t Au and 33.3% Sb
- ACDDH130: 6.3m @ 14.4 g/t AuEq2 (13.7 g/t Au & 0.3% Sb) from 208m
- Incl 0.3m @ 69.2g/t Au
- Drilling continues to demonstrate continuity of the shallow-dipping mineralized shoots along strike. Repeating shoots at depth, occurring at approximately 40m intervals, support the potential for further resource growth to the north and at depth.
- Four drill rigs remain focused on resource development ahead of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for Q4 2026.
- The Company remains on track to submit its substantive application under New Zealand’s Fast-Track Approvals regime in October 2026.
The Company’s CEO Robert Eckford commented “These latest results, together with continued observations of visible gold, reinforce the high-grade nature and growth potential of Auld Creek. The continuity of the high-grade shoots, together with repeating mineralization at depth, is increasing our confidence in the potential for further resource growth.
With four rigs continuing to advance the resource, we are targeting an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q4 while remaining on track to submit our Fast-Track Approvals application in October.”
AULD CREEK EXPLORATION UPDATE
Drilling continues to demonstrate strong evidence to expand the gold-antimony resource; the Fraternal structure (a major synclinal sheared fold structure) that hosts the mineralization has been drill confirmed to extend northward for over 1,400 meters and intercepted at over 500 meters depth.
Infill drilling along the Fraternal structure is confirming high-grade mineralized shoots dipping shallow-moderately northward in a repetitive sequence at depth of 40-60m. The current ratio of conversion of inferred to indicated resources is greater than 70% and improving with every successful drill hole.
Currently drilling is probing northward to extend the length of the mineralized body, with the depth potential to be examined in Q4 2026.
The active resource drill out program includes the full range of geotechnical and metallurgical testing required for PFS, including hydrology, rock strength, specific gravity and ore zone characterization. This work is largely complete for the up-and-coming Fast -Track application and lodgment of required NI 43 101 reports.
Table 1: Significant intercepts from recent Auld Creek drilling.
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | True Width (m) | Au (g/t) | Sb% | Including |
| ACDDH121 | 365.5 | 377.2 | 11.7 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 0.4% | 5m @ 6.5g/t Au & 2m @ 1.7% Sb |
| ACDDH123A | 228 | 230.2 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 10.3 | 11.3% | |
| ACDDH123B | 236 | 241 | 5 | 1.3 | 4.8 | 1.2% | |
| ACDDH124 | 209.1 | 219.5 | 10.4 | 9.3 | 1.3 | 0.4% | 0.4m @ 5.2g/t Au & 3.4% Sb |
| ACDDH126 | 228 | 235 | 7 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 0.1% | |
| ACDDH127 | 359 | 365.6 | 6.6 | 3.6 | 10.5 | 6.7% | 0.3m @ 43.6g/t Au & 33.3% Sb |
| ACDDH130 | 208.3 | 214.6 | 6.3 | 2.5 | 13.7 | 0.3% | 0.3m @ 33.0g/t Au & 6.8% Sb followed by 0.3m @ 69.2g/t Au |
ABOUT RUA GOLD
RUA GOLD is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, our team has successfully turned major discoveries into long standing producing mines in multiple continents. The team is now focused on maximizing the asset potential of RUA GOLD’s two highly prospective high-grade gold projects.
The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand’s South Island with over 120,000 hectares of permits, in a district that historically produced over 2Moz of gold grading from 9–50g/t3.
The Company’s Glamorgan Project solidifies RUA GOLD’s position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand’s North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands’ Hauraki District, a region that has produced an impressive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver4.
For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Chief Operating Officer and a director of RUA GOLD, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has participated in the geochemical sampling, and mapping programs to verify that they have been conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed by running checks on the location, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.
QA/QC Drill Core
Core samples were sent to SGS Laboratories, Westport for sample preparation. SGS is independent of the Company. Samples were crushed and pulverized to 85% passing 75 µm. The pulverized rock-chips were split into two samples: ~50 g for laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to Rua for pXRF analysis and storage. Control samples (certified standards and uncertified blanks), along duplicates, are inserted at a target 12% insertion rate. Results are assessed for accuracy, precision, and contamination on an ongoing basis.
Pulverized rock-chip samples were sent to ALS Brisbane to be analyzed for gold (Au) by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish (ALS Code Au-AA26); and for antimony (Sb) with lithium borate fusion sample preparation followed by an X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) instrument finish (ALS Codes: Sb-XRF15b for 0.005-20.0% Sb and Sb-XRF15c for 0.01-80.0% Sb).
RUA GOLD Contact
New Zealand
Simon Delander
VP Risk Stakeholder Regulatory Affairs
Email: sdelander@RUAGOLD.com
Website: www.RUAGOLD.com
Canada
Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company’s strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to drill program at the Auld Creek target and the timing and results thereof, the timing or results of PFS, the timing or result of an application for a mine permit, and the expected contributions of Mr. Prins. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavorable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated July 11, 2024, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Table 2: Location of Auld Creek reported drill holes from RUA program
Hole ID | Easting | Northing | rL | Total Depth | Site _ID | Dip | Azimuth (true) | Year |
| ACDDH084 | 1507192 | 5333296 | 514.43 | 230.5 | Pad 04 | -59.5 | 35 | 2026 |
| ACDDH120 | 1507183 | 5333519 | 452.6 | 202.5 | Pad 05 | -46.6 | 127.2 | 2026 |
| ACDDH121 | 1507082 | 5333094 | 583.28 | 397 | Pad 08 | -68.9 | 115.7 | 2026 |
| ACDDH122 | 1506958 | 5332959 | 611.61 | 457.1 | Pad 13 | -56.7 | 92.3 | 2026 |
| ACDDH123 | 1507290 | 5333151 | 537.69 | 255.1 | Pad 24 | -70.6 | 277.1 | 2026 |
| ACDDH124 | 1507072 | 5332958 | 605.53 | 226 | Pad 18 | -46.7 | 112.5 | 2026 |
| ACDDH125 | 1507183 | 5333521 | 452.46 | 187.5 | Pad 05 | -51.9 | 97.5 | 2026 |
| ACDDH126 | 1507291 | 5333149 | 538.25 | 244.5 | Pad 24 | -70.7 | 260.4 | 2026 |
| ACDDH127 | 1507082 | 5333094 | 583.17 | 378.1 | Pad 08 | -62 | 66.6 | 2026 |
| ACDDH128 | 1507184 | 5333520 | 452.6 | 187.5 | Pad 05 | -51.9 | 110.9 | 2026 |
| ACDDH130 | 1507290 | 5333152 | 537.45 | 247.5 | Pad 24 | -69.3 | 300.5 | 2026 |
Table 3: Significant drilling intercepts at Auld Creek, full mineralized zone composites
| Hole_ID | From | To | Interval | Au(g/t) | Sb (%) |
| ACDDH121 | 356 | 356.5 | 0.5 | 1.26 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH121 | 356.5 | 357 | 0.5 | 3.36 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 357 | 357.45 | 0.4 | 4.28 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH121 | 357.45 | 358 | 0.6 | 2.69 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 365.5 | 366 | 0.5 | 0.36 | 1.60 |
| ACDDH121 | 366 | 366.5 | 0.5 | 5.18 | 2.74 |
| ACDDH121 | 366.5 | 367 | 0.5 | 4.35 | 1.77 |
| ACDDH121 | 367 | 367.5 | 0.5 | 2.43 | 0.83 |
| ACDDH121 | 367.5 | 368 | 0.5 | 1.42 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH121 | 368 | 368.5 | 0.5 | 6.93 | 0.09 |
| ACDDH121 | 368.5 | 368.9 | 0.4 | 2.02 | 0.31 |
| ACDDH121 | 368.9 | 369.5 | 0.6 | 2.57 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH121 | 369.5 | 370 | 0.5 | 0.06 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 370 | 370.3 | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 370.3 | 370.7 | 0.4 | 1.36 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH121 | 370.7 | 371.05 | 0.35 | 0.19 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 371.05 | 371.5 | 0.45 | 1.64 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH121 | 371.5 | 372 | 0.5 | 7.83 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH121 | 372 | 372.5 | 0.5 | 3.03 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 372.5 | 373 | 0.5 | 1.02 | 0.04 |
| ACDDH121 | 373 | 373.5 | 0.5 | 2.51 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH121 | 373.5 | 374 | 0.5 | 7.25 | 1.85 |
| ACDDH121 | 374 | 374.45 | 0.45 | 4.56 | 0.26 |
| ACDDH121 | 374.45 | 375 | 0.55 | 11.65 | 0.44 |
| ACDDH121 | 375 | 375.5 | 0.5 | 11.4 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH121 | 375.5 | 376 | 0.5 | 8.25 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH121 | 376 | 376.5 | 0.5 | 7.21 | 0.07 |
| ACDDH121 | 376.5 | 377.15 | 0.65 | 1.45 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH123 | 228 | 228.95 | 0.95 | 0.55 | 0.49 |
| ACDDH123 | 228.95 | 229.25 | 0.3 | 14.05 | 29.20 |
| ACDDH123 | 229.25 | 229.9 | 0.65 | 17.7 | 2.09 |
| ACDDH123 | 229.9 | 230.2 | 0.3 | 22.1 | 47.30 |
| ACDDH123 | 236 | 236.5 | 0.5 | 1.59 | 0.11 |
| ACDDH123 | 236.5 | 237 | 0.5 | 2.45 | 0.04 |
| ACDDH123 | 237 | 237.7 | 0.7 | 3.25 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH123 | 237.7 | 238.3 | 0.6 | 9.76 | 8.03 |
| ACDDH123 | 238.3 | 239 | 0.7 | 12.1 | 0.53 |
| ACDDH123 | 239 | 239.5 | 0.5 | 6.03 | 1.40 |
| ACDDH123 | 239.5 | 240 | 0.5 | 0.67 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH123 | 240 | 240.5 | 0.5 | 2.93 | 0.05 |
| ACDDH123 | 240.5 | 241 | 0.5 | 1.32 | -0.01 |
| ACDDH125 | 168 | 168.8 | 0.8 | 0.25 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH125 | 168.8 | 169.2 | 0.4 | 0.76 | -0.01 |
| ACDDH125 | 169.2 | 169.5 | 0.3 | 0.85 | 0.06 |
| ACDDH125 | 169.5 | 170 | 0.5 | 0.84 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH125 | 170 | 170.5 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.07 |
| ACDDH125 | 170.5 | 171 | 0.5 | 0.31 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH125 | 171 | 171.5 | 0.5 | 1.34 | 0.22 |
| ACDDH125 | 171.5 | 172 | 0.5 | 0.71 | 0.07 |
| ACDDH125 | 172 | 172.5 | 0.5 | 2.62 | 0.76 |
| ACDDH126 | 228 | 228.4 | 0.4 | 6.22 | 0.95 |
| ACDDH126 | 228.4 | 229 | 0.6 | 0.86 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH126 | 229 | 229.5 | 0.5 | 5.23 | 0.04 |
| ACDDH126 | 229.5 | 230 | 0.5 | 5.61 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH126 | 230 | 231 | 1 | 2.38 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH126 | 231 | 232 | 1 | 0.73 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH126 | 232 | 232.5 | 0.5 | 0.34 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH126 | 232.5 | 233 | 0.5 | 1.59 | 0.14 |
| ACDDH126 | 233 | 233.5 | 0.5 | 1.07 | 0.06 |
| ACDDH126 | 233.5 | 234 | 0.5 | 0.92 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH126 | 234 | 234.5 | 0.5 | 0.56 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH126 | 234.5 | 235 | 0.5 | 2.28 | 0.21 |
| ACDDH127 | 358.95 | 359.35 | 0.4 | 9.6 | 41.50 |
| ACDDH127 | 359.35 | 359.65 | 0.3 | 43.6 | 33.30 |
| ACDDH127 | 359.65 | 360 | 0.35 | 17.85 | 17.45 |
| ACDDH127 | 360 | 360.5 | 0.5 | 16.45 | 6.51 |
| ACDDH127 | 360.5 | 361 | 0.5 | 3.19 | 3.29 |
| ACDDH127 | 361 | 361.5 | 0.5 | 9.46 | 3.63 |
| ACDDH127 | 361.5 | 362 | 0.5 | 5.6 | 1.16 |
| ACDDH127 | 362 | 362.5 | 0.5 | 17.75 | 2.53 |
| ACDDH127 | 362.5 | 363 | 0.5 | 2.06 | 0.21 |
| ACDDH127 | 363 | 363.45 | 0.45 | 4.71 | 0.14 |
| ACDDH127 | 363.45 | 364.1 | 0.65 | 16.7 | 1.98 |
| ACDDH127 | 364.1 | 364.5 | 0.4 | 1.99 | 0.13 |
| ACDDH127 | 364.5 | 365 | 0.5 | 6.56 | 2.20 |
| ACDDH127 | 365 | 365.5 | 0.5 | 2.36 | 0.14 |
| ACDDH127 | 368 | 368.65 | 0.65 | 1.77 | 0.39 |
| ACDDH127 | 368.65 | 369.15 | 0.5 | 0.76 | 3.34 |
| ACDDH127 | 369.15 | 370 | 0.85 | 0.68 | 0.81 |
| ACDDH127 | 370 | 370.5 | 0.5 | 1.18 | 0.23 |
| ACDDH127 | 370.5 | 371 | 0.5 | 1.09 | 0.43 |
| ACDDH128 | 170.5 | 171 | 0.5 | 2.34 | 5.19 |
| ACDDH128 | 171 | 172 | 1 | 0.3 | 0.16 |
| ACDDH128 | 172 | 173 | 1 | 0.5 | 1.07 |
| ACDDH130 | 207.6 | 208.3 | 0.7 | 1.74 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 208.3 | 208.8 | 0.5 | 4.07 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 208.8 | 209.4 | 0.6 | 13.05 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 209.4 | 209.8 | 0.4 | 22.6 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 209.8 | 210.2 | 0.4 | 25 | 0.05 |
| ACDDH130 | 210.2 | 210.5 | 0.3 | 33 | 6.75 |
| ACDDH130 | 210.5 | 210.8 | 0.3 | 69.2 | 0.07 |
| ACDDH130 | 210.8 | 211.7 | 0.9 | 12.5 | 0.04 |
| ACDDH130 | 211.7 | 212.5 | 0.8 | 6.57 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 212.5 | 213 | 0.5 | 3.7 | -0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 213 | 213.7 | 0.7 | 9.18 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH130 | 213.7 | 214.6 | 0.9 | 2.01 | -0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 209.1 | 209.5 | 0.4 | 1.03 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH124 | 209.5 | 210.05 | 0.55 | 2.15 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH124 | 210.05 | 210.5 | 0.45 | 0.12 | -0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 210.5 | 211 | 0.5 | 0.61 | 0.03 |
| ACDDH124 | 211 | 211.35 | 0.35 | 5.2 | 3.39 |
| ACDDH124 | 211.35 | 212 | 0.65 | 0.99 | 0.04 |
| ACDDH124 | 212 | 212.6 | 0.6 | 0.46 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 212.6 | 213.25 | 0.65 | 1.14 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 213.25 | 214 | 0.75 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 214 | 214.5 | 0.5 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 214.5 | 215 | 0.5 | 0.01 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 215 | 215.5 | 0.5 | 2.5 | 4.76 |
| ACDDH124 | 215.5 | 216 | 0.5 | 3.03 | 0.19 |
| ACDDH124 | 216 | 216.5 | 0.5 | 0.38 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 216.5 | 217 | 0.5 | 1.69 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH124 | 217 | 217.5 | 0.5 | 1.97 | 0.02 |
| ACDDH124 | 217.5 | 218 | 0.5 | 0.88 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 218 | 218.5 | 0.5 | 1.09 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 218.5 | 219 | 0.5 | 2.71 | 0.01 |
| ACDDH124 | 219 | 219.5 | 0.5 | 1.38 | 0.01 |
- See Rua Gold news release “RUA GOLD’s Auld Creek Project Qualifies for New Zealand’s 6-Month Fast-Track Approvals Process” dated July 30, 2026, available on the Company’s website at www.ruagold.com and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca
- Based on the recent Reefton Technical Report, the gold equivalent formula is based on AuEq = Au g/t + 2.15 x Sb% using a Au price of US$3,000/oz, Sb price of US$25,000 per tonne and 85% recovery.
- Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand, with an effective date of February 27, 2026 available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
- Christie, A., Simpson, M., Barker, R., and Braithwaite, R. 2019. Exploration for epithermal Au-Ag deposits in New Zealand: history and strategy. New Zealand Journal of Geology and Geophysics, 62:1, 414-441. NI 43-101 Technical Report, Waihi District Pre-feasibility Study, New Zealand. OceanaGold Corporation, Report Date: December 11, 2024.