Auro Metals Reports Positive Results from Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project

Auro Metals Inc, a Vancouver-based mining company, has announced the latest results from its ongoing exploration at the Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project in southeastern Ecuador. The company has completed the fifth batch of assay results from the 2026 Phase I Drill Program, which has now reached a total of 11,047.35 meters across 22 drillholes. These results continue to demonstrate the scale and consistency of mineralization at the site.

The latest batch of drillholes, including DSB-68, DSB-69, and DSB-70, were drilled in the southern part of the known mineralized porphyry system, known as Santa Barbara South. These holes were designed to test the continuity of mineralization between historical drill intercepts and the extension of mineralization up-dip, down-dip, and at depth. The results from DSB-68, the longest and deepest hole drilled at Santa Barbara to date, intersected 905.22 meters grading 0.60 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 0.12% copper from 56.5 meters to 961.72 meters. Further down the hole, weaker mineralization continued until the end of the hole at a depth of 1,282 meters.

DSB-69, located around 120 meters to the east of DSB-66, intersected 103.05 meters grading 0.53 g/t gold and 0.09% copper from 70.45 meters to 173.5 meters, and 200.55 meters grading 0.59 g/t gold and 0.08% copper from 247.45 meters to 448 meters, including 57.83 meters grading 1.06 g/t gold and 0.10% copper from 266.67 meters to 324.5 meters. These results indicate that mineralization is open in the down-dip direction to the east.

DSB-70, drilled in the northern part of Santa Barbara South, intersected 262.5 meters grading 0.71 g/t gold and 0.10% copper from 10 meters to 272.5 meters, including 100.45 meters grading 1.01 g/t gold and 0.11% copper from 169.35 meters to 269.8 meters. This hole suggests that mineralization starts from near the surface and there is higher-grade mineralization hosted in a deeper structural zone of basaltic andesite, diorite porphyry, and volcano-sediments.

Victor Feng, CEO of Auro Metals Inc, commented, "These latest results continue to demonstrate the scale and consistency at Santa Barbara. The mineralization system at Santa Barbara has now been shown to reach a depth of more than one thousand meters from the surface, suggesting the significant size potential of the project."

The Phase I Drill Program was successful in confirming historical drill results, increasing drill density in inferred resource areas, and showing that mineralization remains open in all directions and at depth. With 17 holes published to date, assay results for the remaining five Phase I drillholes will be released as they become available.

Auro Metals Inc has already commenced its Phase II - 20,000-meter Drill Program, which is designed to test gaps between known parts of the deposit, step out to test new targets, and drill deeper than has ever been drilled at the project. The company plans to mobilize three additional KD1700 rigs capable of drilling to a depth of more than 1,000 meters to enhance the drilling speed and test the depth extension of the known mineralized zones.

In addition to the drilling program, Auro Metals Inc is preparing samples for a comprehensive metallurgical test program, including gravity concentration, comminution, flotation, and cyanide leaching. The objective of this test program is to optimize the processing flowsheet and maximize gold and copper recoveries.

These latest results from the Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project continue to strengthen the company's position in the region and demonstrate the potential for significant mineralization. The ongoing exploration and drilling programs are expected to provide further insights into the extent and quality of the mineral resources at the site.