RUA GOLD Reports Exploration Update at Aul Creek

1
1. Using the gold equivalent formula in the 43-101 technical report titled “Technical Report on the Reefton Project, New Zealand, Report for NI 43 –
101 on the Reefton Project, New Zealand" dated February 27, 2026 available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca: AuEq =
Au g/t + 2.15 x Sb% using a Au price of US$3,000/oz, Sb price of US$25,000 per tonne and 85% recovery.

2. Fast-track Approvals Act 2024
March 17, 2026

RUA GOLD Reports Extensions Along Strike and at Depth at the
Auld Creek Gold-Antimony Project, Reefton Goldfield
Rua Gold Inc. (TSX: RUA, NZX: RGI, OTC: NZAUF, WKN: A40QYC) (“RUA GOLD" or the
"Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update on its Auld Creek gold-antimony Project
located in the Reefton Goldfield on the South Island of New Zealand.

The Company’s CEO Robert Eckford commented “The decision to prioritize the Auld Creek gold-
antimony project for a major development drilling program is already delivering encouraging
results, with both resource step-out drilling, and scout drilling of outlying targets demonstrating
consistent geological and structural continuity. The early results support our decision to
simultaneously undertake a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) as part of a Fast-Track
referral application for a mining permit expected to be submitted at the end of the year.”

Highlights:
• Recent drilling provides strong evidence for expansion of the gold-antimony resource:
o ACDDH064 intercepted mineralization 400m north of the resource
envelope, confirming surface extension beyond 1,060 meters (previously 870m
length).
o ACDDH065 intercepted mineralization 550m downhole, demonstrating
continuity to 540m below surface (previously 300m depth).
o Assays are pending for both holes. The resource remains open along strike to
the north and at depth, with mineralization occurring in plunging shoots.
• Highlighted assay results from recent step-out drilling at Auld Creek include:
o ACDDH058: 1.4m @ 29.1 g/t AuEq
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(25.5 g/t Au & 1.6% Sb) from 173m
o ACDDH059: 1.2m @ 14.3 g/t AuEq
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(7.6 g/t Au & 3.1% Sb) from 270m
o ACDDH060: 2.8m @ 3.8 g/t AuEq
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(2.5 g/t Au & 0.6% Sb) from 128m
o ACDDH062: 4.3m @ 2.5 g/t Au from 349m
• The project remains on track with mine planning, environmental, and social studies to
support submission of a Fast-track
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Referral application at the end of the month.
• All drill-holes in the recent campaign have reliably intersected the structure, supporting
its interpretation as a continuous, district-scale feature.
• The higher gold grade in tersected in ACDDH058 helps delineate the orientation and
continuity of high-grade mineralized shoots, confirming the deposit’s potential to host
high-grade gold zones.
• Scout drilling has been mobilized to test the full 2,500m length of the surface gold-
arsenic-antimony soil geochemical anomaly.

Figure 1: Auld Creek Fraternal long section


AULD CREEK EXPLORATION UPDATE
Recent drilling provides strong evidence supporting expansion of the Auld Creek gold-antimony
resource over 1,000m length and more than 500m of depth; together with several higher-grade
gold intercepts that highlight the potential for high-grade mineralization hosted within orogenic-
style quartz veins.
These results provides early evidence and support the Company’s focus on its fully funded
19,000m drill program, with four diamond drill rigs currently operating on site.
Details on each reported intercept:

1 Hole ACDDH058 in the northern end of the Fraternal resource envelope returned high gold
grades, 0.5m @ 20.5 g/t Au, 0.2m @ 83.4gm/t Au and 0.7m @ 12.6 gm/t Au + 3.3% Sb
(estimated true width of 7.3m). This is the highest individual gold assay grade in the Auld
Creek deposit to date and importantly assists in delineating the orientation and continuity
of high-grade mineralized shoots.

Approximately 65m down dip of ACDDH058, hole ACDDH060 intersected 2.8m @ 2.5 g/t
Au & 0.6% Sb (estimated true width of 10.8m). This intercept confirms structural continuity
and suggesting the high-grade mineralized shoot plunges moderately south.

2 ACDDH059 and 062 provide better understanding of the central Fraternal zone.
ACDDH059: 1.2m @ 7.6 g/t Au + 3.07 % Sb including 0.55m @ 14.1 g/t Au + 3.3% Sb
(estimated true width 2.6m)
ACDHH062: 8.5m @ 1.73 Au including 0.2m 11.8 g/t Au, and 0.3m 5.8 g/t Au (estimated
true width 5.0m)

3 ACDDH063 and 065 provide definitive proof of depth continuity in the northern and
southern Fraternal zone, driving the resource envelope down 540m below surface (pending
assays).

4 ACDDH064 has intercepted a strong mineralized zone 400 meters north of the current
resource extending it over 1,000m (pending assays).

5 Surface geochemistry continues to provide a strong vector toward mineralisation, the

signature continues over 2,500m (1,500m beyond the current resource envelope).

6 Scout drilling targeting northerly extensions of the Fraternal and Bonanza lodes is planned
along with the intensive resource development drilling of the central Fraternal deposit.

All drill-holes in the recent campaign have successfully intersected the Fraternal structure,
supporting its description as a continuous and district size feature. Further infill and extensional
drilling is planned, along with geological modelling and geochemical fingerprinting of the lodes
and host greywacke/argillites to provide improved geological and structural understanding of the
deposit.

Collectively, these results materially advance the Company’s understanding of the Auld Creek
system providing clear vectors to guide subsequent drilling focused on expanding higher-grade
mineralization along plunge toward the north and at depth.



Figure 2: Core photo of high-grade gold assays ACDDH058 and deepest northern-Fraternal intercept to date:
ACDDH063

A fifth rig will commence in April as the roaming rig, focused on other highly prospective gold
targets across the Reefton Goldfield that will form part of the longer-term vision of a
demonstrating the potential for multiple underground mines feeding the central mill at Auld
Creek.


ABOUT RUA GOLD
RUA GOLD is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of
expertise, our 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 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/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 15Moz of gold and

60Moz of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation’s biggest gold mining
development project, Wharekirauponga, which is now fully permitted and under construction.
For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca.


TECHNICAL INFORMATION
Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards
of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Chief Operating Officer and a director of RUA GOLD, has
reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has
participated in the geochemical sampling, and mapping programs to verify that they have been
conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures. Mr. Henderson has verified the
data disclosed by running checks on the location, analytical, and test data underlying the
information in the technical disclosure herein.
QA/QC Drill Core
All core samples sent for laboratory analysis was HQ sized, ½ core sampled to lithological
changes. Control samples (certified standards and uncertified blanks), along duplicates, are
inserted at a target 5% insertion rate. Results are assessed for accuracy, precision, and
contamination on an ongoing basis. Core samples were sent to SGS Laboratories, Westport for
sample preparation. SGS is independent of the Company. Samples were crushed and pulverized
to 85% passing 75 μm. The pulverized rock-chips were split into two samples: a ~50 g sent for
laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to RGL for pXRF analysis and storage. Pulverized
rock-chip samples were analyzed for gold (Au) by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish at SGS Waihi
(SGS Code FAA505); and for antimony (Sb) by Sodium Peroxide Fusion Analysis by ICP-MS at SGS
Waihi.
RUA GOLD Contact
New Zealand
Simon Delander
VP Risk Stakeholder Regulatory Affairs
Email: sdelander@RUAGOLD.com
Website: www.RUAGOLD.com
Canada
Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this new release,
other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-
looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always,
identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential” and similar
expressions, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur and specifically include statements
regarding: the Company’s strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to exploration
programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects and the results thereof, including the fifth rig and the 19,000m drill program, the
timing of the exploration program at the Auld Creek Gold-Antimony Project in the Reefton Goldfield, the timing or results of a PEA,
and the timing or result of an application for a mine permit. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such
forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and
actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or
developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties
and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and
its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed
or implied by forward looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic,
competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war and the war in the Middle East;

risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or
capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to
operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental
hazards, flooding or unfavorable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or
financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking
statements and reference should also be made to the Company's short form base shelf prospectus dated July 11, 2024, and the
documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk
factors.
Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the
statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these
forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.
Table 1: Location of Auld Creek reported drill holes from RUA program
Hole ID Easting Northing rL
Total
Depth
Site
_ID
Dip
Azimuth
(true)
Year
ACDDH058 1507183 5333521 452.35 217.3 Pad 05 -52 84 2026
ACDDH059 1507072 5332958 605.7 294.8 Pad 18 -59 76 2026
ACDDH060 1507183 5333522 451.92 242.3 Pad 05 -57 66 2026
ACDDH061 1507183 5333523 452.38 333.8 Pad 05 -53 41 2026
ACDDH062 1507074 5332955 606.24 384.9 Pad 18 -71 64.5 2026
ACDDH063A 1507183 5333523 452.38 9 Pad 05 -72 63 2026
ACDDH063 1507183 5333523 452.38 332.9 Pad 05 -72 63 2026
ACDDH064 1507321 5333827 432 190.3 Pad 26 -55 290 2026
Table 2: Significant drilling intercepts at Auld Creek, full mineralized zone composites.
Hole ID From To Interval Au (g/t) Sb (%)
ACDDH058 168 168.8 0.8 1.36 0.04%
ACDDH058 168.8 169.8 1 0.39 0.03%
ACDDH058 169.8 170.5 0.7 0.64 0.01%
ACDDH058 170.5 171.7 1.2 0.37 0.01%
ACDDH058 171.7 172.8 1.1 0.36 0.01%
ACDDH058 172.8 173.5 0.7 0.17 0.02%
ACDDH058 173.5 174 0.5 20.5 0.01%
ACDDH058 174 174.2 0.2 83.4 0.03%
ACDDH058 174.2 174.9 0.7 12.6 3.26%
ACDDH058 174.9 175.3 0.4 0.36 0.10%
ACDDH058 175.3 175.8 0.5 0.38 0.02%
ACDDH059 269.95 270.55 0.6 0.03 0.17%
ACDDH059 270.55 271.1 0.55 14.1 3.35%
ACDDH059 271.1 271.75 0.65 2.19 2.85%
ACDDH059 271.75 272.3 0.55 0.19 0.02%
ACDDH059 272.3 273 0.7 0.02 0.01%
ACDDH060 127.95 128.45 0.55 0.59 0.01%
ACDDH060 128.5 129.55 1.05 6.22 0.01%
ACDDH060 214.7 215.8 1.1 0.01 0.02%
ACDDH060 215.8 216.45 0.65 0.49 2.68%
ACDDH060 216.45 217.15 0.7 0.09 0.11%
ACDDH060 217.15 218.25 1.1 0.06 0.01%
ACDDH060 218.25 219.4 1.15 0.16 0.02%

ACDDH060 219.4 220.3 0.9 0.11 0.09%
ACDDH060 220.3 221 0.7 1.41 0.87%
ACDDH060 221 221.9 0.9 1.31 0.07%
ACDDH062 348.8 349 0.2 11.8 4.77%
ACDDH062 349 349.3 0.3 5.81 1.01%
ACDDH062 349.3 349.6 0.6 1.48 0.04%
ACDDH062 349.6 350 0.4 0.92 0.01%
ACDDH062 350 350.3 0.3 1 0.01
ACDDH062 350.3 350.7 0.4 0.8 0.01
ACDDH062 350.7 351 0.3 0.36 0.01
ACDDH062 351 351.5 0.5 0.33 0.01
ACDDH062 351.5 352.2 0.7 0.41 0.01
ACDDH062 352.2 352.5 0.3 1.33 0.01
ACDDH062 352.5 352.8 0.3 12.4 0.34
ACDDH062 352.8 353.1 0.3 0.98 0.26
ACDDH062 353.1 353.4 0.3 1.22 0.01
ACDDH062 353.4 353.7 0.3 1.43 0.10
ACDDH062 353.7 354 0.3 0.62 0.38
ACDDH062 354 354.4 0.4 0.82 0.01
ACDDH062 354.4 355 0.6 1.06 0.01
ACDDH062 355 355.4 0.4 1.29 0.01
ACDDH062 355.4 355.7 0.3 0.84 0.01
ACDDH062 355.7 356 0.3 0.48 0.01
ACDDH062 356 357 1 0.55 0.01