Kodiak Announces Appointment of Vice President Exploration and Senior Geologist

Rhea-AI Summary

Kodiak Copper (OTCQB: KDKCF) has announced key changes to its exploration leadership team. Dave Skelton has been promoted to VP Exploration, succeeding Jeff Ward who is transitioning to an advisory role. Skelton, who joined Kodiak five years ago and served as VP Project Management for the past two years, brings over 35 years of mineral exploration experience and has managed programs with budgets up to $50M.

Additionally, Baykan Aksu has been appointed as Senior Geologist. Aksu, who has been consulting for the MPD project since 2021, joins the company full-time. He has been working in the resource industry since 2016 and holds a B.Sc. in geological engineering and two M.Sc. degrees in geology. Both Skelton and Aksu are Professional Geologists registered in Alberta, with Aksu also registered in British Columbia.

Positive

• Smooth leadership transition with internal promotion of experienced VP Exploration
• New VP has extensive experience managing large-scale projects up to $50M
• Retention of former VP Exploration in advisory role maintains continuity
• Strengthening of technical team with full-time addition of previously consulting Senior Geologist

Negative

• Loss of day-to-day involvement of experienced VP Exploration Jeff Ward

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 12, 2025) - Kodiak Copper Corp. (TSXV: KDK) (OTCQB: KDKCF) (FSE: 5DD1) (the "Company" or "Kodiak") today reports the promotion of Dave Skelton to VP Exploration and the appointment of Baykan Aksu as Senior Geologist. Mr. Skelton will succeed current VP Exploration Jeff Ward who is retiring from day-to-day operations and assuming an advisory role.

Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak said, "Dave Skelton joined Kodiak's team five years ago, and as VP Project Management over the past two years has co-lead our technical programs. The promotion to VP Exploration recognizes Dave's excellent work over this time. With his extensive experience and proven track record in minerals exploration, combined with strong leadership and management skills, I have no doubt that Dave will excel in this role.

I am also pleased to welcome Baykan Aksu to the Kodiak team as senior geologist. Baykan has been working on the MPD project since 2021, providing significant input as a consultant, and I am delighted that he will now join us full time."

Mr. Skelton has over 35 years experience in the mineral exploration industry with a primary focus on the design and implementation of exploration programs. His diverse background spans all aspects of the project pipeline from early-stage exploration to mine development. Mr. Skelton has managed programs in various Canadian jurisdictions and Australia with budgets of up to $50M. He is a Professional Geologist registered in Alberta and has a B. Sc. Degree in geology.

Mr. Aksu has been working in the resource industry since 2016 on projects in Turkey and Canada, and his education includes a B. Sc. Degree in geological engineering and two M. Sc. Degrees in geology. Mr Aksu is a Professional Geologist registered in Alberta and British Columbia.

Claudia Tornquist, President and CEO of Kodiak added, "I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Jeff Ward for his invaluable contributions to Kodiak as former VP Exploration. Jeff has been involved with Kodiak from the start and was instrumental from our initial discovery at MPD to successfully growing it into the resource-stage project it is today. It has been a genuine pleasure working with Jeff and I am glad that Kodiak will continue to benefit from his experience on a part-time basis. I wish Jeff many happy times with his family as he transitions towards retirement."

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kodiak Copper Corp.

Claudia Tornquist
President & CEO

For further information contact:
Nancy Curry, VP Corporate Development
ncurry@kodiakcoppercorp.com
+1 (604) 646-8362

About Kodiak Copper Corp.

Kodiak is focused on its 100% owned copper porphyry projects in Canada and the USA that have been historically drilled and present known mineral discoveries with the potential to hold large-scale deposits. The Company's most advanced asset is the MPD copper-gold porphyry project in the prolific Quesnel Terrane in south-central British Columbia, Canada, a mining district with producing mines and excellent infrastructure. MPD has all the hallmarks of a major, multi-centered porphyry district with the potential to become a world-class mine. Work to date has outlined multiple substantial mineralized zones across the property, including several zones with near-surface, high-grade mineralization. A maiden resource estimate for MPD is planned in 2025 and with known mineralized zones open to expansion and more target areas yet to be tested, Kodiak continues to systematically explore the project to build critical mass and make the next discovery. The Company also holds the Mohave copper-molybdenum-silver porphyry project in Arizona, USA, near the world-class Bagdad mine.

Kodiak's founder and Chairman is Chris Taylor who is well-known for his gold discovery success with Great Bear Resources. Kodiak is also part of Discovery Group led by John Robins, one of the most successful mining entrepreneurs in Canada.

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.

Forward-Looking Statement (Safe Harbor Statement): This press release contains forward looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "expect", "estimate", "objective", "may", "will", "project", "should", "predict", "potential" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward looking statements. In particular, this press release contains forward looking statements concerning the Company's exploration plans. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which the forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company cannot give any assurance that they will prove correct. Since forward looking statements address future events and conditions, they involve inherent assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of assumptions, factors and risks. These assumptions and risks include, but are not limited to, assumptions and risks associated with conditions in the equity financing markets, and assumptions and risks regarding receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals.

Management has provided the above summary of risks and assumptions related to forward looking statements in this press release in order to provide readers with a more comprehensive perspective on the Company's future operations. The Company's actual results, performance or achievement could differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements and, accordingly, no assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Company will derive from them. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release, and, other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244217

FAQ

What leadership changes were announced at Kodiak Copper (KDKCF) in March 2025?

Dave Skelton was promoted to VP Exploration, replacing retiring Jeff Ward who moves to an advisory role, and Baykan Aksu was appointed as Senior Geologist.

What experience does Dave Skelton bring to his new role as VP Exploration at KDKCF?

Skelton has over 35 years in mineral exploration, managed programs with budgets up to $50M, and has been with Kodiak for 5 years, serving as VP Project Management for the last 2 years.

How long has Baykan Aksu been involved with KDKCF's MPD project?

Aksu has been working on the MPD project since 2021 as a consultant before joining full-time as Senior Geologist in 2025.

What role will former VP Exploration Jeff Ward maintain with KDKCF?

Jeff Ward is retiring from day-to-day operations but will continue to serve Kodiak in an advisory role on a part-time basis.