Mr. Brian Fowler reports

NORTHSTAR - NOVAMERA SIGN LETTER OF INTENT TO SURGICALLY MINE HIGH-GRADE COPPER AT MILLER COPPER-GOLD PROPERTY

Northstar Gold Corp. has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Novamera Inc. to deploy its patented surgical mining process from surface to mine high-grade copper from Zone 2 at Northstar's historic Cam copper mine situated 18 kilometres southeast of Kirkland Lake, Ont., at the company's 100-per-cent-owned Miller copper-gold property.

The LOI is predicated on Novamera Inc.'s recent positive "Zone 2 Proposed Development and Surgical Mining Evaluation Study" (please see Northstar news release dated June 26, 2025) and Northstar's recently announced near-surface Zone 2 exploration target 3-D models and high-grade copper and tonnage ranges of 75,000 to 140,000 tonnes grading between 9 per cent and 18 per cent copper, with a conceptual average grade of 12 per cent copper (please see Northstar news release dated June 12, 2025).

Key highlights:

• Novamera's surgical mining technology represents a transformative, data-driven approach to unlocking high-grade, steeply dipping tabular deposits, such as Northstar's Zone 2. Currently being deployed at a gold project in Newfoundland, this method significantly reduces capital expenditures (capex), accelerates the time to first production, and minimizes environmental and social impacts.
• The LOI (letter of intent) scope of work envisages evaluating the potential for Novamera to deploy its proprietary turnkey surgical mining solution to extract a conceptual 116,000 tonnes of Zone 2 material using 93 extraction holes over an estimated period of 31 months.
• Novamera has agreed to help identify financing sources for surgical mining Zone 2 at the Cam copper project. Preliminary discussions on offtake and financing with government and private sources have already begun.
• Northstar plans to commission a National Instrument 43-101 reporting compliant technical report and mineral resource estimate, including information regarding the reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction, on the Cam copper project.
• Northstar is committed to securing all necessary permits and approvals to advance the Cam copper project toward a commercial production decision as efficiently as possible. Novamera's innovative approach -- featuring real-time reclamation and minimal water discharge can potentially streamline the regulatory pathway and accelerate project timelines.

Cam copper surgical mining project

The Cam copper mine. Zone 2 is interpreted to contain copper-rich, Besshi-style volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralization -- primarily chalcopyrite and bornite -- extending from surface to a depth of approximately 200 metres, over a strike length of about 125 metres and an average width of one metre. The high-grade mineralization remains open at depth, plunging southeast at negative 71 degrees along a well-defined VMS feeder structure.

Zone 2 is the largest of three narrow, steeply dipping tabular copper horizons with an historic estimate by a previous operator to average 10 per cent copper over a 0.85-metre true width, 42-metre strike length and a minimum 140 metre depth extent from surface. Northstar's 2023 and 2024 Zone 2 drilling (seven holes), including an intercept of 14.8 per cent copper over 2.45 metres in drill hole CC-03-23 (please see Northstar news release dated Nov. 23, 2023), and Zone 2 exploration target results corroborate these historic estimates.

Novamera's innovative surgical mining solution is well suited to exploit Zone 2 copper mineralization with minimum mining dilution and environmental impact. This is facilitated by drilling large diameter holes from the surface, targeting Zone 2 copper mineralization. The resulting broken rock is recovered and shipped directly to a nearby mill for processing. The process comprises data-driven hardware and software solutions that guide the drilling process and minimize dilution. Once drilled, the holes can be immediately reclaimed to provide structural support to the mine with a minimal environmental footprint on surface.

Northstar and Novamera have entered into a strategic agreement for the Cam copper project, with due diligence and implementation planning under way over the next several months. Novamera will earn a 5-per-cent revenue share from the project, with a structured buyout option available to Northstar. With a low upfront capital requirement of approximately $1.5-million and the remainder of project capital costs structured off balance sheet, Novamera's approach offers an attractive risk-adjusted return profile. The company is also actively pursuing non-dilutive funding to accelerate project initiation.

Brian P. Fowler, Northstar's president, chief executive officer and director, states: "Northstar is very pleased to partner with Novamera and employ its innovative mining solution at Cam copper mine. Surgical mining appears to be perfectly suited to effectively exploit Zone 2 in the near term, with nominal mining dilution and environmental impact. This proposed production arrangement minimizes upfront financial and operational risk to Northstar and leverages Novamera's extensive network of shareholders, private and government investment agencies, subject to the definition and permitting of an economic deposit. Recently announced U.S. copper tariffs and a near-record copper price ($5.71 (U.S.) per lb copper) further enhance this timely proposed mining venture."

"Surgical mining is redefining what's possible in the mining industry," says Jim Hollis, chief executive officer of Novamera. "Our method combines targeted drilling, real-time data and automation to unlock the potential of properties like the Cam copper project, while minimizing environmental impact and respecting local communities. This isn't just a new method; it's a new mind set for how mining can and should be done."

Qualified person

The information in this news release that relates to the exploration target for the Cam copper project is based on, and fairly represents, the available information assembled by Christopher Keech, PGeo, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and member in good standing with the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia (EGBC). Mr. Keech has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralization, type of deposit under consideration and to the activities being undertaken to qualify as a qualified person.

Mr. Keech is the principal geologist of CGK Consulting Services Inc. and is independent of the company. Mr. Keech does not hold any securities in the company. Mr. Keech has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein.

About Northstar Gold Corp.

Northstar's primary exploration focus is to advance and expand the near-surface, Allied gold zone bulk-tonnage gold-telluride deposit and more recently discovered VMS (volcanogenic massive sulphide) copper mineral deposits on the company's flagship, 100-per-cent-owned Miller copper-gold property. The company's strategy is to develop a material (one-million-plus-ounce gold/high-grade copper) mineral resource base to supplement a nearby mining operation or support stand-alone mining operations at the property.

Other properties

Northstar has three additional 100-per-cent-owned exploration projects in Northern Ontario, including the 1,150-hectare Rosegrove property, situated 0.5 kilometre from the Miller property, the 4,650 ha Bryce gold property (includes the recently optioned Britcanna lease), an intrusive-gold/PME VMS project located along the projected east extension of the Ridout Break, and the Temagami-Milestone Cu-Ni-Co (copper-nickel-cobalt) critical minerals property located in Strathcona township. Northstar is seeking exploration partners to advance all three properties.

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