Duquesne update
250 Southridge NW, Suite 300
Edmonton, AB CANADA T6H 4M9
www.emperormetals.com
Emperor Metals Delivers Another Strong High-Grade Gold Intercept at
Duquesne West: 20.1 m of 5.0 g/t Au
Edmonton, Alberta, August 25, 2026 – Emperor Metals Inc. (“Emperor Metals”) (CSE: AUOZ,
OTCQB: EMAUF, FSE: 9NH) is pleased to report results from the latest assay release of its 2026
exploration campaign at the Duquesne West Project. The program comprised 20,479 meter s of
new drilling and approximately 8,000 met ers of targeted historical previous unsampled core,
generating more than 28,000 met ers of combined drilling data to further refine and expand the
resource model.
With 142,758 meters of drilling completed to date, these results represent another significant step
toward Emperor Metals’ objective of advancing the project to a Preliminary Economic
Assessment (PEA) in the near term.
Highlights and Overview: 2025/2026 Drilling
• 20.1 meters (m) grading 5.0 g/t Au, from 436 meters (375 meters vertical depth).
• 12.4 (m) grading 1.6 g/t Au.
• 3.0 m grading 2.7 g/t Au from previously unsampled historical core, identifying
previously unrecognized mineralization.
• Assay results have now been received for 38 of 66 drill holes, representing
approximately 12,128 meter s, or 59% of the 20,479 meter s drilled during the 2026
program.
CEO John Florek commented : “What we are demonstrating is the substantial thickness and
grade of one of several mineralized lenses that exhibit significant replacement style
mineralization and continuity, highlighting the potential to add meaningful ounces both within
and beyond the current resource footprint.
Increasing the thickness and grade of these existing mineralized lenses highlights a compelling
opportunity to materially expand the resource by incorporating mineralization that is not
currently captured within the existing resource model. As our understanding of the structural
controls and replacement-style mineralization continues to advance, we are increasingly able to
target these highly permeable zones with greater precision, providing a clear pathway to
extending the deposit and unlocking additional high-grade ounces in a meaningful and systematic
manner."
Emperor Metals has completed its 2025–2026 exploration program on budget, finishing 66 drill
holes totaling 20,479 meters. Results have been reported for approximately 12,128 meters to date,
representing 38 of 66 holes and roughly 58% of the current drilling, while only approximately
43% of the total assays expected from the broader program; including 7,884 meters of historical
core resampling have been received, leaving a substantial portion of the program still to be
reported.
Discussion:
Systematic drilling targeting under -tested structural controls continues to grow the deposit
footprint along strike and at depth (see Figure 1 ), while enhancing internal continuity with
higher-grade, broader intercepts. The identification of free gold within the system further
enhances the project’s upside potential, representing a characteristic that had not previously been
recognized or systematically targeted.
DQ26-46 is part of Emperor Metals’ program targeting historically under -drilled mineralized
lenses. This hole was designed to better define mineralized zones that are now interpreted to be
more robust and continuous than previously recognized. Historical drilling in this area was widely
spaced, with hole separations of approximately 100 to 150 meter s, limiting the ability to
accurately define the geometry, thickness, and grade of the mineralization.
Emperor Metals’ systematic infill drilling is significantly improving the geological model and
confidence in these lenses. In addition to identifying opportunities to expand mineralization, this
work is intended to support the conversion of portions of the current Inferr ed Mineral Resource
to the Indicated category in Emperor Metals’ future NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate update.
Examples of these replacement -style mineralized lenses are presented in Image 1. The images
highlight broad intervals of intense alteration and pervasive gold mineralization, demonstrating
the thickness, continuity, and consistency of these mineralized zones (see Figure 2 ). This
relatively homogeneous style of mineralization is particularly advantageous from a mining
perspective, as its broad, continuous geometry has the potential to minimize dilution during
extraction, enhancing mining efficiency and supporting stronger project economics compared to
narrower, more discontinuous deposits.
These are the hallmarks of a robust and growing mineral system, reinforcing the significant
resource expansion potential at Duquesne West. When combined with both high-grade and broad
lower-grade bulk-tonnage intercepts, the results further validate the opportunity to expand the
conceptual Main Pit and strengthen the project ’s pathway toward establishing a multi -million-
ounce gold resource.
Figure 1: Location of Drillholes Released in this Press Release.
Figure 2: Cross Section of DQ26-46 Along Section Line 640,250 mE. The section highlights a
robust intercept of 20.1 met ers grading 5.0 g/t Au and illustrates the increasing continuity,
thickness, and scale of one of several replacement -style mineralized lenses at Duquesne West,
Quebec. The results further demonstrate the potential to expand these mineralized zones both
within and beyond the current resource footprint.
Image 1: DQ26-46 Intercept . The core displays an excellent example of replacement -style
alteration associated with a thick, gold-bearing mineralized lens at Duquesne West, Quebec. The
interval returned 20.1 meters grading 5.0 g/t Au , highlighting the robust thickness, continuity,
and intensity of mineralization that characterize this expanding gold system.
Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au)
DQ26-461 436.9 457.0 20.1 5.0
DQ26-461 499.4 511.8 12.4 1.6
DQ26-321 66.2 78.2 12.0 1.6
DQ26-451 452.4 458.8 6.3 1.5
DQ26-501 40.0 44.1 4.1 1.3
DQ26-211 140.9 176.5 35.6 0.7
DQ26-251 292.9 310.2 17.3 0.6
DQ26-271 82.3 99.1 16.7 0.6
DQ26-491 44.5 50.5 5.5 0.8
1Estimated 70-90% True Thickness
Table 1: Highlights the key intercepts from each drill hole reported in this press release. The
areas surrounding these intercepts remain largely underexplored and warrant substantial follow -
up drilling to further evaluate their expansion potential.
Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au)
DQ26-46 436.9 439.0 2.1 1.5
DQ26-46 439.0 440.0 1.0 1.6
DQ26-46 440.0 441.0 1.0 10.4
DQ26-46 441.0 442.0 1.0 9.5
DQ26-46 442.0 443.0 1.0 16.7
DQ26-46 443.0 444.0 1.0 15.5
DQ26-46 444.0 445.1 1.1 5.3
DQ26-46 445.1 446.5 1.4 5.2
DQ26-46 446.5 447.9 1.4 2.9
DQ26-46 447.9 448.9 1.0 3.0
DQ26-46 448.9 450.0 1.1 1.5
DQ26-46 450.0 451.0 1.0 6.6
DQ26-46 451.0 452.0 1.0 2.2
DQ26-46 452.0 453.0 1.0 8.6
DQ26-46 453.0 454.0 1.0 1.1
DQ26-46 454.0 455.0 1.0 0.9
DQ26-46 455.0 456.0 1.0 1.0
DQ26-46 456.0 457.0 1.0 1.0
1Estimated = or > 90% True Thickness
Table 2: Highlights the continuous nature of near-surface gold at DQ26-46.
Hole No. % Reported Total Depth
DQ26-21 100 264
DQ26-25 100 366
DQ26-27 100 126
DQ26-32 100 150
DQ26-45 100 564
DQ26-46 81 684
DQ26-49 100 105
DQ26-50 100 81
Table 3: Table of Assays Reported for Drill Holes Included in This Release.
Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t Au)
DQ06-14 377 389 12 0.5
477.6 482.6 5.0 1.2
513 516 3 2.7
Table 4: Highlights of intercepts from historical core DQ06-14.
Quality Assurance and Control
The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA /QC) was conducted by Technominex, a
geological contractor hired by Emperor Metals, which adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines
for exploration related activities conducted at its facility in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The QA/QC
procedures are overseen by a Qualified Person on site.
Emperor Metals’ QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference
material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately
one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in -half with a diamond saw, with one -half
placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to either the SGS Val D’Or, Quebec or
MSALabs in Val D’Or, Quebec, and the other half retained on site in the original core box. For
SGS labs, a dispatch list consists of 88 or 176 samples along with their corresponding QA/QC
samples for a single batch. This allows complete batches (88 samples) for fire assay. A file for
sample tracking records tags used and weights of sample bags shipped to the S GS Val D’Or.
Shipment is done by Manitoulin Transport and coordination by Technominex staff in Rouyn -
Noranda
The third-party laboratory, SGS prep laboratory in Val D’Or Quebec, processes the shipment of
samples using standard sample preparation (code PRP92) and produces pulps from the specified
samples. The pulps are then sent off to SGS Burnaby for analysis. Chain of custody is maintained
from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility all the way to analysis at the
SGS Burnaby B.C. laboratory.
Analytical testing is performed by SGS laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The entire
sample is crushed to 90% passing 2mm, with a split of 500g pulverized to 85% passing 75
microns. Samples are then analyzed using Au - ore grade 50g Fire Assay, ICP-AES with reporting
limits of 0.01 - 100 part per million (ppm). High grade gold analysis based on the presence of
visible gold or a fire assay result exceeding 100 ppm, are analyzed by Au - metallic screening,
1kg screened to 106μm, 50g fire assay, gravimetric, AAS or ICP-AES of entire plus fraction and
duplicate analysis of minus fraction. Reporting limit 0.01ppm.
Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) for MSALabs
Samples are submitted to MSALABS ’ analytical facility in Val- d’Or, Quebec, for preparation
and gold analysis. Samples are dried and crushed to 70% passing 2 mm, and an approximately
500 g aliquot is analyzed using Chrysos PhotonAssay™ technology. This method uses high-
energy X-ray excitation with gamma detection to provide a rapid, non- destructive measurement
of gold content on a larger, more representative sample mass.
Emperor Metals’ QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference
material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately
one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in -half with a diamond saw, with one -half
placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to MSALabs in Val D ’Or and the other
half retained on site in the original core box. A file for sample tracking records tags used and
weights of sample bags shipped to MSALabs in Val D’Or Quebec.
MSALabs is an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory and implements rigorous internal quality
control procedures. These include the systematic insertion of certified reference materials
(CRMs), blanks, and duplicates at defined intervals throughout the analytical process to monitor
accuracy, precision, and potential contamination.
About the Duquesne West Gold Project
The Duquesne West Gold Property is located 32 km northwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda and
10 km east of the town of Duparquet. The property lies within the historic Duparquet gold mining
camp in the southern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Superior Province.
Emperor Metals is targeting a multi- million-ounce gold resource at Duquesne West through a
combination of conceptual open- pit and underground mining scenarios. The Property currently
hosts an updated inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 26.9 million tonnes (Mt)
containing 1.46 million ounces (Moz) of gold at an average grade of 1.69 g/t Au ( See press
release dated July 9, 2025, available on SEDAR+ ). The s ensitivity table in the MRE shows
various grade scenarios for a higher-grade open pit for an underground mining scenario.
Under an Option Agreement, Emperor Metals agreed to acquire a one hundred percent (100%)
interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located
in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the “Duquesne West Property”) from Duparquet Assets
Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (GMX -TSX). For further
information on the Duquesne West Property and Option Agreement, see Emperor Metals’ press
release dated October 12, 2022, available on SEDAR+.
A reinterpretation of the existing geological model was created using AI and Machine Learning.
This model shows the opportunity for additional discovery of ounces by revealing gold trends
unknown to previous workers and the potential to expand the resource along significant gold-
endowed structural zones.
QP Disclosure
The technical content pertaining to the Duquesne West Project in this news release has been
reviewed and approved by John Labrecque, Vice President of Emperor Metals (B.Sc., P.Geol .,
OQLF), who is recognized as a Qualified Person under CIM guidelines and serves as a consultant
to Emperor Metals.
About Emperor Metals Inc.
Emperor Metals Inc. is a high- grade gold exploration and development junior mining company
focused on Quebec ’s Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt, leveraging AI -driven exploration
techniques. Emperor Metals is dedicated to unlocking the substantial resource potential of the
Duquesne West Gold Project and the Lac Pelletier Project (currently aw aiting liability
transfer) both situated in this Tier 1 mining district.
Emperor Metals is led by a dynamic group of resource sector professionals who have a strong
record of success in evaluating and advancing mining projects from exploration through to
production, attracting capital and overcoming adversity to deliver shareholder value. For more
information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.com), under Emperor Metals’ profile.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
s/ “John Florek”
John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol
President, CEO and Director
Emperor Metals Inc.
Contact:
John Florek
President/CEO
T: (807) 228-3531
The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the content of this press release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward -Looking Statements: Certain statements made and information contained
herein may constitute “forward -looking information” and “forward- looking statements” within the meaning of
applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts
currently available to Emperor Metals and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management ’s
expectations. Forward -looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as “anticipates,”
“believes,” “targets,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “may,” “will,” “could” or “would.”
Forward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding,
among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates,
metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating
costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other
matters. While Emperor Metals considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward- looking
statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance
on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. Emperor Metals
does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable
securities laws.