First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals”, “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK listed company focused on the discovery of economic metal deposits across its exploration properties in Ontario, Canada, is pleased to announce that the drilling on the North Hemlo property, whilst currently paused, will recommence next week.

Highlights

·    Nine drillholes completed across the Dead Otter trend, marking strong progress in the Company’s maiden programme on this property.

·    Four priority target areas tested along the 3.5 km trend, providing early geological coverage across multiple prospective zones.

·    Approximately 200 core samples dispatched to the Thunder Bay laboratory for assay analysis.

·    Drilling to recommence next week to complete the planned programme

·    Several logged intersections exhibit visually encouraging geological features, consistent with the Company’s exploration model and supporting the decision to advance drilling. A video of a representative cut core section displaying multiple deformed structures, contact, clasts veining and sulphide mineralisation is available via the link below.

https://firstclassmetalsplc.com/link/yOO9ky

 

 

Marc J. Sale CEO First Class Metals commented:

“To date, the maiden drill programme on the Dead Otter trend has been both technically and logistically successful, particularly given the inclement as well as challenging weather conditions. The Emerald Geological Services team has executed the plan efficiently, and early indications from the core are encouraging.

While assays will ultimately determine the significance of these intervals, the geological features observed to date reinforce our confidence in the Dead Otter trend as a compelling gold target within the North Hemlo Project. We look forward to receiving the first assay results in the New Year and to completing the balance of the programme before the Christmas break.”

 

Location & Strategic Context

The North Hemlo Project is situated within the world-class Hemlo Greenstone Belt, a district that has produced more than 23 million ounces of gold since discovery. In early December 2025, Barrick Gold Corporation completed the sale of its Hemlo Mine to Hemlo Mining Corporation (“HMC”) in a transaction valued at up to US$1.09 billion. That transaction signaled a renewed and focused investment into the Hemlo district and reflects continued interest in evaluating the region’s exploration potential. First Class Metals’ Dead Otter trend lies contiguous with HMC’s regional exploration holdings.

 

Figure 1 showing the Dead Otter trend with locations of the initial 6 drillholes which are logged and sampled. Also shown are the VLF grids and positions of significant grab samples

NH 2025 DDH Collars
Hole_ID	Easting	Northing	Elevation	Az_deg	Dip_deg
NH-25-01	591566	5410975	366	10	-45
NH-25-02	591566	5410975	366	10	-70
NH-25-03	591542	5410973	367	10	-45
NH-25-04	591542	5410973	367	10	-70
NH-25-05	589167	5412220	416	25	-45
NH-25-06	589161	5412198	420	25	-45

 

The initial drillholes targeted the location of the previously reported 19.6 g/t high grade Au grab sample, as well as zones of pronounced structural deformation (“messed up rocks”) delineated in mapping conducted by Professor Mary Louise Hill (Professor Emerita, Lakehead University). These areas represent key focal points of gold anomalism and structural complexity along the trend.

Figure 2 showing a section of uncut core from the Dead Otter trend displaying sulphides which could indicate potential mineralisation.

Figure 3 showing cut core displaying quartz veining and course pyrite.

 

A second target area, including the site of the 2.3 g/t Au sample and the interpreted granite contact, has also been tested with two additional holes.

Emerald Geological Services (‘EGS’) continue to oversee and manage all drill-site geological operations, including core logging, sampling, and photography at their Manitouwadge facility.

The drilling contract minimum of 700m drilling will be surpassed at the completion of the programme.

Given the seasonal volume of samples being processed across the region, combined with the Christmas-New Year period, assay turnaround times are difficult to estimate accurately at this stage.

 

Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (‘ESG’)

FCM takes its ESG responsibilities seriously and this attitude is imparted to all contracted personnel. The Company is proud that Rugged Aviation, the drill contractor, as well as EGS, are taking this responsibility seriously to in ensuring that drill sites, as much as feasible are left in an environmentally responsible state.

 

Figure 4 showing drill holes 01 and 02, cleared before drilling and after drilling completed and the rig moved.

 

ENDS

 

Qualified Person

The technical disclosures contained in this announcement have been drafted in line with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards and guidelines and approved by Marc J. Sale, who has more than 30 years in the gold exploration industry and is considered a Qualified person owing to his status as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

 

 

For Further Information:

Engage with us by asking questions, watching video summaries, and seeing what other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor hub here:   https://firstclassmetalsplc.com/link/yOO9ky

For further information, please contact:

James Knowles, Executive Chair
Email: JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07488 362641

Marc J Sale, CEO and Executive Director
Email: MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07711 093532

AlbR Capital Limited (Financial Adviser)
David Coffman/Dan Harris
Website: www.albrcapital.com
Tel: (0)20 7469 0930

Axis Capital Markets (Broker)
Lewis Jones
Website: Axcap247.com
Tel: (0)203 026 0449