RUA GOLD Provides Exploration Update and 2026 Outlook for the Auld Creek Gold- Antimony Project, Reefton Goldfield
RUA GOLD Provides Exploration Update and
2026 Outlook for the Auld Creek Gold-
Antimony Project, Reefton Goldfield
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2026) - Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA)
(OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) ("
RUA GOLD
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to provide an
exploration update on its Auld Creek gold-antimony project in the Reefton Goldfield, New Zealand, and
to outline the key permitting catalysts for 2026.
Highlights:
The Company is ramping up permitting related activities,
targeting inclusion on the list of
projects eligible for New Zealand’s FAST TRACK process in the first half of 2026
Highlighted assay results from Auld Creek include:
ACDDH050: 3.0m @ 21.27 g/t AuEq
1
(4.5 g/t Au & 3.9% Sb) from 137m
Including 2.0m @ 27.4 g/t AuEq
1
(5.2 g/t Au & 5.5% Sb)
ACDDH055: 3.4m @ 4.18 g/t AuEq
1
(2.6 g/t Au & 0.4% Sb) from 152.7m
ACDDH056: 5.1m @ 7.27g/t AuEq
1
(5.3 g/t Au & 0.5% Sb) from 240.4
Three drill rigs are operating from January, accelerating progress and testing extensions 400m
north of the Fraternal lode and 250m northwest of the Bonanza lode.
Further drilling has increased the strike length of the deposit a further 250m to 870m
length, remains open along strike to the north and at depth via plunging ore shoots.
Scout drilling is being mobilized to test the full 2,500m strike length of the surface gold-arsenic-
antimony soil geochemical anomalies.
RSC Consulting has been engaged to prepare an updated NI 43-101 Reefton Technical Report,
scheduled to be published in February 2026 and incorporating drilling to date.
Tendering underway for works to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”).January
19, 2026.
Encouraging new mineral intersections confirm expansion of the Auld Creek system beyond 870m
(Fraternal lode), with mineralization remaining open to the north and unconstrained at depths exceeding
320m. A third drill rig is scheduled to commence drilling by the end of January, accelerating resource
development and testing anomalies directly along strike of both the Fraternal and Bonanza lodes.
The Company has significantly advanced permitting activities in the region and is targeting submission
of a Fast Track referral application in the first half of 2026. Consultant and stakeholder site visits
commenced in December 2025, with the majority of the independent advisors scheduled to visit the Auld
Creek site and surrounding areas in January 2026.
Robert Eckford, CEO of RUA GOLD, commented:
"Auld Creek continues to be a cornerstone asset for
the Company. Ongoing drilling is expanding both the scale and confidence of the mineralized system
as we advance toward mine permitting.
We intend to use the FAST TRACK legislation for the Auld Creek gold-antimony project, with the
objective of bringing New Zealand's largest known antimony deposit into production. Our confidence
in this permitting regime was reinforced by the approval of OceanaGold's Wharekirauponga gold-
silver project in December 2025."
Figure 1: Overview of the Reefton Goldfield.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/280793_0718bd3f04ddc9b5_007full.jpg
FAST TRACK PROCESS ADVANCING
RUA GOLD is actively progressing permitting related activities on the West Coast of New Zealand, with
the team targeting submission of a Fast Track referral application in the first half of 2026.
Engagement with our local Maori stakeholders, Te Runanga o Ngāti Waewae has been ongoing with
respect to exploration activities and future development plans. Ngāti Waewae are strong supporters of
the project and will work closely with the Company throughout the Fast Track process, including assisting
with cultural impact assessments.
The mine concept design was completed in 2025 by engineering firm AMC Consultants, and the
Company is currently tendering works to support the upcoming PEA. Community and regulatory
consultations have commenced and will intensify throughout 2026. Subject to a successful referral
application, the Company is targeting submission of the Fast Track application by the end of 2026.
AULD CREEK EXPLORATION UPDATE
The 2025 systematic drill program was designed to expand the scale of known mineralization and
enhance confidence in the geological and resource model. Drilling has successfully demonstrated strike
continuity of the Fraternal lode over 870m, with mineralization remaining open to the north and
unconstrained at depth.
A central portion of the structure remains untested; the expansion to three drill rigs and implementation of
double-shift operations will allow this zone to be tested in the first quarter of 2026.
Figure 2: Auld Creek Fraternal long section
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/280793_0718bd3f04ddc9b5_008full.jpg
Drilling and geological interpretation indicate that higher-grade mineralized shoots persist in a sub-
vertical orientation. Drilling in 2026 will focus on extending these shoots at depth and infilling the
resource envelope over its 870m strike length.
Assay results show:
ACDDH040: 0.8m @ 2.6 g/t Au & 0.5% Sb
ACDDH047: 3.0m @ 2.7 g/t Au
ACDDH047: 7.0m @ 1.34 g/t Au
ACDDH050: 3.0m @ 4.5 g/t Au & 3.9% Sb
ACDDH055: 3.4m @ 2.6 g/t Au & 0.4% Sb
A
CDDH056: 5.1m @ 5.3 g/t Au & 0.5% Sb
ACDDH041, ACDD042, ACDDH043, ACDDH044, ACDDH045, ACDDH046, ACDDH048,
ACDDH049, ACDDH051 and ACDDH057 intercepted the structure, with only weak mineralization.
Collectively, these results materially advance the Company's understanding of the Auld Creek system,
demonstrating its scale and structural continuity, and provide clear vectors to guide subsequent drilling
focused on expanding higher-grade mineralization along plunge to the north and at depth, where drilling
to date has not yet exceeded 320m vertically. Comparable orogenic gold-antimony deposits commonly
demonstrate continuity of mineralisation well beyond 1,000m vertically.
MAPPING AND SURFACE GEOCHEMISTRY
Fraternal Lode
Surface gold-arsenic-antimony soil anomalism demonstrates that the
Fraternal lode
extends at least
400m to the north, with soil tenor comparable to the main Auld Creek resource zone. Regional soil gold-
arsenic-antimony geochemistry demonstrates a mineralised structure exceeding 2,000m in length.
The third rig introduced in January 2026 will conduct scout drilling along this strike length of the Fraternal
lode during the first half of 2026.
Bonanza Lode
Surface geological mapping guided by strongly anomalous gold-arsenic antimony soil sampling has
identified strong mineralised quartz veining 250m northwest of the
Bonanza lode,
extending its stroke
length from 350m to 600m. This area will be a priority drilling target in Q1 2026.
Figure 3: Location of Auld Creek drilling relative to 2,000m strike extent seen in the surface
geochemistry.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/280793_0718bd3f04ddc9b5_009full.jpg
REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Auld Creek represents one of at least six known occurrences of gold-antimony with high-grade gold-
antimony in insitu rock chips and historical underground workings stretched over a known 30km length in
the Reefton Goldfield covered by Rua Gold's permits. A fourth drill rig continues to evaluation high-
priority gold targets beyond Auld Creek.
ABOUT RUA GOLD
RUA GOLD is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of
expertise, our team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across
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 tenements, in a district that historically
produced over 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/t.
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 silver.
Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation's biggest gold mining development project,
Wharekirauponga, which is now fully permitted and under construction.
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 or opinions 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: a ~50 g sent for laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to RGL for pXRF
analysis and storage. Pulverized rock-chip samples were analyzed for gold (Au) by 50-g fire assay with
AAS finish at SGS Waihi (SGS Code FAA505); and for antimony (Sb) by Sodium Peroxide Fusion
Analysis by ICP-MS at SGS Waihi.
QA/QC Soil and Rock Samples
Samples were crushed to 75% passing 2 mm (SGS code CRU75) and pulverised to 85% passing 75
µm (SGS code PUL85_CR). The pulverised rock-chips were split into two samples: a ~50 g sent for
laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to RUA GOLD for pXRF analysis and storage. Rock chip
samples are selective by their nature, and not necessarily indicative of mineralization throughout the
project.
RUA GOLD Contact
New Zealand
Simon Delander
VP Risk Stakeholder Regulatory Affairs
Email:
Website:
www.RUAGOLD.com
Canada
Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Email:
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 exploration programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects
and the results thereof. 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 1: Location of Auld Creek drill holes from RUA 2024-2025 program
Hole ID
Easting
Northing
rL
Total Depth
Site _ID
Dip
Azimuth (true)
Year
ACDDH022
1507213
5333198
511.11
108.5
Pad 10
-54
193
2024
ACDDH023
1507213
5333200
510.87
51.5
Pad 10
-60
85
2024
ACDDH024
1507290
5333150
538.41
156.3
Old Pad 13
-37
220
2025
ACDDH025
1507290
5333151
538.03
180.9
Old Pad 13
-54
248
2025
ACDDH026
1507291
5333151
537.77
200
Old Pad 13
-59
231
2025
ACDDH027
1507291
5333150
538.15
193.4
Old Pad 13
-45
212
2025
ACDDH028
1507078
5332957
605.4
243.5
Pad 18
-50
104
2025
ACDDH029
1507079
5332956
605.43
256
Pad 18
-50
120
2025
ACDDH030
1507074
5332955
606.38
268.5
Pad 18
-53
85
2025
ACDDH031
1507074
5332955
606.24
336
Pad 18
-65
74
2025
ACDDH032
1507075
5332956
606.15
351.6
Pad 18
-70
108
2025
ACDDH033
1507076
5332956
606.13
291.1
Pad 18
-64
92
2025
ACDDH034
1507213
5333197
511.61
200
Pad 10
-72
267
2025
ACDDH035
1507209
5333371
511.61
194.3
Pad 02
-53
85
2025
ACDDH036
1507209
5333371
511.61
200.8
Pad 02
-60
125
2025
ACDDH037
1507209
5333371
511.61
189.3
Pad 02
-62
49
2025
ACDDH038
1507209
5333371
511.61
154.3
Pad 02
-67
72
2025
ACDDH039
1507209
5333371
511.61
188
Pad 02
-75
60
2025
ACDDH040
1507209
5333371
511.61
238.7
Pad 02
-67
39
2025
ACDDH041
1507195
5333291
512.26
154
Pad 04
-45
270
2025
ACDDH042
1507166
5332776
656
206.1
Pad 17
-45
120
2025
ACDDH043
1507195
5333291
512.26
207.3
Pad 04
-72
273
2025
ACDDH044
1507195
5333291
512.26
200
Pad 04
-54
294
2025
ACDDH045
1507166
5332776
656
174.2
Pad 17
-68
64
2025
ACDDH046
1507195
5333291
512.26
215.2
Pad 04
-83
295
2025
ACDDH047
1507166
5332776
656
252
Pad 17
-81
51
2025
ACDDH048
1507085
5332837
574
251.7
Pad 20
-62
88
2025
ACDDH049
1507195
5333291
512
122.5
Pad 04
-63
85
2025
ACDDH050
1507195
5333291
512
172
Pad 04
-73
84
2025
ACDDH051
1507085
5332837
574
308.8
Pad 20
-66
71
2025
ACDDH052
1507195
5333291
512
209.3
Pad 04
-70
45
2025
ACDDH053
1507085
5332837
574
325.4
Pad 20
-71
75
2025
ACDDH054
1507195
5333291
512
240
Pad 04
-79
81
2025
ACDDH055
1507180
5333527
450.8266
175.9
Pad 05
-45
115
2025
ACDDH056
1507074
5332955
606.24
276.5
Pad 18
-43
65
2025
ACDDH057
1507180
5333527
450.8266
240
Pad 05
-59
118
2025
Table 2: Significant drilling intercepts at Auld Creek, full mineralized zone composites.
Hole ID
From
To
Interval
Au (g/t)
Sb (%)
ACDDH026
175
175.9
0.9
0.96
ACDDH026
175.9
177.1
1.2
1.55
ACDDH027
152
153
1
2.52
ACDDH027
153
154
1
1.88
ACDDH027
154
155
1
3.44
ACDDH027
155
156
1
2.25
ACDDH027
156
157
1
1.84
ACDDH027
157
158
1
0.37
ACDDH027
158
159
1
0.15
ACDDH027
159
160
1
2.38
0.013%
ACDDH027
160
161
1
2.39
0.802%
ACDDH027
161
162
1
4.75
0.008%
ACDDH027
162
163
1
2.84
0.016%
ACDDH027
163
164
1
8.42
0.010%
ACDDH027
164
165
1
4.7
0.010%
ACDDH027
165
166
1
3.77
0.009%
ACDDH027
166
167
1
15
0.178%
ACDDH027
167
168
1
3.11
0.428%
ACDDH028
209.5
210.15
0.65
0.92
ACDDH028
210.15
210.6
0.45
18.4
11.600%
ACDDH028
210.6
211.4
0.8
8.28
4.680%
ACDDH028
211.4
212
0.6
1.68
ACDDH031
310.4
312.5
2.1
5.4
13.06%
ACDDH032
296
305
9.0
0.6
ACDDH033
263.8
265
1.2
2.09
0.30%
ACDDH033
265
266
1
0.54
0.02%
ACDDH033
266
267
1
1.58
ACDDH033
267
268
1
0.71
ACDDH035
127
128
1
2.48
ACDDH035
128
129
1
1.5
ACDDH036
84
85
1
1.63
ACDDH036
85
86
1
0.18
ACDDH036
86
87
1
0.21
ACDDH036
87
88
1
0.5
ACDDH036
88
89
1
0.68
ACDDH036
89
90
1
2.08
0.06%
ACDDH037
147
148
1
1.98
0.02%
ACDDH037
148
149
1
0.44
ACDDH037
149
150
1
1.55
ACDDH037
150
151
1
0.26
ACDDH037
151
152
1
0.05
ACDDH037
152
153
1
0.07
ACDDH037
153
154
1
<0.01
ACDDH037
154
155
1
<0.01
ACDDH037
155
156
1
0.07
ACDDH037
156
157
1
0.59
0.02%
ACDDH037
157
158
1
<0.01
0.01%
ACDDH037
158
159
1
10.8
0.04%
ACDDH037
159
160
1
10.8
0.79%
ACDDH037
160
161
1
8.46
0.02%
ACDDH037
161
162
1
6
1.70%
ACDDH037
162
163
1
7.49
2.31%
ACDDH037
163
164
1
2.15
ACDDH037
164
165
1
2.24
ACDDH037
165
166
1
1.93
ACDDH037
166
167
1
0.99
ACDDH037
167
168
1
1.05
ACDDH037
168
169
1
1.7
0.02%
ACDDH038
109.5
110.5
1
2.43
ACDDH038
110.5
111.3
0.8
0.59
ACDDH038
111.3
112
0.7
0.73
ACDDH038
112
113
1
0.43
ACDDH039
150
151
1
1.48
0.01%
ACDDH039
151
152
1
0.9
0.03%
ACDDH039
152
153
1
1.22
0.06%
ACDDH039
153
154
1
0.27
0.01%
ACDDH039
154
155
1
2.73
0.53%
ACDDH039
155
156
1
6.87
0.04%
ACDDH039
156
157
1
3
1.67%
ACDDH039
157
158
1
8.06
4.83%
ACDDH039
158
159
1
4.47
3.05%
ACDDH039
159
160
1
2.52
0.08%
ACDDH039
160
161
1
8.01
5.22%
ACDDH039
161
162
1
3.35
0.21%
ACDDH039
162
163
1
5.62
0.16%
ACDDH039
163
164
1
0.71
0.01%
ACDDH039
164
165
1
7.63
8.75%
ACDDH039
165
166
1
1.8
0.01%
ACDDH039
166
167
1
1.84
0.02%
ACDDH040
206
207
1
0.09
ACDDH040
207
208
1
0.41
ACDDH040
208
209
1
0.42
ACDDH040
209
210
1
0.26
ACDDH040
210
211
1
0.12
ACDDH040
211
212
1
0.02
ACDDH040
212
213
1
0.02
ACDDH040
213
214
1
0.4
ACDDH040
214
215
1
0.67
ACDDH040
215
216
1
0.44
ACDDH040
216
217
1
0.01
ACDDH040
217
218
1.10
0.06
ACDDH040
218
219
0.70
0.26
ACDDH040
219
220
1
0.35
ACDDH040
220
221
1
0.27
0.3%