Dual Rigs Commence Tunkillia Diamond Drilling

Barton Gold has commenced a ~3,000m diamond drilling program (two DD rigs) at the Tunkillia Gold Project to upgrade geotechnical and metallurgical data supporting a JORC MRE upgrade, a PFS and a Mining Lease application targeted by end-2026. The May 2025 Optimised Scoping Study (OSS) already indicated compelling economics (annual production ~120,000 oz Au and ~250,000 oz Ag; NPV ~A$1.4bn; IRR ~73.2%; payback ~0.8 years). Management says current AUD gold and silver prices are materially higher (~A$1,600/oz and ~A$60/oz respectively versus OSS assumptions), which would materially boost projected operating profits (company claims >US$1bn in year one at current prices). The program advances resource conversion to Measured/Indicated and aims to support declared Ore Reserves, project financing and expedited development — a development-positive milestone for Barton and, by extension, supportive for gold exposure.