Ridgeline Minerals Commences Drill Program at the Selena CRD Project, Nevada

Rhea-AI Summary

Ridgeline Minerals has initiated its 2025 drill program at the Selena Carbonate Replacement project in Nevada, operating under Phase 1 of an earn-in agreement with South32. South32 has approved a $3.45 million Year-2 exploration budget to drill up to three deep core holes, totaling 4,500 meters, targeting a highly conductive Magnetotellurics anomaly at the Chinchilla Sulfide CRD target. The drilling program will test specific stratigraphic and structural horizons across the known strike of the MT anomaly, with the first hole targeting the shallowest expression of the Chinchilla Sulfide target. The anomaly plunges approximately 45 degrees north to south and is bounded by east verging thrust faults, which are interpreted as key fluid conduits to the CRD system. The Selena Project, located 64 kilometers north of Ely, Nevada, shares a property boundary with the Butte Valley project and comprises 39 square kilometers of exploration ground.

Positive

• South32 has approved a substantial $3.45 million exploration budget for Year-2
• Project shares boundary with Butte Valley project, which has a $33M earn-in agreement between Freeport-McMoRan and Falcon Butte Minerals
• Large exploration area covering 39 square kilometers of highly prospective ground

Negative

• None.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 23, 2025) - Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (TSXV: RDG) (OTCQB: RDGMF) (FSE: 0GC0) ("Ridgeline" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its 2025 drill program at the Selena Carbonate Replacement ("CRD") project ("Selena" or "Project") (Figure 1). The Project is currently being operated by Ridgeline under Phase 1 of an earn-in agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited ("South32"). All dollars noted are US dollars.

South32 has approved a Year-2 exploration budget of $3,450,000 to drill up to three deep core holes (4,500 metres total) targeting the highly conductive Magnetotellurics ("MT") anomaly that was identified at the Chinchilla Sulfide CRD target (Figure 2) in early 2025. All three core holes will target specific stratigraphic and structural horizons across the known strike of the MT anomaly, with the first of three holes targeting the shallowest expression of the Chinchilla Sulfide target. The anomaly plunges roughly 45 degrees north to south and is bound on both sides by a series of east verging thrust faults, interpreted as key fluid conduits to the CRD system (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Plan view map of the Selena project showing the locations of the three planned core holes (red stars) that will test the multikilometer-scale MT anomaly at the Chinchilla Sulfide target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/256431_b6f8e37f142e2b1e_003full.jpg

Figure 2: Simplified Long Section A-A' showing planned core hole #2 (1,600m) testing the highly conductive MT anomaly on both sides of the interpreted thrust faults, which are inferred as key structural controls to the CRD system.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/256431_b6f8e37f142e2b1e_004full.jpg

Figure 3: Simplified Chinchilla Sulfide Cross Section B-B' showing planned core holes 1-3 testing the 2+ kilometer strike extent of the MT anomaly, which is interpreted as a highly conductive sulfide CRD target.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7298/256431_b6f8e37f142e2b1e_005full.jpg

QA/QC Procedures
Samples are submitted to American Assay Laboratories (AAL) of Sparks, Nevada, which is a certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Independent check samples are sent to Paragon Geochemical Labs (PAL) of Sparks, Nevada. Samples are prepared using industry-standard prep methods and analysed using FA-PB30-ICP (Au; 30g fire assay) and ICP-5AM48 (48 element Suite; 0.5g 5-acid digestion/ICP-MS) methods. AAL also undertakes its own internal coarse and pulp duplicate analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Ridgeline's QA/QC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results completed by the Company's Qualified Person, Michael T. Harp, Vice President, Exploration.

The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of, and approved by Michael T. Harp, CPG, the Company's Vice President, Exploration. Mr. Harp is a "qualified person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Selena Project
Selena is located in White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 64 kilometers ("km") north of the town of Ely, NV. The Project is currently being operated by Ridgeline under Phase 1 of an earn-in agreement with a wholly owned subsidiary of South32 Limited ("South32") and shares a property boundary with the Butte Valley project, a $33M earn-in agreement between Freeport-McMoRan and the underlying owner, Falcon Butte Minerals. The Project is comprised of 39 square kilometers of highly prospective exploration ground including Ridgeline's shallow-oxide Ag-Au ± Pb-Zn Chinchilla Oxide and deeper Chinchilla Sulfide discoveries. Subsequent drilling has continued to highlight the potential for high-grade CRD type mineralization (Ag-Au-Pb-Zn ±Cu-W) between Chinchilla Oxide and Freeport-McMoRan's Butte Valley Cu-Au-Ag-Zn porphyry located directly west of the property (View the Selena VRIFY Deck Here). For additional information regarding the South32 earn-in agreement terms, view the August 22, 2024 news release HERE.

About Ridgeline Minerals Corp.
Ridgeline Minerals is a discovery focused precious and base metal explorer with a proven management team and a 200 km² exploration portfolio across seven projects in Nevada, USA. The Company is a hybrid explorer with a mix of 100%-owned exploration assets (Big Blue, Atlas, Bell Creek & Coyote) as well as two earn-in exploration agreements with Nevada Gold Mines at its Swift and Black Ridge projects and a third earn-in with South32 at its Selena project. More information about Ridgeline can be found at www.ridgelineminerals.com.

On behalf of the Board
"Chad Peters"
President & CEO

Further Information:
Chad Peters, P.Geo.
President, CEO & Director
Ridgeline Minerals Corp.
+1 775 304 9773
cpeters@ridgelineminerals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release

Cautionary Note regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, the anticipated benefits of the Earn-In Agreement and the transaction contemplated thereby. The words "potential", "anticipate", "meaningful", "discovery", "forecast", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "plan", "historical", "historic" and similar expressions are intended to be among the statements that identify Forward-Looking Information. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. In preparing the Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Ridgeline has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that TSX Venture Exchange approval will be granted in a timely manner subject only to standard conditions; the current objectives concerning the Project can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner. Forward-Looking Information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements of Ridgeline to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the Forward-Looking Information. Such risks and other factors include, among others, risks related to dependence on key personnel; risks related to unforeseen delays; risks related to historical data that has not been verified by the Company; as well as those factors discussed in Ridgeline's public disclosure record. Although Ridgeline has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Ridgeline and may cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Ridgeline does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/256431

FAQ

What is the size of South32's exploration budget for Ridgeline Minerals' Selena project in 2025?

South32 has approved a Year-2 exploration budget of $3.45 million for the Selena project in 2025.

How many drill holes are planned for RDGMF's 2025 Selena project program?

The program plans to drill up to three deep core holes, totaling 4,500 meters, targeting the Chinchilla Sulfide CRD target.

Where is Ridgeline Minerals' Selena project located?

The Selena project is located in White Pine County, Nevada, approximately 64 kilometers north of the town of Ely.

What is the size of Ridgeline Minerals' Selena project?

The Selena project comprises 39 square kilometers of exploration ground.

What is the target of Ridgeline Minerals' 2025 drill program at Selena?

The program targets a highly conductive Magnetotellurics anomaly at the Chinchilla Sulfide CRD target, which plunges 45 degrees north to south.