Kenorland Minerals and Auranova Resources Announce Upcoming 2026 Spring Drill Program at the South Uchi Project, Ontario
MWN-AI** Summary
Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is poised for an exciting exploration phase following the approval of a Phase 3 diamond drill program at its South Uchi Project in Ontario. This announcement comes in partnership with Auranova Resources Inc., which holds an option agreement for the project. The upcoming spring 2026 exploration program encompasses drilling up to 3,000 meters across six drill holes, specifically targeting the promising Papaonga area, where a new gold-bearing structural corridor was identified during a prior drill program.
With drilling set to commence at the end of March, the focus will be on large step-outs to the east and west from earlier drill holes that revealed a 200-meter-wide mineralized corridor. This zone features strong deformation, notable alteration characteristics, and disseminated sulphide mineralization in volcanic rock formations and feldspar porphyry intrusions, indicating the potential for significant gold deposits. Prior grab samples from nearby volcanic stratigraphy showed values as high as 14.4 g/t Au, reinforcing the project’s gold potential.
The South Uchi Project is strategically located within a region recognized for its gold mineralization, comprising the boundary between two geological subprovinces. Historical exploration efforts had been limited, but recent developments, including the LP Fault Zone discovery by Great Bear Resources, underscore renewed interest in the area.
Kenorland recently solidified its partnership with Auranova, facilitating Auranova's potential to earn a substantial interest in the project. Kenorland retains a net smelter return royalty and a carried interest, enhancing its stake as the exploration progresses. The upcoming drill program marks a critical step in evaluating South Uchi's prospectivity for orogenic gold systems.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The announcement of the upcoming Spring 2026 drill program by Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) at the South Uchi Project presents an intriguing opportunity for investors in the mineral exploration sector. This Phase 3 program, encompassing 3,000 meters of drilling across six strategically placed drill holes, is designed to assess the newly identified gold-bearing structural corridor—a promising sign of potential mineralisation in the Red Lake District of Ontario.
The favorable geological setting, characterized by extensive mafic and felsic volcanic stratigraphy, along with the historical significance of the Confederation Assemblage—home to major gold deposits—underscores the potential upside for investors. The presence of strong deformation and sericite-albite-silica alteration in drilled zones, coupled with previous drill results indicating high gold values (up to 14.4 g/t Au), presents a compelling case for significant mineral discovery.
Investors should note that Kenorland is the operator of this project under an agreement with Auranova Resources, which grants Auranova the right to earn a substantial (70%) interest. This partnership can be advantageous because it spreads financial risk while ensuring Kenorland retains a carried interest and a 2% NSR royalty on future production—adding additional layers of potential gain.
Moreover, the drilling will not only test strike extensions but also addresses the challenges posed by deep glacial cover, thus pushing the exploration frontiers in an under-explored region. With market conditions favoring gold, driven by macroeconomic uncertainties, this could be an opportune time to consider shares in Kenorland. However, investors should remain mindful of exploration risks and monitor the progress of this drill program closely, as it could significantly affect the company's stock valuation in the near term.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 18, 2026) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the approval of a Phase 3 diamond drill program at the South Uchi Project (the "Project"), located in the Red Lake District of Ontario and held under an option agreement with Auranova Resources Inc. ("Auranova").
2026 Spring Exploration Program
The Spring 2026 exploration program and budget have been approved by Auranova and will include up to 3,000 metres of drilling across six drill holes at the Papaonga target area. This phase of drilling follows the successful identification of a new gold-bearing structural corridor discovered during the Phase 2 Fall 2025 drill program (see press release dated January 28, 2026). The planned drill holes are designed as large step-outs towards the west and east, testing strike extensions of the mineralised structural corridor concealed beneath deep glacial cover. Kenorland remains the operator of the Project, and drilling activities are scheduled to commence by the end of March.
Figure 1. Plan map of Papaonga target area with planned Phase 3 drill hole locations
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_001full.jpg
The upcoming drill program will consist of a series of drill fences approximately one kilometre apart, stepping out along strike from drill holes 25PADD031 and 25PADD034, which intersected an approximately 200-metre-wide mineralised corridor characterised by strong deformation, pervasive sericite-albite-silica alteration and disseminated sulphide mineralisation within mafic to felsic volcanic stratigraphy and feldspar porphyry intrusions. Within this corridor, multiple 10-metre-scale intervals contain anomalous gold values, highlighting the potential for significant mineralisation.
Interpretation of regional magnetic datasets have identified the gold-bearing structure as a belt-parallel, east-west trending deformation zone, concealed beneath deep till and glaciolacustrine cover sequences. Despite limited bedrock exposure over the target area, grab samples from volcanic stratigraphy immediately north of the structural corridor returned values of up to 14.4 g/t Au, further underscoring the potential to host high-grade mineralisation.
Figure 2. Regional geology with significant gold deposits and South Uchi Project location
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_002full.jpg
About South Uchi Project
The South Uchi Project was first identified and staked by Kenorland based on the under-explored region's prospectivity to host significant gold mineralised systems. The Project covers a portion of Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks, as well as the boundary between the Uchi geological subprovince to the north and the English River geological subprovince to the south. Multiple major east-west striking deformation zones associated with the subprovince boundary transect the Project, resulting in zones of strong shearing and folding of the supracrustal stratigraphy, which are favourable settings for orogenic gold mineralisation. Prior to Kenorland staking the Project, records indicated little to no systematic exploration had been completed, and the land package remained under-explored. The majority of gold deposits in the Red Lake District (Red Lake, Madsen, Hasaga, and others) are located on the northern margin of the Confederation Assemblage. However, recent discoveries such as the LP Fault Zone on the Dixie Project by Great Bear Resources Ltd. (acquired by Kinross Gold and renamed Great Bear Project) highlight the prospectivity of the entire Confederation Assemblage along the southern margin of the Uchi subprovince.
Kenorland announced on December 2, 2024, that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Auranova, granting Auranova the right to earn up to a 70% interest in the Project. Pursuant to the agreement, Auranova may earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by making cash payments totalling $500,000 to Kenorland, completing a diamond drilling program with at least $8,000,000 in qualifying expenditures or completing 15,000 metres of drilling within two years of receiving a drill permit, issuing Kenorland 19.9% of Auranova's common shares, and maintaining Kenorland's 19.9% share position until Auranova raises a minimum of $10,000,000 through share issuances, after which Kenorland's stake will remain at 10% on a pro-rata basis through to the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA").
Kenorland has received the $500,000 in cash payments and currently holds 9,242,267 common shares of Auranova and confirms that Auranova has now earned a 51% ownership interest in the Project (see press release dated July 2, 2025). Further, Auranova may earn an additional 19% interest, for a total of 70%, by incurring an additional $10,000,000 in qualifying expenditures on or before the third anniversary of Auranova's election to proceed with the second option. Kenorland will also retain a 30% carried interest in the Project through to the completion of the PEA, at which point a joint venture will be formed.
Kenorland also holds a 2% net smelter return royalty on the Project (see press release dated September 16, 2024).
Qualified Person
Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824, APEGNB #8348), Vice President of Operations at Kenorland, a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.
About Kenorland Minerals
Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec, which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020, which contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 14.5 Mt at 5.47 g/t Au for 2.55 Moz of gold. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
Zach Flood
President, CEO & Director
For further information, please contact:
Alex Muir, CFA
Corporate Development and Investor Relations Manager
Tel +1 604 568 6005
info@kenorlandminerals.com
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288907
FAQ**
Here are four questions regarding Kenorland Minerals Ltd.'s recent activities and their implications for Vancouver, British Columbia:
1. How might the successful outcomes of Kenorland's drilling program at the South Uchi Project impact local investor interest in resource exploration companies based in Vancouver, such as Northway Resources KLDCF?
2. With Kenorland Minerals moving ahead with a Phase 3 drill program, what potential economic benefits could arise for Vancouver as the project progresses and possibly leads to significant gold mineralization discoveries?
3. How could the partnership dynamics between Kenorland and Auranova Resources, as seen in the South Uchi Project, influence future resource exploration collaborations among Vancouver-based firms like Northway Resources KLDCF?
4. Given Vancouver's strategic role as a hub for mining investment, what trends should investors watch for in the region, particularly in relation to companies like Kenorland Minerals and Northway Resources KLDCF, as they advance their projects?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXVC: KLD:CC).
NASDAQ: KLD:CC
KLD:CC Trading
1.35% G/L:
$0.75 Last:
1,912 Volume:
$0.73 Open:
