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Awalé’s Transformative 2024 Sets the Stage for an Ambitious 2025

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Charger Zone: A significant gold target in Awalé’s portfolio, marking a transformative achievement in 2024 with some of the highest-grade intercepts in Africa in the last 12 months.

  • BBM Zone and Trend: Successful delineation and expansion of a significant gold and copper target with district scale potential for growth.

  • Financial Strength: Well-funded with nearly $10M on hand for 100%-owned property exploration and a robust partnership with Newmont.

  • Strengthened Leadership: New additions to the Board and Management bring aligned focus, driving Awalé’s strategic growth and long-term shareholder value.

  • District-Scale Potential: Awalé’s extensive land package is primed for discovery, supported by our iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) geological model, unlocking untapped opportunities across the region.

  • 2025 Exploration Plan: Robust and comprehensive plan to continue de-risking BBM and Charger targets, and expand exploration focus across a broader regional scale to unlock the full potential of the Odienné project.

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – January 13, 2025) – Awalé Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC) (‘Awalé‘ or the ‘Company‘) is pleased to provide a review of its achievements in 2024 and share its outlook for the first half of 2025. This exciting phase includes commencing drilling on our 100%-owned Fremen property, continuing to de-risk the BBM and Charger targets, and expanding our exploration focus across a broader regional scale to unlock the full potential of the Odienné project. A follow-up update will be provided later in the year to review full-year progress and outline plans for the remainder of 2025.

‘On behalf of the Awalé team, I want to thank our investors for their support over the past year. With a solid balance sheet, a valued joint venture partner, and significant milestones achieved in 2024, we have established a strong foundation for an ambitious year ahead. Driven by a disciplined approach to exploration and discovery, we remain confident in our strategy and are steadfast in our commitment to unlocking the full potential of the Odienné project, delivering sustained value to our shareholders. Moreover, we take pride in fostering sustainable development and building meaningful partnerships in the communities where we operate, creating a lasting positive impact in the region,’ Commented Andrew Chubb, CEO of Awalé Resources.

View video of CEO Andrew Chubb and VP Exploration Andrew Smith discussing upcoming plans

2025 H1 Outlook

Awalé is committed to providing consistent and transparent updates throughout 2025. Our exploration efforts will prioritize key zones, leveraging innovative strategies to drive discovery and advance resource delineation, adding value to our shareholders and local stakeholders.

Key Zones and Targets

Fremen Target (100% Awalé)

  • Overview: A new 3.5km-long target, 4km on strike from BBM discovery.
  • Induced Polarisation (‘IP’) geophysics to commence in January 2025, with the aim to further delineate the BBM trend.
  • 2000m of maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling planned, with results expected from March 2025.

100% Awalé Permits

  • Overview: 1,693km2 untested ground, in the same geology as the four major Awalé discoveries.
  • Activities: 2025 will see initial drilling on the Fremen target along with systematic early-stage target generation with mapping and geochemistry surveys and with airborne programs, including magnetic and radiometric surveys.

BBM Zone

  • Overview: Drill, develop, and expand the higher-grade shoots within structurally controlled gold-copper mineralization. A broad IP survey to be completed over the BBM zone, targeting strike extents of the initial discovery zone.
  • Diamond Drilling Plan: 7000m planned for the BBM zone, including 3000m within the discovery area.
  • Timeframe: Diamond drilling started in Q4 2024 and is ongoing, with a regular flow of results expected from January 2025.

BBM Trend

  • Overview: Newly identified targets, Boba and Fett, highlight the strike potential of the BBM trend.
  • Activities: 150 line-km of IP geophysics is planned to cover over 10km of the BBM trend, followed by up to 7000m of RC drilling.
  • Timeframe: IP survey scheduled for completion in January 2025, with RC drilling to follow in February 2025.
  • Initial drill results are expected from April 2025.

Charger Zone

  • Overview: Following up on the spectacular 2024 gold results; diamond drilling is planned to further delineate and expand this promising zone.
  • Diamond Drilling Plan: 2000m planned to test the continuity of a new geology fold model and rapidly advance the volume potential of this target.
  • Timeframe: Initial drilling has commenced in early January 2025, with results expected from February 2025.
  • Drilling success will drive further diamond drilling in Q1.

Empire Zone

  • Overview: Awalé’s first and significant gold discovery. Infill diamond drilling is planned, with the aim to bring the target back online for further expansion drilling and development.
  • Drill results expected from March 2025.

Lando Target

  • Overview: System drilling aims to test the full potential of the largest copper-gold-in-soil anomaly in the joint venture permit.
  • Work Plan: Following an orientation pitting program in January 2025, a combination of reverse circulation and diamond drilling will commence in February 2025, with results expected from April 2025.

Odienné West Permit

  • Overview: Known mineralized trends and geology are modelled to extend into the Odienné West permit, with early phase greenfield work expected to unlock exploration potential in an underexplored area.
  • Activities: 2025 will see early-stage target generation, with mapping and geochemistry surveys along with airborne programs including magnetic, radiometric, and gravity gradient surveys. All exploration is fully funded by Newmont.

Technological and Operational Enhancements

  • Portable PPB Lab: On-site deployment to accelerate assay turnaround times and improve decision-making efficiency.
  • Geophysics: Comprehensive airborne and ground geophysical surveys to refine targeting across all key zones.

Other Initiatives

  • Educational Content: Rolling out materials to explain the geology of Odienné, our targeting methodology, and broader district context.
  • Stakeholder Engagement: Maintaining first-mover advantage by building trust and showcasing Awale’s vision for the region.

2024 HIGHLIGHTS

2024 was a pivotal year for Awalé marked by key leadership changes that aligned the Company with its strategic vision, efforts to strengthen the balance sheet and ensure financial stability, and significant progress at the Odienné project. These achievements have positioned Awalé as a leader in district-scale exploration, with a clear path toward resource delineation and new discoveries. Key highlights include:

  • BBM Discovery – 4th discovery at Odienné announced in January. BBM was a significant new greenfield discovery for the Company with excellent scope for rapid expansion.

  • Highest-Grade Gold Intercepts in Africa – During the year, Charger delivered some of highest-grade intercepts in West Africa over the past 12 months, including 45.7 g/t Au over 32m in hole OEDD-83, 20 g/t Au over 29m in hole OEDD-88, and 14.7 g/t Au over 59m in OEDD-100. Ongoing drill program aims to test new hinge fold thesis, targeting extensions to both grade and volume.

  • BBM Growing and Remains Open – 6,808m in 28 holes have confirmed the system is open at depth with the higher-grade core growing to 600m and remaining open. The BBM trend has now been expanded to over 15km, from 100%-owned Fremen target in the south to the newly identified Boba and Fett targets in the north.

  • New Gold Footprint Discovery at 100%-Owned Fremen Target – In October, the Company announced that it uncovered a new and open 3.5km long > 37 parts per billion gold in termitaria footprint with a peak value of 1.3 g/t Au. The program was completed within Awalé’s 100%-owned Sienso permit next door to the BBM discovery, which lies 4km along strike to the northwest.

  • Financial Strength – The Company is well-funded with $10 million in cash, following an $11.5 million capital raise in April 2024, allocated to advance 100%-owned properties and partnership with Newmont, which is funding all exploration work on joint venture claims.

  • Strengthened Leadership Team – Additions of Anthony Moreau and Karl Akueson to the Board of Directors, along with the appointment of Stephen Stewart as Chairman, as part of a strategic leadership transition. The management team further bolstered with the additions of Andrew Smith as VP Exploration, Ardem Keshishian as VP Corporate Development, and John Scott as Principal Geologist. At the request of the TSXV, the Company is clarifying Ardem Keshishian’s role as VP Corporate Development and not VP Corporate Development and Investor Relations.

  • New Exploration Permit – In Q4, the Company was granted an exploration permit for PR-904 (‘Odienné West’), unlocking expanded opportunities within the emerging gold and copper district.

About Awalé Resources

Awalé is a diligent and systematic mineral exploration company focused on discovering large high-grade gold and copper-gold deposits. Exploration activities are currently underway in the underexplored regions of Côte d’Ivoire, where the Company is focused on the Odienné Copper-Gold Project (‘Odienné‘ or the ‘Project‘), covering 2,489 km2 across seven permits. This includes 796 km2 in two permits held under the Awalé-Newmont Joint Venture (‘OJV’). Awalé manages all exploration activities over the OJV, with funding provided by Newmont Joint Ventures Limited (‘Newmont‘).

Awalé has discovered four gold, gold-copper, and gold-copper-silver-molybdenum discoveries within the OJV and has recently commenced exploration on its 100%-owned properties following an $11.5 million capital raise in April 2024.

The Odienné project is underexplored and has multiple pipeline prospects with similar geochemical signatures to Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and intrusive-related mineral systems with substantial upside potential. The Company benefits from a skilled and well seasoned technical team that allows it to continue exploring in a pro-mining jurisdiction that offers significant potential for district-scale discoveries.

Quality Control and Assurance

Analytical work for geochemistry samples is being carried out at the independent Intertek Laboratories in Ghana and Australia, an ISO 17025 (2017) Certified Laboratory. Samples are prepared and stored at the Company’s field camps and put into sealed bags until collected by Intertek from the Company’s secure Odienné office and transported by Intertek to their preparation laboratory in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire, for preparation. Samples are logged in the tracking system, weighed, dried, and pulverized to greater than 85%, passing a 75-micron screen. Two pulps are prepared from each sample with one stream to Intertek Ghana for fire assay and a second to Australia where the sample is analyzed by 52 element ICP/MS with an Aqua Regia digest. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference material (standards) are being used to monitor laboratory performance during the analysis.

Qualified Person

The technical and scientific information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved for release by Andrew Chubb, the Company’s Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Chubb is the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and holds an Economic Geology degree, is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (AIG), and is a Member of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG). Mr. Chubb has over 25 years of experience in international mineral exploration and mining project evaluation.

AWALÉ Resources Limited
On behalf of the Board of Directors

‘Andrew Chubb’
Chief Executive Officer

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Andrew Chubb, CEO
(+356) 99139117
a.chubb@awaleresources.com

Ardem Keshishian, VP Corporate Development
+1 (416) 471-5463
a.keshishian@awaleresources.com

The Company’s public documents may be accessed at www.sedarplus.com. For further information on the Company, please visit our website at www.awaleresources.com.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities laws (collectively ‘forward-looking statements’). Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, plans, postulate and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include but are not limited to statements regarding, the Company’s presence in Côte d’Ivoire and ability to achieve results, creation of value for Company shareholders, achievements under the Newmont JV, works on other properties, planned drilling, commencement of operations. Although the Company believes any forward-looking statements in this press release are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations and assumptions in such statements will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, including those risks set out in the Company’s management’s discussion and analysis as filed under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236945

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FPX Nickel Announces Results of Baptiste Nickel Project Economic Impact Study

FPX Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FPX) (OTCQB: FPOCF) (‘ FPX Nickel ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce the results of an Economic Impact Study (the ‘Study’ ) completed for the Company’s Baptiste Nickel Project (‘ Baptiste ‘ or ‘ the Project ‘). The Company engaged Mansfield Consulting Inc. to assess the potential regional, provincial, and national economic impact of the Baptiste Nickel Project, based on the findings of the Company’s Pre-Feasibility Study (‘PFS’ ) published in September 2023 .

The Economic Impact Study focuses on quantification of the economic impacts that would be created by the development and ongoing operations of the Project, and assesses the regional employment impacts created by the Project; the Study does not replace or alter the findings of the PFS. Amounts herein are in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise noted.

Figure 1 – Baptiste Economic Impact Study Highlights (CNW Group/FPX Nickel Corp.)

‘This Study clearly demonstrates the economic value of Baptiste to central B.C., the province, and Canada , positioning the Project as one with not just regional, but national significance for more than 30 years. This includes the significant opportunity for Indigenous leadership and direct economic participation in major projects such as Baptiste. As we progress with Project development, FPX is committed to continuing to assess and define the Project with First Nation communities.  We believe the addition of Baptiste to the established mines operating in this region, including the Mt. Milligan Mine and the Blackwater Mine, will provide much-needed opportunities for local workers and businesses given the anticipated decline in regional forestry activity in the decades to come.’

–   Martin Turenne, President and CEO of FPX Nickel

‘B.C. is positioned to take advantage of the growing demand for critical minerals. The Province has established a Critical Minerals Office to guide projects and ensure they move efficiently through regulatory processes, and I want to recognize FPX Nickel Corp. for being the first company supported by that Office. The Baptiste Project has tremendous potential, and we are excited to see what the future holds. Together, we are creating opportunities, collaborating with First Nations to the benefit of all, and advancing projects that could be the critical minerals mines of tomorrow.’

–   The Honourable Jagrup Brar, British Columbia’s Minister for Mining and Critical Minerals

Economic Impact Study Highlights

  • Total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of $45.6 billion
  • Total labour income of $17.5 billion
  • Total direct, indirect and induced tax revenues of $15.5 billion , broken down as follows:
    • Federal taxes: $6.2 billion
    • Provincial taxes: $8.5 billion
    • Municipal taxes: $0.8 billion
  • Total employment of 208,000 job-years including direct, indirect, and induced jobs over the life of mine
    • This equates to an average of approximately 1,100 direct and 3,400 indirect jobs created per year from construction to the end of operations
    • Assuming 61% of positions will be filled through regional employment, this equates to over 600 Bulkley-Nechako/ Prince George residents employed per year on average, for over 32 years
    • The Baptiste Nickel Project is projected to create well-paying jobs. Based on data published by the Mining Association of British Columbia , the estimated average annual salary in the B.C. mining industry is $139,000 , which is 26% higher than the median household income in Prince George in 2022, as reported by Statistics Canada.

Summary of Economic and Employment Impacts

A phased development approach is considered in the PFS, with an initial mill throughput rate of 108,000 tonnes per day (Phase 1), followed by an expansion to 162,000 tonnes per day (Phase 2) in Year 8 of the mine life.

The PFS projected the initial development of the mine to take place over three years (Years -3, -2, -1) with a total capital cost of approximately $2.9 billion . Expansion of the mine would take place over two years (Years 8 and 9) at a cost of approximately $1.0 billion . Over the nine-year duration of Phase 1 operations, the PFS projected average annual revenues of approximately $1.1 billion , and over the twenty-year duration of Phase 2 operations, the Project would achieve average annual revenues of approximately $1.6 billion .

Table 1 provides a summary of the economic impact of the Project by phase:

Table 1 – Total Economic Impacts By Phase of Project
Dollar amounts in $ billion, totals may not sum due to rounding

Criteria

Total GDP
($B)

Total
Labour
Income
($B)

Total
Employment
(direct,
indirect, and
induced jobs)

Total Tax
Revenues
($B)

Initial Development
(3 years)

3.3

2.2

19,800

0.8

Mine Expansion
(2 years)

1.1

0.7

6,500

0.3

Mine Operations
(29 years)

41.2

14.6

181,900

14.5

Total

45.6

17.5

208,100

15.6

Table 2 provides a summary of the economic impact of the Project on the municipal, provincial, and federal government revenues, including taxes from direct, indirect and induced activities (thus total taxes are higher than as released in the Company’s 2023 PFS).

Table 2 – Taxes Attributable to Mine Development and Operations
Amounts in $ million, totals may not sum due to rounding

Criteria

Federal Taxes

Provincial Tax

Municipal Tax

Initial Development (3 years)

421

338

53

Mine Expansion (2 years)

144

117

19

Mine Operations (29 years)

5,616

8,083

753

Total

6,181

8,538

825

Table 3 provides a summary of the direct, indirect, and induced jobs created by the project per year, by Project phase.

Table 3 – Number of Jobs By Mine Phase (Note 1)

Criteria

Initial
Development

Phase 1
Operations

Expansion

Phase 2
Operations

Average

Direct Jobs Per Year

2,600

700

1,200

1,000

1,100

Indirect Jobs Per Year

2,300

2,700

3,800

3,800

3,400

Induced Jobs Per Year

1,700

1,500

2,400

2,100

1,900

Note 1: Direct impacts are changes that occur in ‘front-end’ businesses that initially receive operating revenues and incur expenditures. During the development or extension of a mine, direct impacts occur with the mine owner and with other businesses that receive a portion of the initial spending on a project (for example, engineering companies engaged to help develop a project). During the operation of a mine, direct impacts occur with the mine owner and with other businesses that may receive a portion of the mine revenues. Indirect impacts are changes that occur with suppliers of the front-end businesses. Induced impacts are changes that occur in the general economy through the spending by employees of front-end businesses and suppliers.

Regional Direct Employment

A substantial portion of direct employment at the mine site is anticipated to be filled by residents of the Bulkley-Nechako Regional District, Prince George and surrounding areas. The 2023 PFS assumed that residents of Bulkley-Nechako and Prince George would fill a combined average of 633 full-time positions or 61 percent of the total employment at the mine, resulting in 283 Bulkley-Nechako Residents and 350 Prince George residents employed per year on average over 32 years.

To place the on-site employment of Bulkley-Nechako residents in context, it was compared with regional employment in other industries. According to census profiles, the largest industry by employment in the main Bulkley-Nechako communities of Burns Lake , Vanderhoof , Fort St James and Fraser Lake is manufacturing (primarily wood product manufacturing), accounting for 655 people out of the total labour force of 4,215 people. As displayed in Figure 2, the average employment of 283 from Baptiste plus other existing mines would make the Mining, Quarrying, and Oil & Gas Extraction sector the largest resource industry employer in the region.

Figure 2 – Bulkley-Nechako Communities Labour Force by Industry (2021 Census, Note 2) --- Note 2: 2021 census data pre-date recent notable Canfor mill closures in Vanderhoof and Fort St. James in 2024, which were reported to impact approximately 500 workers. (CNW Group/FPX Nickel Corp.)

Andrew Osterloh , P.Eng., FPX’s Senior Vice President, Projects & Operations, FPX’s Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical content of this news release.

About the Baptiste Nickel Project

The Company’s Baptiste Nickel Project represents a large-scale greenfield discovery of nickel mineralization in the form of a sulphur-free, nickel-iron mineral called awaruite (Ni 3 Fe) hosted in an ultramafic/ophiolite complex. The Baptiste mineral claims cover an area of 408 km 2 west of Middle River and north of Trembleur Lake, in central British Columbia . In addition to the Baptiste Deposit itself, awaruite mineralization has been confirmed through drilling at several target areas within the same claims package, most notably at the Van Target which is located 6 km to the north of the Baptiste Deposit. Since 2010, approximately US $30 million has been spent on the exploration and development of Baptiste.

FPX has conducted mineral exploration activities to date subject to the conditions of agreements with First Nations and keyoh holders.

About FPX Nickel Corp.

FPX Nickel Corp.  is focused on the exploration and development of the Baptiste Nickel Project, located in central British Columbia , and other occurrences of the same unique style of naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy mineralization known as awaruite.  For more information, please view the Company’s website at https://fpxnickel.com/ or contact Martin Turenne, President and CEO, at (604) 681-8600 or ceo@fpxnickel.com .

On behalf of FPX Nickel Corp.

‘Martin Turenne’
Martin Turenne , President, CEO and Director

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is considered ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company’s periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Actual results could differ from those currently projected. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE FPX Nickel Corp.

Cision View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2025/13/c8720.html

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RUA GOLD Utilizes VRIFY AI to Prioritize Cumberland, Following up on Exceptional Historic Drill Intercept

Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA) (OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) (‘Rua Gold’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to advise on the updated Cumberland gold camp drill target. This follows on from the integration of VRIFY AI into RUA’s extensive geological database and the consolidation of the Reefton Goldfield, an orogenic gold and antimony belt on the South Island of New Zealand.

Highlights: 

  • The AI contribution is already paying dividends as the tool has accelerated the identification of and prioritization of our drill targets. 

  • Prioritizing Cumberland gold camp comprising of 7 historic mines in a 2 km long north-northwest trending zone of quartz veins and shearing. 

  • Follow up target on historic Cumberland drill hole, GAL001 showing 21.9m (5m true width) of 92.0g/t Au including 1m of 1911 g/t Au (60 oz/t). 

  • Drilling contractor is being mobilized and the Company anticipates commencing drilling before the end of January.

The Company is expanding its 2025 exploration program to include the Cumberland gold camp, a historic gold camp 3kms south of Globe Progress Mine, which has produced over 1 million ounces of gold (historic production prior to 1950 of 424,000 ounces, and a further 665,000 ounces from 2007 – 2015 under OceanaGold).

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/236943_170cba3b043e2a31_007.jpg

Figure 1: Overview of the Reefton Goldfield.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/236943_170cba3b043e2a31_007full.jpg

EARLY WIN FROM Rua Gold’S AI INVESTMENT
The Cumberland target was identified by uncovering several exploratory holes drilled by OceanaGold 15 years ago, including hole GAL001, which had the following exceptional results on a well-defined quartz vein at shallow depth:

GAL001: 21.9m (5m true width) of 92.0g/t Au including 1m of 1911 g/t Au (60 oz/t).

GAL001 was drilled down the vein, giving an exaggerated width but provides for a compelling and prospective target to follow up immediately.

Rua Gold has collated hundreds of thousands of data points from its recent Siren acquisition, historic workings and contemporary exploration on its multiple mine sites, and district wide geophysical data over the Reefton Goldfields. The ability to combine rapid data-mining of this information by VRIFY, in concert with Rua Gold’s extensive surface geochemistry and ultra-detailed UAV magnetics accumulated in the last 5 years, provides us with rapid feedback on a multi layered dataset, that now focusses our prospect ranking, and directly informs our drilling programs.

Simon Henderson, COO of Rua Gold, commented, ‘Consolidation of our holdings on the Reefton Goldfield provides a plethora of gold targets and historic deposits to examine. AI driven VRIFY provides a science data driven platform to assimilate the vast amount of data available, identify patterns and associations at lightning speed, and provide iterative feedback, constantly updating and adding value as the exploration process rolls out. We are excited by its early success in highlighting key areas such as Cumberland to prioritize our drill activity planned in 2025.’

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Figure 2: VRIFY AI hotspot identification showing Cumberland-Gallant Prospect

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10755/236943_ruaimg2.jpg

CUMBERLAND HISTORY

The Cumberland gold camp comprises 7 historic mines in a 2 km long north-northwest trending zone of quartz veins and shearing. Historic production totaled 21,740oz gold at an average recovered grade of 26.1 g/t (see appendices).

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Figure 3: Map showing Cumberland historic mine camp

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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INITIAL DRILL TARGET

Based on the extensive surface exploration work and historical drilling, the Gallant lode in the Cumberland gold camp presents an exceptional high-grade target that has never seen significant exploration work:

  • It has quartz veins outcropping on surface within an envelope of strong gold-arsenic anomalism.

  • It has several exploratory holes drilled by OceanaGold 15 years ago, which include exceptional results on a well-defined quartz vein at shallow depth (Table 1).

  • Core orientation clearly demonstrates that this intersection drilled down the quartz reef exaggerating its width.

  • Geological modelling interprets the vein to be approximately 5m wide.

Table 1: Intercept from GAL001, calculated with a 1.5ppm Au cut-off and up to 3m internal dilution.

Drill hole From To Interval Au (g/t)
GAL001 31.0 52.9 21.9m 92
including 47.0 48.0 1.0m 1911

 

Note: true width of vein: 5m.

VRIFY’S AI PLATFORM

The Company has partnered with VRIFY to onboard VRIFY’s AI-assisted mineral discovery platform to accelerate discovery, reduce costs and further de-risk exploration.

In conjunction with the consolidation of the Reefton Goldfield in November 2024, the Company implemented the VRIFY AI tool. Early in the AI training phase, Cumberland was identified as a standout target. The VRIFY team has assimilated geochemistry, drilling and geophysical data on an unprecedented scale and accuracy over the whole district, processing over 84GB of data, +170,000 data points, actively informing our 2025 drill targets for quicker project advancement and de-risking our work programs.

Rua Gold’s data, unlocked through VRIFY’s Al-assisted mineral discovery platform. This AI-assisted data synthesis enabled Rua Gold to actively and effectively rank its 2025 drill targets, accelerating its project advancement and de-risking its work programs in a matter of minutes, a process that would have taken months, if performed manually.

ACCELERATED DISCOVERY

Rua Gold inherited thousands of data points from historic activity on its multiple mine sites and exploration work with the Reefton Goldfields. The ability to rapidly mine this existing data for new insights and targets, while incorporating recent work, provided real-time feedback through VRIFY’s platform to inform drilling programs.

SCALABILITY and COST SAVINGS

Rua Gold is just beginning and is confident that VRIFY will continue to add value by allowing for the analysis of larger datasets without increasing costs linearly.

HIGHER ACCURACY

VRIFY’s proprietary Al model reduces human error and identifies patterns that manual review might miss, increasing discovery potential.

QAQC HISTORIC DRILLING (MR 5093)

Rua Gold is treating the drill results as historic.

The QP has verified the data disclosed, including drill collar location, sampling and analytical information contained in the written disclosure,

  1. Data was verified by examination of remaining core in the core-box; confirming intervals, core splitting and interval handling procedures and logged core descriptions matched original core logging.

  2. Verified the core sampling and assay procedures by examining and confirming from the original assay certificates of SGS and ALS laboratories that the sample numbers recorded matched the sample intervals logged.

  3. Verified from original assay certificates stated blanks and certified standards and duplicates were used and reported, and where deviations outside 2 standard deviations assays have been repeated.

  4. Verified that suitable assay methodology for coarse gold was used by both laboratories SGS Reefton method FASC30T(screen fire assay) and ALS method Au-SCR22AA (screen fire assay).

  5. The QP has verified in the zone of exceptionally high-grade gold values that gold is clearly visible in veinlets within a significant quartz vein.
    (c) The QP satisfactorily verified all data used in this disclosure.

The QAQC summarized from the OceanaGold report is as follows:

‘Diamond drill samples were generally taken over 1 m intervals and cut in half. Half the core was then sent to SGS or ALS. Some of the significant reef samples were analyzed at the ALS laboratory in Townsville for rapid processing and the rest were analyzed at the SGS laboratory in Westport. Due to the large amount of quartz reef drilled in the first part of the program, a screen fire technique was introduced at SGS (FAS30T).

ALS Townsville preformed 1 kg screen fire assays (Au-SCR22AA) along with a standard fire assay procedure (Au-AA26). Diamond core submissions included at the minimum one blank and two certified standards and at least two lab duplicates taken after coarse crushing of the sample. If both standard assays from the same hole returned assay values outside two standard deviations of the actual value, the laboratory was requested to re-assay the job. Assays from dispatches RD131025.1 and RD131106.1 showed significant deviation from standards and checks. These two batches were re-assayed (RD131025.1R and RD131106.1R respectively).

All assay data was imported into the Reefton project acQuire database directly from laboratory reports.’

Source: Anderson, T., 2014. MP 41164 Globe Progress annual technical report – 2014, OceanaGold Ltd; NZP&M, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), New Zealand. Unpublished Mineral Report MR5093.

ABOUT Rua Gold

Rua Gold is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, our team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across multiple continents. The team is now focused on maximizing the asset potential of RUA’s two highly prospective high-grade gold projects.

The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand’s South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically produced over 2 million ounces of gold grading between 9 and 50 grams per tonne.

The Company’s Glamorgan Project solidifies Rua Gold’s position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand’s North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands’ Hauraki district, a region that has produced an impressive 15 million ounces of gold and 60 million ounces of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation’s biggest gold mining project, WKP.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Technical Information

Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein.

Rua Gold Contact

Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com
Website: www.RUAGOLD.com

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-Looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company’s strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions; and the effects and benefits of the Transaction. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavorable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated July 11, 2024, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-Looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Appendices

Historic Production Cumberland Camp (Barry, 1993)

Lode Tonnes Production
(Au oz)		 Recovered grade (oz/t) Recovered grade (g/t)
Scotia 604 1,283 2.1 66.1
Gallant 2,378 759 0.3 9.9
Sir Francis Drake-Happy Valley 17,261 5,810 0.3 10.5
Cumberland 14,120 13,629 1.0 30.0
Exchange-Industry 519 260 0.5 15.6

 

Source: Barry, J.M., 1993. The History and Mineral Resources of the Reefton Goldfield. Ministry of Commerce Resource Information Report No. 15.

Reference for historical grades and production:
Barry, J.M., 1993. The History and Mineral Resources of the Reefton Goldfield. Ministry of Commerce Resource Information Report No. 15.

Reference for Gallant assay results:
Anderson, T., 2014. MP 41164 Globe Progress annual technical report – 2014, OceanaGold Ltd; NZP&M, Ministry of Business, Innovation & Employment (MBIE), New Zealand. Unpublished Mineral Report MR5093.

Table 3: Collar for GAL001, historic drill hole.

Drill hole Easting
(NZTM)		 Northing
(NZTM)		 Elevation
(RL)		 End depth Azimuth Dip
GAL001 1508726 5327981 628 123.7 293° -70°

 

Projection: New Zealand Transverse Mercator (NZTM) 2000.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/236943

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Trudeau says 51st state is distraction from Trump tariff threat, acknowledges facing ‘successful negotiator’

Canada’s outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau suggested that President-elect Trump’s suggestion that Canada become America’s ’51st state’ was a distraction from the tariff threat. 

‘I know that as a successful negotiator, he likes to keep people a little off balance. The 51st state, that’s not going to happen,’ Trudeau told MSNBC’s ‘Inside with Jen Psaki’ on Sunday. ‘It’s just a non-starter. Canadians are incredibly proud of being Canadian. But people are now talking about that, as opposed to talking about what impact 25% tariffs [has] on steel and aluminum coming into the United States, on energy, whether it’s oil and gas or electricity.’

‘No American wants to pay 25% more for electricity or oil and gas coming in from Canada,’ Trudeau said in the interview with Psaki, President Biden’s former White House press secretary. ‘That’s something I think people need to pay a little more attention to. And perhaps the idea of a 51st state is distracting a little bit from a very real question that will increase the cost of living for Americans and harm a trading relationship that works extremely well.’

Trump has threatened to impose 25% tariffs on all Canadian imports. The president-elect also said that if Canada merged with the U.S., taxes would decrease and there would be no tariffs. 

The president-elect has also taken shots at Trudeau, referring to him as the ‘governor’ of Canada. Last Monday, Trudeau announced that he would resign as Canada’s prime minister once his Liberal Party chooses a new leader on March 9. 

‘From my very first conversations with him back in 2016, he told me how much he admires Canada, how much he appreciates and likes us, so there is a certain amount of flattery in this that he thinks that we are as great as we are,’ Trudeau said of Trump on Sunday. ‘He’s right, we are great. We’re also very, very proud of being Canadian. If you talk to any Canadian, you ask them to define what it is to be Canadian, they’ll talk about all sorts of different things, but one of the things we will point out is, ‘and we’re not Americans.’’ 

On Trudeau’s trip to Mar-a-Lago in November, the Canadian prime minister said the topic of the U.S. annexing Canada did come up, but Trudeau said once he joked that Canada could annex Vermont or California as a sort of trade, Trump ‘immediately decided it was not that funny anymore, and we moved on to a different conversation.’ 

‘This isn’t out of the blue that he’s doing this, but my focus has to be not on something that he’s talking about that will not ever happen, but more on something that might well happen, that if he does choose to go forward with tariffs that raise the costs of just about everything for American citizens, that on top of that, we’re going to have a robust response to that,’ Trudeau said. 

‘We are ready to respond with tariffs as necessary,’ Trudeau said. 

Canadian officials say that if Trump follows through with his threat of punishing tariffs, Canada would consider slapping retaliatory tariffs on American orange juice, toilets and some steel products. 

Trudeau recalled that Trump previously put tariffs on imports of steel and aluminum during his first term, and Canada responded by putting tariffs on bourbon, Harley Davidson motorcycles, orange juice, playing cards and other such items that Trudeau argued Canadians could easily find replacements for. 

‘It ended up causing a lot of loss in American businesses for whom Canada is their number one export partner. We are the number one export partner for about 35 different U.S. states, and anything that thickens the border between us ends up costing American citizens and American jobs. That’s not what President Trump got elected to do,’ Trudeau said. ‘I know he got elected to try and make life easier for all Americans, to support American workers. These are things that are going to hurt them.’ 

Trump said last week that the U.S. does not need oil – or anything else – from Canada, but almost a quarter of the oil that the U.S. consumes each day comes from Canada. The energy-rich western province of Alberta exports 4.3 million barrels of oil a day to the U.S., according to the Associated Press. Data from the United States Energy Information Administration shows that the U.S. consumes 20 million barrels a day, and produces about 13.2 million barrels a day.

Canada, a founding partner of NATO and home to more than 40 million people, is also the top export destination for 36 U.S. states. Nearly $2.7 billion worth of goods and services cross the border each day.

Trump has said that he would reconsider his tariff threat if Canada made improvements in managing security at the Canada-U.S. border, which he and his advisers see as a potential entry point for illegal immigrants.

Trudeau has said that less than 1% of illegal immigrants and fentanyl cross into the U.S. from Canada.

Nevertheless, after his meeting with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, Trudeau announced an increase in spending on border security, expressing willingness to address Trump’s concerns in hopes that he would reconsider his tariff threat.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Tsunami advisory triggered after 6.9 magnitude earthquake rattles southwest Japan

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory after a 6.9 magnitude earthquake occurred off the coast of southwest Japan.

The quake struck shortly after 9:19 p.m. local time (7:19 a.m. ET), the agency said, triggering an advisory for Miyazaki province, in the island of Kyushu, as well as Japan’s southern Kochi prefecture.

Authorities have urged locals not to enter the sea or approach the coast until the advisory is lifted, the country’s meteorological agency said on X.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

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Westport Announces Director Retirement

Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (‘Westport’) (TSX:WPRT Nasdaq:WPRT), announces that Brenda Eprile has retired from Westport’s Board of Directors (the ‘Board’), effective January 6, 2025. The Board is currently evaluating alternatives with respect to the appointment of an independent director to fill the vacancy.

‘On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Brenda for her exceptional leadership and unwavering dedication throughout her 11 year tenure,’ said Dan Hancock, Westport Fuel Systems Board Chair. ‘Brenda has been an invaluable part of our team, and we wish her well in her next chapter.’

About Westport Fuel Systems

At Westport Fuel Systems, we are driving innovation to power a cleaner tomorrow. We are a leading supplier of advanced fuel delivery components and systems for clean, low-carbon fuels such as natural gas, renewable natural gas, propane, and hydrogen to the global transportation industry. Our technology delivers the performance and fuel efficiency required by transportation applications and the environmental benefits that address climate change and urban air quality challenges. Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, with operations in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, we serve our customers in more than 70 countries with leading global transportation brands. At Westport Fuel Systems, we think ahead. For more information, visit www.wfsinc.com.

Investor Inquiries:
Investor Relations
T: +1 604-718-2046
E: invest@wfsinc.com

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Incoming Trump administration given new blueprint on ways to weaken Iran: ‘unique opportunity’

A new report shared with the Trump transition team and shown to Fox News Digital recommends drastic steps to curtail the Iranian regime just days away from the start of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term in office.

‘President-elect Trump now has the unique opportunity to push back on the regime in a moment of its significant decline. By using diplomatic, informational, military, and economic means to hold Tehran accountable, he can promote regional stability and a new Middle East,’ Ambassador Mark D. Wallace, CEO and founder of United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), told Fox News Digital.

The UANI report, titled ‘A 100 Day Plan for the Incoming Trump Administration on Iran’ is a blueprint for the administration to employ against Iran and has been shared with the Trump transition team, according to its authors.

‘Since 1979, Iran has been the world’s number one state sponsor of terrorism, the major cause of instability in the Middle East, and has brutally repressed its people with impunity,’ Wallace said.

The report recommends that the incoming Trump administration take a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach across, as Ambassador Wallace said, the diplomatic, informational, military and economic sectors alongside allies to properly hold Iran accountable for its regional destabilization efforts.

Iran fears the incoming Trump administration, said co-author of the report Jason Brodsky, adding he believes there is a strategic opportunity for Washington and its allies to capitalize on that fear to advance U.S. interests.

‘Rushing into premature diplomacy risks undermining that dynamic,’ Brodsky, policy director of UANI, told Fox News Digital. 

The report outlines several specific policy prescriptions in order to weaken Iran and argues that the U.S. government should first build a pressure campaign against Iran which will sharpen the regime’s choices.

In this new policy approach, the United States should learn from Israel’s experience since Oct. 7 about how to strike the Islamic Republic militarily without triggering a wider war.

‘If the Israelis can do so without triggering a wider war, so can the U.S. government,’ Brodsky said.

The authors assert that President-elect Trump should deliver a major policy address to warn Tehran that the U.S. would not hesitate to use military force to destroy Iran’s nuclear program if it takes steps to further advance its capabilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency reported in early December enriched uranium to weapons-grade levels. French President Emmanuel Macron said Iran’s nuclear program is nearing the ‘point of no return’ with many seeing it as a method to build leverage against the incoming Trump administration.

Additionally, the report’s authors say the incoming Republican administration could also use targeted strikes against Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commanders, Quds Force and Intelligence Ministry assets inside Iran if Iran or its proxies harm Americans. Targeted strikes should also hit Iran’s repressive apparatus through cyber and kinetic means if security forces violently suppress innocent protesters, as happened in 2009 after the disputed presidential election and in 2022 following the death of Mahsa Amini, who had been arrested by the morality police for not covering her hair with a hijab.

U.S. strikes or retaliations against the regime, the report notes, have been non-existent or focused on the Islamic Republic’s proxies.

‘That dynamic only emboldens Iranian decision-making to calculate the benefits of these operations against Americans outweigh the costs and to doubt the U.S. resolve to defend its interests. The incoming Trump administration should reverse that calculus and one way to do so is to start holding Iran’s regime responsible on Iranian soil for the terrorism of its proxies,’ Brodsky explained. The U.S. should also build a military defector program and encourage political and military actors across the Islamic Republic, including within the Revolutionary Guard and other security forces, to defect from the regime. 

A key source of Iranian revenue is provided by its vast oil exports and allows Iran to sustain its terror across the Middle East through its ‘Axis of Resistance’ proxy networks. In 2024, Iran exported 587 million barrels of oil, an increase of 10.75% compared to the previous year due to OPEC cuts and lack of sanctions enforcement. 

Claire Jungman, co-author and director of the Tanker Tracking Program and chief of staff of UANI, told Fox News Digital that Iran’s oil exports have surged to nearly 2 million barrels per day—the highest in five years—under President Biden’s administration, reflecting weakened sanctions enforcement and the impact of billions in unfrozen assets. 

‘The incoming Trump administration has a critical opportunity to halt Tehran’s illicit revenue streams and restore maximum pressure on the regime,’ Jungman added.

Iran is the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism and is a key source of regional Islamist terror groups including Hezbollah and Hamas, the group responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel. The State Department estimates that Iran provides some $100 million annually to Hamas and helps fund Hezbollah with about $700 million a year.

UANI cautions against some in Western capitals who wish to seek negotiation with Tehran and views this flawed approach of endless negotiations as a way Iran can buy time and avert pressure. Ambassador Wallace said the previous maximum pressure campaign worked, and it’s time to reapply this policy as the regime faces setback after setback as it became embroiled in regional conflict with Israel after October 7th.

‘With the loss of its proxies and the support of the Iranian people … the Iranian regime’s days are numbered and, inevitably, the brave Iranian people will rise against the weakened corrupt mullahs,’ Wallace said.

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Trump can power the US into the future with a muscular nuclear energy policy

President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House comes at a critical moment for America’s energy future. We are experiencing unprecedented demand for reliable power to fuel burgeoning technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing. That demand is expected to grow exponentially over the coming years. In President Biden’s Washington, Democrats have lurched further and further to the left in a failed attempt to excite his political base by pushing unrealistic dreams of an electric grid powered only by unpredictable wind and solar. Fortunately, Trump understands that our energy security, technological edge, and national security are at stake. We have already seen the premium that the new administration places on good energy policy with the announcement of the brand-new National Energy Council.

The amount of energy used by AI data centers alone is expected to skyrocket over the next decade. Every time a new technology is announced, or there is a breakthrough in quantum computing, there is a corresponding increase in energy demand. Other countries around the world, particularly China, are building massive data centers and the energy infrastructure necessary to power advancements in AI. Meanwhile, America’s energy sector has been hamstrung for four years by policymaking that has sought to restrict and contract energy production rather than unlock its full potential.

With the past as prologue, Trump’s first term and his record on supporting reliable nuclear power as a vital energy source provide cause for optimism about the new direction of U.S. energy policy. Trump has a track record of delivering results on nuclear power and demonstrating what is possible when we put America first.

Within the first six months of his first term, Trump announced an initiative to unlock the power of American innovation on the industry. He said, ‘First, we will begin to revive and expand our nuclear energy sector — which I’m so happy about — which produces clean, renewable and emissions-free energy.’

In 2019, Trump’s Department of Energy (DOE) finalized loan guarantees that totaled $12 billion to finance the construction of the Vogtle nuclear power plant in Georgia. This was the first nuclear plant to begin construction in the U.S. in decades. This accomplishment was not just about creating jobs or expanding our production capacity. It was a downpayment on our future technological innovation.

That same year, President Trump issued a presidential memorandum to establish the United States Nuclear Fuel Working Group. It was a meaningful acknowledgment that there are national security implications around the need to produce nuclear power. Ultimately, the administration proposed a Uranium Reserve Program at DOE to ensure that America has a secure energy future.

Trump’s forward-looking approach also provided an important counter to China. Previous administrations had ignored the efforts that China was undertaking to dominate both the global nuclear and AI markets. The Trump administration, however, took concrete action to restrict nuclear exports to China and was successful in convincing allies to buy nuclear technology from America rather than China.

Many Democrats in Washington want you to believe that their green agenda is the only way forward and refuse to entertain any other ideas, no matter how worthy they are. Most Americans already understand the reality that powering AI and other future technologies with only solar and wind power is a fantasy. They are unreliable, uneconomical, and unable to provide the amount of power America needs. Thankfully, President Trump has already laid much of the groundwork to protect existing nuclear capacity and invest in the future. We now have a real opportunity to add nuclear capacity through new plants or by reviving shuttered plants that we desperately need. However, we must ensure that our existing nuclear fleet, which has seen a number of closures in the past decade, is preserved. This two-fold strategy will provide the additional around-the-clock power we need, support the current infrastructure, and power technological innovation.

Energy policy does not exist in a vacuum. It is inextricably tied to America’s technological future and global economic leadership. Protecting existing nuclear capacity and expanding it means we can power more AI, more quantum computing, and more technological innovation at home, all with power that runs around-the-clock in every weather condition. Every advancement in nuclear technology strengthens our national security and ensures we don’t cede our technological edge to China or Russia.

During a campaign stop in Pennsylvania, Trump touted the benefits of nuclear energy and pledged to embrace it as an energy source. He said, ‘I will do rapid approvals for new energy infrastructure, and we will embrace all forms of energy including nuclear. Nuclear is a great energy.’ China is aggressively expanding its industrial and technological infrastructure. We can’t let inadequate energy capacity hold us back. I am confident that the team that President Trump has assembled, including North Dakota Gov. Doug Bergum at the Department of the Interior and Liberty Energy CEO Chris Wright at DOE, understand this.

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Taiwan sees threefold surge in suspected Chinese espionage cases

Taiwan has seen a “significant rise” in the number of individuals charged with spying for China in recent years, according to new data released by the island’s security bureau, amid escalating intimidation by Beijing.

In a report released Sunday, Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) said the number of individuals prosecuted for Chinese espionage had increased threefold in recent years, rising from 16 in 2021 to 64 in 2024.

Of those 64 charged, 15 were military veterans and 28 were active service members, according to the report, which said targets of Chinese infiltration included military units, government agencies and local associations.

Beijing claims the self-governing democracy as its own territory and has vowed to take control of it, by force if necessary, despite having never controlled it.

The Taiwanese government has repeatedly rejected China’s sovereignty claims and emphasized that Taiwan’s future can only be decided by its 23.5 million people.

“The Chinese Communist Party continues to use diverse channels and means to infiltrate all walks of life in order to absorb citizens to help them develop networks or gather sensitive government information,” the report said.

In recent years, Beijing has stepped up its pressure on the island, launching large-scale military drills more frequently and raising alarm over the possible deployment of “gray zone” tactics – acts that fall below the threshold of war.

Taiwan officials’ suspicions earlier this month that a Chinese vessel may have been responsible for damage to an undersea internet cable underscored concerns on the island about vulnerabilities that could be exploited by Beijing in so-called “gray zone operations.”

In December, China also fielded its largest regional maritime deployment in decades – including multiple formations of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels – in regional waters and around the Taiwan Strait, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.

For years, Taiwan’s security agencies have warned about Beijing’s growing attempts to infiltrate its armed forces and their espionage activities, particularly efforts to bribe military officers in exchange for national secrets.

The latest report said that improved counter-intelligence capabilities has allowed authorities in Taiwan to uncover more cases of suspected Chinese espionage.

It said Chinese agents allegedly attempted to establish contacts with criminal gangs and local temples, as well as setting up underground banks to recruit military personnel and China-friendly groups in Taiwan.

The report added, without specifying details of the cases, that some of the suspected spies were tasked to serve as agents of “sabotage” and raise China’s flag in the event of a Chinese invasion. Some were also asked to gather intelligence in a move to build a “sniper team” for an “assassination assignment.”

China’s Ministry of State Security (MSS), which oversees intelligence and counterintelligence both within China and overseas, has also previously accused Taiwan of conducting spying activities.

Last August, the ministry said it had uncovered over a thousand Taiwanese espionage cases in recent years and dismantled a number of espionage networks.

China’s MSS has also launched a high-profile campaign against what it says is a surge in espionage activities by foreign nationals at a time when relations with western powers, especially the United States, have cratered.

Chao Yu-hsiang, a resident search officer at Taiwan’s Institute of National Defense and Security Research (INDSR), said he hopes the recent surge in prosecutions by Taiwan would prompt the Taiwanese military to enhance security measures.

“Both our military and civilians should maintain a high level of vigilance in our words and deeds, develop good confidentiality habits, and use social media with caution to prevent those with ulterior motives from infiltrating, absorbing and exploiting us,” he wrote in a column published by INDSR on Monday.

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Baby gorilla rescued from cargo hold of Turkish Airlines plane

A young gorilla rescued from a plane’s cargo hold is recovering at an Istanbul zoo, officials said Sunday, while wildlife officers consider returning him to his natural habitat.

The 5-month-old gorilla was discovered in a box on a Turkish Airlines flight from Nigeria to Thailand last month. After a public competition, he has been named Zeytin, or Olive, and is recuperating at Polonezkoy Zoo.

“Of course, what we want and desire is for the baby gorilla … to continue its life in its homeland,” Fahrettin Ulu, regional director of Istanbul Nature Conservation and National Parks, said Sunday.

“What is important is that an absolutely safe environment is established in the place it goes to, which is extremely important for us.”

In the weeks since he was found, Zeytin has gained weight and is showing signs of recovering from his traumatic journey.

“When he first came, he was very shy, he would stay where we left him,” said veterinarian Gulfem Esmen. “He doesn’t have that shyness now. He doesn’t even care about us much. He plays games by himself.”

Both gorilla species — the western and eastern gorillas, which populate central Africa’s remote forests and mountains — are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

As Istanbul emerges as a major air hub between continents, customs officials have increasingly intercepted illegally traded animals. In October, 17 young Nile crocodiles and 10 monitor lizards were found in an Egyptian passenger’s luggage at the city’s Sabiha Gokcen Airport.

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