Forte Minerals Commences First-Ever Drilling at the Pucarini High-Sulfidation Gold Project, Puno, Peru

Five-hole 1,750m drill program underway
Testing for potential large-scale high-sulphidation epithermal gold system
Assay results expected early Q1 2026

Forte Minerals Corp. (‘Forte’ or the ‘Company’) ( CSE: CUAU,OTC:FOMNF ) ( OTCQB: FOMNF ) ( Frankfurt: 2OA ) is pleased to announce that diamond drilling has commenced at its 100%-owned Pucarini High-Sulfidation Gold Project (‘ Pucarini ‘ or the ‘ Project ‘) in southern Peru. This marks the first-ever drill program on the Project and represents a significant milestone following several years of geological work, community engagement, and environmental permitting.

Pucarini is located within the Southern Peru Miocene Mineral Belt, which hosts numerous epithermal gold (‘ Au ‘) and porphyry copper – molybdenum (‘ Cu-Mo ‘) deposits. The Project exhibits a large-scale hydrothermal alteration footprint with high-sulphidation epithermal Au type mineralization, similar to those of neighbouring and regional deposits in the Puno region of Southern Peru.

Figure 1 – Key Mineral Belts of Southern Peru, INGEMMET, 2020.

Figure 2 – Pucarini Au Geochemistry – IP Chargeability-Resistivity 3D Model – Ground Magnetic Susceptibility 3D Model and Proposed Drilling

Over the past several years, Forte has carried out detailed mapping, geochemistry, multispectral mineralogical analysis, and ground geophysics, while also building strong, long-term relationships with local communities. The Company secured its DIA drilling permit in August 2023 (refer to news release – September 29, 2023 ) and entered into a renewed one-year Community Agreement on March 1, 2025, ensuring local support for the 2025–2026 exploration drilling program.

Inaugural Drill Program

The Phase I program consists of:

5 diamond drill holes
1,750 metres total (~350 m per hole)
Testing a potential large-scale high-sulfidation epithermal gold system.

The drill targets were prioritized based on coincident gold geochemistry, high-sulfidation alteration zones, and high resistivity geophysical anomalies, creating a potential cohesive exploration model.

Figure 3 – Pucarini Au in Rock and Soil Geochemistry – Ground High Magnetic Susceptibility and Proposed Drill Hole Locations (1,750 m Proposed)

Figure 4 – Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #1 in Cross section – Shallow IP High Chargeability/High Resistivity Anomaly with Deeper IP High Chargeability/Low Resistivity Anomaly.

Figure 5 – Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #2 in Cross section – IP High Chargeability/ Low Resistivity Anomalies Coincident with a High Magnetic Susceptibility Anomaly

Figure 6 – Pucarini Diamond Drill Hole #3 in Cross section – IP High Chargeability/ Low Resistivity Anomaly and Deeper High Magnetic Susceptibility Anomaly

The 1,000-hectare 100% owned Pucarini Project contains multiple advanced argillic alteration zones within a 3.6 km by 1.8 km hydrothermal alteration footprint. These zones are characterized by massive and granular silica ledges, vuggy silica, and high-sulfidation alteration textures, all consistent with high-sulfidation epithermal Au alteration and mineralization on surface.

Forte has identified a cohesive Au geochemical anomaly in rocks and soils that spans 1,200 m by 600m, supported by a large 1,500 m by 600 m high chargeability anomaly. This is also coincident with a deep-rooted high magnetic susceptibility anomaly that potentially outlines a Au-Cu-Mo porphyry system at depth. Lower levels of anomalous Cu and Mo geochemistry in rocks and soils dominate the main target zone lending more conviction to a potential deeper porphyry target. Together, these datasets outline a robust, untested high-sulphidation epithermal Au target overprinting a potential porphyry Au-Cu-Mo target at greater depth.

With drilling now underway, the Company is positioned to unlock the first subsurface information ever collected from this extensive system. Core processing and sampling from the first drill hole is now underway, and the Company anticipates delivering first assay results to the market in early Q1 2026.

Figure 7 – Pucarini Project high sulfidation epithermal alteration with anomalous Au in surface rock geochemistry

For more details on the geology, targeting methodology, and exploration model at Pucarini, please visit the project page: https://forteminerals.com/projects/pucarini/

Forte’s President & CEO Statement, Patrick Elliott commented:

‘The start of drilling at Pucarini is a major milestone for Forte. After years of geological groundwork, permitting progress, and meaningful collaboration with local communities, we are finally able to test what we believe is one of the most compelling untested high-sulfidation gold exploration targets in southern Peru.

The scale of the alteration system, the strength of the geophysics, and the consistency of the gold anomaly make this a highly attractive first-pass discovery opportunity. With drilling underway, we look forward to sharing initial results with the market in December.’

Strengthened Balance Sheet and Strategic Alignment

Over the past four months, Forte has welcomed two new strategic investors, each investing C$5.7 million, bolstering the Company’s treasury and aligning long-term development plans across all projects. These investors bring significant in-country operational experience and will play an important role in unlocking value not only at Pucarini, but also at the Company’s second Au asset, the Alto Ruri Au Project.

Alto Ruri Gold Project (15 km from Barrick’s Pierina Mine)

While drilling progresses at Pucarini, Forte remains committed to advancing its second Au project, Alto Ruri , located approximately 15 km from the past-producing Pierina Mine, one of Barrick’s former cornerstone operations. Alto Ruri hosts shallow historical drilling, high-resistivity geophysical anomalies, and district-scale epithermal signatures, underscoring its potential for a near-surface Au discovery (refer to the news release dated March 4 th , 2024 ).

With the support of two new strategic investors with deep operational experience in Peru, advancing environmental permitting at Alto Ruri is a key priority as the Company prepares the project for future drilling.

Q ualified Person and NI 43-101 Disclosure

Richard Osmond, P.Geo., an Independent Director, is the Company’s Qualified Person (‘ Qualified Person ‘) as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release.

The information contained in this press release can also be viewed in the NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Pucarini Property, filed on SEDAR+ in November 2021.

About Forte Minerals

Forte Minerals Corp. is a well-funded exploration company with a strong portfolio of high-quality copper and gold assets in Peru. Through a strategic partnership with GlobeTrotters Resources Perú S.A.C. , the Company gains access to a rich pipeline of historically drilled, high-impact targets across premier Andean mineral belts. The Company is committed to responsible resource development that generates long-term value for shareholders, communities, and partners.

On behalf of Forte Minerals Corp.

(signed) ‘ Patrick Elliott’
Patrick Elliott, MSc, MBA, PGeo
President & Chief Executive Officer
Forte Minerals Corp.
T: (604) 983-8847

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