Contango Silver & Gold Initiates Significant 40,000-Meter Drill Program for 2026

Contango Silver & Gold's Bold 2026 Drill Initiative at Kitsault Valley

Contango Silver & Gold Inc. (NYSE American: CTGO; TSX: CTGO) has officially commenced its 2026 drill program at the Kitsault Valley, marking a significant step in its exploration efforts. With a targeted length of approximately 40,000 meters, this initiative emphasizes infill drilling and resource expansion at several key deposits including the well-known Dolly Varden deposits (Torbrit, North Star, and Dolly Varden), as well as the emerging Wolf deposit and the Homestake Ridge deposits (Homestake Main and Homestake Silver).

Currently, three diamond drills are operational, and additional units are expected to join the effort as the season progresses. The drilling aims to aid in updating resource estimates and conducting a preliminary economic study set to conclude in the first half of 2027. Notably, around 10,000 meters of the drilling will involve exploratory holes within the Kitsault Valley and surrounding areas, taking advantage of the resource-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia.

Rob van Egmond, the Company’s Vice President of Exploration for Canada, expressed enthusiasm over the commencement of this drilling season. “It’s exciting to get back drilling at the Kitsault Valley for another drilling season. The focus of this year's drill program is resource and infill holes which will support economic studies required to move these deposits from the exploration stage to development stage,” he said. Initial efforts will concentrate on the Dolly Varden and Wolf deposits before extending to the Homestake Ridge.

As the drilling gets underway, Contango will also commit to environmental baseline studies, necessary permitting, and upgrades to camp and infrastructure. Enhanced metallurgical and hydrological studies are also part of this comprehensive drilling strategy. Van Egmond highlighted a recent discovery of Torbrit-style mineralization at the Wolf deposit, where drill hole DV25-470 revealed impressive results with 518 grams per tonne of silver, alongside lead and zinc indicators, thereby opening a vast area ripe for further exploration.

This exciting development comes as Contango continues to expand its footprint in the mining industry, engaging in the exploration and production of precious minerals across Alaska and British Columbia's Golden Triangle. The company holds a diverse array of interests in the region including a notable partnership in the Peak Gold Joint Venture, which oversees a substantial exploration area of approximately 675,000 acres. This project clearly underscores Contango’s ongoing commitment to exploring valuable mineral reserves and advancing economically viable strategies.

In summary, the initiation of the 40,000-meter drill program evidences Contango Silver & Gold’s strategic direction towards enhancing its resource base, broadening its exploration activities, and ultimately paving the way for future developments at its flagship projects. As the results unfold over the coming months, stakeholders and investors alike will be closely monitoring how these efforts translate into tangible outputs within the ever-evolving landscape of mineral exploration and mining.