Mr. Simon Delander reports

RUA GOLD PROVIDES OUTLOOK AND GROWTH CATALYSTS FOR 2026

Rua Gold Inc. has provided an outlook as it outlines the strategy for 2026, including the commencement of drilling at the Glamorgan project on the North Island and the advancement of the Reefton project toward permitting on the South Island of New Zealand.

Following the completion of the oversubscribed and upsized financing in January, 2026, the company has approximately $38-million in available cash and is well positioned to deliver several key catalysts for shareholders.

Expanded drill program across the Reefton project

The drill program under way across the Reefton goldfield has two primary objectives:

1. Three drill digs are currently operating at the Auld Creek target, continuing stepout drilling with the aim of expanding the existing resource.
2. One rig is focused on other highly ranked, prospective targets across the past-producing Reefton goldfield, with the objective of identifying the next optimal target for low-capital-intensity resource definition -- specifically shallow, continuous mineralization.

Work is continuing with RSC Consulting to complete the updated National Instrument 43-101 technical report for the Reefton project, which is expected to be published by the end of the month. Completion of this report will establish a baseline resource at Auld Creek and support continuing drill planning aimed at maximizing resource growth.

Catalyst:  continuing exploration updates coming to the market supported by the four drill rig program

Permitting under way for the Reefton project

Rua Gold is actively advancing permitting-related activities on the West Coast of New Zealand. The company has appointed key partners to support environmental studies and the permitting process. These partners bring strong and relevant experience from neighbouring projects, including Endura Mining's Snowy River project, OceanaGold's Globe progress reclamation project and OceanaGold's Wharekirauponga project on the North Island. Wharekirauponga was the first mine fully permitted under New Zealand's fast-track process in just 112 days and is currently under construction.

Field visits were completed during December and January, and the company is targeting submission of a fast-track referral application in Q1 2026, with a regulatory decision anticipated in Q2 2026. This decision will determine whether the Reefton project qualifies for the six-month fast-track permitting process.

Given the presence of antimony as a byproduct at the Reefton goldfield, and its strategic importance to New Zealand amid global efforts to secure critical minerals, the company is confident in the project's eligibility for the fast-track process.

Engagement with the company's local Maori stakeholders, Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae, has been continuing with respect to exploration activities and future development plans. Ngati Waewae are strong supporters of the project and will work closely with the company throughout the fast-track permitting process, including assisting with cultural impact assessments. Community and regulatory consultations have commenced and will continue to intensify throughout 2026.

Subject to a successful referral application, the company is targeting submission of the fast-track mining permit application by the end of 2026.

Catalyst:   Anticipated inclusion of the Reefton project in the fast-track permitting process in Q2 2026 and submission of a mining permit application in Q4 2026. Throughout 2026, the company will continue environmental and technical studies in preparation for the mining application.

New Zealand joins the International Minerals Security Partnership

New Zealand has joined the International Minerals Security Partnership to attract investment and strengthen its critical minerals sector, aligning with its minerals strategy to double its mineral export value by 2035 and support resilient, sustainable global supply chains.

Ministers Shane Jones and Winston Peters say membership places New Zealand alongside major economies, boosts international relationships, and helps unlock the country's natural resources and innovative technologies to create high-value regional jobs.

This strategic partnership entered by the New Zealand government, aligns perfectly with the development strategy that Rua Gold is currently executing on, further encouraging a positive outcome for fast-track permitting for the Reefton project.

The Minerals Security Partnership includes Australia, Canada, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union, among others.

Commencement of drilling at the glamorgan project

The Glamorgan project is located within the highly prospective Hauraki goldfield on the North Island of New Zealand. The district has historically produced 15 Moz (million ounces) gold and 60 Moz silver, with active mining operations continuing today. Rua Gold's tenements are adjacent to OceanaGold's Wharekirauponga project, which recently advanced through fast-track permitting process in 112 days and is now under construction.

Over the past 18 months, Rua Gold has completed a comprehensive and systematic surface exploration program at the Glamorgan project. This work has identified geological features extending three kilometres north that are geologically analogous to Wharekirauponga. The company has defined four major gold-arsenic anomalies, each trending approximately four kilometres in length.

These results have established a strong pipeline of drill-ready targets and support a well-defined initial 5,000-metre drill program to be executed with two drill rigs over a six-month period.

Catalyst:  Drill permit applications have been submitted, and environmental studies are under way. Completion of these studies is expected by the end of February, followed by Maori consultation in March. The company anticipates receipt of drill permits in Q2 2026.

About Rua Gold Inc.

Rua Gold is a well financed exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, their team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across multiple continents. The team is focused on maximizing the asset potential of Rua Gold's two highly prospective high-grade gold projects.

The company controls the Reefton gold district as the dominant landholder in the Reefton goldfield on New Zealand's South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically produced over two Moz of gold grading between nine and 50 g/t.

The company's Glamorgan project solidifies Rua Gold's position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand's North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands' Hauraki district, a region that has produced an impressive 15 Moz of gold and 60 Moz of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corp.'s biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga.

We seek Safe Harbor.