Project Highlights
The 3Ts Project is a 100%-owned gold-silver project in the prospective Nechako Plateau region of central British Columbia, approximately 16 kilometres southwest of Artemis Gold Inc.’s Blackwater Mine. The property covers approximately 35,486 hectares and hosts a district-scale low-sulphidation epithermal quartz-carbonate vein system. At least twenty mineralized veins have been identified, ranging from approximately 50 metres to more than 1,100 metres in strike length, with true widths reported up to 32 metres.
Exploration has advanced through systematic drilling, geological modelling and geophysical interpretation. The November 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate incorporated the Tommy and Ted-Mint vein systems together with the Larry, Johnny and Ian veins and established both Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource categories.
During 2026, Independence completed its 10,000-metre diamond drill program focused on resource expansion, infill drilling and testing new exploration targets. The program resulted in blind discoveries at Balrog, Goofy and Dixie and provided additional evidence that integrated structural interpretation and airborne geophysics can be used to identify favourable zones for epithermal vein development beneath glacial cover.
Drilling at the established Tommy Vein System also returned broad, high-grade gold-silver intervals where holes tested an interpreted intersection between radial and arcuate structural features, providing an additional application of the evolving district-scale targeting model.
InDICATED AND INferred Resource Estimate
In 2025, a new National Instrument (“NI”) 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for the mineralized veins on the 3Ts Project was initiated that incorporated results from the 2022-2025 diamond drill programs; an additional 78 drill holes containing 14,413 metres were used in the 2025 resource update. This updated resource estimate included the Tommy and Ted-Mint vein systems, as well as the recently discovered Larry, Johnny and Ian veins. This updated estimate has been prepared by SGS Geological Services group within SGS Canada Inc. under the supervision of a Qualified Person and in accordance with CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. This estimate delivers both increased tonnage and the addition of an Indicated resource category, marking a significant progress in project advancement.
The geology at 3Ts includes a microdiorite sill that cuts horizontally through the veins, dividing them into upper and lower portions. The upper sections of the veins fall into an “open-pit” scenario while the lower extents have an “underground mining” component. This separation is reflected in the inferred resource calculations.
For the first time, the project established an Indicated category in the resource in addition to the Inferred category. Inferred resources are early estimates based on limited drilling that show where gold is likely present but need more work to confirm; indicated resources are better defined, with enough drilling to give greater confidence in the size and grade of mineralization. Together these categories show both strong discovery potential and a clear path to growing and upgrading the resource with additional drilling. The Indicated category contains 2.79 million tonnes at an average grade of 4.22 g/t gold equivalent, representing approximately 378,000 gold equivalent ounces. The Inferred category contains 2.96 million tonnes at an average grade of 4.06 g/t gold equivalent, representing approximately 387,000 gold equivalent ounces (see the full report found in the gallery section below titled Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the 3Ts Gold and Silver Project, Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada, dated November 12, 2025 and authored by Rohan Miller and Ben Eggers of SGS Canada Inc.)
Geology
The 3Ts Project area is located along the southern margin of the Nechako Uplift, a northeast-trending, structurally raised block. The structural uplift provides a window through younger cover rocks to the underlying, regionally extensive, volcanic, and sedimentary rocks of the Lower to Middle Jurassic Hazelton Group, and the Late Jurassic Bowser Lake Group.
Quartz- and feldspar-phyric rhyolite tuffs and flows of the Entiako Formation are the most abundant rock unit on the 3Ts Project and host the gold- and silver-bearing veins. These mineralized quartz-carbonate veins are part of a robust low sulphidation-type epithermal vein system. The veins are subvertical, strike north-northwesterly and are crosscut by a gently-dipping Late Cretaceous microdiorite sill.
Exploration drilling and geophysical interpretation have progressively refined the structural understanding of the 3Ts vein district. The mineralized veins are hosted within the Jurassic volcanic sequence and are locally disrupted or crosscut by younger intrusive rocks. Integration of drilling with the 2025 airborne magnetic and radiometric survey has identified interpreted arcuate and radial structural features that are being evaluated as controls on dilation, permeability and repeated hydrothermal fluid flow.
The series of veins at 3Ts formed through epithermal processes. An epithermal vein system is a type of mineral deposit formed by the deposition of minerals from hydrothermal fluids in the Earth’s crust. These veins are typically found at shallow depths, relatively close to the surface, and are associated with volcanic activity.
Here are some key characteristics of epithermal vein systems:
- Formation: Epithermal vein systems are formed when hot hydrothermal fluids containing dissolved minerals rise from depth and are deposited in fractures or voids in the rock near the Earth’s surface. These fluids are typically associated with volcanic activity and can be rich in various metals such as gold, silver, copper, and zinc.
- Mineralization: The deposition of minerals from these hydrothermal fluids results in the formation of vein-like structures within the host rock. The minerals precipitate out of the fluid as it cools, forming veins that often contain economically significant concentrations of valuable metals.
- Temperature and Pressure: Epithermal veins form under conditions of relatively low temperature and pressure compared to deeper hydrothermal systems like porphyry deposits. The temperatures of the hydrothermal fluids in epithermal systems typically range from around 50°C to 300°C.
- Mineralogy: The minerals found in epithermal vein systems can vary depending on factors such as the composition of the hydrothermal fluids and the host rock. Common minerals associated with epithermal deposits include quartz, calcite, sulfides, and precious metals like gold and silver.
Overall, epithermal vein systems represent an important class of mineral deposits that contribute significantly to global metal production and play a key role in the mineral exploration and mining industry.
2026 Exploration Program
In 2026, Independence completed its planned 10,000-metre diamond drill program across the 3Ts Project. The program combined resource infill and expansion drilling with exploration of known and previously untested vein targets. Target generation incorporated geological information with the high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey completed in 2025.
The program produced new blind vein discoveries at Balrog, Goofy and Dixie and tested additional established and emerging vein systems. These results continue to refine the geological interpretation of 3Ts and demonstrate the value of integrating geophysics, structural interpretation and drilling in areas where glacial till limits conventional surface exploration.
EVOLVING STRUCTURAL EXPLORATION MODEL
Interpretation of the 2025 airborne magnetic and radiometric survey, together with drilling and geological data, has led to an evolving district-scale structural model for 3Ts. The model interprets arcuate and radial structural features within the volcanic sequence as important controls on dilation and hydrothermal fluid flow. Elevated thorium responses identified in the radiometric dataset locally coincide with interpreted structural corridors and intersections and are being evaluated as an additional targeting tool.
The model is being used to evaluate targets beyond veins exposed at surface, an important consideration at 3Ts where extensive glacial till can conceal bedrock and mineralized structures. The Balrog and Goofy discoveries provide public examples of previously unknown vein systems identified by testing targets generated through this integrated approach. The model remains interpretive and will continue to be refined as additional geological and drilling information is incorporated.
Ted-Mint Vein System
The Ted-Mint Vein is a mineralized quartz-carbonate vein structure which has a total strike length of more than 1,000 m and an average width of about 6 m. The Ted-Mint Vein averages 1.86 g/t gold and 82.7 g/t silver with a more gold rich zone to the north and a more silver rich zone to the south. The Ted-Mint Vein was drilling during the 2024-2025 winter drill program and in 2026, including at deeper depths below the microdiorite sill where mineralization was confirmed. Drill hole 3TS-25-13 intersected a transitional zone between epithermal precious metals and deeper base metal mineralization and returned 3.54m grading 2.67 g/t gold and 25.66 g/t silver at a depth of 464.21m. This mineralized vein structure is open both at depth and along strike.
Tommy Vein System
The Tommy Vein System is located approximately 1,200 metres west of the Ted-Mint Vein and is included in the November 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate. The system has been a major focus of resource definition and expansion drilling, including testing mineralization above and below the gently dipping microdiorite sill.
In 2026, drill holes 3TS-26-27 and 3TS-26-34 were designed as resource infill holes but were refined to test an interpreted intersection between radial and arcuate structural features coincident with a strong thorium anomaly. Both holes intersected broad zones of high-grade gold-silver mineralization containing multiple stages of quartz-carbonate veining and brecciation, together with adularia, amethyst and sulphosalts. 3TS-26-34 intersected 31.04 metres grading 9.07 g/t gold and 70.56 g/t silver, including 9.77 metres grading 18.24 g/t gold and 90.69 g/t silver. The mineralized interval has an estimated true width of approximately 19 metres. Approximately 50 metres to the north, 3TS-26-27 intersected 27.63 metres grading 5.86 g/t gold and 51.83 g/t silver, including 5.07 metres grading 16.20 g/t gold and 126.23 g/t silver. The broader interval has an estimated true width of approximately 16 metres.
The results support the Company’s interpretation that structural intersections may represent favourable zones of enhanced dilation, permeability and repeated hydrothermal activity and provide a framework for evaluating similar settings elsewhere at 3Ts.
Johnny Vein SYSTEM
The Johnny Vein was originally discovered on surface in the mid-1990’s from an isolated quartz outcrop 575m west of the Tommy Vein, and has been a focus of systematic exploration efforts over the last couple of years. Drilling failed to define the vein until 2023 when hole 3TS-23-31 intersected 16.08m grading 2.54 g/t gold and 17.54 g/t silver. The Johnny Vein was drilled in the winter 2024-2025 drill program and returned 77.00m grading 4.04 g/t gold and 40.90 g/t silver, with an estimated true width of 32m. Detailed geological modeling and drill targeting have now confirmed that the Johnny Vein is part of a series of intertwined gold-bearing quartz veins within a zone of mineralized brecciated rhyolitic country rock. The Johnny Vein indicates similarities in grade and continuity to the established Ted-Mint and Tommy Vein Systems. The proximity of the Johnny Vein to the existing resource model underscores its potential to add additional ounces to the mineral resource estimate. The vein currently has a strike length of 265m and remains open along strike and at depth.
Ian Vein System
Veins within the Ian target area were first discovered through drilling in the early 2000’s but where largely ignored for follow up due to their narrow (<1m) widths. Drilling in 2023 stepped westwards and discovered a new vein that was 6.98m wide and grading 6.10 g/t gold and 66.05 g/t silver, similar in size and grade to the Tommy Vein. The vein is currently 100m in length and remains open along strike and at depth.
Larry Vein System
The Larry Vein, located east of the Tommy Vein System, was loosely defined by shallow historical drill intercepts from the 1990s to early 2000s. Due to thick overburden, no surface exposure of the Larry Vein has ever been observed. Drill results from the winter 2024-2025 program confirm the presence of a significant vein system, demonstrating that the Larry Vein has been largely overlooked in historical work. The high grade gold and silver values observed in 3TS-25-07 (19.40m of 5.58 g/t gold and 73.76 g/t silver and 15.00m of 3.01 g/t gold and 25.20 g/t silver) suggest that the Larry Vein has the potential to significantly contribute to an updated resource model. The strike length of the Larry Vein is estimated to be 325m and remains open to the northwest, southeast and at depth.
Balrog VEIN SYSTEM
The Balrog Vein System is located approximately 200 metres west of the Johnny Vein and was announced in June 2026 as the first successful blind discovery generated directly from the Company’s evolving district-scale structural model. The target has no known surface exposure and is concealed beneath approximately 30 metres of glacial till. Discovery hole 3TS-26-03 intersected 10.62 metres grading 2.23 g/t gold and 38.14 g/t silver, including 1.75 metres grading 6.45 g/t gold and 114.86 g/t silver. Follow-up hole 3TS-26-18 intersected 3.33 metres grading 4.38 g/t gold and 42.17 g/t silver, including 0.42 metres grading 22.98 g/t gold and 190.48 g/t silver. At the time of the June 29, 2026 disclosure, drilling had confirmed mineralization over approximately 100 metres of strike and the system remained open along strike and at depth. Reported true widths were estimated at approximately 60–65% of the core intervals, assuming a steeply dipping vein geometry.
DIXIE VEIN SYSTEM
The Dixie Vein System is located approximately 260 metres east of the Tommy Vein System, and is the third blind discovery discovered in the 2026 drill program using the Company’s district-scale structural exploration model. Discovery hole 3TS-26-29 intersected 2.80 g/t gold and 12.54 g/t silver over 11.40 metres, including 1.99 metres returning 6.94 g/t gold and 25.13 g/t silver.
The Dixie vein is significant as it provides new insight into the evolution of the hydrothermal systems at the 3Ts Project, as it preserves distinct vertical metal zoning within a single structural corridor. The upper portion of the vein hosts gold-silver mineralization that transitions downward into a lead-zinc-rich polymetallic assemblage. This vertical metal zoning suggests the vein experienced multiple episodes of hydrothermal activity, with repeated fault movement allowing successive mineralizing fluids to overprint earlier mineralization. This process, commonly referred to as epithermal telescoping, indicates that the hydrothermal system remained active over an extended period of time and that the same structural corridors were repeatedly reactivated by mineralizing fluids. Recognition of this telescoping significantly advances the Company’s understanding of the 3Ts hydrothermal system and provides important geological criteria for targeting higher-grade mineralization elsewhere across the district.
GOOFY VEIN SYSTEM
The Goofy Vein is a blind discovery located approximately 250 metres west of the Ted-Mint Vein System. It was identified by drilling an interpreted radial structural corridor coincident with an elevated thorium response from the 2025 airborne radiometric survey, representing the second blind vein discovery generated using the evolving structural targeting approach following Balrog. Discovery hole 3TS-26-39 intersected 9.10 metres grading 14.70 g/t gold and 36.70 g/t silver, including 1.70 metres grading 63.67 g/t gold and 54.11 g/t silver. The reported estimated true width of the principal interval is approximately 7.00 metres. At the time of the July 22, 2026 disclosure, additional drilling had been completed along strike and beneath the discovery, and the vein remained open along strike and at depth.
Metallurgy
Metallurgical test work was completed in early 2021 on two composite samples taken from 2020 drilling and tested at SGS Canada Inc. The test was initiated in order to confirm the results from a previous metallurgical study taken from the Ted-Mint vein system in 2013 (see news release dated July 9th, 2013). The 2013 study yielded 97.3% gold and 94.9% silver recovery. The following table summarizes the results of the metallurgical test work:
| Composite 1 (Tommy Vein) | Composite 2 (Ted-Mint Offset Vein) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gold Recovery | Total Silver Recovery | Total Gold Recovery | Total Silver Recovery | |
| Gravity Concentrate | 1.46 % | 0.57 % | 27.6 % | 3.62 % |
| Floatation Concentrate | 76.0 % | 74.8 % | 64.1 % | 84.8 % |
| Leach Concentrate | 16.4 % | 17.1 % | 6.18 % | 7.07 % |
| TOTAL RECOVERY | 93.9 % | 92.4 % | 97.9 % | 95.5 % |
Further metallurgical testing was completed in September 2025, with three composite samples taken from drill core from the 2024-2025 program were selected to test mineralized veins at depth as well as two new veins (Johnny and Larry)(see news release dated September 10, 2025). The following table summarizes the results of the updated metallurgical test work:
| Tommy Vein | Johnny Vein | Larry Vein | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gold Recovery | Total Silver Recovery | Total Gold Recovery | Total Silver Recovery | Total Gold Recovery | Total Silver Recovery | |
| Gravity, Floatation & Leach Testing | 91.9% | 91.5% | 89.5% | 85.8% | 95.5% | 93.4% |
Ootsa CoPper-Silver Target
The Ootsa Target lies 1km northeast of the Mint Vein System and is defined by anomalous copper (up to 0.4%) and silver (up to 78 g/t). The mineralization is hosted in brecciated volcanic rocks that are very different from the ones seen elsewhere at 3Ts.
Summer fieldwork in 2025 significantly expanded the footprint of mineralization and has led to the discovery of two new copper showings, the Rogers ad Metz showings. Work completed during the 2025 summer field season included geological mapping, prospecting, and soil geochemical surveys across a broad area north and east of the original Ootsa showing. The eastern survey area was designed to complement an induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey recently completed by Dias Geophysical. This work has led to the discovery of two new copper-bearing zones, both of which display malachite staining and copper sulphides. These zones are hosted in quartz veins and fracture systems developed within Jurassic rhyolites and overlying basalts of the Naglico and Entiako formations.
The northern Metz Showing returned assays up to 0.16% copper and 10 g/t silver, while the Rogers Showing located to the east, returned 2.19% copper and 8 g/t silver from surface grab samples. Soil samples collected in the same area produced strong copper anomalies, with peak values up to 20,300 ppb (2,030 ppm) copper. When combined with historical and recent data, including five drill holes completed in early 2025 at the original Ootsa showing, results indicate that all known copper-silver showings lie along an arcuate, ring-like structure approximately 5 km across and extending 8 km from Metz to Rogers. Drill hole 3TS-25-15 intersected 5.49 metres grading 55.74 g/t silver and 0.95% copper within a hydrothermal breccia, one of five holes that all encountered copper-silver mineralization within a 400-metre radius of the original Ootsa showing.
Current geological modeling suggests that the Ootsa target may represent a large-scale magmatic-hydrothermal system related to a Cretaceous intrusive center. A magmatic intrusion is interpreted to have risen toward surface without erupting, instead forming a shallow dome that generated arcuate “ring” faults as the ground expanded and later deflated. These faults then acted as conduits for gas and metal-rich fluids, that precipitated copper, silver, and locally gold within breccias and quartz veins along the ring structure. Notably, where this structure approaches the known epithermal veins of the 3Ts system, copper and gold are both observed within the quartz veins; this is seen in the Cardiff Vein, which returned 71.30 g/t gold, 125 g/t silver and 0.1% copper.
Ownership
The 3Ts Project is comprised of the Tsacha, Taken, Tam, Tommy, Bot, Blackwater South and 3Ts South properties. The Company has a 100% interest in these claims, subject to NSRs up to 4% on a sliding scale.
Mineral Resource Estimates Assumptions
- The effective date of the 3Ts Mineral Resource Estimate is November 12th, 2025
- The mineral resource was estimated by Rohan Millar, P.Geo. of SGS Geological Services and is an independent Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
- The classification of the current Mineral Resource Estimate into Indicated and Inferred mineral resources is consistent with current 2014 CIM Definition Standards – For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves.
- Figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the estimate and numbers may not add due to rounding.
- The mineral resources are presented undiluted and in situ, constrained by continuous 3D wireframe models, and is considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction.
- Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. An Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted to a Mineral Reserve. It is reasonably expected that most Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
- The 3Ts mineral resource estimate is based on a validated database which includes data from surface diamond drilling completed between 1995 and 2025.
- The MRE for 3Ts is based on 13 three-dimensional (“3D”) resource models representing the Tommy, Ted-Mint, Ian, Johnny and Larry veins.
- Grades for Au and Ag were estimated for each mineralization domain using 1.0 metre capped composites assigned to that domain. To generate grade within the blocks, the inverse distance squared (ID2) interpolation method was used. An average SG value of 2.70 g/cm3 was used for tonnage calculation.
- Based on the location, surface exposure, size, shape, general true thickness, and orientation, it is envisioned that parts of the 3Ts may be mined using open-pit mining methods. In-pit mineral resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 0.3 g/t AuEq. The in-pit resource grade blocks are quantified above the base case cut-off grade, above the constraining pit shell, below topography and within the constraining mineralized domain (the constraining volume).
- The pit optimization and base-case cut-off grade consider a gold price of $2,400/oz and a silver price of $30 /oz and considers a gold recovery of 97% and silver recovery of 94%. The pit optimization and base case cut-off grade also considers a mining cost of US$2.80/t mined, pit slope of 55⁰ degrees, and processing, treatment, refining, G&A and transportation cost of USD$22.00/t of mineralized material.
- The results from the pit optimization, using the pseudoflow optimization method in Whittle 2022, are used solely for the purpose of testing the “reasonable prospects for economic extraction” by an open pit and do not represent an attempt to estimate mineral reserves. There are no mineral reserves on the Property. The results are used simply as a guide to assist in the preparation of a mineral resource statement and to select an appropriate resource reporting cut-off grade. A Whittle pit shell at a revenue factor of 1.00 was selected as the ultimate pit shell for the purposes of the current MRE.
- Based on the size, shape, general true thickness, and orientation, it is envisioned that parts of the 3Ts deposit may be mined using underground mining methods. Underground mineral resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq. The mineral resource grade blocks were quantified above the base case cut-off grade, below surface/pit surface and within the constraining mineralized wireframes (considered mineable shapes). Based on the size, shape, general thickness, and orientation of the mineralized structures, it is envisioned that the deposit may be mined using a combination of underground mining methods including sub-level stoping (SLS) and/or cut and fill (CAF) mining.
- The underground base case cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq considers a mining cost of US$80.00/t mined, and processing, treatment, refining, G&A and transportation cost of USD$25.00/t of mineralized material.
- AuEq grades are based on metal prices of US$2,400/oz Au and US$30/oz Ag. The Au to Ag equivalency ratio is $2,400/$30 = 80.0. Therefore, the AuEq conversion = Au g/t + (Ag g/t/80.0).
- The estimate of Mineral Resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other relevant issues.
