Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 22, 2025) - Surface Metals Inc. (CSE: SUR) (OTCQB: SURMF) ("Surface Metals" or the "Company") announces that it has completed an agreement with Snow Lake Resources Ltd. dba Snow Lake Energy (NASDAQ: LITM) ("Snow Lake") to sell its remaining 49% interest in 37 mineral claims in south-eastern Manitoba for total consideration of $650,000.Pursuant to an option agreement dated January 29, 2024 between Surface Metals and Snow Lake, Surface Metals granted to ...

Core Viewpoint - Copper Quest Exploration Inc. has successfully acquired the Alpine Gold Property, transitioning from a primarily copper-focused company to a gold-focused opportunity, aiming to leverage the current high gold market while continuing to develop its copper properties [2][4]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes a 4,611.49-hectare property located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Nelson, British Columbia, which previously operated as an underground mine with recorded production of about 16,810 tonnes of mineralized vein material [4][15]. - The company issued 14,177,517 common shares at a deemed price of $0.135 per share, totaling approximately $1.91 million as consideration for the property [15][16]. - Copper Quest will reimburse $225,000 towards 2025 expenditures incurred on exploring the property and has granted a 2% net smelter returns royalty to the seller [17][18]. Resource Potential - The property hosts a historical inferred resource of 268,000 tonnes with an average grade of 16.52 g/t Au, representing an inferred resource of 142,000 ounces of gold [5][4]. - There is an estimated 24,000 tonnes of Run-of-Mine mineralized stockpile on the surface, presenting a potential near-term cash flow opportunity [4][5]. - The property includes at least four additional relatively unexplored vein systems, all hosting historic high-grade gold values [4][5]. Leadership and Expertise - The company has appointed Allan Matovich, Ted Muraro, and John Mirko as key advisors, bringing over 150 years of combined mining and exploration experience [7][12][9]. - Allan Matovich has a significant history in mining and exploration, having previously owned the Alpine Gold Property and contributed to its development [7][8]. - Ted Muraro has extensive experience in mineral exploration, including significant roles at Cominco and various international gold projects [9][10]. Financial Aspects - The company has secured approximately $2 million in financing to support its exploration activities across multiple properties [2]. - A finder's fee of 587,212 common shares will be issued in connection with the acquisition, subject to a statutory hold period [19][16]. - The company intends to issue 218,620 common shares to settle outstanding debt for services previously provided, also subject to a statutory hold period [20][21].

Core Viewpoint - Royal Road Minerals Limited is advancing its exploration activities in Colombia, Saudi Arabia, and Morocco, with significant developments expected in drilling programs and new exploration licenses [1][15]. Colombia - The company is finalizing drill locations and preparing for a drilling program at the Guintar-Aleman-Margaritas (GAM) project, with a drone-borne magnetic survey nearing completion to refine geological interpretation [2][3]. - Initial drill pads have been established, with previous channel sample results showing 24.2 meters at 0.9 grams per tonne gold and 15.7 meters at 0.9 grams per tonne gold, among other results [3][4]. - Drilling is expected to commence before the end of January, following final drill collar verification [5]. Saudi Arabia - Exploration activities are conducted through Royal Road Arabia, a joint venture with MIDU Company Limited, focusing on the Jabal Sahabiyah project where reverse circulation drilling is testing gold-vein systems [6][7]. - Positive rock-chip channel results have been reported, including 10 meters at 2.2 grams per tonne gold and 6 meters at 15.0 grams per tonne gold [7]. - The company has been awarded seven additional exploration licenses covering three areas, with a minimum expenditure commitment of SAR 225,000 (approximately US$65,000) over the first two years [8][9]. Morocco - In Morocco, the focus remains on the Lalla Aziza project, with activities centered on title consolidation and advancing the project towards the next phase of exploration [14]. - The company is working on transferring the Lalla Aziza copper mining license to its wholly owned Moroccan subsidiary, Mineraux Chemin Réel [14]. Future Outlook - The company expresses confidence in its exploration pipeline, highlighting the imminent drilling at GAM in Colombia and the growing project portfolio in Saudi Arabia as pivotal opportunities for the upcoming year [15].

Core Points - Benton Resources Inc. has approved the grant of 2.675 million incentive stock options to various stakeholders at an exercise price of $0.10 for a five-year period [1] - The company is well-financed and listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol BEX, focusing on mineral exploration with a diverse property portfolio [2] Company Overview - Benton Resources holds significant equity positions in other mining companies and aims to retain net smelter return (NSR) royalties for potential long-term cash flow [2] - The company is advancing its high-grade Copper-Gold Great Burnt Project located in central Newfoundland [2]

Core Viewpoint - Tartisan Nickel Corp. has successfully closed a Flow-Through private placement, raising $1,325,000 through the issuance of 6,625,000 flow-through shares at a price of $0.20 per share [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Details - The gross proceeds from the private placement will be allocated to advance exploration and development work at the Kenbridge Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, which is fully owned by the company [2]. - A 6% commission was paid in cash, along with 6% broker warrants, which are exercisable at $0.20 and expire twelve months from the date of issue [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Tartisan Nickel Corp. is a Canadian-based company focused on the exploration and development of critical minerals, owning several projects including the Kenbridge Nickel Project, the Sill Lake Silver Property, and the Night Danger Turtle Pond project [4]. - The company’s common shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the ticker CSE: TN, with a total of 147,299,041 shares outstanding and 151,325,756 fully diluted shares [5]. Group 3: Regulatory Information - The securities issued in this private placement are subject to regulatory approval and applicable statutory holding periods [3].

Core Viewpoint - Viscount Mining Corp. clarifies recent irregular trading activity and reaffirms its operational outlook, confirming no material changes to its business or planned operations [1][2]. Group 1: Market Activity and Operational Update - The company observed irregular trading activity in its shares during the last 30 minutes of trading on December 19, 2025, and has contacted the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization for a review [1][2]. - Viscount continues to advance its exploration strategy at the Silver Cliff Project, with drill programs planned at both the Kate and Passiflora targets [2]. Group 2: Exploration Strategy - The drill program at the Kate target aims to expand and upgrade the existing silver resource [3]. - At the Passiflora target, exploration work indicates a compelling copper-gold system consistent with a deeper porphyry source [3]. Group 3: Project Details - The Silver Cliff Project in Colorado consists of 96 lode claims and is recognized for its silver, gold, and base-metal potential [6]. - The Cherry Creek Project in Nevada includes 219 unpatented and 9 patented claims, featuring over 20 past-producing mines and various styles of mineralization [6]. Group 4: Future Plans - Planned drilling includes testing extensions of known mineralization and infill drilling to support future technical studies and an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate [10]. - Recent drilling at the Passiflora target intersected 843.9 meters of continuous copper-gold mineralization, indicating potential for a larger intrusive center [11].

Core Insights - Coppernico Metals Inc. has reported a productive year in 2025, focusing on exploration initiatives at its Sombrero Project in Peru, and is well-positioned for a catalyst-rich 2026 with a focus on advancing drill-ready targets and significant copper discoveries [1][8] 2025 Key Accomplishments - Completed the final 8 holes of a 20-hole diamond drill program at the Ccascabamba target, confirming a large mineralized skarn system [6] - Announced channel sampling results at the Nioc target area, including 52 meters of 1.06% copper and 93.5 meters of 0.87% copper, with a higher-grade interval of 6 meters at 2.98% copper [6] - Identified a multi-kilometer porphyry target at Tipicancha through systematic surface exploration, with channel sampling results including 22 meters of 0.65% copper and 0.77 g/t silver [6] - Expanded the Sombrero land position by acquiring new claims and dropping non-core areas [6] - Filed an expanded EIA-Sd drill permit application for 181 platforms, a significant increase from the previous 38 platforms [6] - Initiated a large-scale geophysical program to refine structural interpretation and prioritize drill targets [6] - Maintained a Total Recorded Incident Frequency Rate of zero, indicating a strong safety culture [6] 2026 Outlook - Goals for 2026 include aligning community partnerships and advancing a growing pipeline of significant targets supported by improved geological understanding [3] - The exploration strategy will focus on a disciplined approach to prioritize the most prospective opportunities and advance them toward drill validation [4] - Early 2026 activities will emphasize refined drill targeting and establishing multiple credible drilling opportunities [4] Upcoming Catalysts - Continued advancement of exploration across the 56,000-hectare land position, systematically progressing early-stage targets toward drill readiness [7] - Ongoing community engagement to enhance sustainable local economic growth and advance additional surface agreements [6][10] Community and Safety Initiatives - The company has created numerous employment and training opportunities for local communities and maintained a perfect safety record [10]

Core Viewpoint - VR Resources Limited has extended the date for its proposed offering of up to $1.5 million in units to January 18, 2026, while continuing to plan for exploration programs in 2026 on its New Boston and Bonita porphyry projects in Nevada [1][6] Offering Details - The offering consists of units that include one common share and one share purchase warrant, with a commission of 8% payable to the lead agent, Centurion One Capital Corp, on the aggregate cash proceeds [2][3] - The offering is expected to close around January 18, 2026, subject to necessary approvals and the completion of a 5 to 1 share consolidation [3] - The units will be offered via private placement in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario, and certain jurisdictions outside Canada and the U.S., exempt from U.S. registration requirements [4] Company Overview - VR Resources is a junior exploration company based in Vancouver, focusing on copper, gold, and critical metals in Nevada and Ontario, utilizing modern exploration technologies and in-house expertise [6]

Core Insights - Hercules Metals Corp. has confirmed a significant new silver discovery at Hercules, marking the first such discovery since the 1980s, indicating a major southern extension of the Ag-Pb-Zn epithermal system [1][7] - The ongoing drilling campaign in 2025 has yielded promising results from the Leviathan porphyry copper discovery, showcasing strong continuity and thickness in mineralization [2][3] Drilling Results - Drill hole HER-25-12 intersected 285 m of mineralization grading 0.47% Cu, 63 ppm Mo, and 1.0 g/t Ag, including a notable 56 m section with 0.89% Cu, 41 ppm Mo, and 1.7 g/t Ag [3][18] - The first drill hole in the Southern Flats Zone, HER-25-06, revealed 10.7 m grading 257.2 g/t Ag, 2.18% Pb, and 4.62% Zn (420.5 g/t AgEq), within a broader interval of 119.9 m grading 31.2 g/t Ag, 0.29% Pb, and 0.86% Zn (59.7 g/t AgEq) [4][8] Geological Insights - The newly identified epithermal silver-lead-zinc center in the Southern Flats Zone is supported by multiple drill holes spaced over 1 km apart, suggesting the potential for the largest epithermal silver system on the Hercules Property [8] - The alteration observed in drill holes indicates proximity to a nearby porphyry center, with ongoing step-out drilling planned to follow up on these results [5][7] Future Exploration Plans - A refined, high-resolution model of the 5 km Leviathan anomaly is expected to enhance targeting for new porphyry and epithermal centers, particularly in areas with reduced cover thickness [8] - Follow-up drilling is planned to test the southwest extension of the Footwall Zone, with additional holes scheduled to resume in early 2026 [5][18] Company Overview - Hercules Metals Corp. is focused on developing a new porphyry copper district in Idaho, with the Leviathan porphyry copper system being one of the most significant discoveries in the country [25][26] - The company aims to deliver value to shareholders through continued drilling and discovery success, supported by strategic investments [27]

Financing Details - Salazar Resources Limited closed a non-brokered private placement financing, raising gross proceeds of $1,430,498 by issuing 11,003,830 common shares at a price of $0.13 per share [1] - Finder's fees amounted to $15,600 in cash and 120,000 finder's warrants, each allowing the purchase of one common share at $0.13 for two years [1] - Net proceeds will be allocated to fund costs on the Company's resource properties and for general working capital purposes [1] Insider Participation - Certain insiders purchased an aggregate of 839,600 shares in the financing, which is classified as a "related party transaction" [3] - This transaction was exempt from formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements as it did not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization [3] - No directors expressed disagreement regarding the insider participation, and a material change report was not filed 21 days prior to the closing due to unconfirmed details at that time [3] Investor Relations Agreement - The Company entered into an investor relations and communications agreement with Baystreet.ca Media Corp, which will provide marketing services for an initial term of three months starting January 2026 [5] - Compensation for Baystreet will be $20,000 per month, with no securities issued as compensation [6] - The agreement is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange [6] Company Overview - Salazar Resources Limited focuses on discovery, exploration, and development in Ecuador, with a strong understanding of the local geology [7] - The Company has interests in three projects, including a 25% stake in the Curipamba project and a 20% stake in the Pijili and Santiago projects [7] - Salazar Resources is committed to sustainable progress through economic development, co-founding The Salazar Foundation [7]