{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"45044","rtpr_id":"nPn2P0THYa","ticker":"CTGO","exchange":"NYSE American","all_tickers":["CTGO"],"title":"Contango Commences 40,000-meter 2026 Drill Program at the Kitsault Valley Silver-Gold Project","author":"PR Newswire","published_at":"2026-05-26T12:00:28.403Z","article_body":"Contango Commences 40,000-meter 2026 Drill Program at the Kitsault Valley Silver-Gold Project\n\nPR Newswire\n\nFAIRBANKS, Alaska, May 26, 2026\n\nFAIRBANKS, Alaska, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Contango Silver & Gold Inc.\n(\"Contango\" or the \"Company\") (NYSE American: CTGO) (TSX: CTGO) is pleased to\nannounce the start of the 2026 Kitsault Valley surface drill program. Three\ndiamond drills are currently active, focused on infill and resource expansion\non the Torbrit and North Star deposits, with two more drills expected to come\nonline in the next week.\n\nThe 2026 drill program will consist of approximately 40,000 meters (\"m\") of\ndrilling largely focused on infill and resource expansion at the Dolly Varden\ndeposits (Torbrit, North Star, and Dolly Varden), the Wolf deposit, and the\nHomestake Ridge deposits (Homestake Main and Homestake Silver). Drilling will\nsupport a new resource update along with a preliminary economic study expected\nto be completed in H1 2027 (Initial Assessment \"IA\" – under US reporting\nstandards).  Approximately 10,000 m of the planned program will be aimed at\nexploration holes in the Kitsault Valley and other areas of the extensive land\npackage located in the highly prospective Golden Triangle of British Columbia.\n \n\nRob van Egmond, the Company's VP Exploration – Canada, stated \"It's exciting\nto get back drilling at the Kitsault Valley for another drilling season. The\nfocus of this year's drill program is resource and infill holes which will\nsupport economic studies required to move these deposits from the exploration\nstage and into development stage. Drilling will initially focus on the Dolly\nVarden deposits (Torbrit and North Star) and Wolf deposits before moving north\nto finish the season out at the Homestake Ridge deposits. In addition to\ndrilling, the Company will also focus efforts on environmental baseline\nstudies, permitting, camp and infrastructure upgrades, metallurgical and\nhydrological studies.\"\n\nMr. van Egmond continued, \"With the exciting new discovery of Torbrit style\nmineralization at Wolf towards the end of the 2025 season, we are eager to get\nback there to test the continuity of this unique style of mineralization.\nDrill hole DV25-470 intersected 518 g/t Ag, 0.19% Pb and 0.34% Zn over 0.52\nmeters, within a wider zone of mineralization and wall rock alteration grading\n66 g/t Ag, 0.12% Pb and 0.19% Zn over 12.45 meters, including the presence of\nnative silver. This intersection opens a very exciting kilometer scale area\nfor further testing the extension of Torbrit style mineralization at Wolf.\"\n\n(https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987348/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.html)\n\nQUALIFIED PERSONS\n\nRob van Egmond, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration - Canada for Contango, the\n\"Qualified Person\" as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the\nscientific and technical information contained in this news release.  Rob van\nEgmond, P.Geo. is not independent of the Company in accordance with NI 43-101.\n\nABOUT CONTANGO\n\nContango is a NYSE American and TSX listed company that engages in the\nexploration for and development and production of gold and associated minerals\nin Alaska and in the Golden Triangle in British Columbia. Contango holds a 30%\ninterest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately 675,000 acres of land\nfor exploration and development on the Manh Choh project, with the remaining\n70% owned by KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross Gold\nCorporation, operator of the Peak Gold JV. The Company and its subsidiaries\nalso have (i) a lease on the Johnson Tract project, which consists of mineral\nrights to approximately 21,000 acres located near tidewater, 125 miles\nsouthwest of Anchorage, Alaska, from the underlying owner, CIRI, (ii) a lease\non the Lucky Shot project, which consists of mineral rights to approximately\n8,600 acres of State of Alaska and patented mining claims located in the\nWillow Mining District about 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, from the\nunderlying owner, Alaska Hardrock Inc., (iii) mineral rights to approximately\n145,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims, and (iv) mineral rights to\napproximately 11,700 acres of State of Alaska mining claims and upland mining\nleases, all of which give Contango the exclusive right to explore and develop\nminerals on these lands, (v) mineral tenures of approximately 247,000 acres\n(100,000 ha) located in and around the Kitsault Valley in the Golden Triangle\nof northwest British Columbia.\n\nAdditional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4696032-1&h=3902349083&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.contangoore.com%2F&a=www.contangoore.com)\n.\n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking\nstatements within the meaning of applicable securities (\"Forward-looking\nStatements\"). These include statements regarding Contango's plans and\nexpectations for its properties and operations, the content within future\nannual filings, operations in respect of Contango mineral properties and any\nbenefits of investment in Contango. The Forward-looking Statements regarding\nContango are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for \"forward-looking\nstatements\" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,\nbased on Contango's current expectations and includes statements regarding\nfuture results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the\nassumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs,\nplans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events\nor performance (often, but not always, using words such as \"expects\",\n\"projects\", \"anticipates\", \"plans\", \"estimates\", \"intends\", \"believes\",\n\"ensures\", \"forecasts\", \"predicts\", \"proposes\", \"contemplates\", \"aims\",\n\"seeks\", \"continues\", \"potential\", \"positioned\", \"strategy\", \"outlook\",\n\"future\", \"going forward\", \"designed to\", and similar expressions or other\nwords of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, or stating that certain\nactions, events or results \"may\", \"might\", \"will\", \"should\", \"would\", or\n\"could\" be taken, or that they are \"possible\", \"probable\", or \"likely\" to\noccur or be achieved). However, the absence of these words does not mean that\nthe statements are not forward-looking. Forward-looking Statements are based\non current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of\nrisks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially\nfrom those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not\nlimited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example,\noperational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves); risks and\nuncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining\nindustry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future\nproduction, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices,\nincluding prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of\ncommercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the\nPeak Gold JV; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV;\npotential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or\ndevelopment projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of\nexploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key\nemployees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks; risks\nrelated to weather and other natural disasters; uncertainties as to the\navailability and cost of financing; Contango's inability to retain or maintain\nits relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize\nexpected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute\nits plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak\nof disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government\npolicies may change, political developments may occur or governmental\napprovals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of presidential\nand congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining\npermits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect\nContango's operations or financial results are included in Contango's other\nreports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors\nare cautioned that any Forward-looking Statements are not guarantees of future\nperformance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the\nprojections in the Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements are\nbased on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements\nare made. Contango does not assume any obligation to update Forward-looking\nStatements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.\n\n(https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987343/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.html)\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contango-commences-40-000-meter-2026-drill-program-at-the-kitsault-valley-silver-gold-project-302781398.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contango-commences-40-000-meter-2026-drill-program-at-the-kitsault-valley-silver-gold-project-302781398.html)\n\nSOURCE Contango Silver & Gold Inc.\n\n\n\nCONTACTS: Contango Silver & Gold, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, (907) 388-7770, www.contangoore.com\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987348/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.jpg\nhttps://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987343/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.jpg\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved.","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nPn2P0THYa","title":"Contango Commences 40,000-meter 2026 Drill Program at the Kitsault Valley Silver-Gold Project","author":"PR Newswire","ticker":"CTGO","created":"2026-05-26T12:00:28.403Z","tickers":["CTGO"],"exchange":"NYSE American","article_body":"Contango Commences 40,000-meter 2026 Drill Program at the Kitsault Valley Silver-Gold Project\n\nPR Newswire\n\nFAIRBANKS, Alaska, May 26, 2026\n\nFAIRBANKS, Alaska, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Contango Silver & Gold Inc.\n(\"Contango\" or the \"Company\") (NYSE American: CTGO) (TSX: CTGO) is pleased to\nannounce the start of the 2026 Kitsault Valley surface drill program. Three\ndiamond drills are currently active, focused on infill and resource expansion\non the Torbrit and North Star deposits, with two more drills expected to come\nonline in the next week.\n\nThe 2026 drill program will consist of approximately 40,000 meters (\"m\") of\ndrilling largely focused on infill and resource expansion at the Dolly Varden\ndeposits (Torbrit, North Star, and Dolly Varden), the Wolf deposit, and the\nHomestake Ridge deposits (Homestake Main and Homestake Silver). Drilling will\nsupport a new resource update along with a preliminary economic study expected\nto be completed in H1 2027 (Initial Assessment \"IA\" – under US reporting\nstandards).  Approximately 10,000 m of the planned program will be aimed at\nexploration holes in the Kitsault Valley and other areas of the extensive land\npackage located in the highly prospective Golden Triangle of British Columbia.\n \n\nRob van Egmond, the Company's VP Exploration – Canada, stated \"It's exciting\nto get back drilling at the Kitsault Valley for another drilling season. The\nfocus of this year's drill program is resource and infill holes which will\nsupport economic studies required to move these deposits from the exploration\nstage and into development stage. Drilling will initially focus on the Dolly\nVarden deposits (Torbrit and North Star) and Wolf deposits before moving north\nto finish the season out at the Homestake Ridge deposits. In addition to\ndrilling, the Company will also focus efforts on environmental baseline\nstudies, permitting, camp and infrastructure upgrades, metallurgical and\nhydrological studies.\"\n\nMr. van Egmond continued, \"With the exciting new discovery of Torbrit style\nmineralization at Wolf towards the end of the 2025 season, we are eager to get\nback there to test the continuity of this unique style of mineralization.\nDrill hole DV25-470 intersected 518 g/t Ag, 0.19% Pb and 0.34% Zn over 0.52\nmeters, within a wider zone of mineralization and wall rock alteration grading\n66 g/t Ag, 0.12% Pb and 0.19% Zn over 12.45 meters, including the presence of\nnative silver. This intersection opens a very exciting kilometer scale area\nfor further testing the extension of Torbrit style mineralization at Wolf.\"\n\n(https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987348/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.html)\n\nQUALIFIED PERSONS\n\nRob van Egmond, P.Geo., Vice-President Exploration - Canada for Contango, the\n\"Qualified Person\" as defined by NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the\nscientific and technical information contained in this news release.  Rob van\nEgmond, P.Geo. is not independent of the Company in accordance with NI 43-101.\n\nABOUT CONTANGO\n\nContango is a NYSE American and TSX listed company that engages in the\nexploration for and development and production of gold and associated minerals\nin Alaska and in the Golden Triangle in British Columbia. Contango holds a 30%\ninterest in the Peak Gold JV, which leases approximately 675,000 acres of land\nfor exploration and development on the Manh Choh project, with the remaining\n70% owned by KG Mining (Alaska), Inc., an indirect subsidiary of Kinross Gold\nCorporation, operator of the Peak Gold JV. The Company and its subsidiaries\nalso have (i) a lease on the Johnson Tract project, which consists of mineral\nrights to approximately 21,000 acres located near tidewater, 125 miles\nsouthwest of Anchorage, Alaska, from the underlying owner, CIRI, (ii) a lease\non the Lucky Shot project, which consists of mineral rights to approximately\n8,600 acres of State of Alaska and patented mining claims located in the\nWillow Mining District about 75 miles north of Anchorage, Alaska, from the\nunderlying owner, Alaska Hardrock Inc., (iii) mineral rights to approximately\n145,000 acres of State of Alaska mining claims, and (iv) mineral rights to\napproximately 11,700 acres of State of Alaska mining claims and upland mining\nleases, all of which give Contango the exclusive right to explore and develop\nminerals on these lands, (v) mineral tenures of approximately 247,000 acres\n(100,000 ha) located in and around the Kitsault Valley in the Golden Triangle\nof northwest British Columbia.\n\nAdditional information can be found on our web page at www.contangoore.com\n(https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=4696032-1&h=3902349083&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.contangoore.com%2F&a=www.contangoore.com)\n.\n\nFORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS\n\nThis press release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking\nstatements within the meaning of applicable securities (\"Forward-looking\nStatements\"). These include statements regarding Contango's plans and\nexpectations for its properties and operations, the content within future\nannual filings, operations in respect of Contango mineral properties and any\nbenefits of investment in Contango. The Forward-looking Statements regarding\nContango are intended to be covered by the safe harbor for \"forward-looking\nstatements\" provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995,\nbased on Contango's current expectations and includes statements regarding\nfuture results of operations, quality and nature of the asset base, the\nassumptions upon which estimates are based and other expectations, beliefs,\nplans, objectives, assumptions, strategies or statements about future events\nor performance (often, but not always, using words such as \"expects\",\n\"projects\", \"anticipates\", \"plans\", \"estimates\", \"intends\", \"believes\",\n\"ensures\", \"forecasts\", \"predicts\", \"proposes\", \"contemplates\", \"aims\",\n\"seeks\", \"continues\", \"potential\", \"positioned\", \"strategy\", \"outlook\",\n\"future\", \"going forward\", \"designed to\", and similar expressions or other\nwords of similar meaning, and the negatives thereof, or stating that certain\nactions, events or results \"may\", \"might\", \"will\", \"should\", \"would\", or\n\"could\" be taken, or that they are \"possible\", \"probable\", or \"likely\" to\noccur or be achieved). However, the absence of these words does not mean that\nthe statements are not forward-looking. Forward-looking Statements are based\non current expectations, estimates and projections that involve a number of\nrisks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially\nfrom those reflected in the statements. These risks include, but are not\nlimited to: the risks of the exploration and the mining industry (for example,\noperational risks in exploring for and developing mineral reserves); risks and\nuncertainties involving geology; the speculative nature of the mining\nindustry; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to future\nproduction, costs and expenses; the volatility of natural resources prices,\nincluding prices of gold and associated minerals; the existence and extent of\ncommercially exploitable minerals in properties acquired by Contango or the\nPeak Gold JV; ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Peak Gold JV;\npotential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or\ndevelopment projects or capital expenditures; the interpretation of\nexploration results and the estimation of mineral resources; the loss of key\nemployees or consultants; health, safety and environmental risks; risks\nrelated to weather and other natural disasters; uncertainties as to the\navailability and cost of financing; Contango's inability to retain or maintain\nits relative ownership interest in the Peak Gold JV; inability to realize\nexpected value from acquisitions; inability of our management team to execute\nits plans to meet its goals; the extent of disruptions caused by an outbreak\nof disease, such as the COVID-19 pandemic; and the possibility that government\npolicies may change, political developments may occur or governmental\napprovals may be delayed or withheld, including as a result of presidential\nand congressional elections in the U.S. or the inability to obtain mining\npermits. Additional information on these and other factors which could affect\nContango's operations or financial results are included in Contango's other\nreports on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors\nare cautioned that any Forward-looking Statements are not guarantees of future\nperformance and actual results or developments may differ materially from the\nprojections in the Forward-looking Statements. Forward-looking Statements are\nbased on the estimates and opinions of management at the time the statements\nare made. Contango does not assume any obligation to update Forward-looking\nStatements should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions change.\n\n(https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987343/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.html)\n\nView original content to download\nmultimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contango-commences-40-000-meter-2026-drill-program-at-the-kitsault-valley-silver-gold-project-302781398.html\n(https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contango-commences-40-000-meter-2026-drill-program-at-the-kitsault-valley-silver-gold-project-302781398.html)\n\nSOURCE Contango Silver & Gold Inc.\n\n\n\nCONTACTS: Contango Silver & Gold, Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse, (907) 388-7770, www.contangoore.com\n\nPhoto: \nhttps://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987348/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.jpg\nhttps://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2987343/Contango_Silver___Gold_Inc__Contango%C2%A0Commences%C2%A040_000_meter%C2%A02026.jpg\n\nCopyright (c) 2026 PR Newswire Association,LLC. All Rights Reserved."},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-05-26T12:00:28.438521398Z","server_sent_at_ms":1779796828438},"received_at":"2026-05-26T12:00:28.500Z","source_url":"https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contango-commences-40-000-meter-2026-drill-program-at-the-kitsault-valley-silver-gold-project-302781398.html"},"analysis":{"id":"34478","press_release_id":"45044","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Contango Silver & Gold has commenced its 2026 surface drill program at the Kitsault Valley project, targeting approximately 40,000 meters of drilling.\n\nThe program focuses on infill and resource expansion at the Torbrit, North Star, Dolly Varden, Wolf, and Homestake Ridge deposits to support a preliminary economic study expected in H1 2027.\n\nApproximately 10,000 meters are allocated to greenfield exploration, including testing the continuity of high-grade 'Torbrit style' mineralization recently discovered at the Wolf deposit.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":false,"suggestedAngle":"CTGO kicks off 40k-meter drill campaign; watch for H1 2027 PEA and Wolf deposit results."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"peak_gold_acres":675000,"peak_gold_interest":"30%","drill_meters_planned":40000,"exploration_holes_meters":10000}},"quotedText":"The focus of this year's drill program is resource and infill holes which will support economic studies required to move these deposits from the exploration stage and into development stage.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Rob van Egmond","role":"VP Exploration – Canada"},{"name":"Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse","role":"Contact"}],"products":[],"companies":[{"name":"Contango Silver & Gold Inc.","ticker":"CTGO"},{"name":"KG Mining (Alaska), Inc.","relationship":"JV partner"},{"name":"Kinross Gold Corporation","ticker":"KGC","relationship":"JV partner parent"},{"name":"CIRI","relationship":"landowner"},{"name":"Alaska Hardrock Inc.","relationship":"landowner"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"materialImpact":{"score":2,"reasoning":"Routine commencement of an annual drill program. While the 40,000-meter scope is substantial and supports a future PEA, this is standard operational activity for an explorer. No new resource estimate or major discovery is announced in this release."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"KGC","relevance":"JV partner"}],"primary":"CTGO"},"globalImportance":15,"audienceRelevance":10,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"routine_operations","sectorWeight":"commodities","marketCapAdjustment":"low"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":2,"narrative":"Contango Silver & Gold has commenced its 2026 surface drill program at the Kitsault Valley project, targeting approximately 40,000 meters of drilling.\n\nThe program focuses on infill and resource expansion at the Torbrit, North Star, Dolly Varden, Wolf, and Homestake Ridge deposits to support a preliminary economic study expected in H1 2027.\n\nApproximately 10,000 meters are allocated to greenfield exploration, including testing the continuity of high-grade 'Torbrit style' mineralization recently discovered at the Wolf deposit.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"peak_gold_acres":675000,"peak_gold_interest":"30%","drill_meters_planned":40000,"exploration_holes_meters":10000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Rob van Egmond","role":"VP Exploration – Canada"},{"name":"Rick Van Nieuwenhuyse","role":"Contact"}],"products":[],"companies":[{"name":"Contango Silver & Gold Inc.","ticker":"CTGO"},{"name":"KG Mining (Alaska), Inc.","relationship":"JV partner"},{"name":"Kinross Gold Corporation","ticker":"KGC","relationship":"JV partner parent"},{"name":"CIRI","relationship":"landowner"},{"name":"Alaska Hardrock Inc.","relationship":"landowner"}],"dollarAmounts":[]},"model_name":"qwen3_6_27b_awq","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-05-26T12:10:43.866Z","global_importance":15,"audience_relevance":10,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap","eventGravity":"routine_operations","sectorWeight":"commodities","marketCapAdjustment":"low"}},"durationMs":31060,"modelName":"george-droid-qwen-72b"}}