Mr. Robert Eckford reports

RUA GOLD'S AULD CREEK PROJECT QUALIFIES FOR NEW ZEALAND'S 6-MONTH FAST-TRACK APPROVALS PROCESS

Rua Gold Inc.'s Auld Creek project, located in the Reefton goldfield, New Zealand, has been has been approved for referral to the process established under the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024. This represents another positive step in the company's transition from explorer to mine developer.

Highlights:

• In December, 2024, the New Zealand government enacted legislation establishing a one-stop-shop fast-track approvals regime to accelerate projects with significant regional or national benefits.
• Rua Gold established a dedicated project team in late 2025 to advance permitting activities and support the fast-track application and key mining studies.
• The fast-track process provides a streamlined pathway through which Rua Gold can seek all key approvals, including mining permits, resource consents, water-use permissions and wildlife approvals.
• The company acknowledges the continued strong support of Ngati Waewae, the Reefton and wider West Coast communities, and government stakeholders.
• The company remains on track to submit its substantive fast-track application in Q4 2026. If the application is successful, the Auld Creek project would be fully permitted by mid-2027, allowing early works to commence.
• Rua Gold completed a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) in early 2026 and expects to complete a preliminary feasibility study (PFS) in Q4 2026.

Simon Delander, vice-president of risk, stakeholder, regulatory affairs, commented: "We are very encouraged that the Auld Creek project has been accepted into New Zealand's fast-track approvals process. This is an important milestone that reduces permitting risk and provides greater certainty as we advance the project toward development.

"Supported by a team of independent advisers, we have been progressing a broad range of environmental, economic, social impact, mining and processing studies in preparation for submitting our substantive fast-track application later this year.

"We have also undertaken extensive engagement with communities, stakeholders and regulators, completing more than 800 engagements. This engagement is helping stakeholders understand the project and informing how its potential impacts will be managed."

Fast-track application process

The company is actively preparing a substantive fast-track application for the Auld Creek project under the Fast-Track Approvals Act 2024. The application includes a comprehensive suite of technical reports and assessment of environmental effects, supported by social impact assessments and economic studies.

These studies incorporate extensive consultation with local stakeholders and input from leading environmental, social and technical experts across multiple disciplines, including water quality, ecology, landscape and visual effects, air quality, traffic, socioeconomic impacts, geochemistry, erosion and sediment control infrastructure, and mine closure planning.

In parallel, Rua Gold has completed a PEA in early 2026, with a PFS now under way and targeted for completion in Q4 2026. The Auld Creek PFS is being undertaken by global mining consultancies Mining One and Pitch Black.

The Auld Creek project is proposed as an underground mining operation with an initial mine life of eight years. The project is expected to employ approximately 200 people and contribute an estimated $240-million (New Zealand) to the regional economy. The longer-term plan is to establish a regional processing hub capable of supporting future mining developments in the Reefton goldfield.

The fast-track approvals bill

New Zealand's fast-track legization allows for streamlined permitting for the Auld Creek project and the acceleration of development timelines. The legislation establishes a "one-stop shop" process through which approvals otherwise required under multiple statutes -- including the Resource Management Act, Conservation Act, Wildlife Act and Crown Minerals Act -- can be considered together.

About Rua Gold Inc.

Rua Gold is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, the company's team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across multiple continents. The team is now 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 (million ounces) 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.