Johnson Tract Field Studies Support Exploration Drift To Access High-Grade Portion

FAIRBANKS, AK - Contango ORE, Inc. reported on the 2024 surface drill campaign along with exploration and development program at the Johnson Tract polymetallic gold project. The Project hosts the high-grade Johnson Tract deposit (the JT Deposit) with an Indicated Resource of 1.05 million ounces at 9.39 grams per tonne (g/t) gold equivalent (AuEq) with average true thickness of 40 meters (m).

The 2024 exploration program drilled approximately 3,000 m (9,842 feet) in 18 holes drilled to infill the upper one-third of the near vertical resource and three holes drilled for hydrogeological testing and monitoring to characterize the overall hydrology and water quality around the JT Deposit. A number of the holes will also be used for further metallurgical testing and geometallurgical characterization. Contango continued advancing field studies to support permitting and engineering of an exploration drift to access the deeper, high-grade portion of the JT Deposit for infill and exploration drilling.

Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, President & CEO, said, "We are excited with results from Contango's first drill program since acquiring the Johnson Tract Project. The infill drilling serves as a reminder of the exceptional grade, continuity, and width of the JT Deposit. We are focused on advancing the Project towards feasibility and a mine development decision using our DSO approach. Right now, that means advancing geotechnical, hydrologic, and other environmental and engineering studies in preparation for permitting an approximately 1.6 km (1 mile) exploration tunnel to support definition drilling of the deeper 2/3rds of the JT Deposit.  We are pleased to have received a Section 404 permit from the US Army Corps of Engineers for construction of a portal access road and expanded airstrip. We plan to continue permitting the portal site with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources Office of Project Management and Permitting (OPMP).  Planning is underway for a 2025 program."