RUA GOLD Announces the Grant of Deferred Share Units RUA GOLD Inc. (TSXV: RUA, OTC QB: NZAUF, WKN: A40QYC) (“RUA GOLD " or the "Company" ) announces the grant of 76,403 deferred share units (“DSUs”) to non -executive directors of the

January 2, 2026

RUA GOLD Announces the Grant of Deferred Share Units

RUA GOLD Inc. (TSXV: RUA, OTC QB: NZAUF, WKN: A40QYC) (“RUA GOLD " or the "Company" )

announces the grant of 76,403 deferred share units (“DSUs”) to non -executive directors of the

Company at a deemed price of $1.29 per DSU, in accordance with the Company’s DSU Plan dated July

24, 2024. The DSUs are subject to a one-year vesting. Each DSU entitles the holder to receive one

Common Share at the time the holder ceases to be a director of the Company.

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 impress ive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver.

Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation’s biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at

www.sedarplus.ca.

RUA GOLD Contact

Robert Eckford

Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +1 604 655 7354

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.RUAGOLD.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the

policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this

release.