GoldArc Advances Leonora Projects with Fully Funded Drilling and 100% Mt Stirling Ownership

Full Control of Mt Stirling Simplifies Development Pathway

GoldArc Resources Ltd (ASX:GA8) marked a pivotal milestone in January 2026 by acquiring the remaining 10% joint venture interest in its Mt Stirling tenement (M37/1306), consolidating 100% ownership of the deposit. The vendors converted their interest into a 2% Gross Smelter Royalty payable upon a Decision to Mine, with GoldArc paying $200,000 in cash consideration. This acquisition removes the last structural hurdle to advancing Mt Stirling, eliminating the need for a Feasibility Study prior to mining decisions and streamlining the pathway to production.

BML Ventures Funds Extensive Grade Control Drilling at Mt Stirling

In a move that preserves GoldArc’s cash reserves, BML Ventures has fully funded a comprehensive grade control drilling program at Mt Stirling, comprising 1,374 reverse circulation holes totalling 34,884 metres. The program, executed by Datum Drilling, is designed to provide the detailed geological data necessary for mine planning and ore reserve updates. Phase 1 focuses on 1,137 holes in the northern sector, with Phase 2 to include additional holes at Mt Stirling and Stirling Well deposits. GoldArc retains a 50% net profit share under this arrangement, which is repayable solely from future mining profits, ensuring zero dilution for shareholders.

Recent assay results from diamond drilling underpin the high-grade continuity at Mt Stirling, including intercepts such as 5.6 metres at 8.71 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 3 metres at 15.53 g/t gold. Subsequent to the quarter, the first batch of 135 grade control holes returned impressive results like 10 metres at 8.04 g/t gold, further validating the deposit’s mining potential and supporting BML Ventures’ confidence in advancing open pit operations. These developments accelerate GoldArc’s transition from exploration to operational readiness at Mt Stirling, a critical step towards cash flow generation. These findings align with the company’s recent partner-funded high-grade drilling progress at Mt Stirling.

Leonora South Exploration Uncovers New Gold Systems and Blind Zones

Leonora South has been a hotbed of discovery during the quarter, with a maiden 37-hole RC drilling program confirming new gold systems at Woodpecker, Whistler, and Niagara West prospects. Notably, Whistler was drilled for the first time, revealing 3 metres at 1.23 g/t gold. A 119-hole aircore program at Whistler identified four blind mineralised zones beneath cover, including a standout 8 metres at 811 parts per billion gold, with 1-metre resplits confirming high-grade intervals up to 7.20 g/t gold. These discoveries have informed a major ~6,000-metre RC drilling campaign launched in partnership with Mineral Mining Services (MMS), targeting resource growth across five prospects including Orion, Sapphire, Eclipse, Justice, and Euroa.

The Eclipse prospect is advancing rapidly towards a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate, supported by infill drilling that returned significant intercepts such as 4 metres at 9.43 g/t gold and 9 metres at 2.54 g/t gold. The ongoing drilling at Orion and Sapphire aims to upgrade resources from Inferred to Indicated status, critical for upcoming mine development plans. The scale and intensity of these programs underscore GoldArc’s commitment to expanding its resource base and moving towards production. These exploration efforts complement the company’s recent largest Leonora South drilling campaign and the binding development deal with MMS fully funded $20M development deal.

Strategic Partnerships Drive Fully Funded Development

GoldArc has structured its development strategy around partnerships that eliminate upfront capital requirements. The BML Ventures Profit Cash Advance Facility provides $2.5 million in non-dilutive funding for Mt Stirling, drawn down by $500,000 in January 2026 to support drilling and de-risking milestones. Concurrently, the company signed a comprehensive Services and Equity for Drilling Services Agreement with MMS, enabling up to A$750,000 of drilling fees to be settled in shares, preserving cash while aligning incentives.

Most notably, GoldArc executed a binding term sheet with MMS to develop the Orion–Sapphire deposits with zero capital expenditure from GoldArc. MMS will fund up to A$20 million in development costs, recoverable solely from project proceeds, with a 50/50 net proceeds split thereafter. GoldArc retains full title to all extracted gold, and the arrangement includes robust governance protections for shareholders. This dual-hub, fully funded development model places GoldArc in a strong position to advance towards production without shareholder dilution or corporate balance sheet risk.

Experienced Leadership and Strategic Tenement Growth