Kenorland and Auranova Identify New Gold- Bearing Structural Corridor at the South Uchi Project, Ontario
Kenorland and Auranova Identify New Gold-
Bearing Structural Corridor at the South Uchi
Project, Ontario
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 28, 2026) -
Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
(TSXV:
KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("
Kenorland
" or the "
Company
") and Auranova Resources Inc.
("
Auranova
") are pleased to announce complete assay results from the 2025 fall diamond drill program
at the South Uchi Project (the "
Project
"), located in the Red Lake District of Ontario. The program
comprised 13 drill holes totalling 7,075 metres and successfully expanded the Papaonga gold target
while identifying a new, previously untested mineralised structural corridor concealed beneath glacial
cover
Drill Highlights:
New gold-bearing structural corridor identified north of the Papaonga target
Papaonga mineralised footprint expanded to the north and east
Broad zones of gold anomalism confirm district-scale potential
Highest grade intercept of 5.42 g/t over 1.80m including 12.70 g/t Au over 0.40m
Follow-up drill program planned for Q1 2026
Figure 1. Plan map of Papaonga with drill hole locations including highlights from this press release
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/281877_b0cefe6b843a693a_001full.jpg
Zach Flood, President and CEO of Kenorland Minerals, commented,
"The drill results continue to
validate the systematic approach we've taken at South Uchi. The identification of a previously
untested, gold-bearing structural corridor beneath cover is particularly encouraging and reinforces that
Papaonga sits within a much larger mineralised system. With up to eight kilometres of strike now
emerging as a priority target, we believe South Uchi offers meaningful discovery upside as we
advance into the next phase of drilling."
Discussion of Results
The 2025 fall drill program represents the second phase of drilling at Papaonga and builds on four years
of systematic exploration, including the maiden drill program reported in July 2025. Drilling was
designed to (i) follow up high-grade mineralisation intersected in hole 25PADD023 and (ii) test a newly
interpreted structural corridor identified from geophysics outside the previously drilled area.
Step-out drilling along the southern structural trend targeted extensions east, west, and down-dip from
25PADD023. Multiple holes intersected quartz-sulphide veining with carbonate-chlorite-silica alteration
hosted within mafic volcanic rocks, locally containing visible gold. Notably, hole
25PADD030 returned
1.80 m at 5.42 g/t Au, including 0.40 m at 12.70 g/t Au
, confirming continuity of high-grade
mineralisation along the structure.
A three-hole fence targeted a
previously untested structural corridor north of Papaonga
,
concealed beneath glacial till and glaciolacustrine cover. Holes
25PADD031 and 25PADD034
intersected a ~200 m-wide mineralised corridor
characterized by sericite-albite-silica alteration, 1-
5% disseminated sulphides, and multiple ~10 m-scale intervals of anomalous gold values. These results
confirm the presence of a broad, belt-parallel gold-bearing structure that remains open along strike.
Drilling also demonstrates that gold anomalism persists east of the current Papaonga footprint,
reinforcing the interpretation that mineralisation is distributed across a much broader structural system
than previously tested.
Figure 2. Cross section through newly identified northern mineralised corridor and southern trend
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Follow-up Drill Program
A proposed drill program of up to 3,000 metres is currently being designed and is scheduled to
commence in Q1 2026, subject to permitting. Drilling will focus on step-out fences along the newly
identified northern structural corridor, targeting up to 8 km of prospective strike length, with the objective
of delineating higher-grade shoots within the broader mineralised system.
Table 1: Table of assay results from the 2025 winter drill program
HOLE ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Au (g/t)
25PADD030
155.15
156.95
1.80
5.42
Incl.
155.55
155.95
0.40
12.70
25PADD031
234.00
247.50
13.50
0.47
And
282.00
297.00
15.00
0.18
And
363.00
373.50
10.50
0.22
And
412.50
420.00
7.50
0.25
25PADD032
229.50
233.20
3.70
0.97
Incl.
230.50
230.85
0.35
6.17
25PADD034
67.80
84.40
16.60
0.15
25PADD038
298.55
299.30
0.75
1.23
25PADD039
19.50
20.00
0.50
2.81
25PADD040
507.00
509.50
2.50
0.20
And
528.75
529.20
0.45
2.71
Table 2. Drill hole location and collar table of reported drill from the 2025 winter drill program
HOLE ID
Easting (NAD83)
Northing (NAD83)
Elevation (m)
Depth (m)
Dip
Azimuth
25PADD028
554979
5640791
401
309
-45
165
25PADD029
556222
5642216
414
507
-45
185
25PADD030
555275
5640836
402
309
-45
165
25PADD031
556180
5641858
412
627
-50
185
25PADD032
555275
5640837
402
441
-73
165
25PADD033
555095
5640903
405
486
-59
165
25PADD034
556131
5641456
410
606
-45
188
25PADD035
555078
5641184
410
567
-50
170
25PADD036
555802
5641071
410
600
-48
175
25PADD037
554668
5640790
408
507
-50
165
25PADD038
556314
5640930
411
834
-48
172
25PADD039
556836
5640868
425
640
-48
175
25PADD040
557168
5640927
410
642
-50
175
About South Uchi Project
The South Uchi Project was first identified and staked by Kenorland based on the under-explored
region's prospectivity to host significant gold mineralised systems. The Project covers a portion of
Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks, as well as the boundary between the Uchi geological
subprovince to the north and the English River geological subprovince to the south. Multiple major east-
west striking deformation zones associated with the subprovince boundary transect the Project, resulting
in zones of strong shearing and folding of the supracrustal stratigraphy, which are favourable settings for
orogenic gold mineralisation. Prior to Kenorland staking the Project, records indicated little to no
systematic exploration had been completed, and the land package remained under-explored. The
majority of gold deposits in the Red Lake District (Red Lake, Madsen, Hasaga, and others) are located
on the northern margin of the Confederation Assemblage. However, recent discoveries such as the LP
Fault Zone on the Dixie Project by Great Bear Resources Ltd. (acquired by Kinross Gold and renamed
Great Bear Project) highlight the prospectivity of the entire Confederation Assemblage along the
southern margin of the Uchi subprovince.
Kenorland announced on December 2, 2024, that it had entered into a definitive agreement with
Auranova, granting Auranova the right to earn up to a 70% interest in the Project. Pursuant to the
agreement, Auranova may earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by making cash payments totalling
$500,000 to Kenorland, completing a diamond drilling program with at least $8,000,000 in qualifying
expenditures or completing 15,000 metres of drilling within two years of receiving a drill permit, issuing
Kenorland 19.9% of Auranova's common shares, and maintaining Kenorland's 19.9% share position
until Auranova raises a minimum of $10,000,000 through share issuances, after which Kenorland's stake
will remain at 10% on a pro-rata basis through to the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment
(the "
PEA
").
Kenorland has received the $500,000 in cash payments and currently holds 9,242,267 common shares
of Auranova and confirms that Auranova has now earned a 51% ownership interest in the Project (see
press release dated July 2, 2025). Further, Auranova may earn an additional 19% interest, for a total of
70%, by incurring an additional $10,000,000 in qualifying expenditures on or before the third anniversary
of Auranova's election to proceed with the second option. Kenorland will also retain a 30% carried
interest in the Project through to the completion of the PEA, at which point a joint venture will be formed.
Kenorland also holds a 2% net smelter return royalty on the Project (see press release dated September
16, 2024).
Figure 3. Regional volcanic assemblages with significant gold deposits and South Uchi Project
location
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/281877_b0cefe6b843a693a_003full.jpg
1
Kinross reports 2023 fourth-quarter and full-year results: (Date February 14, 2024) - Updated resource to the technical report titled Great Bear
Project Ontario, Canada prepared by Nicos Pfeiffer, P.Geo., John Sims, CPG, Yves Breau, P.Eng., Rick Greenwood, P.Geo., Agung Prawasono,
P.Eng., issued February 13, 2023
Qualified Persons
Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824,
APEGNB #L7273), Vice President of Operations at Kenorland, a "Qualified Person" under National
Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press
release.
William Yeomans, P.Geo., a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has also reviewed
and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release. Mr. Yeomans is a gold
exploration professional with over 40 years of experience in all stages of gold exploration throughout the
Americas, including the Superior Province throughout Quebec and Ontario. He gained extensive
exploration management experience across the entire Guiana Shield with BHP and has generated
projects which resulted with significant NI 43-101 gold resources. He has worked as a consultant to
IAMGOLD and Dundee Precious Metals Inc., identifying acquisition opportunities across Canada, the
USA and South America. He is currently the President of Yeomans Geological Inc. as well as 1127637
B.C. Ltd. and has many years of experience as a board member for several junior mining companies.
QA/QC and Core Sampling Protocols
All drill core samples were collected under the supervision of Kenorland employees. Drill core was
transported from the drill platform to the logging facility where it was logged, photographed, and split by
diamond saw prior to being sampled. Samples were then bagged, and blanks and certified reference
materials were inserted at regular intervals. Groups of samples were placed in large bags, sealed with
numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody, and transported from Red Lake to Bureau
Veritas Commodities ("
BV
") laboratory in Timmins, Ontario.
Sample preparation and analytical work for this drill program were carried out by BV. Samples were
prepared for analysis according to BV method PRP70-250: individual samples were crushed to 2mm
(10 mesh) and a 250g split was pulverized to 75μm (200 mesh) for analysis and then assayed for gold.
Gold in samples were analyzed using BV method FA430 where a 30g split is analyzed with fire assay by
Pb collection and AAS finish. Over-limits gold samples were re-analyzed using BV method FA530
where a 30g split is analyzed with fire assay by Pb collection and gravimetric finish. Multi-element
geochemical analysis (45 elements) was performed on all samples using BV method MA200 where a
0.25g split is by multi-acid digest with ICP-MS/ES finish. All results passed the QA/QC screening at the
lab, all company inserted standards and blanks returned results that were within acceptable limits.
Update on Marketing Agreement
Further to the Company's press release dated November 3, 2025, the Company confirms that Atrium
Research Corporation was paid an upfront fee of $6,000 in connection with the engagement.
About Kenorland Minerals
Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project
generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance
greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily
through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net
smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec, which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining
Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by
Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020, which contains an Inferred Mineral
Resource of 14.5 Mt at 5.47 g/t Au for 2.55 Moz of gold. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada.
About Auranova Resources
The Company is an unlisted reporting issuer in the Provinces of British Columbia, Alberta,
Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Its directors and major shareholders are Thomas Obradovich, Chris
Taylor, Timothy Young, William Rand and Blair Zaritsky. The Company is focused on the discovery of
new gold systems in the Birch Uchi Belt in partnership with Kenorland Minerals Ltd. as well as expanding
its presence in the greenstone belts of Ontario.
Further information can be found on the Company's website
www.kenorlandminerals.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Kenorland Minerals,
Zach Flood
President, CEO & Director
For further information, please contact:
Alex Muir, CFA
Corporate Development and Investor Relations Manager
Tel +1 604 568 6005
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Auranova Resources,
Thomas Obradovich
Chief Executive Officer
Tel +1 416 985 7140
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together,
"forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other
than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking
statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates",
"intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions,
events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-
looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause
actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions
and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the
information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments
may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned
not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release,
and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all.
Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which the Company does not
have an interest. The Qualified Person has not verified the information, and it is not necessarily
indicative of the mineralisation on the Project.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation 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.
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