Contango Enhances Economics with High-Grade Drill Results and Strategic Acquisition of the Lucky Shot Lease and Royalty
Rhea-AI Summary
Contango (NYSE: CTGO) completed the initial phase of its 2025/2026 Lucky Shot underground drill campaign, reporting 65 HQ diamond holes for 6,020 meters and multiple high‑grade intercepts (e.g., 0.50 m @ 74.20 g/t Au). The company agreed to acquire the Lucky Shot property and extinguish a 2% NSR for $16,074,000 (including a $10.0M promissory note).
Planned next steps include ~800 m of underground development (mid‑May 2026, ~5 months) to enable a ~12,000 m follow‑up drill program and support a Feasibility Study targeted for H1 2027.
Positive
- 6,020 m completed in 65 underground HQ drill holes
- High‑grade assays including 0.50 m @ 74.20 g/t Au
- Acquisition consolidates Lucky Shot for $16,074,000, extinguishing a 2% NSR
- $10.0M promissory note structured with 5% interest and scheduled principal repayments
- Planned 800 m underground development to support ~12,000 m follow‑up drilling
Negative
- Closing of the purchase is subject to customary conditions and expected no later than July 1, 2026
- Promissory note requires principal repayments of $2.0M on years 2 and 3 and full balance on year 4
- Reported intervals are downhole lengths; true widths are not known at this time
- Intersection Fault observed; displacement amount and lateral sense remain under evaluation
News Market Reaction – CTGO
In the May 5 session, CTGO gained 1.72%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction. Our momentum scanner triggered 8 alerts that day, indicating moderate trading interest and price volatility.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Acquisition Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 26 | Merger completion | Positive | -6.7% | Closed Dolly Varden merger creating combined Alaska‑BC precious metals company. |
| Mar 17 | Merger approval | Positive | -7.7% | Shareholders approved Dolly Varden merger and higher authorized share count. |
| Dec 08 | Merger announcement | Positive | -0.8% | Announced merger-of-equals with Dolly Varden to form Contango Silver & Gold. |
| Jul 30 | Project drilling update | Positive | -0.8% | Commenced surface drilling at Johnson Tract with technical and study work. |
| Jul 10 | Asset acquisition | Positive | +1.4% | Completed acquisition of HighGold Mining to expand Alaska gold portfolio. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Acquisition- and merger-related headlines have often coincided with negative next-day moves for CTGO, even when strategically positive.
Recent acquisition-tagged events for CTGO have focused on building a multi-asset precious-metals platform. The HighGold acquisition (Jul 2024) and Johnson Tract drilling update expanded the growth pipeline, followed by the Dolly Varden merger announcement in Dec 2025 and its approval and completion in Mar 2026. Those prior deals often saw shares trade down the next day. Today’s Lucky Shot lease and royalty acquisition continues this consolidation theme around high‑grade Alaska assets.
Key Terms
net smelter returns royalty financial
promissory note financial
qualified person regulatory
s-k 1300 regulatory
photonassay technical
icp-ms technical
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Select Highlights Include:
- LSU26057: 0.37 m averaging 10.53 g/t Au (L1c Vein)
- LSU26060: 1.34 m averaging 8.58 g/t Au (L1c Vein)
- LSU26062: 2.18 m averaging 7.98 g/t Au (L1c Vein)
- LSU26063: 1.15 m averaging 16.47 g/t Au (L2 Vein)
- LSU26064: 2.89 m averaging 16.06 g/t Au, including
- 0.50 m averaging 74.20 g/t Au (CK Vein)
- LSU26066: 0.31 m averaging 31.56 g/t Au (L1c Vein)
- LSU26067: 0.35 m averaging 13.61 g/t Au (L1d Vein)
- LSU26068: 0.30 m averaging 55.45 g/t Au (L1c Vein)
- LSU26072: 0.84 m averaging 10.28 g/t Au (L1d Vein)
- LSU26076: 2.71 m averaging 4.28 g/t Au, including
- 0.36 m averaging 24.29 g/t Au (L2 Vein)
- LSU26077: 0.33 m averaging 9.37 g/t Au (CK Vein)
Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, Chief Executive Officer, stated: "Our latest drilling at Lucky Shot has exceeded expectations, providing a better understanding of the system's continuity and productivity. The presence of visible gold in multiple intervals is a powerful indicator of the high-grade nature of this deposit. By confirming these multiple vein structures, we have significantly expanded the underground footprint while continuing to de-risk the project. This is not just additional drill and assay data; it is a roadmap to expansion. These assays provide the critical momentum we need to accelerate our technical work and unlock the substantial scale we see inherent in this project."
Acquisition of Underlying Lucky Shot Lease and Royalty
On May 4, 2026 the Company entered into a purchase and sale agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") with Alaska Hardrock Inc. (the "Seller" or "AHI") to acquire
- Cash deposit of
(paid)$300,000 - Cash payment of
due on signing of the Purchase Agreement (paid)$1,709,250 - Cash payable of
due on closing, which is expected to occur no later than July 1, 2026 (the "Closing Date")$4,064,750 - Promissory note of
million:$10 5% annual interest rate compounding monthly, payable annually- Principal repayments of
on the second and third anniversary dates of the Closing Date with the remaining principal balance due on the fourth anniversary of the Closing Date$2,000,000 - Secured by real property, mining claims, and other assets acquired
Highlights of this transaction:
- Restores full value and control of the Lucky Shot project
- Optimizes financial structure
- Enhances project economics
- Reduces administrative burden
"Contango has successfully consolidated the royalty interests at Lucky Shot, a move that significantly enhances the project's overall value," said Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, CEO. "It is a rare and exciting milestone for an operator to acquire the surface and subsurface royalty interests, effectively streamlining our cost structure. This investment allows us to move into the feasibility stage with a highly efficient operating profile, keeping the project's full potential firmly in the hands of our investors."
Closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
Detailed Discussion of Drill Results
The Lucky Shot 2025/2026 underground drilling program began in November 2025. To date, the Company has completed 65 HQ diamond drill holes totaling 6,020 meters from ten underground drill stations located along the West Drift (Figure 1). Drilling was completed from existing underground infrastructure, allowing for accurate targeting of known vein structures and improved drill orientation control. The program is focused on the historically mined Lucky Shot Vein (L2 Vein) and the associated L1b, L1c, and L1d veins, which remain historically undeveloped. This release follows the Company's initial drill results announced on March 2, 2026, titled "Contango Ore Intersects 60.22 g/t Gold over 5.92 meters, including 294.77 g/t Gold over 1.16 meters from Underground Drilling Program at the Lucky Shot Project,
Program Highlights
- Safe and successful continuation of underground drilling through Alaskan winter operating conditions.
- Completion of 6,020 meters in 65 HQ diamond drill holes from ten underground drill stations.
- Confirmation and extension of mineralization within the Lucky Shot vein system, including the L2, L1b, L1c, and L1d veins.
- Identification and drill confirmation of previously unmodeled mineralized structures now designated as the L1e and CK veins.
- Identification and interpretation of a post-mineralization structure, designated the Intersection Fault, that offsets portions of the Lucky Shot vein system.
Drill Results
Drilling continued eastward along the West Drift through successive underground drill stations (Figure 1). Drill fans were designed to test the down-dip and along-strike continuity of the historically mined L2 Vein (Lucky Shot Vein), while also testing the underlying L1b, L1c, and L1d veins. These underlying veins were included in the Company's May 2023 S-K 1300 Technical Report Summary but remained more loosely constrained by drilling and had not been demonstrated to be laterally continuous at resource-model confidence. This program was intended, in part, to test the continuity of these other subparallel veins.
Drill stations 489, 514, 538, and 563 tested areas of the L2 Vein that were not previously modeled due to limited drill coverage. This portion of the program successfully intercepted the projected L2 Vein position down dip of historical workings and extended interpreted lateral continuity eastward along strike. Drill highlights from the L2 Vein include:
- LSU26069: 0.88 m averaging 6.69 g/t Au from 68.23 m depth
- LSU26063: 1.15 m averaging 16.47 g/t Au from 96.90 m depth
- LSU26064: 1.28 m averaging 27.86 g/t Au from 72.10 m depth
In addition to testing the modeled L2 Vein, drilling evaluated the lateral continuity of subparallel and related vein structures previously identified as the L1b, L1c, and L1d veins. Current geologic modeling suggests that the L1c and L1d veins are subparallel to the primary L2 structure. The L1b vein and newly modeled L1e vein are interpreted as lower-angle relay or ramp structures developed between the L2 and L1c veins (Figure 2). Gold mineralization is persistent across several of these structures, and visible gold was observed during core logging in multiple intervals.
Detailed underground mapping and core logging identified an additional gold-mineralized structure now designated as the CK Vein. The CK Vein was recognized near the intersection of the West Drift and the Enserch Tunnel and has a similar east-west strike and shallow northerly dip to the Lucky Shot system. Underground grab samples returned gold values including 6.5 g/t gold over 1.5 meters. The CK Vein was intercepted in most holes from these four drill stations, with visible gold observed in several logged intervals.
The additional drilling materially improves the Company's understanding of the structural architecture and vein stacking within the Lucky Shot system. Detailed structural logging and underground mapping have identified a high-angle, post-mineralization structure designated as the Intersection Fault (Figure 2). This fault cuts the Lucky Shot vein system and is interpreted as a normal fault that down-drops the northwest block; the amount and sense of any lateral displacement remain under evaluation. The Intersection Fault was not encountered in the first four drill stations previously reported but was prevalent in the four drill stations reported in this release. The presence of multiple stacked and relay-oriented mineralized structures, together with the previously announced KM veins and the modeled Intersection Fault, supports additional exploration potential within the underground footprint. Future drilling (approximately 12,000 meters) will focus on refining structural orientations, continuity, and grade distribution across these emerging targets.
Table 1. Significant Assay Intersections from 2026 Drill Program at the Lucky Shot Project
Drill | Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Length (m) | Au (g/t) | Vein | Visible Gold Observed* | |
489 | LSU26057 | 46.17 | 46.54 | 0.37 | 10.53 | L1c Vn | YES | |
140.24 | 141.45 | 1.21 | 1.53 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26058 | 32.7 | 34.38 | 1.68 | 3.24 | L1c Vn | YES | ||
61.64 | 64.58 | 2.94 | 3.21 | L1b Vn | ||||
91.91 | 93.08 | 1.17 | 1.37 | L2 Vn | ||||
105.15 | 105.69 | 0.54 | 7.9 | L2 Vn | YES | |||
LSU26059 | 17.60 | 20.46 | 2.86 | 1.71 | CK | |||
31.23 | 31.90 | 0.67 | 1.04 | L1b Vn | ||||
68.55 | 69.17 | 0.62 | 1.10 | L1e Vn | ||||
LSU26060 | 17.92 | 19.26 | 1.34 | 8.58 | L1c Vn | YES | ||
60.65 | 61.64 | 0.99 | 1.37 | L1d Vn | ||||
LSU26061 | 7.08 | 8.00 | 0.92 | 2.81 | CK | |||
55.28 | 56.75 | 1.47 | 1.04 | L1d Vn | YES | |||
514 | LSU26062 | 33.72 | 35.90 | 2.18 | 7.98 | L1c Vn | YES | |
75.96 | 77.00 | 1.04 | 11.65 | Undesignated | YES | |||
124.3 | 124.93 | 0.63 | 1.29 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26063 | 80.54 | 80.93 | 0.39 | 1.07 | Undesignated | |||
96.90 | 98.05 | 1.15 | 16.47 | L2 Vn | YES | |||
LSU26064 | 8.65 | 11.54 | 2.89 | 16.06 | CK | |||
(includes) | 8.65 | 9.15 | 0.50 | 74.20 | CK | YES | ||
72.10 | 73.38 | 1.28 | 27.86 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26065 | 3.67 | 5.31 | 1.64 | 5.77 | CK | |||
18.07 | 18.70 | 0.63 | 1.01 | L1c Vn | YES | |||
LSU26066 | 3.00 | 4.07 | 1.07 | 7.83 | CK | YES | ||
11.61 | 11.91 | 0.30 | 4.85 | CK | YES | |||
17.95 | 18.26 | 0.31 | 31.56 | L1c Vn | ||||
26.94 | 27.74 | 0.80 | 1.94 | L1e Vn | ||||
56.29 | 56.60 | 0.31 | 10.15 | L1d Vn | YES | |||
LSU26067 | 2.86 | 3.76 | 0.90 | 3.84 | CK | |||
11.92 | 12.25 | 0.33 | 1.54 | CK | ||||
19.29 | 19.59 | 0.30 | 7.22 | L1c Vn | ||||
26.90 | 27.35 | 0.45 | 4.26 | L1e Vn | ||||
64.00 | 64.35 | 0.35 | 13.61 | L1d Vn | ||||
79.3 | 79.86 | 0.56 | 2.11 | L2 Vn | ||||
538 | LSU26068 | 12.95 | 13.42 | 0.47 | 6.35 | CK | YES | |
22.16 | 22.46 | 0.30 | 55.45 | L1c Vn | YES | |||
60.00 | 60.37 | 0.37 | 1.48 | Undesignated | ||||
63.25 | 63.54 | 0.29 | 1.81 | Undesignated | ||||
82.02 | 82.69 | 0.67 | 1.21 | Undesignated | ||||
97.85 | 98.70 | 0.85 | 3.22 | Undesignated | ||||
120.77 | 124.50 | 3.73 | 1.09 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26069 | 68.23 | 69.11 | 0.88 | 6.69 | L2 Vn | |||
LSU26070 | 1.59 | 2.75 | 1.16 | 1.37 | CK | |||
27.30 | 27.92 | 0.62 | 2.02 | L1e Vn | ||||
LSU26071 | 0.70 | 1.02 | 0.32 | 3.93 | CK | |||
50.96 | 52.10 | 1.14 | 1.04 | Undesignated | ||||
57.06 | 58.45 | 1.39 | 4.00 | L1d Vn | YES | |||
LSU26072 | 1.04 | 1.68 | 0.64 | 4.48 | CK | |||
24.66 | 25.11 | 0.45 | 1.38 | L1e Vn | ||||
69.31 | 70.15 | 0.84 | 10.28 | L1d Vn | YES | |||
82.07 | 85.00 | 2.93 | 1.42 | L2 Vn | ||||
563 | LSU26073 | 10.32 | 12.07 | 1.75 | 1.47 | CK | ||
22.40 | 24.71 | 2.31 | 1.75 | L1c Vn | ||||
110.09 | 110.81 | 0.72 | 1.09 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26074 | 75.70 | 77.06 | 1.36 | 1.99 | L2 Vn | |||
82.58 | 84.03 | 1.45 | 1.67 | L2 Vn | ||||
LSU26075 | 6.37 | 6.73 | 0.36 | 1.44 | CK | |||
37.44 | 38.25 | 0.81 | 1.78 | L1eVn | ||||
56.55 | 56.91 | 0.36 | 3.02 | L2 Vn | ||||
60.64 | 62.76 | 2.12 | 5.10 | L2 Vn | YES | |||
LSU26076 | 5.07 | 5.62 | 0.55 | 3.55 | CK | |||
23.50 | 24.64 | 1.14 | 2.88 | L1e Vn | ||||
54.84 | 57.55 | 2.71 | 4.28 | L2 Vn | ||||
(includes) | 54.84 | 55.20 | 0.36 | 24.29 | L2 Vn | YES | ||
LSU26077 | 6.87 | 7.20 | 0.33 | 9.37 | CK | YES | ||
20.69 | 21.20 | 0.51 | 1.64 | L1c Vn | ||||
47.16 | 47.47 | 0.31 | 1.31 | Undesignated | ||||
67.20 | 69.51 | 2.31 | 1.60 | L1D | ||||
(includes) | 69.28 | 69.51 | 0.23 | 10.65 | L1D | YES | ||
70.97 | 72.10 | 1.13 | 2.30 | L2 Vn | ||||
86.76 | 87.18 | 0.42 | 1.61 | L2 Vn | ||||
* Visible gold observations are qualitative geological observations made during core logging. The presence of visible gold does not necessarily indicate higher gold grades, mineral continuity, metallurgical performance, or economic significance. Gold assay results are derived from laboratory analysis and are the only quantitative measure of gold content. All drill core was systematically logged for visible gold; blank entries indicate no visible gold observed. Note: Reported intervals are downhole core lengths. True widths are not known at this time and may vary depending on vein orientation and drill-hole geometry. Unless otherwise stated, no grade capping has been applied. |
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Contango's drilling and sampling programs are conducted in accordance with industry's best practices and applicable SEC S-K 1300 requirements. All drill core is systematically logged, photographed, and sampled under the supervision of the Company's Qualified Person.
Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") procedures include the regular insertion of certified reference materials, blanks, and duplicate samples into the analytical stream at a frequency of approximately one QA/QC sample per ten samples. Mineralized intervals are sampled as whole core, with half-core shoulder samples extending approximately 5 meters on either side of mineralized zones. Samples are sealed and transported under documented chain-of-custody procedures to the laboratory.
Analytical testing was performed by Bureau Veritas North America, with sample preparation conducted in
Upcoming Underground Exploration Development Work at Lucky Shot
With the successful completion of the initial phase of underground drilling at the Lucky Shot Project, Contango is now preparing to advance the next major phase of work: additional underground development. This development program represents an important operational step in advancing Lucky Shot, as it will provide the underground access and drill platforms required to continue testing and expanding the known mineralized system.
The planned development program consists of approximately 800 linear meters of underground excavation. Contango has selected GMS Mine Repair & Maintenance, Inc. ("GMS") as the mining contractor for this work. GMS is a leading mining and tunneling contractor with more than 40 years of experience serving underground mining operations across
The underground exploration development program is expected to commence in mid-May 2026 and is currently anticipated to take approximately five months to complete. As shown in Figure 3, the development has been designed to provide strategic underground access for the next phase of approximately 12,000 meters of drilling. This work is considered critical to the Company's ongoing exploration and technical-study strategy to support completion of a Feasibility Study at Lucky Shot in H1 2027, as it will allow Contango to follow up on encouraging initial drill results, test additional priority targets, and continue advancing the geological model of the Lucky Shot mineralized system.
Conference Call and Webcast
Contango will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the Lucky Shot drill results and acquisition released in this report with VP Exploration Dave Larimer and CFO Mike Clark on Tuesday, May 5, 2026, at 2:00pm EST / 11:00am PST. Participants may join the webcast using the following call-in details: https://6ix.com/event/lucky-shot-high-grade-drill-results-and-project-update.
QUALIFIED PERSON
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Larimer, CPG, Vice President, Exploration for Contango, who is a Qualified Person as defined by SEC Regulation S-K 1300. Mr. Larimer is not independent of the Company.
ABOUT CONTANGO
Contango is a NYSE American and TSX listed company that engages in the exploration for and development and production of gold and associated minerals in
Additional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities ("Forward-looking Statements"). These include statements regarding Contango's plans and expectations for its properties and operations, the content within future annual filings, operations in respect of Contango mineral properties and any benefits of investment in Contango. The Forward-looking Statements regarding Contango are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for "forward-looking statements" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, based on Contango's current expectations and includes statements regarding future results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the assumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events or performance (often, but not always, using words such as "expects", "projects", "anticipates", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "believes", "ensures", "forecasts", "predicts", "proposes", "contemplates", "aims", "seeks", "continues", "potential", "positioned", "strategy", "outlook", "future", "going forward", "designed to", and similar expressions or other words of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "might", "will", "should", "would", or "could" be taken, or that they are "possible", "probable", or "likely" to occur or be achieved). However, the absence of these words does not mean that the statements are not forward-looking. Forward-looking Statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not limited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example, operational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves); risks and uncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining industry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future production, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices, including prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of commercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the Peak Gold JV; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV; potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of exploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key employees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks; risks related to weather and other natural disasters; uncertainties as to the availability and cost of financing; Contango's inability to retain or maintain its relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize expected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute its plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak of disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government policies may change, political developments may occur or governmental approvals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of presidential and congressional elections in the
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SOURCE Contango Silver & Gold Inc.




