Maple Gold Mines Ltd. has made a significant stride in its exploration efforts with the release of an updated mineral resource estimate (MRE) for its Douay and Joutel gold projects in Québec. The company’s 100%-owned projects, located along the Casa Berardi-Douay Gold Trend in the Abitibi Gold Belthave shown remarkable growth in both indicated and inferred resources.
The updated MRE, effective as of April 24, 2026was prepared by Denis Decharte, P.Eng.of SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd.. This comprehensive report, filed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101highlights the potential of the Douay/Joutel gold project and sets the stage for future exploration and development.
Significant Resource Growth and New High-Grade Discoveries
The updated MRE reveals a substantial increase in mineral resources. The Douay project now boasts 905,000 ounces (oz) of gold (Au) Indicated and 4,279,000 oz Au Inferred. This includes a pit-constrained MRE of 731,000 oz Au Indicated and 2,744,000 oz Au Inferredas well as an underground MRE of 48,000 oz Au Indicated and 560,000 oz Au Inferred.
Additionally, the Joutel project has a maiden underground MRE of 126,000 oz Au Indicated and 992,000 oz Au Inferred. These figures represent a significant leap from previous estimates, underscoring the project’s potential for growth and discovery.
Future Exploration Plans and Strategic Initiatives
Maple Gold Mines is not resting on its laurels. The company has completed approximately 31,200 meters of drilling since the November 1, 2026 data cut-off date, with an additional 32,000-meter drill program planned for the second half of 2026 and 2027. These initiatives aim to further expand the MRE, make new discoveries, and de-risk the project.
Kiran PatankarPresident and CEO of Maple Gold, expressed enthusiasm about the updated MRE, stating, “Our updated MRE marks a major milestone, demonstrating rapid resource growth at Douay and establishing a maiden high-grade gold resource at Joutel adjacent to existing underground development.”
The company’s strategic focus is on building a premier, district-scale gold camp in Québec’s established, infrastructure-rich Abitibi Gold Belt. With a total estimated mineral resource inventory of 0.9 million ounces (Moz) at 1.48 grams per tonne (g/t) Au in the Indicated Resource category and 4.3 Moz at 1.03 g/t Au in the Inferred Resource category, Douay/Joutel combines meaningful scale, an attractive grade profile, and significant near-term upside potential.
Technical Details and Economic Considerations
The MRE was prepared using a long-term gold price of US$2,500 per ounce and a US$:C$ exchange rate of 1:1.35. For the Douay project, a minimum mining width of three meters was applied to the resource domain wireframes, with bulk density interpolated for specific zones. The Whittle pit shell used to estimate mineral resources is based on various mining and processing costs, as well as pit slopes for overburden and rock.
For the Joutel project, a minimum mining width of two meters was applied, with a constant bulk density of 2.85 tonnes per cubic meter (t/m³) assigned to all mineralized zones. Underground mineral resources are reported within constraining shapes using specific cut-off grades based on underground mining costs, processing costs, and general and administrative (G&A) costs.
It is important to note that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimates are constrained within conceptual open pit and underground shapes based on reasonable assumptions for mining, metallurgical, economic, and permitting parameters. These assumptions include metal prices, recoveries, operating costs, and mine design parameters consistent with comparable projects in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.
For readers to fully understand the information in this news release, they should read the technical report in its entirety, including all qualifications, assumptions, and risks. The technical report is intended to be read as a whole, and sections should not be read or relied upon out of context.
