Auro Intersects 572m Grading 0.60 g/t Gold and 0.1% Copper at the Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project, Ecuador

Auro Metals reports strong gold-copper drill results and advances Phase II drilling in Ecuador.

What the company is saying

Auro Metals Inc. is highlighting the completion of Phase I drilling at the Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project in southeastern Ecuador, with detailed assay results for the final five holes. The company emphasizes high-grade, long intercepts in holes DSB-71 to DSB-75, particularly intervals such as 301.4m at 0.78 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu, and 572.47m at 0.60 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu. The narrative stresses the continuity and extension of mineralization, supported by infill and step-out drilling. The company is also communicating operational momentum, with Phase II drilling underway (four holes, 3,104m completed, assays pending) and three more rigs being mobilized. Infrastructure investment is underscored by hiring China Railway Construction Company - 14 to build a 50-person camp and core shack, targeting completion by end-2026. Resource scale is reinforced with NI 43-101 Indicated resources of 697,000 oz gold and 68 million lbs copper, and Inferred resources of 3,418,000 oz gold and 426 million lbs copper. CEO Victor Feng and Qualified Person Alex Zhang are named, lending technical and executive credibility. The tone is confident, focusing on technical progress and future catalysts.

What the data suggests

The disclosed drill results show substantial mineralized intercepts: DSB-71 returned 301.4m at 0.78 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu, including 89.5m at 1.20 g/t Au and 0.15% Cu; DSB-72 delivered 311m at 0.58 g/t Au and 0.11% Cu; DSB-73 intersected 394.4m at 0.73 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu; DSB-74 cut 572.47m at 0.60 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu, with assays pending for the final 211.95m; DSB-75 returned 322.46m at 0.56 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu. These grades and widths are consistent with large-scale porphyry systems and support the project's existing Indicated resource of 29.8 Mt at 0.73 g/t Au and 0.1% Cu (697,000 oz Au, 68 Mlbs Cu) and Inferred resource of 205.7 Mt at 0.52 g/t Au and 0.09% Cu (3,418,000 oz Au, 426 Mlbs Cu). The technical disclosure is thorough, with QA/QC procedures and SGS as the independent lab. Gold equivalent calculations use US$3,200/oz gold and US$12,000/t copper, with recoveries of 85.5% Au and 19.6% Cu. The company is executing on its stated plan, with Phase II drilling progressing and infrastructure upgrades contracted. No financial data on costs or funding is disclosed, but operational momentum is clear.

Analysis

The announcement is a detailed operational update from an exploration-stage company, providing specific assay results for the final five holes of Phase I drilling and outlining the status of Phase II drilling and infrastructure buildout. The language is factual and supported by concrete technical data, including drill intercepts, resource estimates (NI 43-101 compliant), and QA/QC procedures. Forward-looking statements are limited to the mobilization of additional rigs, pending assays, and the construction of a new camp, all of which are standard for this stage and are not exaggerated. The capital intensity flag is set due to the planned construction of a permanent camp, but no cost or budget is disclosed. There is no narrative inflation or overstatement; the tone is proportionate to the progress reported. The absence of financial data is not a deficiency for an exploration-stage company, and the technical disclosure is robust.

Risk flags

• ●Assay results for a significant portion of DSB-74 (211.95m) and for the first four holes of Phase II (DSB-76 to DSB-79) are pending, creating uncertainty about the continuity and grade of mineralization in key extensions; negative results could impact the project's perceived scale or economics.
• ●No financial data is disclosed regarding the cost of the ongoing drill programs or the new camp construction, making it difficult to assess capital adequacy, potential funding requirements, or exposure to cost overruns.
• ●The project's resource base, while substantial, is still at the exploration and early development stage; there is no mention of permitting, environmental, or community risks, which are common hurdles in Ecuador and could delay or complicate project advancement.
• ●Operational execution risk exists in mobilizing three additional drill rigs and completing a 20,000m Phase II program on schedule, especially given logistical and supply chain challenges in remote regions.

Bottom line

Auro Metals is delivering on its exploration plan at Santa Barbara, with robust gold-copper intercepts from the final Phase I holes and Phase II drilling already underway. The technical results support a large-scale porphyry system, and the resource base is significant for a junior explorer. The absence of cost and funding details leaves open questions about capital sufficiency and financial risk, but operational progress is tangible. Near-term catalysts include pending assays and the ramp-up of drilling activity, while the new camp should improve site efficiency by late 2026. Investors should focus on upcoming assay results and any future disclosures on project economics or financing. The key takeaway: technical momentum is strong, but financial transparency and execution on expansion remain critical to watch.

Announcement summary

(TSXV:AURO, OTCQB:AURFF) Auro Metals Inc. announced assay results for the final five drill holes from the 2026 Phase I Drill Program at the Santa Barbara Gold-Copper Project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeastern Ecuador. Phase I comprised 22 drillholes (DSB-54 to DSB-75) totaling 11,047 metres. The 20,000m Phase II Drill Program is underway with four drill rigs; the first four holes (DSB-76 to DSB-79) totaling 3,104m have been completed and assays are pending. Three additional drill rigs are being mobilized to site. China Railway Construction Company - 14 has been hired to construct a new 50-person permanent camp and core shack, expected to be completed by the end of 2026. The five reported holes were drilled in the north portion of the southern area of known mineralization (Santa Barbara South). Drillhole DSB-71 intersected 301.4m grading 0.78 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu from 123.1m to 424.5m, including 89.5m grading 1.20 g/t Au and 0.15% Cu from 333.0m to 422.5m. Drillhole DSB-72 intersected 32.0m grading 0.53 g/t Au and 0.06% Cu from 9.0m to 41.0m, and 311.0m grading 0.58 g/t Au and 0.11% Cu from 88.5m to 399.5m. Drillhole DSB-75 intersected 322.46m grading 0.56 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu from 10.54m to 333.0m, including 95.1m grading 1.0 g/t Au and 0.12% Cu from 13.7m to 108.8m. Drillhole DSB-73 intersected 394.4m grading 0.73 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu from 8.0m to 402.4m, including 51.0m grading 1.0 g/t Au and 0.11% Cu from 23.0m to 74.0m and 141.15m grading 1.01 g/t Au and 0.11% Cu from 138.7m to 279.85m. Drillhole DSB-74 intersected 572.47m grading 0.60 g/t Au and 0.10% Cu from 72.53m to 645.0m; assay results for the remaining 211.95m (645.0m to 856.95m) are pending. The total drilling for Phase I and II to date is 14,151.50 metres. Gold equivalent (AuEq) is calculated as Au (g/t) + Cu (%) x 0.259, based on a gold price of US$3,200/oz and copper price of US$12,000/t, with assumed average processing recoveries of 85.5% Au and 19.6% Cu. All samples were prepared by SGS in Guayaquil, Ecuador and analyzed by SGS in Lima, Peru, with a quality control sample ratio of approximately 20%. The Santa Barbara Project has Indicated resources of 29.8 million tonnes grading 0.73 g/t Au and 0.1% Cu containing 697,000 ounces gold and 68 million pounds copper, and Inferred resources of 205.7 million tonnes grading 0.52 g/t Au and 0.09% Cu containing 3,418,000 ounces gold and 426 million pounds copper, as per the NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate by SRK Consulting effective March 23, 2026. Victor Feng is CEO and Director of Auro Metals Inc. Alex Zhang, P. Geo., Director, is the Qualified Person for the release.

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