NORTH ARROW EXTENDS MINERALIZED FOOTPRINT AT KRAAIPAN GOLD PROJECT, BOTSWANA Q1 Surface Sampling Expands Trends at Targets AE and AF; Rotation 1 RC Drilling Completed Across ~700m Strike at Target A; Rotation 2 Drilling Commences
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PRESS RELEASE
NORTH ARROW EXTENDS MINERALIZED FOOTPRINT AT KRAAIPAN
GOLD PROJECT, BOTSWANA
Q1 Surface Sampling Expands Trends at Targets AE and AF; Rotation 1 RC Drilling Completed
Across ~700m Strike at Target A; Rotation 2 Drilling Commences
April 16, 2026 Trading Symbol - TSXV: NAR | OTCID: NHAWF #26-06
VANCOUVER, B.C., CANADA, April 16, 2026 – North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV: NAR ) (OTCID:
NHAWF) (“North Arrow” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its US$2.3 million 2026
exploration program at the Kraaipan Gold Project (“ Kraaipan”) in southern Botswana. The Company
has completed Rotation 1 reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling at Target A, extended gold-in-rock trends at
Targets AE and AF through Q1 surface sampling and commenced Rotation 2 RC drilling. Kraaipan
represents a significantly underexplored, gold-endowed system masked by shallow Kalahari sand cover
that is the direct northern extension of the Archean greenstone terrane hosting Harmony Gold’s multi-
million-ounce Kalgold Mine, 40km to the south.
Key Highlights
Q1 2026 Surface Sampling at Targets AE, AF and K:
• 31 samples of float and outcrop collected; 12 returned >0.5 g/t Au, of which 6 returned >1 g/t
Au.
• New 5.44 g/t Au sample at Target AE extends the interpreted SSW–NNE mineralized strike
length to >250m.
• Target AF now defined over an interpreted 450m N–S strike length, with seven new samples
>0.5 g/t Au including 3.78, 2.61 and 1.67 g/t Au.
Rotation 1 Drilling Complete – Target A:
• 20 RC holes totaling 1,103m completed, testing four high-priority grids along an interpreted
~700m NE–SW strike length.
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• Field logging of chips confirms quartz veining, weathered sulphides and a host-rock
assemblage consistent with the same geological setting that delivered the flagship 2025 RC
intercept of 30m @ 1.56 g/t Au (hole KR25-157) at Target A.
• Assay results expected in Q2 2026.
Rotation 2 Drilling Commenced – Targets AE and AF:
• 20 holes / ~1,100m planned, designed to test strike extensions at Target AE and to increase
confidence in the 450m trend at Target AF.
• Scheduled for completion in early May 2026.
Geophysics Update:
• Q1 2026 Remote Mapper airborne surveys added 4,779 line-km at 25m spacing across 110
km², bringing total high-resolution coverage to 452 km² of the 724 km² land package.
CEO Commentary:
Eira Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of North Arrow, stated:
“We are very encouraged by the momentum building at Kraaipan. Rotation 1 drilling at Target A has
successfully tested multiple high-priority zones along an approximately 700m strike length, with
alteration, quartz veining and weathered sulphides logged in the RC chips consistent with the same
mineralized assemblage that delivered our flagship 30m at 1.56 g/t Au intercept in 2025. Q1 surface
sampling has continued to demonstrate the scale and tenor of this system – the highest grade sample
of 5.44 g/t Au sample now extends Target AE to more than 250m of strike, and new values of 3.78,
2.61 and 1.67 g/t Au have filled in Target AF to confirm earlier estimates of 450m. With Rotation 2 now
underway and a fully-funded, four-rotation program planned for 2026, we are methodically unlocking
60 kilometres of previously underexplored greenstone belt that sits on the same Archean trend as
Harmony Gold’s multi-million-ounce, long-producing Kalgold Mine, 40km to the south.”
Figure 1: The Kraaipan Project, Botswana - Target A, AF and AE the focus of Rotation 1 and 2 2026 RC
drilling program. Further prospecting and geological mapping required at Target K in advance of any drilling.
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Q1 2026 Surface Sampling – Extending the Mineralized Footprint
In January 2026, 31 surface samples (float and outcrop) were collected along interpreted strike trends
at Targets AE, AF and K, focused on altered, silicified and quartz -veined banded iron formation
consistent with previously sampled surface and RC chip material. Twelve samples returned gold values
>0.5 g/t Au, including six >1 g/t Au (see Table 1).
Target AE. The highest result – a 5.44 g/t Au sample located ~160m south of the 2025 RC drilling – is
one of five samples at Target AE returning >0.9 g/t Au, extending the SSW–NNE strike length to greater
than 250m.
Target AF. Samples returned new results along an interpreted 450m N–S strike length, including seven
samples >0.5 g/t Au and notable values of 3.78 g/t Au, 2.61 g/t Au and 1.67 g/t Au. The 3.78 g/t Au and
1.67 g/t Au samples were collected from previously unsampled ground approximately 100m south and
100m north, respectively, of 2025 samples that returned 3.65 g/t Au and 4.12 g/t Au.
Target K. Sampling at Target K did not return sample results of significance. Given the structural
complexity and sand cover at Target K, further prospecting and geological mapping is planned in
advance of any drilling.
Table 1. Summary of Q1 2026 Surface Samples
Rotation 1 Drilling – Target A (Detail)
Rotation 1 targeted four high-priority grids (Grids 1–4) along an interpreted ~700m NE–SW corridor at
Target A. Holes were drilled on east–west azimuths to properly test the subvertical structures
interpreted from 2025 drilling and surface work (see Table 2).
Name Sample type Target Au g/t Condensed Field Description
KR-GS_26-009 float rock AE 5.44 Banded Iron Formation, sulphide dissolution pits. Abundant fabric-
parallel and discordant quartz veins.
KR-GS_26-005 float rock AE 1.19 Iron-rich rock with high quartz vein density, both fabric-parallel and
discordant quartz veins,possible weathered sulphides.
KR-GS_26-006 float rock AE 1.10 Highly quartz veined rock, gossanous, vuggy texture
KR-GS_26-008 in-situ rock AE 0.99 Banded Iron Formation with high quartz vein density; gossanous,
possible weathered sulphides.
KR-GS_26-002 float rock AE 0.93 Silica-dominated Banded Iron Formation with abundant disseminated
possible sulphide dissolution pits. Quartz veins are parallel to fabric.
KR-GS_26-020 float rock AF 3.78 Quartz -veined rock with semi-gossanous texture.
KR-GS_26-015 float rock AF 2.61 Brecciated Banded Iron Formation. Strong iron alteration.
KR-GS_26-021 float rock AF 1.67 Quartz-veined, iron-rich semi-goassanous rock with prominent
possible sulphide dissolution pits.
KR-GS_26-013 float rock AF 1.00 Semi-gossanous material .
KR-GS_26-017 float rock AF 0.77
Thinly banded Banded Iron Formation with vuggy texture in
association with quartz veining. Fabric-parallel and discordant quartz
veins present.
KR-GS_26-014 float rock AF 0.74 Semi-gossanous iron-rich quartz-veined rock.
KR-GS_26-012 float rock AF 0.62 Quartz-veined iron-rich rock with disseminations of possible pyrite
dissolution pits.
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Table 2. Summary of Rotation 1 Target A RC Drilling
Grid Hole ID Azimuth Dip End of hole (m) RC Target
1 KR26-004 290 60 60
1 KR26-005 290 60 49
1 KR26-006 290 60 49
1 KR26-007 290 60 49
1 KR26-008 290 60 49
2 KR26-009 290 60 49
2 KR26-010 290 60 49
2 KR26-011 290 60 49
3 KR26-012 290 60 58
3 KR26-013 290 60 60
3 KR26-014 290 60 58
3 KR26-015 290 60 58
3 KR26-016 290 60 64
3 KR26-017 290 60 60
3 KR26-018 290 60 58
3 KR26-019 290 60 46
3 KR26-020 290 60 58
4 KR26-001 270 60 60
4 KR26-002 270 60 60
4 KR26-003 270 60 60
2025 Sampling 7.99 g/t Au,
Historic 36 g/t Au
2025 sampling 3.28 g/t Au
Follow-up RC hole KR25-
157 (30m@ 1.65g/t Au)
2025 Sampling
68.5 g/t Au sample
20
1 km1 km
Grid 1 - to test area with 2025
7.88 g/t Au hand sample
Grid 2 - to test area with 2025
3.28 g/t Au hand sample
Grid 3 - to Follow up to
best RC hole of 2025
Grid 4 – to test area
with 68.5 g/t Au
2025 hand sample
LEGEND
Target Area
2025 RC Hole
2026 RC Hole
Surface Rock
Sam ple
Remnant Lows
Lower Rela�ve
Mag Units
Higher Rela�ve
Mag Units
RC Hole
KR25
-
157
from 2025
Azimuth: 280⁰ Dip: 60⁰
• 1.56 g/t Au over 30
m from surface*
including
• 4.26 g/t over 4m
from 10 m
Figure 2: Target A at Kraaipan Project – 20 angled holes were completed during Rotation 1, 2026 RC drilling.
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Rotation 2 Drilling – Now Underway at Targets AE and AF
Rotation 2 drilling is designed to follow up confirmed mineralization identified in outcrop samples
collected during the 2025 and 2026 sampling programs. The 20- hole, ~1,100m program is scheduled
for completion in early May 2026 and focuses on Targets AE and AF, with the objectives of increasing
confidence in the interpreted strike length at Target AF and extending strike at Target AE.
Target AE (~250 m strike length):
• Drilling will test the recent 5.44 g/t Au sample located >160m south of the 2025 RC fence,
which returned 0.90 g/t Au over 4m within 0.40 g/t Au over 13m.
• Drilling will extend northward to test recent 0.98, 1.19 and 1.09 g/t Au samples, and at the
current northern strike extent test a 1.27 g/t Au sample located ~60 m north of the 2025 RC
drill fence.
Target AF (3 grids, >450 m strike length):
• Grid 1 (south) will follow up a 4.12 g/t Au sample.
• Grid 2 (central) will test the 3.78 g/t Au and 1.67 g/t Au samples collected in 2026, as well as
a 3.65 g/t Au sample from 2025.
• Grid 3 (north) will test 6.47 g/t Au and 1.00 g/t Au samples.
Figure 3: Target AE – 8 angled holes planned for Rotation 2 RC drilling.
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Q1 2026 Geophysics Update
Q1 Remote Mapper airborne surveys added 4,779
line-km of high- resolution coverage at 25m line
spacing across PL026/2022 and PL220/2021.
Remaining license areas will be assessed using
ground-based walking magnetics or multicopter
surveys where airborne coverage is restricted.
2026 Kraaipan Exploration Program
The 2026 Kraaipan program has an approved
budget of US$2.3 million and consists of four
integrated workstreams:
i) Four-Rotation Drilling Campaign (each rotation
~3 weeks):
• Rotations 1 and 2 – Angled RC drilling
designed to properly test subvertical
structures and mineralization, following up positive 2025 results at Targets A, AE, AF and K.
Approximately 15–20 holes per rotation at 50–60m depth. Rotation 1 complete; Rotation 2
underway.
• Rotation 3 – Vertical RC drilling targeting new regional opportunities in areas of Kalahari cover
identified through geophysical and structural interpretation. Between 40–60 shallow holes
planned to test the upper 5–10m of bedrock. Planning in process.
Figure 4: Target AF – 14 angled holes planned for Rotation 2 RC drilling.
Figure 5: Kraaipan Project Area now covered by
Remote Mapper.
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• Rotation 4 – Follow-up drilling on the strongest results from earlier rotations, potentially
incorporating core drilling on selected targets.
ii) Geophysics and Imaging. High-resolution magnetic and drone imaging surveys over the balance of
the property (where flight is allowed) to support target definition.
iv) Surface Prospecting. Additional surface prospecting along strike extensions of target areas and
across northern and southern zones of outcrop and sub- crop with minimal sand cover. Findings from
both the 2025 and 2026 sampling campaigns will be used to refine and guide the prog ram on a
continuous basis.
In-Country Experience and Proprietary Exploration Technology
North Arrow’s partner, Rockman Resources – through its operator Mineral Services – leverages over
25 years of operational experience in Botswana, together with proprietary technologies including high-
resolution UAV magnetics, a mobile RC drilling platform optimized for Kalahari conditions, and in-house
sample preparation.
About the Kraaipan Gold Project
The Kraaipan Project comprises approximately 724km² of mineral concessions covering the entire ~60
km northern extension of the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, a highly prospective Archean greenstone
terrain straddling the Botswana– South Africa border. Over 80% of the northern portion of the belt is
covered by Kalahari sands, which have seen limited past exploration. The South African portion of the
KGB hosts numerous mineral occurrences including Harmony Gold’s Kalgold mine, a multi -million-
ounce, BIF-hosted gold operation located 40km to the south that has been in continuous production for
over 30 years.
North Arrow can earn up to 80% interest in the Kraaipan Project from Rockman through: a First Option
to earn 60% by investing US$5 million over 3 years (US$1 million firm commitment achieved), and a
Second Option at Rockman’s election, to earn an additional 20% upon completion of a Preliminary
Economic Assessment.
Sampling, Laboratory Analyses and Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)
RC and surface rock samples collected in the field were driven to Mineral Services’ facility in Gaborone
to be sorted and prioritized for assay. Samples were allocated unique random sample numbers, sealed
and shipped to ALS’s laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa using industry -standard chain -of-
custody protocols. Following an initial coarse crush (CRU-21), the entire sample is then pulverized (PUL-
21) to better than 85% passing a 75- micron screen prior to geochemical analysis. All samples are
analyzed for gold by fire assay with an ICP -AES finish, method code Au- ICP22 (50-gram sample).
Samples returning gold values over 10 ppm are subjected to ore -grade check assays using fire assay
and a gravimetric finish using method code Au-GRA22 (50-gram sample). Samples are also subjected
to lithium borate fusion and acid digestion for whole-rock analysis of major and trace elements by ICP-
AES (major elements) and ICP -MS (trace elements); meth od codes ME -ICP06 and ME -MS81,
respectively. In addition, a suite of base metals and other trace elements not included in the ME-MS81
method are analysed by ICP-AES on four-acid digestions (method code ME-4ACD81).
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QA/QC protocols include ALS laboratory’s own internal quality assurance controls as well as Rockman’s
field controls, including the insertion of duplicates and certified reference materials (CRM) , each at a
rate of roughly one per 20 samples. QA/QC data are evaluated on receipt for failures, and appropriate
action is taken if results for duplicates, CRMs and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances.
About North Arrow Minerals
Vancouver-based exploration company focused on evaluating the Kraaipan Gold Project. Management
and advisors bring significant global exploration and mining experience. North Arrow’s exploration
programs are conducted under the direction of Dr. John Armstrong, Ph.D., P.Geo. (NWT/NU), President
and Chief Operating Officer of North Arrow and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Armstrong has reviewed and approves the contents of
this press release.
North Arrow Minerals Inc.
/s/ “Eira Thomas”
Eira Thomas
Chief Executive Officer
For further information, please contact:
Nick Thomas
Manager of Investor and Community Relations
Tel: 778-229-7194
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.northarrowminerals.com
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward- looking statements” including but not limited to statements with
respect to North Arrow’s plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration
activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management’s best estimates and assumptions,
are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are
not restricted to, the amount of geological data available, the uncertain reliability of drilling results and
geophysical and geological data and the interpretation thereof, and the need for adequate financing for
future exploration and development efforts. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove
to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward -looking statements except as
required by law.