Athena Completes Acquisition of Forester Gold Project Near Orla Mining's Musselwhite Mine

Core Viewpoint - Athena Gold Corporation has successfully completed the acquisition of the Forester Gold Project, enhancing its position as a disciplined explorer in high-potential areas near major gold producers [1] Acquisition Details - The acquisition involved purchasing Last Bounty Gold Corp., which holds a 100% interest in the Forester Gold Project, through a share purchase agreement dated February 25, 2026 [1] - Athena issued 42,000,000 common shares at a deemed price of CAD $0.08 per share, representing approximately 12% of the Company on a non-diluted basis [1] - The transaction was conducted at arm's length, with no finder's fees paid and no new insiders created upon closing [1] Project Potential - The Forester Gold Project is strategically located near Orla Mining's Musselwhite Mine, with favorable geology indicating strong potential for near-surface, bulk-tonnage, orogenic gold systems [1] - Historical drill intercepts at Forester show potential for both high-grade, narrow-vein and low-grade, bulk-tonnage gold mineralization [1] - The Laird Lake project, another key asset of the Company, is situated along trend from West Red Lake's Madsen Mine, with drill permits in hand and plans to mobilize rigs for exploration [1] Company Overview - Athena Gold Corporation focuses on mineral exploration and the acquisition of mineral property assets, aiming to develop economic precious and base metal properties across North America [1] - The Laird Lake project covers over 7,000 hectares along more than 10 km of the Balmer-Confederation Assemblage contact, with recent surface sampling results showing up to 373 g/t Au [1] - The Excelsior Springs Project in Nevada is also under an earn-in option with Mammoth Minerals Limited, covering over 2,500 hectares and including at least three historic mines [1]