Kenorland Minerals Reports a Grassroots Discovery of Widespread Gold Mineralisation at the Opinaca Project, Quebec
Kenorland Minerals Reports a Grassroots
Discovery of Widespread Gold Mineralisation
at the Opinaca Project, Quebec
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2026) -
Kenorland Minerals Ltd.
(TSXV:
KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("
Kenorland"
or the "
Company
") is pleased to report a
grassroots gold discovery at the Opinaca Project (the "
Project
"), located in the James Bay region of
Quebec. Kenorland is the current operator and holds a 3% net smelter return ("
NSR
") royalty on the
Project, which is 100% owned by Targa Exploration Corp. ("
Targa
"). Assays from all 8 drill holes
completed in the campaign, totaling in 3,665 metres of drilling, are reported herein.
Drill Highlights:
Discovery of widespread gold mineralisation intersected in 7 of 8 drill holes over a 4-km target
area with no prior drilling or known mineral occurrences.
High-grade intercepts include hole
25OPDD007 of 3.65m at 13.88 g/t Au, including 0.30m at
166.14 g/t Au
with +10 specs of visible gold (VG), and 25OPDD006 that returned 4.79m at 2.39
g/t Au, including 0.70m at 14.80 g/t Au.
Broad zones of gold mineralisation across three fences including; 70.55m at 0.17 g/t Au (incl.
8.10m at 0.38 g/t Au) in 25OPDD004; 16.85m at 0.69 g/t Au (incl. 3.25m at 2.23 g/t Au) in
25OPDD003; and 16.00m at 0.43 g/t Au (incl. 1.50m at 3.13 g/t Au) in 25OPDD008.
Mineralisation style analogous to the regionally significant, intrusion-related, Cheechoo gold
deposit*.
Figure 1. Plan map of Opinaca drilling
with highlights from this press release
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/281017_73f31684540f2899_001full.jpg
Discussion of Results
The 2025 fall drill program represents the first-ever drilling at the Project, following two years of
systematic exploration. Prior to this program, no historical drilling or documented gold occurrences had
been reported within the target area. The maiden drill program comprised eight (8) diamond drillholes
totaling 3,665 metres, designed to test a 4-km-wide area located at the head of an extensive gold-in-till
and heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) gold grain anomaly, as well as anomalous rock samples returning
up to 6.67 g/t Au identified through prospecting.
Widespread gold mineralisation was intersected across the target area along three separate drill
fences. Mineralisation is hosted within all lithologies including felsic tonalitic intrusives with moderate to
strong albite alteration, moderately to strongly deformed meta-wacke, felsic pegmatite and fine-grained
mafic intrusive units. Foliation-parallel quartz-feldspar-biotite ± arsenopyrite veins associated with gold
cross-cut all lithologies.
The spatial association of gold with albite-altered tonalites, quartz-feldspar veinlets, arsenopyrite, and
pegmatites is similar to the Cheechoo gold deposit* (Sirios Resources), also located in the James Bay
region, underscoring the potential for a significant intrusion-related gold system at the Opinaca Project.
Figure 2. 166.14 g/t Au quartz-amphibole-arsenopyrite-gold vein from 25OPDD007, 459.85-460.15m
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/281017_73f31684540f2899_002full.jpg
Results from each of the three drill fences are summarized below:
Western Fence: Targeted up-ice of a gold grain in till anomaly in proximity to an interpreted NE
trending structure.
3.65m at 13.88 g/t Au including 0.30m at 166.14 g/t Au
was intersected in
25OPDD007 with
+10 specs of visible gold (VG)
, associated with a quartz-amphibole-
arsenopyrite vein in meta-wacke. Drillhole 25OPDD007 also returned
15.05m at 0.59 g/t Au
including 2.45m at 2.81 g/t Au
hosted in albite-altered tonalite.
Central Fence: Drilling undercut multiple anomalous boulder samples at surface. Drillhole
25OPDD006 returned 4.79m at 2.39 g/t Au including 0.70m at 14.80 g/t Au in meta-wacke. Holes
25OPDD003 and 25OPDD004 returned
16.85m at 0.69 g/t Au including 3.25m at 2.23 g/t Au
and 70.55m at 0.17 g/t Au including 8.10m at 0.38 g/t in meta-wacke with folded quartz-feldspar-
biotite-arsenopyrite veinlets.
Eastern Fence: One drill hole targeted up-ice of a till geochemical anomaly; 25OPDD008
intersected
16.00m at 0.43 g/t Au incl. 1.50m at 3.13 g/t Au
in meta-wacke.
Table 1: Table of assay results from the maiden drill program
HOLE ID
From (m)
To (m)
Interval (m)
Au (g/t)
25OPDD001
160.63
161.52
0.89
2.71
And
189.92
192.35
2.43
0.96
And
216.20
217.00
0.80
3.43
25OPDD002
No Significant Results
25OPDD003
309.15
326.00
16.85
0.69
Incl.
315.75
319.00
3.25
2.23
And
349.47
356.45
6.98
0.40
And
377.87
380.00
2.13
1.40
Incl.
377.87
378.24
0.37
7.45
25OPDD004
115.74
186.29
70.55
0.17
Incl.
132.16
140.26
8.10
0.38
And
310.50
323.61
13.11
0.21
And
333.50
353.61
20.11
0.29
25OPDD005
303.50
305.50
2.00
1.16
And
329.00
340.58
11.58
0.52
Incl.
337.80
338.62
0.82
4.66
25OPDD006
80.74
88.00
7.26
0.21
And
217.50
221.50
4.00
0.37
And
326.50
331.29
4.79
2.39
Incl.
330.00
330.70
0.70
14.80
25OPDD007
269.05
273.50
4.45
0.93
Incl.
271.55
273.50
1.95
1.96
And
283.60
298.65
15.05
0.59
Incl.
284.90
287.35
2.45
2.81
And
310.20
318.00
7.80
0.33
And
357.60
364.50
6.90
0.64
Incl.
363.00
364.50
1.50
2.24
And
394.10
422.55
28.45
0.16
And
459.35
463.00
3.65
13.88
Incl.
459.85
460.15
0.30
166.14
25OPDD008
285.00
301.00
16.00
0.43
Incl.
294.00
295.50
1.50
3.13
† Assay intervals reported are core lengths, true widths have not been determined.
Table 2. Drill hole location and collar table of reported drill from the maiden drill program
HOLE ID
Easting (NAD 83)
Northing (NAD 83)
Elevation (m)
Depth (m)
Dip
Azimuth
25OPDD001
556423
5891755
369.1
450.00
-45
166
25OPDD002
556490
5891481
385.7
449.15
-45
164
25OPDD003
558212
5891668
364.2
420.00
-45
165
25OPDD004
558280
5891395
388.2
450.00
-48
165
25OPDD005
557834
5891039
408.5
411.00
-45
165
25OPDD006
558264
5892105
372.2
573.00
-46
166
25OPDD007
556344
5892129
380.7
519.00
-46
166
25OPDD008
560296
5891309
388.3
393.00
-46
164
The visible gold (VG) sample observed in drillhole 25OPDD007 from 459.85 to 460.15 m originally
assayed >1,000 g/t Au by standard fire assay (FA530). The sample was subsequently re-assayed using
both high-grade fire assay (FA501) and metallic screen fire assay (FS652). The high-grade fire assay
returned 2,328 g/t Au, while the metallic screen assay returned 166.14 g/t Au.
The discrepancy between these results is interpreted to reflect a strong nugget effect related to the
coarse-grained nature of the gold, as well as the limited sample mass available for metallic screen
analysis. For reporting purposes, the metallic screen fire assay result of 166.14 g/t Au has been used in
this press release (Table 1), as it is considered the more representative analytical method.
Figure 3. Opinaca Project location
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/281017_73f31684540f2899_003full.jpg
*Cheechoo gold deposit: Open-Pit Indicated 35.0Mt at 1.12 g/t (1.26Moz Au); Open-Pit Inferred 38.2Mt at 1.01 g/t (1.24Moz Au); Underground
Inferred 4.5Mt at 3.09 g/t (0.45Moz Au). Source: PLR Resources, Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Cheechoo Project, 07/01/2025.
Available at:
www.sirios.com
.
The mineral resources and reserves discussed for Cheechoo are not located on the Opinaca Project. The Company has not verified this
information and it is not being treated as current mineral resources or reserves of the Company. The information is provided for geological context
only.
About the Opinaca Project
The Opinaca Project is located in the James Bay region of Quebec, approximately 50 km south of the
all-season Trans-Taiga Road and regional hydroelectric infrastructure. The Project was originally staked
by Kenorland and subsequently vended to Targa in exchange for equity consideration and 3% NSR
royalty.
Originally evaluated for lithium potential, Kenorland initiated a regional till sampling program in 2023 that
led to the discovery of two significant and distinct gold anomalies characterized by elevated Au-As-W-
Sb geochemical signatures. These results highlighted the potential for an orogenic gold system on the
property and represented the first documented mineral exploration on the Opinaca ground.
Subsequent claim staking expanded the property in the up-ice direction to cover potential bedrock
source areas, resulting in a consolidated land position totaling 85,267 hectares. Follow-up work in 2024
included infill till sampling, expanded grid coverage, and the collection of 10 kg heavy mineral
concentrate samples for gold grain analysis. This work outlined a continuous ~7 km east-west
prospective gold trend, with elevated and spatially coherent gold grain counts consistently observed
down-ice from the interpreted source area.
Additional work in September 2024 included tighter-spaced HMC sampling and extensive boulder
prospecting, which returned anomalous gold values (>0.1 g/t Au) from multiple lithologies, including up to
6.67 g/t Au from a laminated quartz vein boulder. In June 2025, a heliborne magnetic-VLF survey
identified a 4 km-long magnetic feature coincident with the core of the gold geochemical footprint, further
refining structural and geological targets.
Qualified Person
Cédric Mayer, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ #02385), Senior Project Geologist at Kenorland, "Qualified Person"
under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in
this press release.
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 Chibougamau 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.
FA501 and FS652 were additionally completed on the VG sample. FA501 consists of a 2g aliquot taken
from the original pulverized sample and analyzed by fire assay, with appropriate certified reference
materials and replicate assays included to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. FS652 is a
metallic screen fire assay method, in which a 500 g split of the sample is screened to 106 μm. A 50 g
split from both the plus and minus size fractions is analyzed by fire assay with lead (Pb) collection and
gravimetric finish. A duplicate analysis is performed on the minus fraction. The final gold (Au) grade is
calculated based on the measured proportions of the plus and minus fractions from the original 500 g
split.
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.
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
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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/281017