Canstar Expands Platform with Proposed Acquisition in Sweden’s Gold-Rich Skellefte VMS District Targets underexplored potential northern extension of gold-rich VMS belt
Canstar Expands Platform with Proposed Acquisition in
Sweden’s Gold-Rich Skellefte VMS District
Targets underexplored potential northern extension of gold-rich VMS belt
Toronto, Ontario – March 4, 2026 – Canstar Resources Inc. (TSX-V: ROX) (“Canstar” or the
“Company”) has executed a non-binding letter of intent (the “LOI”) with Lithological
Opportunities Ltd. (“LithOps”) to acquire a 100% interest in three exploration licenses in the
northern Skellefte district of Sweden (the “Project”), covering approximately 310km2/ 31,000
hectares of the volcanic belt. Sweden holds a top -10 ranking within the Fraser Institute’s
global Mining Investment Attractiveness Index1.
The transaction marks a significant strategic step in Canstar’s evolution as a focused
volcanogenic massive sulphide (“VMS”) exploration company, adding exposure to one of the
most endowed and historically productive VMS belts in Europe.
Strategic Highlights
Entry into a Premier VMS Camp
The Skellefte district is one of Europe’s premier VMS belts, hosting more than 150 known
deposits and prospects and over 100 years of polymetallic production. Thirty deposits have
been mined, and four mines are currently in production: Two VMS deposits, one Au-Te, VMS-
related deposit and one Au deposit2. The district is particularly notable for:
• High grades, especially gold, relative to global VMS averages.
• Polymetallic systems containing copper, zinc, lead, silver and gold.
• The presence of exceptionally gold-rich VMS deposits, including the historic Boliden
deposit3, which reported multi-million-ounce gold endowment at very high grades.
Skellefte is one of the VMS districts globally recognized for hosting auriferous VMS systems,
providing exposure to both critical metals and precious metals within the same deposit type.
References to other deposits and districts are provided for context and are not necessarily
indicative of mineralization on the Project.
Underexplored Northern Extension Under Cover
The Project is located in the northern portion of the district, an area characterized by:
• Favourable volcanic stratigraphy consistent with known VMS-hosting sequences,
• Limited modern integrated exploration, and
• Extensive glacial till cover that historically limited traditional boulder -based
prospecting and earlier airborne geophysical targeting.
This combination of high geological prospectivity and lower exploration maturity aligns
directly with Canstar’s and LithOps’ project selection philosophy.
Technical Leadership with Deep District Expertise
Canstar has worked with Dr. Rodney Allen, a globally recognized VMS expert and former
Chief Geologist with Boliden, in evaluating this opportunity. Dr. Allen has been a key
technical advisor to Canstar on its Mary March and Buchans projects in Newfoundland,
Canada and brings extensive experience in the Skellefte district, where he has lived and
worked for over 20 years.
Dr. Allen is also a co -author, alongside Dr. Harold Gibson, of the widely cited modern
integrated VMS exploration model 4, which emphasizes 3D geological reconstruction,
structural interpretation, lithogeochemistry , and geophysics integration as core targeting
tools.
Canstar expects Dr. Allen to remain actively involved in advancing the Project.
Exploration Strategy: Disciplined, High-ROI Phase 1
Subject to execution of a definitive agreement, TSXV acceptance and, where required,
the grant of the exploration permits and other applicable permissions, the Company
intends to commence Phase 1 work designed to generate and prioritize drill-testable
targets efficiently.
Initial Phase 1 work is expected to include:
• Moraine/till geochemical sampling to vector toward concealed mineralization,
• Modern reinterpretation of historical geophysical data,
• Integration of structural and stratigraphic controls, and
• Rapid ranking of target corridors for follow-up geophysics and drilling.
The Company expects Phase 1 screening costs to be modest and designed to generate drill-
testable targets without committing to large upfront expenditures.
Strategic Context
Canstar has consistently communicated its intention to pursue disciplined strategic growth
aligned with its geology-first philosophy.
The addition of the Skellefte Project:
• Expands Canstar into a second globally recognized VMS district;
• Maintains exposure to gold within a VMS framework;
• Builds technical depth and advisory capacity;
• Adds scale while remaining operationally manageable.
This transaction complements Canstar’s recently finalized exploration joint venture with
VMS Mining Corporation (“VMSC”), which was founded by John Burzynski, Patrick Anderson,
José Vizquerra Benavides and Bernardo Alvarez Calderon as a technically focused
exploration venture targeting new, high -grade VMS discoveries in proven districts. The
Company expects to commence drilling at its Mary March project in Newfoundland’s
Buchans District in summer 2026, subject to permitting and final program design. Together,
these initiatives position Canstar with exposure to two high- grade VMS districts supported
by leading VMS expertise.
CEO Commentary
Juan Carlos Giron Jr., President & CEO of Canstar, commented:
“This transaction sharpens Canstar’s identity. Over the past year, through our partnership
with VMS Mining Corporation and the technical leadership of Dr. Harold Gibson, we have
built a clear, geology-first VMS exploration strategy. Skellefte represents a natural extension
of that strategy into one of the most endowed VMS districts in the world.
The LithOps principals bring extensive experience in district-scale project generation, with a
strong operational presence in Sweden and experience with the Skellefte belt. Their
disciplined approach —targeting high -prospectivity areas with relatively low exploration
maturity and advancing them through rigorous, data -driven integration—has been applied
across leading global mining camps and has contributed to multiple discoveries. We look
forward to advancing this project in close collaboration.
Skellefte’s northern sector presents a compelling exploration thesis: the right volcanic
setting, underexplored ground beneath cover, and modern tools capable of seeing what
earlier programs could not. This is precisely the kind of setting where integrated geological
thinking can unlock discovery.
Following the recently announced binding LOI regarding Golden Baie , which is expected
(subject to TSXV acceptance and definitive documentation) to strengthen our balance sheet
and reduce near-term holding costs, we believe we are well positioned to advance this new
opportunity alongside our VMSC -funded program in the Buchans district. Together, these
initiatives define Canstar as a focused VMS exploration company pursuing discover ies in
some of the world’s best districts. ”
Transaction Terms
Under the terms of the LOI, Canstar may acquire a 100% interest in the Project by:
• Issuing 15,000,000 common shares of the Company to LithOps;
• Paying $50,000 upon signing of a definitive agreement;
• Paying $100,000 twelve months following execution.
The Project will be subject to a 2.5% NSR royalty, with Canstar retaining the right to
repurchase 0.5% for $1,000,000, and a further 0.5% for $2,000,000, reducing the royalty to
1.5%.
The LOI is non -binding except for customary provisions and remains subject to due
diligence, definitive documentation, TSX Venture Exchange (“ TSXV”) acceptance and
applicable Swedish regulatory decisions . Any securities issued will be subject to TSXV
acceptance and applicable resale restrictions.
There can be no assurance that a definitive agreement will be executed or that the
transaction will be completed as proposed, or at all.
Canstar will provide additional information, including technical information and property
maps, in subsequent news releases.
Qualified Person Statement
Bob Patey B.Sc. (Hons), Vice President for Exploration for Canstar and a Qualified Person as
defined in NI 43 -101, has reviewed and approved all scientific and technical information
disclosed in this news release.
Acknowledgement
Canstar acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance (“JEA”)
Program from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador Department of Industry,
Energy and Technology, which has been a valuable contribution to the exploration programs
on the Company’s Buchans-Mary March and Golden Baie projects.
About Canstar Resources Inc.
Canstar Resources Inc. (TSXV: ROX) is an exploration company focused on critical minerals
and gold. The Company’s 100% -owned Golden Baie Project (489.5 km 2) hosts high -grade
gold and antimony showings along a major mineralized structure that also hosts a large
number of gold deposits. The Buchans and Mary March projects (142.1 km 2) are located
within the world- class, past-producing VMS zinc -, copper-, gold - and silver-rich Buchans
Mining Camp and boast high-grade zinc and copper discoveries.
For further information, please contact:
Juan Carlos Giron, Jr.
President & Chief Executive Officer
Email : [email protected]
Phone : (647) 557-3442
Website: www.canstarresources.com
Neither 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.
1. https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/annual-survey-mining-companies-2025
2. Bauer, T.E., Tavakoli, S., Weihed, P ., Skyttä, P ., Hermansson, T., Allen, R., et al.
A regional scale 3D-model of the Skellefte mining district, northern Sweden.
3. Mercier-Langevin, P ., McNicoll, V ., Allen, R.L., Blight, J.H.S., & Dubé, B. (2013). The
Boliden gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Skellefte district, Sweden:
New U–Pb age constraints and implications at deposit and district scale. Mineralium
Deposita, 48(4), 485–504. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00126-012-0438-z
4. Gibson, H. L., Allen, R. L., Riverin, G., & Lane, T. E. (2007). The VMS Model: Advances
and Application to Exploration Targeting. In: Ore Deposits and Exploration Technology
(Paper 49), Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division, Special
Publication No. 5, pp. 713–730 (link).
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities laws (collectively, “forward -looking information”). Forward -looking
information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding: the negotia tion and
execution of a definitive agreement in respect of the ; completion of the transaction
contemplated by the non -binding LOI; TSXV acceptance and satisfaction of other closing
conditions; the timing and terms of any issuance of common shares and cash payments; the
grant (if any) of the exploration permits that are the subject of the permit applications; the
Company’s proposed exploration plans and anticipated Phase 1 work program, including
timing, scope, costs and expected outcomes; and the involvement of technical advisors and
other third parties.
Forward-looking information is based on management’s expectations and assumptions,
including, without limitation: that the parties will be able to negotiate and execute definitive
documentation on acceptable terms; that required approvals (including TSXV a cceptance
and applicable Swedish regulatory decisions) will be obtained; that exploration permits will
be granted on terms acceptable to the Company; that contractors, advisors and services will
be available on reasonable terms; and that market and other conditions will not materially
adversely affect the Company’s ability to pursue the transaction or the exploration program.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that
may cause actual results to differ materially, including, without limitation: failure to execute
definitive agreements or complete the transaction; delay or denial of TSXV acceptance or
other required approvals; adverse outcomes in respect of the permit applications; changes
in applicable laws, regulations or permitting requirements; risks inherent in mineral
exploration; and general market, economic and geopolitical co nditions. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by law