Kirkland Lake Discoveries Drills Broad Zones of Intense "Brick-Red" Syenite Alteration at Wolverine Bend, Hits Semi-Massive Sulphides and Fluorite at Winnie Lake; Drill Program Surpasses 10,000 Metres
Kirkland Lake Discoveries Drills Broad Zones
of Intense "Brick-Red" Syenite Alteration at
Wolverine Bend, Hits Semi-Massive Sulphides
and Fluorite at Winnie Lake; Drill Program
Surpasses 10,000 Metres
Highlights:
District-Scale Potential Confirmed:
Over 10,000 m of the 25,000-m program are complete, with
visual results consistently confirming a massive, fluid-rich mineralizing system.
Wolverine Bend Footprint Growing:
Step-out drilling has hit continuous, tens-of-metres
intervals of intense "brick-red" alteration, the hallmark signature of major syenite-hosted gold
deposits in the Kirkland Lake camp.
Winnie Lake System Expanding:
Discovery of semi-massive sulphides and high-temperature
minerals like fluorite and molybdenite indicates a highly fertile, expanding polymetallic system.
New Regional Targets Validated:
First-pass drilling at the Sharp Target has successfully
identified a new, 65-metre-thick sulphide-bearing horizon, proving the property's potential for
grassroots discoveries.
Fully Funded & Advancing:
Two rigs are operating 24/7 to complete the remaining 15,000 m of
the winter program.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 23, 2026) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV:
KLDC) (OTCID: KLKLF) ("KLDC" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a comprehensive geological
and visual update on its ongoing, fully funded 25,000-m diamond drilling program at the KL West
Property in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario.
With over 10,000 m now completed, the Company is reporting highly encouraging visual and
observational results from the core logging facility. Recent drilling has consistently intersected hallmark
geological indicators of a large-scale, intrusion-related gold and polymetallic system.
While analytical assays are pending for all holes drilled since the late January update, core logging
confirms that the mineralizing systems across the 17-km Winnie Lake Stock (WLS) corridor are
structurally robust, extremely fluid-rich, and rapidly expanding in scale (
see Figure 1
).
"The visual observations coming out of the KL West program is a significant milestone for us,"
stated
Stefan Sklepowicz, Chief Executive Officer.
"When you see intense 'brick-red' hematite alteration at
Wolverine Bend alongside coarse copper and molybdenite at Winnie Lake, you aren't just looking at
rocks, you're looking at the absolute textbook signature of a massive hydrothermal system."
"These are the exact geological markers that historically guided explorers to the legendary deposits of
the Abitibi. While we are eagerly awaiting the laboratory assays to confirm the grades, the sheer scale of
the alteration we are logging gives us tremendous confidence that we are onto a district-scale
opportunity. We have multiple mineralizing events overlapping across this corridor, and the system
appears to be getting stronger as we go deeper."
Figure 1 - KL West Project Area - Drilling Targets and Collar Locations
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Wolverine Bend: Expanding the Alteration Footprints
Following the successful January release of gold assays from the Wolverine Bend target, which
confirmed gold vectoring within altered syenite and returned
8.3 m at 0.86 g/t Au, including 5.5 m at
1.21 g/t
Au
in hole KLD25-40, the Company initiated an aggressive step-out and undercut drilling
campaign to test the depth and strike extensions of the mineralized system.
Visual logging from the new drill holes confirms that the hydrothermal alteration footprint is both laterally
extensive and vertically persistent. The system is characterized by intense, primary-texture-destructive
potassic alteration accompanied by pervasive hematite, producing the distinctive "brick-red" altered
syenite that has become diagnostic of the Wolverine Bend target. Alteration intensity appears to
increase at depth and along projected structural corridors (
see Figure 2
).
Step-Out and Undercut Drilling Highlights (Assays Pending)
KLD26-62:
Collared approximately 40 m south of KLD25-40, this hole successfully intersected
extensive intervals of strong potassic-hematite alteration from approximately 100 m to 240 m
downhole, including a structurally focused zone between 150 m and 185 m featuring significant
quartz veining proximal to a fault zone (
see Figure 3
).
KLD26-63 and KLD26-65:
Drilled from the same pad at azimuths of 50° and 10° respectively,
these undercut holes tested the system down-dip.
KLD26-63
intersected a continuous 39-m interval of strong alteration beginning at 5.6 m
downhole, including a 13-m interval starting at 41.56 m characterized by intense potassic alteration
with quartz-carbonate stringers. Elevated alteration persists to approximately 146 m (
see Figure
4).
KLD26-65
intersected comparable zones of intense alteration over contiguous intervals from 6 m
to 67 m downhole, with elevated alteration extending to approximately 93 m (
see Figure 5).
The volume and intensity of the potassic-hematite alteration overprinted by brittle quartz
brecciation at Wolverine Bend closely mirrors the core characteristics of the Kirkland Lake camp's
most prolific syenite-hosted gold deposits.
Figure 2 - West looking cross section of Wolverine Bend Area. Interpretation of Potassium and
Hematite alteration envelope described as strong or intense.
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Figure 3 - KLD26-62 Boxes 37-40 (154.70-170.55m)
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Figure 4 - KLD26-63 Boxes 1-4 (5.6-22.15m)
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Figure 5- KLD26-65 Box 5-8 (21.25-38.00m)
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Winnie Lake Area: Expanding Polymetallic and Intrusive-Related Mineralization
Drilling at Winnie Lake continues to demonstrate the presence of both VMS-style volcanic-hosted
mineralization and structurally controlled intrusive-related sulphide systems east and north of the
historical Winnie Main Deposit.
Winnie Main - East Trend Extension
Step-out drilling along the East Trend confirms continuity of sulphide mineralization beyond the historical
workings.
KLD26-59
intersected a 27.7-m interval (83.1m to 110.8 m) and
KLD26-60
intersected a 21.5-m
interval (102.5m to 124.0m) containing elevated pyrite with localized pyrite and chalcopyrite
mineralization associated with epidote-altered mafic volcanics with intercalated syenite and
quartz-calcite veining along an east-plunging volcanic horizon (
see Figure 6).
The interval supports the extension of the Winnie Main VMS polymetallic system along strike to the
east and at depth.
Figure 6 - KLD26-60 Box 25-28 (101.76-118.10m)
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Peripheral Intrusive and Structural Corridor (East and North of Winnie Main)
Drilling east and north of the historical deposit is outlining a distinct structurally controlled corridor hosted
within syenite and gabbro intrusive rocks.
KLD26-50 (Mini Winnie)
intersected a 15-m interval (118.6 m to 133.88 m) of semi-massive to
stringer pyrite with blebby chalcopyrite within mafic volcanic rocks, indicating robust sulphide
development along the structural corridor.
KLD26-54
, drilled approximately 350 m north of Winnie Main, targeted a northwest-southeast-
oriented magnetic structure. The hole intersected strongly potassic-altered syenite between
352.25 m and 376.08 m downhole containing pyrite, chalcopyrite, and molybdenite mineralization.
The alteration intensity and mineral assemblage are consistent with evolved magmatic-
hydrothermal fluids focused along this interpreted structural corridor.
Regional Targets: Sharp and Hammerhead
The program has also begun testing regional grassroots targets identified by coincident soil and
geophysical anomalies, unlocking new geological environments.
Sharp Target (KLD25-44, -45, -46):
First-pass drilling designed to test an MT resistivity low
coincident with an EM anomaly and historical Zn-Pb-Ag-bearing graphitic horizon, successfully
identified a new geological setting on the property. Drilling intersected thick packages of graphitic
mudstones interlayered with pillowed mafic volcanics. The mudstone horizons host broad intervals
(up to 65 m true width) of heavily disseminated, blebby, and stringer
pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite
and galena
.
Hammerhead Target (KLD26-64):
Testing a resistivity high and soil anomaly, this hole
intersected highly altered mafic volcanics featuring a broad 93-m zone (162.0 m to 255.0 m) of
moderate epidote alteration. Within this, significant sulphide mineralization occurs as blebs and
stringers between 240.35 m and 259.06 m.
Program Overview and Next Steps
Drilling metrics to date include:
Total metres drilled:
10,833 m
Number of completed holes:
32
Drill rigs active:
Two
Totals
Wolverine Bend
Winnie Lake
Nine Mile
Cross Roads
Hammerhead
Sharp Target
Number DDH
32
10
11
3
3
2
3
Meters Drill
10,833
3,051
4,007
1,116
1,110
772
777
Core logging, geological interpretation, and sampling are ongoing at the Company's facility. Hundreds of
samples are currently in the queue at ALS Laboratories. The Company will begin reporting analytical
assay results as they are received, validated, and interpreted over the coming weeks.
Ongoing Exploration Strategy
The Company will continue expanding the alteration footprint at Wolverine Bend, where drilling has
defined broad potassium-hematite alteration and structurally controlled mineralization consistent with a
large hydrothermal system. Upcoming drilling will target strike and depth extensions to further define the
scale and continuity of the corridor.
Several recently completed holes remain pending assay results, which will provide additional data to
refine ongoing exploration planning.
At Winnie Lake, drilling continues to advance both the extension of the Winnie Main VMS polymetallic
horizon and a newly emerging intrusive-hosted structural corridor east and north of the historical deposit.
Step-out drilling along the East Trend confirms sulphide continuity beyond historical workings, while
deeper drilling into syenite and gabbro units has intersected copper-bearing breccias and strongly
potassic-altered intrusive phases associated with molybdenite and chalcopyrite mineralization. Assay
results from several recent intercepts across both the VMS and intrusive corridors remain pending, and
follow-up holes are planned to further delineate these zones.
Regionally, the Company is advancing a pipeline of high-priority targets generated through integrated
geochemistry, MobileMT inversion, magnetic reinterpretation, and structural modeling. Drilling will
systematically test:
Major structurally controlled deformation corridors interpreted as long-lived, deep-tapping fluid
pathways
Magnetic high margins and associated magnetic destruction halos linked to hydrothermal
alteration
Intrusion-related geochemical vectors, including Bi-Te-Mo enrichment and elevated K/Na ratios
Downhole magnetic susceptibility reductions indicative of magnetite-destructive alteration
East-west deformation corridors and subsidiary fault splays prospective for orogenic-style gold
mineralization
Conductive volcanic sequences with base-metal pathfinder signatures consistent with VMS
systems
With assay results of multiple mineralized intercepts pending and a growing inventory of structurally
defined targets, the Company believes the current drill program has the potential to materially advance
understanding of the scale and continuity of mineralization across the district.
Note on visual estimates: The Company cautions that visual estimates of mineral abundance (including
chalcopyrite, molybdenite, fluorite, and pyrite) should never be considered a proxy or substitute for
laboratory analyses where concentrations or grades are the factor of principal economic interest. Visual
estimates also potentially provide no information regarding impurities or modifying factors relevant to
economic evaluation.
Video Footage
The latest episode of KLDC's Treasure Hunters YouTube series features
video
of the core and
discussions with VP Exploration Ben Cleland and CEO Stefan Sklepowicz.
Cannot view this video?
Visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YI31Dcdy3XY
Quality Control Statement
True widths are estimated at approximately 65-80% of the reported core
length intervals. All NQ drill core samples are prepared for analysis at ALS Laboratories in Ontario,
Québec, and British Columbia. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC"), and
interpretation of results are conducted by qualified persons employing a QA/QC program consistent with
National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices.
Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and
approved by Benjamin Cleland, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as
defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp.
Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSXV: KLDC) has
assembled a 400-km² exploration portfolio in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario's Abitibi Greenstone
Belt, one of the most prolific mining districts in the world. The Company's properties span key fault
zones, geophysical anomalies, and volcanic-sedimentary contacts within the Blake River Group, a highly
prospective assemblage known to host both gold and polymetallic massive-sulphide deposits.
With exploration permits now in place, KLDC is positioned to advance a strong pipeline of drill-ready
targets at KL East and KL West, supported by multiple anomalous soil trends, historical mineral
showings, and structurally controlled intersections. The team combines strong technical experience with
a focus on smart, efficient exploration designed to deliver results.
For additional information, please contact:
Stefan Sklepowicz
Chief Executive Officer
www.kirklandlakediscoveries.com
1 226.979.3515
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies
of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other
things, future drill programs, the results thereof, and the potential for new discoveries. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company does not assume any obligation to
update forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change,
except as required by applicable securities laws. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby
properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on the Company's property.
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