{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"142222","rtpr_id":"nNFC959b9n-20260914","ticker":"BIG","exchange":"","all_tickers":["BIG"],"title":"Hercules Metals Identifies Evidence for a New Porphyry Center at the Hook Target","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-09-14T10:31:24.067Z","article_body":"Reconnaissance Drill Hole HER-26-03 Intersects Intense Phyllic Alteration,\nConsistent with the Margins of a New Porphyry System, at the Edge of a\n1.8-Kilometer Chargeability Anomaly\n*\nReconnaissance Hole Tests Edge of Anomaly: Drilling from the nearest existing\nroad, approximately 400 meters west of the newly identified Hook chargeability\nanomaly, successfully intersected strong quartz-sericite-pyrite (\"phyllic\")\nalteration, consistent with the margins of a potential nearby porphyry copper\nsystem.\n*\nAdvanced Drill Permitting Underway: The reconnaissance hole was drilled from\nthe nearest location accessible under the Company's existing drill permit and\nwas designed to test for distal porphyry-style alteration near to the target.\nBased on the strength of the alteration encountered, the Company has elected\nto proceed with permitting temporary access roads and drill pads to directly\ntest the core of the chargeability anomaly.\n*\nTarget Size: The Hook target comprises an approximately 1.8-kilometer-long IP\nchargeability anomaly, coincident with a previously identified conductivity\nanomaly from the Company's district-scale 2025 MT survey.\n*\nHigh-Strength Core: The highest-intensity portion of the Hook target extends\nfor approximately 500 meters and ranges from approximately 20-40 mV/V,\nrepresenting the strongest chargeability response associated with Triassic\nrocks identified on the Property since the 2023 IP survey that led to the\ndiscovery of the Leviathan porphyry copper system.\n*\nNear Surface: The high-strength core of the anomaly is modelled to begin\nwithin approximately 100 meters of surface, which is where the next phase of\ndrill permitting will focus. In addition, Triassic-age host rocks are mapped\nat the surface across the Hook target area.\n*\nFavourable Host Rock: In addition to quartz-sericite-pyrite, distal skarn\nalteration was encountered within favourable calcareous host rocks in the\nhole. The presence of skarn alteration is encouraging, as these host rocks are\ngenerally conducive to strong mineralization near their porphyry source.\n\nToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2026) - Hercules Metals\nCorp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (\"Hercules\" or the \"Company\") is pleased\nto announce that HER-26-03 has intersected intense quartz-sericite-pyrite\n(\"phyllic\") and skarn alteration at the newly identified Hook target on its\n100% owned Hercules Property in western Idaho (the \"Property\"). The alteration\nstyle identified at Hook is consistent with the edges of other porphyry copper\nsystems on the Property and aligns with the results of recently completed\ngeophysical surveys, including Hook's large, near-surface chargeability\nanomaly, occurring approximately 3 km east of the Company's Leviathan porphyry\ncopper system.\n\nThe Hook target is centered on a large, near-surface chargeability anomaly,\nhowever the nearest available drill pad under the Company's existing permit\nwas located on an established road approximately 400 meters west of the\nanomaly.\n\nRather than immediately permit new road access to the target, the Company\nelected to first use the existing permitted drill pad to establish geological\nsupport for the target. Core logging of HER-26-03 has now indicated support\nfor advancing such additional permitting and road construction.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_002full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: East-west cross-section (looking north) showing the Leviathan (left)\nand Hook (right) IP chargeability anomalies on the Hercules Property and the\ndrilled location of HER-26-03. Chargeability is clipped to >17 mV/V.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_002full.jpg\n\nHER-26-03 began in relatively unaltered rock outside of the anomaly which\ntransitioned to increasing phyllic alteration, with strong pyrite ranging from\n5-10%, as disseminations and porphyry-style \"D-veins\". Importantly, the\nalteration appears consistent with the pyrite halo surrounding the Company's\nnearby Leviathan porphyry copper system.\n\nUnlike at the Leviathan target, HER-26-03 did not have to drill through\nyounger post-mineral cover and was drilled entirely within Triassic-age\ngeology, which hosts the Late Triassic porphyry copper mineralization on the\nProperty. The hole intersected volcanic and carbonate-bearing sedimentary\nlithologies consistent with the lower portion of the Triassic stratigraphy\nmapped throughout the Hercules district. This lower stratigraphic sequence\nincludes iron- and carbonate-rich host rocks that are considered favourable\nfor the development of skarn and associated copper mineralization in porphyry\nsystems.\n\nAssays are pending; however, given the distal nature of the intercept within\nthe interpreted pyrite halo, the results are expected to be more useful for\nproviding additional vectoring information toward the system than for\nreturning significant copper-molybdenum intercepts.\n\nDrilling efforts will move northeast toward the high-chargeability core at the\nHook anomaly targeting a potential causative porphyry intrusion, which may\nhost a shell of copper-molybdenum mineralization, akin to that observed at the\nLeviathan porphyry system.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 2: Looking northwest at the new seven-line IP anomaly at Hook, relative\nto the 2023 IP anomaly at Leviathan, highlighting the similar chargeability\nresponse at both targets.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_003full.jpg\n\nGeorge Ogilvie, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: \"The team\nutilized existing road infrastructure to provide an efficient initial test of\nthe newly identified IP/MT geophysical anomaly at Hook, without incurring the\npermitting costs and associated delays that would have been required for new\ndrill access. This initial drill test has provided encouraging geological\nindications of potential porphyry-related alteration, supporting the strategy\nto continue testing the high-strength core of the anomaly along its strike\nextent.\n\nHe continued, \"Looking forward, continued drilling will focus on expanding our\nnear-surface targets, particularly at Leviathan, where more than 30,000 m of\ncombined drilling has tested both the at-surface epithermal silver\nmineralization and the underlying copper porphyry system. In addition, initial\ndrilling in HER-26-03 has upgraded Hook to a particularly compelling\nnear-surface target, supported by geological and geophysical similarities to\nLeviathan. These results warrant an updated plan of operations to facilitate\nthe next phase of follow-up drilling, targeted to commence in 2027.\"\n\nTwo diamond drills are currently active at the Hercules property. Both drills\nare conducting southern step outs (HER-26-05 and HER-26-06) of the Leviathan\nsystem, with a focus on expanding hangingwall and footwall mineralization\nalong strike and to depth, in an area with a gap in drilling between Leviathan\nand Southern Flats.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_004full.jpg)\n\nFigure 3: Compilation map showing the Leviathan and Southern Flats\ndiscoveries, as well as the new Hook and Pegasus targets. An MT conductivity\ndepth slice highlights the broadly conductive target regions, while IP is used\nto define specific high chargeability targets for drill testing.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_004full.jpg\n\nDrill core from Hole HER-26-03 is shown in Exhibit A, at the end of the press\nrelease.\n\nQualified Person\n\nThe scientific and technical information in this press release has been\nreviewed and approved for disclosure by Dillon Hume, P.Geo. and Vice\nPresident, Exploration for the Company. Mr. Hume is a \"Qualified Person\" for\nHercules Metals within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards\nof Disclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nCorporate Update\n\nThe Company also announces that, further to its press releases dated July 30,\n2026 and August 7, 2026, the board of directors of the Company has approved\nthe cancellation of an aggregate of 20,500,000 stock options (the \"Subject\nOptions\") previously granted under the Company's omnibus incentive plan (the\n\"Plan\") to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the\nCompany. The Subject Options consisted of: (i) 18,650,000 options granted on\nJuly 30, 2026 (the \"New Management Grant\"); and (ii) 1,850,000 options granted\non August 7, 2026. At the request of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company\ncancelled the New Management Grant and, by its own election, also cancelled\nthe remaining Subject Options granted in August. Following the cancellation of\nthe Subject Options, the Company will have 5,290,000 stock options and\n2,666,000 restricted share units (\"RSUs\") issued and outstanding under the\nPlan, with 6,985,745 stock options and/or RSUs remaining available for\nissuance after taking into account prior stock option and RSU grants,\ncancellations and expiries since the Plan's inception on June 1, 2022. The\nCompany is considering all available means to alternatively compensate the\ndirectors, officers and consultants who previously held the now cancelled\nSubject Options.\n\nAbout Hercules Metals Corp.\n\nHercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: C0X) is an exploration\nCompany focused on developing America's newest porphyry copper district, in\nIdaho.\n\nThe 100% owned Hercules Project, located northwest of Cambridge, hosts the\nnewly discovered Leviathan porphyry copper system, one of the most important\nnew discoveries in the country to date. The Company is well positioned for\ngrowth through continued drilling, supported by a strategic investment from\nBarrick Mining Corporation.\n\nWith the potential for significant scale, the Company's management and board\nof directors aims to deliver value to shareholders through proven discovery\nsuccess.\n\nFor further information please contact:\n\nGeorge Ogilvie\nPresident & CEO\nTelephone: +1 (416) 723-0458\nEmail: gogilvie@herculesmetals.com\n\nAlison Dwoskin\nVP Investor Relations\nTelephone +1 (647) 233-4348\nEmail: adwoskin@herculesmetals.com\n\nThis press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of\nan offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. Any securities\nreferred to herein have not and will not be registered under the United States\nSecurities Act of 1933, as amended (the \"U.S. Securities Act\") or any state\nsecurities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to\nU.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable\nstate securities laws of an exemption from such registration is available.\n\nCautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information\n\nAll statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or\nincorporated by reference in this press release constitute \"forward-looking\nstatements\" and \"forward-looking information\" (collectively, \"forward-looking\nstatements\") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States\nsecurities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be\nidentified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as \"anticipated\"\n\"assumption\", \"believe\", \"compelling\", \"confidence\", \"developing\",\n\"encouraging\", \"estimate\", \"evidence\", \"expected\", \"exploration\", \"focus\",\n\"forward\", \"future\", \"indications\", \"initial\", \"intended\", \"may\", \"modelled\",\n\"next\", \"pending\", \"plan\", \"potential\", \"progress\", \"projects\", \"target\",\n\"test\", \"vectoring\", and \"will\", or variations of such words, and similar such\nwords, expressions or statements, that certain actions, events, conditions or\nresults \"will,\" \"would,\" \"may,\" \"could\" or \"should\" (or not) be achieved,\noccur, provide, result or support in the future, or which, by their nature,\nrefer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be\nstated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be\ncontinuing, or that may have a future impact or effect.\n\nForward-looking statements in this press release may include, without\nlimitation, statements regarding: planned or other future drilling, the\nCompany's plans to permit temporary access roads and drill pads to test the\ncore of the Hook chargeability anomaly; the expected direction, location and\nfocus of future drilling at the Hook target; the potential for\ncopper-molybdenum mineralization at the Hook target; expectations regarding\nthe timing and results of assays from HER-26-03; the Company's interpretation\nof alteration patterns and their relationship to potential porphyry systems;\nthe Company's consideration of compensation alternatives following\ncancellation of the Subject Options; the potential for scale at the Hercules\nProject; any expansion of near-surface targets; potential for significant\nscale; and the Company's ability to deliver value to shareholders through\ncontinued exploration and discovery; results of exploration including related\ntesting and modelling) and other activities and operations;, and the\nobjectives, strategies and expected financial performance of the Company.\n\nAlthough the Company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this\npress release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those\nforward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking\nstatements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or\nperformance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates,\nexpectations, information and opinions, which are considered reasonable and\nrepresent best judgment based on available facts, as of the issuance of this\npress release. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove\nto be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than\nexpressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The assumptions,\nestimates, expectations and opinions referenced, contained or incorporated by\nreference in this press release which may prove to be incorrect include those\nset forth or referenced in this press release, as well as those stated in the\nCompany's other public disclosure in 2026 including Management's Discussion\nand Analysis (together with the accompanying financial statements) for the\nyear ended December 31, 2025 and the quarters already ended and reported in\n2026 (collectively, the \"2026 Disclosure\"), available on the Company's website\nat www.herculesmetals.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.\nForward-looking statements, by their nature, are inherently subject to\nassumptions, estimates, expectations, opinions, and known and unknown risks,\nuncertainties, contingencies and other factors, which may cause our actual\nresults, level of activity, performance, developments or achievements, or\nother future events, to be materially different from any future results,\nactivity, performance, developments or achievements expressed or implied by\nsuch forward-looking statements. Examples of such assumptions, estimates,\nexpectations, opinions, risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors\ninclude, without limitation, those identified herein as well as associated\nwith general economic conditions; any mineralization at Hook, if present, may\ndiffer materially from that observed at the Leviathan porphyry system; adverse\nindustry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing\nof such approvals; that the Company maintains good relationships with the\ncommunities in which it operates or proposes to operate, future legislative\nand regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to\naccess sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability\nto access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets\nin Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business\nstrategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be\nvalid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned\nwork,; risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade\nand continuity of mineral deposits;, the possibility that results will not be\nconsistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks\nand uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities\nand to the Company, including as set forth in the Company's other 2026\nDisclosure, available on the Company's website at www.herculesmetals.com\nand/or documents filed under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although\nthe Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause\nactual actions, events or results to differ materially from those contained in\nforward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions,\nevents or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.\nForward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the issuance of\nthis press release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company\ndisclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking\nstatements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results\nor otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be\nno assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual\nresults and future events could differ materially from forward-looking\nstatements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on\nforward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements referenced or\ncontained in this press release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary\nStatements as well as the cautionary notes and/or statements in the Company's\nother 2026 Disclosure.\n\nNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.\n\nEXHIBIT A - Core Photos\n500-545 m (1639-1788') - Interpreted distal skarn alteration, with\nsemi-massive pyrite replacement and banding.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_005full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_005full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_006full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_006full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_007full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_007full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_008full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_008full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_009full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_009full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_010full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_010full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_011full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_011full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_012full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_012full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_013full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_013full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_014full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_014full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_015full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_015full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_016full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_016full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_017full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_017full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_018full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_018full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_019full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_019full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_020full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_020full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_021full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_021full.jpg\n\nCore Photos - 597-614 m (1958-2013') - Increasing quartz-sericite-pyrite\n(\"phyllic\") alteration and pyrite-rich D-veining\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_022full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_022full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_023full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_023full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_024full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_024full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_025full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_025full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_026full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_026full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_027full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_027full.jpg\n\nCore Photos - 683-707 m (2241-2320') - Further increasing\nquartz-sericite-pyrite (\"phyllic\") alteration and veining with hydrothermal\nbreccia intervals\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_028full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_028full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_029full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_029full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_030full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_030full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_031full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_031full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_032full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_032full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_033full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_033full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_034full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_034full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_035full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_035full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_036full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_036full.jpg\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314088","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC959b9n-20260914","title":"Hercules Metals Identifies Evidence for a New Porphyry Center at the Hook Target","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"BIG","created":"2026-09-14T10:31:24.067Z","tickers":["BIG"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Reconnaissance Drill Hole HER-26-03 Intersects Intense Phyllic Alteration,\nConsistent with the Margins of a New Porphyry System, at the Edge of a\n1.8-Kilometer Chargeability Anomaly\n*\nReconnaissance Hole Tests Edge of Anomaly: Drilling from the nearest existing\nroad, approximately 400 meters west of the newly identified Hook chargeability\nanomaly, successfully intersected strong quartz-sericite-pyrite (\"phyllic\")\nalteration, consistent with the margins of a potential nearby porphyry copper\nsystem.\n*\nAdvanced Drill Permitting Underway: The reconnaissance hole was drilled from\nthe nearest location accessible under the Company's existing drill permit and\nwas designed to test for distal porphyry-style alteration near to the target.\nBased on the strength of the alteration encountered, the Company has elected\nto proceed with permitting temporary access roads and drill pads to directly\ntest the core of the chargeability anomaly.\n*\nTarget Size: The Hook target comprises an approximately 1.8-kilometer-long IP\nchargeability anomaly, coincident with a previously identified conductivity\nanomaly from the Company's district-scale 2025 MT survey.\n*\nHigh-Strength Core: The highest-intensity portion of the Hook target extends\nfor approximately 500 meters and ranges from approximately 20-40 mV/V,\nrepresenting the strongest chargeability response associated with Triassic\nrocks identified on the Property since the 2023 IP survey that led to the\ndiscovery of the Leviathan porphyry copper system.\n*\nNear Surface: The high-strength core of the anomaly is modelled to begin\nwithin approximately 100 meters of surface, which is where the next phase of\ndrill permitting will focus. In addition, Triassic-age host rocks are mapped\nat the surface across the Hook target area.\n*\nFavourable Host Rock: In addition to quartz-sericite-pyrite, distal skarn\nalteration was encountered within favourable calcareous host rocks in the\nhole. The presence of skarn alteration is encouraging, as these host rocks are\ngenerally conducive to strong mineralization near their porphyry source.\n\nToronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2026) - Hercules Metals\nCorp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (\"Hercules\" or the \"Company\") is pleased\nto announce that HER-26-03 has intersected intense quartz-sericite-pyrite\n(\"phyllic\") and skarn alteration at the newly identified Hook target on its\n100% owned Hercules Property in western Idaho (the \"Property\"). The alteration\nstyle identified at Hook is consistent with the edges of other porphyry copper\nsystems on the Property and aligns with the results of recently completed\ngeophysical surveys, including Hook's large, near-surface chargeability\nanomaly, occurring approximately 3 km east of the Company's Leviathan porphyry\ncopper system.\n\nThe Hook target is centered on a large, near-surface chargeability anomaly,\nhowever the nearest available drill pad under the Company's existing permit\nwas located on an established road approximately 400 meters west of the\nanomaly.\n\nRather than immediately permit new road access to the target, the Company\nelected to first use the existing permitted drill pad to establish geological\nsupport for the target. Core logging of HER-26-03 has now indicated support\nfor advancing such additional permitting and road construction.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_002full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: East-west cross-section (looking north) showing the Leviathan (left)\nand Hook (right) IP chargeability anomalies on the Hercules Property and the\ndrilled location of HER-26-03. Chargeability is clipped to >17 mV/V.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_002full.jpg\n\nHER-26-03 began in relatively unaltered rock outside of the anomaly which\ntransitioned to increasing phyllic alteration, with strong pyrite ranging from\n5-10%, as disseminations and porphyry-style \"D-veins\". Importantly, the\nalteration appears consistent with the pyrite halo surrounding the Company's\nnearby Leviathan porphyry copper system.\n\nUnlike at the Leviathan target, HER-26-03 did not have to drill through\nyounger post-mineral cover and was drilled entirely within Triassic-age\ngeology, which hosts the Late Triassic porphyry copper mineralization on the\nProperty. The hole intersected volcanic and carbonate-bearing sedimentary\nlithologies consistent with the lower portion of the Triassic stratigraphy\nmapped throughout the Hercules district. This lower stratigraphic sequence\nincludes iron- and carbonate-rich host rocks that are considered favourable\nfor the development of skarn and associated copper mineralization in porphyry\nsystems.\n\nAssays are pending; however, given the distal nature of the intercept within\nthe interpreted pyrite halo, the results are expected to be more useful for\nproviding additional vectoring information toward the system than for\nreturning significant copper-molybdenum intercepts.\n\nDrilling efforts will move northeast toward the high-chargeability core at the\nHook anomaly targeting a potential causative porphyry intrusion, which may\nhost a shell of copper-molybdenum mineralization, akin to that observed at the\nLeviathan porphyry system.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 2: Looking northwest at the new seven-line IP anomaly at Hook, relative\nto the 2023 IP anomaly at Leviathan, highlighting the similar chargeability\nresponse at both targets.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_003full.jpg\n\nGeorge Ogilvie, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: \"The team\nutilized existing road infrastructure to provide an efficient initial test of\nthe newly identified IP/MT geophysical anomaly at Hook, without incurring the\npermitting costs and associated delays that would have been required for new\ndrill access. This initial drill test has provided encouraging geological\nindications of potential porphyry-related alteration, supporting the strategy\nto continue testing the high-strength core of the anomaly along its strike\nextent.\n\nHe continued, \"Looking forward, continued drilling will focus on expanding our\nnear-surface targets, particularly at Leviathan, where more than 30,000 m of\ncombined drilling has tested both the at-surface epithermal silver\nmineralization and the underlying copper porphyry system. In addition, initial\ndrilling in HER-26-03 has upgraded Hook to a particularly compelling\nnear-surface target, supported by geological and geophysical similarities to\nLeviathan. These results warrant an updated plan of operations to facilitate\nthe next phase of follow-up drilling, targeted to commence in 2027.\"\n\nTwo diamond drills are currently active at the Hercules property. Both drills\nare conducting southern step outs (HER-26-05 and HER-26-06) of the Leviathan\nsystem, with a focus on expanding hangingwall and footwall mineralization\nalong strike and to depth, in an area with a gap in drilling between Leviathan\nand Southern Flats.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_004full.jpg)\n\nFigure 3: Compilation map showing the Leviathan and Southern Flats\ndiscoveries, as well as the new Hook and Pegasus targets. An MT conductivity\ndepth slice highlights the broadly conductive target regions, while IP is used\nto define specific high chargeability targets for drill testing.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_004full.jpg\n\nDrill core from Hole HER-26-03 is shown in Exhibit A, at the end of the press\nrelease.\n\nQualified Person\n\nThe scientific and technical information in this press release has been\nreviewed and approved for disclosure by Dillon Hume, P.Geo. and Vice\nPresident, Exploration for the Company. Mr. Hume is a \"Qualified Person\" for\nHercules Metals within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards\nof Disclosure for Mineral Projects.\n\nCorporate Update\n\nThe Company also announces that, further to its press releases dated July 30,\n2026 and August 7, 2026, the board of directors of the Company has approved\nthe cancellation of an aggregate of 20,500,000 stock options (the \"Subject\nOptions\") previously granted under the Company's omnibus incentive plan (the\n\"Plan\") to certain directors, officers, employees and consultants of the\nCompany. The Subject Options consisted of: (i) 18,650,000 options granted on\nJuly 30, 2026 (the \"New Management Grant\"); and (ii) 1,850,000 options granted\non August 7, 2026. At the request of the TSX Venture Exchange, the Company\ncancelled the New Management Grant and, by its own election, also cancelled\nthe remaining Subject Options granted in August. Following the cancellation of\nthe Subject Options, the Company will have 5,290,000 stock options and\n2,666,000 restricted share units (\"RSUs\") issued and outstanding under the\nPlan, with 6,985,745 stock options and/or RSUs remaining available for\nissuance after taking into account prior stock option and RSU grants,\ncancellations and expiries since the Plan's inception on June 1, 2022. The\nCompany is considering all available means to alternatively compensate the\ndirectors, officers and consultants who previously held the now cancelled\nSubject Options.\n\nAbout Hercules Metals Corp.\n\nHercules Metals Corp. (TSXV: BIG) (OTCQB: BADEF) (FSE: C0X) is an exploration\nCompany focused on developing America's newest porphyry copper district, in\nIdaho.\n\nThe 100% owned Hercules Project, located northwest of Cambridge, hosts the\nnewly discovered Leviathan porphyry copper system, one of the most important\nnew discoveries in the country to date. The Company is well positioned for\ngrowth through continued drilling, supported by a strategic investment from\nBarrick Mining Corporation.\n\nWith the potential for significant scale, the Company's management and board\nof directors aims to deliver value to shareholders through proven discovery\nsuccess.\n\nFor further information please contact:\n\nGeorge Ogilvie\nPresident & CEO\nTelephone: +1 (416) 723-0458\nEmail: gogilvie@herculesmetals.com\n\nAlison Dwoskin\nVP Investor Relations\nTelephone +1 (647) 233-4348\nEmail: adwoskin@herculesmetals.com\n\nThis press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of\nan offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. Any securities\nreferred to herein have not and will not be registered under the United States\nSecurities Act of 1933, as amended (the \"U.S. Securities Act\") or any state\nsecurities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to\nU.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable\nstate securities laws of an exemption from such registration is available.\n\nCautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information\n\nAll statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or\nincorporated by reference in this press release constitute \"forward-looking\nstatements\" and \"forward-looking information\" (collectively, \"forward-looking\nstatements\") within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States\nsecurities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be\nidentified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as \"anticipated\"\n\"assumption\", \"believe\", \"compelling\", \"confidence\", \"developing\",\n\"encouraging\", \"estimate\", \"evidence\", \"expected\", \"exploration\", \"focus\",\n\"forward\", \"future\", \"indications\", \"initial\", \"intended\", \"may\", \"modelled\",\n\"next\", \"pending\", \"plan\", \"potential\", \"progress\", \"projects\", \"target\",\n\"test\", \"vectoring\", and \"will\", or variations of such words, and similar such\nwords, expressions or statements, that certain actions, events, conditions or\nresults \"will,\" \"would,\" \"may,\" \"could\" or \"should\" (or not) be achieved,\noccur, provide, result or support in the future, or which, by their nature,\nrefer to future events. In some cases, forward-looking information may be\nstated in the present tense, such as in respect of current matters that may be\ncontinuing, or that may have a future impact or effect.\n\nForward-looking statements in this press release may include, without\nlimitation, statements regarding: planned or other future drilling, the\nCompany's plans to permit temporary access roads and drill pads to test the\ncore of the Hook chargeability anomaly; the expected direction, location and\nfocus of future drilling at the Hook target; the potential for\ncopper-molybdenum mineralization at the Hook target; expectations regarding\nthe timing and results of assays from HER-26-03; the Company's interpretation\nof alteration patterns and their relationship to potential porphyry systems;\nthe Company's consideration of compensation alternatives following\ncancellation of the Subject Options; the potential for scale at the Hercules\nProject; any expansion of near-surface targets; potential for significant\nscale; and the Company's ability to deliver value to shareholders through\ncontinued exploration and discovery; results of exploration including related\ntesting and modelling) and other activities and operations;, and the\nobjectives, strategies and expected financial performance of the Company.\n\nAlthough the Company believes the forward-looking statements contained in this\npress release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that those\nforward-looking statements will prove to be correct, and any forward-looking\nstatements by the Company are not guarantees of future actions, results or\nperformance. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions, estimates,\nexpectations, information and opinions, which are considered reasonable and\nrepresent best judgment based on available facts, as of the issuance of this\npress release. If such assumptions, estimates, expectations and opinions prove\nto be incorrect, actual and future results may be materially different than\nexpressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. The assumptions,\nestimates, expectations and opinions referenced, contained or incorporated by\nreference in this press release which may prove to be incorrect include those\nset forth or referenced in this press release, as well as those stated in the\nCompany's other public disclosure in 2026 including Management's Discussion\nand Analysis (together with the accompanying financial statements) for the\nyear ended December 31, 2025 and the quarters already ended and reported in\n2026 (collectively, the \"2026 Disclosure\"), available on the Company's website\nat www.herculesmetals.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.\nForward-looking statements, by their nature, are inherently subject to\nassumptions, estimates, expectations, opinions, and known and unknown risks,\nuncertainties, contingencies and other factors, which may cause our actual\nresults, level of activity, performance, developments or achievements, or\nother future events, to be materially different from any future results,\nactivity, performance, developments or achievements expressed or implied by\nsuch forward-looking statements. Examples of such assumptions, estimates,\nexpectations, opinions, risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors\ninclude, without limitation, those identified herein as well as associated\nwith general economic conditions; any mineralization at Hook, if present, may\ndiffer materially from that observed at the Leviathan porphyry system; adverse\nindustry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing\nof such approvals; that the Company maintains good relationships with the\ncommunities in which it operates or proposes to operate, future legislative\nand regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to\naccess sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability\nto access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets\nin Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business\nstrategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be\nvalid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned\nwork,; risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade\nand continuity of mineral deposits;, the possibility that results will not be\nconsistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks\nand uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities\nand to the Company, including as set forth in the Company's other 2026\nDisclosure, available on the Company's website at www.herculesmetals.com\nand/or documents filed under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Although\nthe Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause\nactual actions, events or results to differ materially from those contained in\nforward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions,\nevents or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.\nForward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the issuance of\nthis press release (or as otherwise expressly specified) and the Company\ndisclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking\nstatements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results\nor otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. There can be\nno assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual\nresults and future events could differ materially from forward-looking\nstatements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on\nforward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements referenced or\ncontained in this press release are expressly qualified by these Cautionary\nStatements as well as the cautionary notes and/or statements in the Company's\nother 2026 Disclosure.\n\nNeither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that\nterm is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts\nresponsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.\n\nEXHIBIT A - Core Photos\n500-545 m (1639-1788') - Interpreted distal skarn alteration, with\nsemi-massive pyrite replacement and banding.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_005full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_005full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_006full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_006full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_007full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_007full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_008full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_008full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_009full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_009full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_010full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_010full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_011full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_011full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_012full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_012full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_013full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_013full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_014full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_014full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_015full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_015full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_016full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_016full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_017full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_017full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_018full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_018full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_019full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_019full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_020full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_020full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_021full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_021full.jpg\n\nCore Photos - 597-614 m (1958-2013') - Increasing quartz-sericite-pyrite\n(\"phyllic\") alteration and pyrite-rich D-veining\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_022full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_022full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_023full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_023full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_024full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_024full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_025full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_025full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_026full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_026full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_027full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_027full.jpg\n\nCore Photos - 683-707 m (2241-2320') - Further increasing\nquartz-sericite-pyrite (\"phyllic\") alteration and veining with hydrothermal\nbreccia intervals\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_028full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_028full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_029full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_029full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_030full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_030full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_031full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_031full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_032full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_032full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_033full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_033full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_034full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_034full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_035full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_035full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_036full.jpg)\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9425/314088_b50f765e74312ade_036full.jpg\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314088"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-09-14T10:31:24.12050873Z","server_sent_at_ms":1789381884120},"received_at":"2026-09-14T10:31:24.282Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314088"},"analysis":{"id":"131057","press_release_id":"142222","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":["Assays pending for HER-26-03 — no copper grades or mineralization confirmed at Hook; evidence is alteration- and geophysics-only","TSX Venture Exchange requested cancellation of the 18,650,000-option 'New Management Grant' — compensation governance scrutiny","Company 'considering all available means' to alternatively compensate holders of the cancelled options — potential future comp cost or dilution","Follow-up drilling at Hook targeted for 2027 and contingent on new permitting (plan of operations, access roads/pads)"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Hercules Metals' reconnaissance hole HER-26-03 intersected intense quartz-sericite-pyrite and skarn alteration at the newly identified Hook target on its 100%-owned Hercules Property in western Idaho — evidence consistent with the margins of a potential second porphyry copper system roughly 3 km east of the Leviathan discovery.\n\nThe Hook target is a 1.8-kilometer-long IP chargeability anomaly with a roughly 500-meter high-strength core (20-40 mV/V) modelled to begin within about 100 meters of surface — the strongest chargeability response in Triassic rocks since the 2023 survey that led to the Leviathan discovery.\n\nAssays from HER-26-03 are pending and are expected to aid vectoring rather than return significant copper-molybdenum intercepts; the company will permit access roads to drill the anomaly core, with follow-up drilling targeted for 2027, while two drills remain active on Leviathan step-outs.\n\nSeparately, the board cancelled 20,500,000 stock options — an 18.65 million-option grant the TSX Venture Exchange asked be cancelled plus 1.85 million August options — leaving 5,290,000 options and 2,666,000 RSUs outstanding under the incentive plan.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"A second porphyry candidate may be emerging next to Leviathan in Idaho, but the evidence is alteration-only with assays pending and follow-up drilling not until 2027."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"pyrite_pct_range":"5-10%","rsus_outstanding":2666000,"options_cancelled":20500000,"chargeability_range":"20-40 mV/V","high_strength_core_m":500,"active_diamond_drills":2,"depth_to_core_start_m":100,"hook_anomaly_length_km":1.8,"distance_from_leviathan_km":3,"options_cancelled_july_grant":18650000,"leviathan_combined_drilling_m":">30,000 m","options_cancelled_august_grant":1850000,"drill_pad_offset_from_anomaly_m":400,"options_rsus_available_for_issuance":6985745,"options_outstanding_post_cancellation":5290000}},"quotedText":"This initial drill test has provided encouraging geological\nindications of potential porphyry-related alteration, supporting the strategy\nto continue testing the high-strength core of the anomaly along its strike\nextent.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"George Ogilvie","role":"President and CEO"},{"name":"Dillon Hume","role":"Vice President, Exploration; Qualified Person (P.Geo)"},{"name":"Alison Dwoskin","role":"VP Investor Relations"}],"products":["Hercules Property","Leviathan porphyry copper system","Hook target","Southern Flats","Pegasus target"],"companies":[{"name":"Hercules Metals Corp.","ticker":"BIG","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Barrick Mining Corporation","relationship":"strategic investor"},{"name":"TSX Venture Exchange","relationship":"exchange/regulator (requested cancellation of New Management Grant)"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Encouraging but early-stage exploration evidence (phyllic/skarn alteration, no assays, no confirmed mineralization) for a possible second porphyry center near Leviathan. The concurrent exchange-requested cancellation of 20.5M stock options is minor governance housekeeping; neither item is market-moving."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"BADEF","relevance":"same issuer — OTCQB listing"},{"ticker":"C0X","relevance":"same issuer — Frankfurt (FSE) listing"}],"primary":"BIG"},"globalImportance":20,"audienceRelevance":18,"eventTypeSecondary":["other"],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap TSXV junior explorer","eventGravity":"early-stage alteration intercept; no assays or mineralization confirmed","sectorWeight":"copper exploration — moderate sector interest","issuerAuthored":true,"governanceFactor":"exchange-requested cancellation of 20.5M-option management grant","strategicBackerBoost":"Barrick Mining strategic investment adds credibility"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":["other"],"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Hercules Metals' reconnaissance hole HER-26-03 intersected intense quartz-sericite-pyrite and skarn alteration at the newly identified Hook target on its 100%-owned Hercules Property in western Idaho — evidence consistent with the margins of a potential second porphyry copper system roughly 3 km east of the Leviathan discovery.\n\nThe Hook target is a 1.8-kilometer-long IP chargeability anomaly with a roughly 500-meter high-strength core (20-40 mV/V) modelled to begin within about 100 meters of surface — the strongest chargeability response in Triassic rocks since the 2023 survey that led to the Leviathan discovery.\n\nAssays from HER-26-03 are pending and are expected to aid vectoring rather than return significant copper-molybdenum intercepts; the company will permit access roads to drill the anomaly core, with follow-up drilling targeted for 2027, while two drills remain active on Leviathan step-outs.\n\nSeparately, the board cancelled 20,500,000 stock options — an 18.65 million-option grant the TSX Venture Exchange asked be cancelled plus 1.85 million August options — leaving 5,290,000 options and 2,666,000 RSUs outstanding under the incentive plan.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"pyrite_pct_range":"5-10%","rsus_outstanding":2666000,"options_cancelled":20500000,"chargeability_range":"20-40 mV/V","high_strength_core_m":500,"active_diamond_drills":2,"depth_to_core_start_m":100,"hook_anomaly_length_km":1.8,"distance_from_leviathan_km":3,"options_cancelled_july_grant":18650000,"leviathan_combined_drilling_m":">30,000 m","options_cancelled_august_grant":1850000,"drill_pad_offset_from_anomaly_m":400,"options_rsus_available_for_issuance":6985745,"options_outstanding_post_cancellation":5290000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"George Ogilvie","role":"President and CEO"},{"name":"Dillon Hume","role":"Vice President, Exploration; Qualified Person (P.Geo)"},{"name":"Alison Dwoskin","role":"VP Investor Relations"}],"products":["Hercules Property","Leviathan porphyry copper system","Hook target","Southern Flats","Pegasus target"],"companies":[{"name":"Hercules Metals Corp.","ticker":"BIG","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Barrick Mining Corporation","relationship":"strategic investor"},{"name":"TSX Venture Exchange","relationship":"exchange/regulator (requested cancellation of New Management Grant)"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flash","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-09-14T10:32:23.380Z","global_importance":20,"audience_relevance":18,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap TSXV junior explorer","eventGravity":"early-stage alteration intercept; no assays or mineralization confirmed","sectorWeight":"copper exploration — moderate sector interest","issuerAuthored":true,"governanceFactor":"exchange-requested cancellation of 20.5M-option management grant","strategicBackerBoost":"Barrick Mining strategic investment adds credibility"}},"durationMs":59088,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flash"}}