Mr. Darcy Marud reports

WESTERN EXPLORATION PROVIDES DOBY GEORGE UPDATE

The United States Forest Service (USFS) has accepted Western Exploration Inc.'s notice of intent (NOI) to submit a mine plan of operations (MPO) for the Doby George deposit at the company's 100-per-cent-owned Aura project in Nevada.

Key highlights:

• USFS accepted the NOI, initiating the pathway toward submission and review of the MPO;
• Target MPO submission: Q2 2026;
• Baseline studies begin: February, 2026, covering key environmental and cultural disciplines;
• NEPA environmental reports targeted for submission: Q2 2027.

Western Exploration chief executive officer Darcy Marud commented: "On Dec. 1, 2025, the company submitted a notice of intent to submit a mine plan of operations (NOI) to the United States Forest Service (USFS). This is an important early milestone and supports the company's objective of advancing Doby George from study stage toward a development decision."

The company is currently working with its partners at Stantec Consulting (Stantec) and Kappes Cassidy & Associates (KCA) to complete the MPO based on the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) announced on May 8, 2025, "Western Exploration Announces Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Doby George Resource at the Aura Project." The company anticipates filing the MPO in Q2 2026.

To support this work, the company has entered into an additional consulting service agreement with Stantec Consulting to commence baseline studies over the next 14 months beginning in February, 2026. Stantec will lead a comprehensive suite of baseline studies including biological, cultural, paleontological, air, noise, hydrology, geochemistry and aquatic studies. As applicable, the program will incorporate relevant prior work completed by the company and Stantec.

As outlined in the PEA, the current development concept envisions a 7,500-tonne-per-day open pit heap leach operation at Doby George. The company is working with its partners to submit all environmental reports for review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) by Q2 2027.

About Western Exploration Inc.

Western Exploration is advancing the 100-per-cent-owned Aura project, located approximately 120 kilometres/75 miles north of the city of Elko, Nev. The Aura project includes three unique gold and silver deposits: Doby George, Gravel Creek and Wood Gulch. Western Exploration comprised an experienced team of precious metals experts that aim to lead the company to becoming North America's premiere gold and silver development company.

Qualified person approval

The scientific and technical content in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Hawksworth, general manager of the Western Exploration's Aura project, who is a qualified person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

We seek Safe Harbor.