{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"167500","rtpr_id":"nNFC3jWz6m-20261013","ticker":"AUOZ","exchange":"","all_tickers":["AUOZ"],"title":"Emperor Expanding High-Grade Zone Potential","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-10-13T12:00:18.890Z","article_body":"Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 13, 2026) - Emperor Metals\nInc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) (\"Emperor\") is pleased to provide\nan update on its 2026 exploration campaign at the Duquesne West Gold Project.\nThe program comprised 20,479m of new drilling and approximately 7,884m of\ntargeted historical unsampled core, generating more than 28,000m of combined\ndrilling data to further refine and expand the resource model.\n\nCEO John Florek commented: \"The visible gold intersected in DQ26-55 is another\nencouraging indication that our geological model is successfully targeting\nhigh-grade mineralization. What makes this intercept particularly compelling\nis its location; approximately 30 metres up-dip from one of the highest-grade\nintercepts drilled to date and just 15 metres east from a historical\nhigh-grade hole. Together, these intersections reinforce the continuity of a\nrobust high-grade system within our conceptual open-pit environment.\"\n\n\"Visible gold continues to provide strong evidence that the Duquesne West\nhydrothermal system was both robust and highly fertile, capable of\nconcentrating significant gold mineralization over a broad area. This latest\noccurrence further supports our belief that opportunities remain to expand our\nresource both within the existing deposit footprint and along the largely\nuntested plunge extensions identified by our regional structural and\nAI-assisted geological models.\"\n\n\"With the next nearest pierce point more than 70 metres up-dip/plunge away,\nthis portion of the deposit remains sparsely drilled, providing substantial\nroom to define additional high-grade mineralization through systematic\nexploration. As we continue drilling and await the final assay results from\nDQ26-55, we believe Duquesne West continues to demonstrate the potential to\nmeaningfully grow the deposit while further validating our strategy of\nreimagining this historic gold system.\"\n\nExploration Significance\n\nVisible gold was intersected in a 20 m zone of pyrite mineralization\napproximately 30 m up-dip, within the conceptual open-pit environment, from\nhole DQ26-20, which previously returned 15.0 m grading 61.0 g/t Au. The new\nintercept is also located approximately 15 m east from a historical Santa Fe\ndrill hole that intersected 16.0 m grading 20.9 g/t Au, further reinforcing\nthe continuity of this high-grade gold zone.\n\nThe nearest up-dip/plunge pierce point is more than 70 m away, highlighting\nthe sparse historical drilling completed within this portion of the deposit.\nThe limited drill density leaves considerable potential to further define and\nexpand this emerging high-grade trend, which demonstrates both exceptional\ngold grades and significant mineralized thickness (see Figure 1).\n\nOn a broader scale, Emperor's regional geological and structural models define\na plunge trend that remains largely untested and unsampled at depth,\nrepresenting a compelling exploration target with significant expansion\npotential (see Figure 2).\n\nThe visible gold intersection was encountered at 398 m downhole (approximately\n351 m vertical depth). Drill hole DQ26-55 was completed on an azimuth of 006°\nwith a -64° dip, reaching a total depth of 525 m. Final assay results are\npending.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_002full.jpg)\n\nImage 1: Visible gold in brecciated mafic volcanics with significant pyrite\nmineralization in DQ26-55 at 398 meters depth.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_002full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: Location of DQ26-55 intercept with visible gold. One of several\nhigh-grade lenses at Duquesne West Gold Project (See location: 1).\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_003full.jpg\n\nEmperor is advancing the Duquesne West Project by targeting high-grade gold\nmineralization hosted within and adjacent to broader envelopes of low-grade\nmineralization. The Property currently hosts an Inferred Mineral Resource\nEstimate (MRE) of 26.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.69 g/t Au,\ncontaining 1.46 million ounces of gold (effective date July 09, 2025). The MRE\nsensitivity analysis demonstrates potential grade optimization scenarios for\nboth higher-grade open-pit and underground conceptual models.\n\nAbout the Duquesne West Gold Project\n\nThe Duquesne West Gold Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, 32\nkm northwest of Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, within the historic Duparquet gold\ncamp. The project hosts a recent inferred mineral resource (see press release\ndated July 9, 2025) and remains open for expansion.\n\nRecent reinterpretation of the geological model, supported by AI and machine\nlearning, highlights additional upside potential by identifying new gold\ntrends and opportunities to expand mineralization along key structural\ncorridors. Emperor holds the right to acquire a 100% interest in the property,\nwhich comprises 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 hectares.\n\nQP Disclosure\n\nThe technical content pertaining to the Duquesne West Project in this news\nrelease has been reviewed and approved by John Labrecque, Vice President of\nEmperor (B.Sc., P.Geol., OQLF), who is recognized as a Qualified Person under\nCIM guidelines and serves as a consultant to Emperor.\n\nAbout Emperor Metals Inc.\n\nEmperor Metals Inc. is a high-grade gold exploration and development junior\nmining company focused on Quebec's Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt,\nleveraging AI-driven exploration techniques. Emperor is dedicated to unlocking\nthe substantial resource potential of the Duquesne West Gold Project and the\nLac Pelletier Project (currently under purchase agreement) both situated in a\nproven mining district.\n\nON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS\n\ns/ \"John Florek\"\n\nJohn Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol\nPresident, CEO and Director\nEmperor Metals Inc.\n\nContact:\n\nJohn Florek\nPresident/CEO\nT: (807) 228-3531\n\nJohn Labrecque\nV.P. Exploration\nT: (613) 286 8168\n\nThe Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the content\nof this press release.\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made\nand information contained herein may constitute \"forward-looking information\"\nand \"forward-looking statements\" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and\nUnited States securities legislation. These statements and information are\nbased on facts currently available to Emperor and there is no assurance that\nthe actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking\nstatements and information may be identified by such terms as \"anticipates,\"\n\"believes,\" \"targets,\" \"estimates,\" \"plans,\" \"expects,\" \"may,\" \"will,\" \"could\"\nor \"would.\"\n\nForward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on\ncertain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation\nof mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve\nestimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future\nexploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of\nfinancing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title\ndisputes and other matters. While Emperor considers its assumptions to be\nreasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information\nare not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue\nimportance on such statements as actual events and results may differ\nmaterially from those described herein. Emperor does not undertake to update\nany forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by\napplicable securities laws.\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/318647","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC3jWz6m-20261013","title":"Emperor Expanding High-Grade Zone Potential","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"AUOZ","created":"2026-10-13T12:00:18.890Z","tickers":["AUOZ"],"exchange":"","article_body":"Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - October 13, 2026) - Emperor Metals\nInc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) (\"Emperor\") is pleased to provide\nan update on its 2026 exploration campaign at the Duquesne West Gold Project.\nThe program comprised 20,479m of new drilling and approximately 7,884m of\ntargeted historical unsampled core, generating more than 28,000m of combined\ndrilling data to further refine and expand the resource model.\n\nCEO John Florek commented: \"The visible gold intersected in DQ26-55 is another\nencouraging indication that our geological model is successfully targeting\nhigh-grade mineralization. What makes this intercept particularly compelling\nis its location; approximately 30 metres up-dip from one of the highest-grade\nintercepts drilled to date and just 15 metres east from a historical\nhigh-grade hole. Together, these intersections reinforce the continuity of a\nrobust high-grade system within our conceptual open-pit environment.\"\n\n\"Visible gold continues to provide strong evidence that the Duquesne West\nhydrothermal system was both robust and highly fertile, capable of\nconcentrating significant gold mineralization over a broad area. This latest\noccurrence further supports our belief that opportunities remain to expand our\nresource both within the existing deposit footprint and along the largely\nuntested plunge extensions identified by our regional structural and\nAI-assisted geological models.\"\n\n\"With the next nearest pierce point more than 70 metres up-dip/plunge away,\nthis portion of the deposit remains sparsely drilled, providing substantial\nroom to define additional high-grade mineralization through systematic\nexploration. As we continue drilling and await the final assay results from\nDQ26-55, we believe Duquesne West continues to demonstrate the potential to\nmeaningfully grow the deposit while further validating our strategy of\nreimagining this historic gold system.\"\n\nExploration Significance\n\nVisible gold was intersected in a 20 m zone of pyrite mineralization\napproximately 30 m up-dip, within the conceptual open-pit environment, from\nhole DQ26-20, which previously returned 15.0 m grading 61.0 g/t Au. The new\nintercept is also located approximately 15 m east from a historical Santa Fe\ndrill hole that intersected 16.0 m grading 20.9 g/t Au, further reinforcing\nthe continuity of this high-grade gold zone.\n\nThe nearest up-dip/plunge pierce point is more than 70 m away, highlighting\nthe sparse historical drilling completed within this portion of the deposit.\nThe limited drill density leaves considerable potential to further define and\nexpand this emerging high-grade trend, which demonstrates both exceptional\ngold grades and significant mineralized thickness (see Figure 1).\n\nOn a broader scale, Emperor's regional geological and structural models define\na plunge trend that remains largely untested and unsampled at depth,\nrepresenting a compelling exploration target with significant expansion\npotential (see Figure 2).\n\nThe visible gold intersection was encountered at 398 m downhole (approximately\n351 m vertical depth). Drill hole DQ26-55 was completed on an azimuth of 006°\nwith a -64° dip, reaching a total depth of 525 m. Final assay results are\npending.\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_002full.jpg)\n\nImage 1: Visible gold in brecciated mafic volcanics with significant pyrite\nmineralization in DQ26-55 at 398 meters depth.\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_002full.jpg\n\n(https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_003full.jpg)\n\nFigure 1: Location of DQ26-55 intercept with visible gold. One of several\nhigh-grade lenses at Duquesne West Gold Project (See location: 1).\n\nTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:\nhttps://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/318647_a250257cd4867b37_003full.jpg\n\nEmperor is advancing the Duquesne West Project by targeting high-grade gold\nmineralization hosted within and adjacent to broader envelopes of low-grade\nmineralization. The Property currently hosts an Inferred Mineral Resource\nEstimate (MRE) of 26.9 million tonnes at an average grade of 1.69 g/t Au,\ncontaining 1.46 million ounces of gold (effective date July 09, 2025). The MRE\nsensitivity analysis demonstrates potential grade optimization scenarios for\nboth higher-grade open-pit and underground conceptual models.\n\nAbout the Duquesne West Gold Project\n\nThe Duquesne West Gold Project is located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, 32\nkm northwest of Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, within the historic Duparquet gold\ncamp. The project hosts a recent inferred mineral resource (see press release\ndated July 9, 2025) and remains open for expansion.\n\nRecent reinterpretation of the geological model, supported by AI and machine\nlearning, highlights additional upside potential by identifying new gold\ntrends and opportunities to expand mineralization along key structural\ncorridors. Emperor holds the right to acquire a 100% interest in the property,\nwhich comprises 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 hectares.\n\nQP Disclosure\n\nThe technical content pertaining to the Duquesne West Project in this news\nrelease has been reviewed and approved by John Labrecque, Vice President of\nEmperor (B.Sc., P.Geol., OQLF), who is recognized as a Qualified Person under\nCIM guidelines and serves as a consultant to Emperor.\n\nAbout Emperor Metals Inc.\n\nEmperor Metals Inc. is a high-grade gold exploration and development junior\nmining company focused on Quebec's Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt,\nleveraging AI-driven exploration techniques. Emperor is dedicated to unlocking\nthe substantial resource potential of the Duquesne West Gold Project and the\nLac Pelletier Project (currently under purchase agreement) both situated in a\nproven mining district.\n\nON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS\n\ns/ \"John Florek\"\n\nJohn Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol\nPresident, CEO and Director\nEmperor Metals Inc.\n\nContact:\n\nJohn Florek\nPresident/CEO\nT: (807) 228-3531\n\nJohn Labrecque\nV.P. Exploration\nT: (613) 286 8168\n\nThe Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the content\nof this press release.\n\nCautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements made\nand information contained herein may constitute \"forward-looking information\"\nand \"forward-looking statements\" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and\nUnited States securities legislation. These statements and information are\nbased on facts currently available to Emperor and there is no assurance that\nthe actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-looking\nstatements and information may be identified by such terms as \"anticipates,\"\n\"believes,\" \"targets,\" \"estimates,\" \"plans,\" \"expects,\" \"may,\" \"will,\" \"could\"\nor \"would.\"\n\nForward-looking statements and information contained herein are based on\ncertain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation\nof mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve\nestimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future\nexploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of\nfinancing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title\ndisputes and other matters. While Emperor considers its assumptions to be\nreasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information\nare not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue\nimportance on such statements as actual events and results may differ\nmaterially from those described herein. Emperor does not undertake to update\nany forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by\napplicable securities laws.\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/318647"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-10-13T12:00:18.938247699Z","server_sent_at_ms":1791892818938},"received_at":"2026-10-13T12:00:18.990Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/318647"},"analysis":{"id":"155797","press_release_id":"167500","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":["final assays for DQ26-55 pending — visible gold does not yet confirm grades","inferred-only resource; grades and tonnes not yet in measured/indicated categories"],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Emperor Metals intersected visible gold in drill hole DQ26-55 at its Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt.\n\nThe intercept sits roughly 30 m up-dip from hole DQ26-20 (15.0 m @ 61.0 g/t Au) and about 15 m east of a historical hole grading 16.0 m @ 20.9 g/t Au, which management says reinforces continuity of a high-grade zone within the conceptual open-pit environment.\n\nFinal assays from DQ26-55 are pending; the 2026 campaign has generated over 28,000 m of combined drilling data against an inferred resource of 26.9 Mt @ 1.69 g/t Au (1.46 Moz).","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"Visible gold near 61 g/t intercept at Duquesne West — watch for final assays as the real catalyst."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"dq26_55_depth":"398 m downhole (~351 m vertical), hole completed to 525 m total depth","drilling_meters":"20,479 m new drilling plus ~7,884 m historical unsampled core (>28,000 m combined)","inferred_resource":"26.9 Mt @ 1.69 g/t Au containing 1.46 Moz gold (effective July 9, 2025)","nearby_grade_intercepts":"DQ26-20: 15.0 m @ 61.0 g/t Au; historical Santa Fe hole: 16.0 m @ 20.9 g/t Au","dollar_figure_never_present":null}},"quotedText":"Together, these intersections reinforce the continuity of a robust high-grade system within our conceptual open-pit environment.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"John Florek","role":"President, CEO and Director"},{"name":"John Labrecque","role":"V.P. Exploration / Qualified Person"}],"products":["Duquesne West Gold Project","Lac Pelletier Project"],"companies":[{"name":"Emperor Metals Inc.","ticker":"AUOZ","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Santa Fe","relationship":"historical operator of Duquesne West drilling"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Exploration update from a junior miner: visible gold in hole DQ26-55 supports continuity of high-grade mineralization, but final assays are pending and no resource update was released. Encouraging but pre-catalyst and not yet quantifiable."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"EMAUF","relevance":"OTCQB listing of the filer"},{"ticker":"9NH","relevance":"Frankfurt listing of the filer"}],"primary":"AUOZ"},"globalImportance":18,"audienceRelevance":15,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap junior miner","eventGravity":"exploration update, assays pending","sectorWeight":"gold exploration newsflow, retail-adjacent"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Emperor Metals intersected visible gold in drill hole DQ26-55 at its Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt.\n\nThe intercept sits roughly 30 m up-dip from hole DQ26-20 (15.0 m @ 61.0 g/t Au) and about 15 m east of a historical hole grading 16.0 m @ 20.9 g/t Au, which management says reinforces continuity of a high-grade zone within the conceptual open-pit environment.\n\nFinal assays from DQ26-55 are pending; the 2026 campaign has generated over 28,000 m of combined drilling data against an inferred resource of 26.9 Mt @ 1.69 g/t Au (1.46 Moz).","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"dq26_55_depth":"398 m downhole (~351 m vertical), hole completed to 525 m total depth","drilling_meters":"20,479 m new drilling plus ~7,884 m historical unsampled core (>28,000 m combined)","inferred_resource":"26.9 Mt @ 1.69 g/t Au containing 1.46 Moz gold (effective July 9, 2025)","nearby_grade_intercepts":"DQ26-20: 15.0 m @ 61.0 g/t Au; historical Santa Fe hole: 16.0 m @ 20.9 g/t Au","dollar_figure_never_present":null}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"John Florek","role":"President, CEO and Director"},{"name":"John Labrecque","role":"V.P. Exploration / Qualified Person"}],"products":["Duquesne West Gold Project","Lac Pelletier Project"],"companies":[{"name":"Emperor Metals Inc.","ticker":"AUOZ","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"Santa Fe","relationship":"historical operator of Duquesne West drilling"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flashx","prompt_hash":"sha256:5c812bd9e28b810d","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-10-13T12:00:42.446Z","global_importance":18,"audience_relevance":15,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"micro-cap junior miner","eventGravity":"exploration update, assays pending","sectorWeight":"gold exploration newsflow, retail-adjacent"}},"durationMs":6748,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flashx"}}