Western Exploration Commences 2025 Drill Program at the Aura Project, Nevada

Rhea-AI Summary

Western Exploration (OTCQX:WEXPF) has launched its fully-funded 4,000-meter reverse circulation drill program at the Aura Project in Elko County, Nevada. The program targets a 1.3 km strike length of the Tomasina Fault zone, focusing on high-grade epithermal gold-silver vein targets near Wood Gulch.

The drilling campaign aims to evaluate areas down dip from the Wood Gulch and Saddle NI 43-101 resource areas, with targets at depths of 100-450 meters. The Wood Gulch Open Pit, previously mined by Homestake Mining Company (1988-1990), showed significant high-grade drill intercepts, including 13.72m @ 79.26 g/t AuEq. The program follows recent exploration success that led to a 54% increase in inferred Au-Ag resources at the Gravel Creek and Jarbidge target areas.

Positive

• Fully-funded 4,000-meter drill program targeting high-grade gold-silver veins
• Previous exploration success led to 54% increase in inferred Au-Ag resources
• Historical high-grade drill intercepts indicate strong mineralization potential
• Strategic location with 3.0 km strike length potential for resource expansion

Negative

• Results from drilling program won't be available until late August/early September 2025
• Exploration is still at early stage with no guaranteed success

4,000-Meter Reverse Circulation Drill Campaign to Focus on High Grade Epithermal Gold-Silver Vein Targets near Wood Gulch for Resource Expansion

Reno, Nevada--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2025) - Western Exploration Inc. (TSXV: WEX) (OTCQX: WEXPF) (the "Company" or "Western Exploration") is pleased to announce the initiation of its fully-funded 2025 drill program at the high-grade Aura Project in Elko County, Nevada.

The 4,000-meter reverse circulation drill program focuses on evaluating a 1.3 km strike length of the Tomasina Fault zone, down dip from the current Wood Gulch and Saddle NI 43-101 resource areas (Figure 1).

• The Wood Gulch Open Pit (previously mined in 1988 to 1990 by Homestake Mining Company) contained some of the highest-grade drill intercepts recorded on the Aura Property, including 13.72m @ 79.26 g/t AuEq (RC hole WG159), and 9.45m @ 26.56 g/t AuEq (core hole WG135); see news release of February 24, 2025 titled "Western Exploration Expands Exploration Footprint at Gravel Creek with 3.0 Km Untested Structural Corridor at the Past Producing Wood Gulch Mine."

Darcy Marud, Chief Executive Officer, commented: "The 2025 Aura reverse circulation drill program will build on exploration success that led to a 54% increase in inferred Au-Ag resources at the Gravel Creek and Jarbidge target areas. The Tomasina target represents a direct analogy to the structural and stratigraphic setting of the Gravel Creek deposit, with the added advantage of a potentially 3.0 km strike length and shallower targets at depths of 100-450 meters.

Discovery success here will give Western open-ended mineralization in several key zones to focus on near-term resource expansion. This could redefine the overall size and significance of the Aura district."

Using the Gravel Creek model as an analogy, 2025 drilling will prioritize favorable targets where the Tomasina Fault crosscuts the Frost Creek tuff down dip from known surface mineralization in the Wood Gulch and Saddle resource zones (Figure 2).

• Geologic interpretation indicates that the Tomasina Fault intersects the highly favorable Eocene Frost Creek tuff at depths of 100-450 meters down dip from surface mineralization.

• The Frost Creek tuff has proven to be a very receptive host rock at Gravel Creek (1.0 km to the east), containing wide intercepts within the current resource, including 18.29 meters true width @ 9.67 g/t AuEq (RC hole WG391) and 20.43 meters true width @ 11.97 g/t AuEq (core hole WG443).

Figure 1. Location of Gravel Creek-Wood Gulch area NI 43-101 Resources in relation to the Tomasina Fault zone, the focus of 2025 reverse circulation drilling

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7771/260988_cf722612d4748b24_002full.jpg

HOLE		From (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t)	Ag (g/t)	AuEq (g/t)
WG-355		269.75	13.71	1.67	28.5	2.01
WG-355	with	269.75	1.52	10.90	101.0	12.09
WG-355		288.04	13.71	1.00	11.7	1.14
WG-360		195.07	6.10	0.83	10.7	0.96
WG-360		211.84	25.90	0.91	11.1	1.04
WG-360	with	211.84	1.52	1.92	101.0	3.11
WG-360	and	228.60	1.52	7.28	15.4	7.46
WG421		403.86	9.14	1.13	2.8	1.16
WG421	and	431.29	9.15	0.89	7.8	0.98

 

Table 1: Results of past drilling adjacent Tomasina Fault Zone - Figure 1.

Figure 2. Cross section from Saddle Zone to the Gravel Creek-Jarbidge resource areas, highlighting undrilled potential at depth where the Tomasina Fault intersects the Frost Creek tuff.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7771/260988_cf722612d4748b24_003full.jpg

Program Timing

RC drilling is now underway, with the program expected to continue through Q3. Initial assays are expected in late August/early September, and the Company will provide ongoing updates as results are received.

About Western Exploration

Western Exploration is focused on advancing the 100% owned Aura Project, located approximately 120 kilometers/75 miles north of the city of Elko, Nevada. The Aura Project includes three unique gold and silver deposits: Doby George, Gravel Creek, and Wood Gulch. Western Exploration is comprised of an experienced team of precious metals experts that aim to lead the company to becoming North America's premiere gold and silver development company.

Additional information regarding Western Exploration can be found on Western Exploration's corporate website (www.westernexploration.com) and on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Western Exploration's issuer profile.

For further information, please contact:

Darcy Marud, Chief Executive Officer
Telephone: (775) 329-8119
Email: dmarud@westernexploration.com

Nichole Cowles, Investor Relations
Telephone: (775) 240-4172
Email: nicholecowles@westernexploration.com

For Investor Inquiries, Contact:
www.westernexploration.com
(TSXV: WEX) (OTCQX: WEXPF)

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/260988

FAQ

What is the size and focus of Western Exploration's (WEXPF) 2025 drill program at Aura?

Western Exploration launched a 4,000-meter reverse circulation drill program focusing on the Tomasina Fault zone, targeting high-grade epithermal gold-silver veins near Wood Gulch.

What were the historical drilling results at Wood Gulch for WEXPF?

Historical drilling at Wood Gulch showed significant high-grade intercepts, including 13.72m @ 79.26 g/t AuEq (RC hole WG159) and 9.45m @ 26.56 g/t AuEq (core hole WG135).

When will Western Exploration (WEXPF) release initial drilling results from Aura?

Initial assay results from the drilling program are expected in late August/early September 2025.

What was the recent resource increase at Western Exploration's Gravel Creek?

The company reported a 54% increase in inferred Au-Ag resources at the Gravel Creek and Jarbidge target areas.

What is the depth target for Western Exploration's 2025 Aura drilling program?

The program targets depths of 100-450 meters where the Tomasina Fault intersects the Frost Creek tuff.