Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 24, 2026) - North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSXV: NAR) (OTCQB: NHAWF) (FSE: 9TB) ("North Arrow" or the "Company") today reports results from 97 surface samples collected in Q2 2026 at the Kraaipan Gold Project ("Kraaipan") in southern Botswana, extending the potential strike length of Target AE to 1,000 m, with outcrop and float samples returning values of up to 27.8 g/t Au at Target AF and 13.5 g/t Au at Target A. The recent surface sampling across the southern portion of the property extended gold-in-rock trends at four key target areas and generated additional targets for follow-up work. The Company has also completed Rotation 3 regional reconnaissance reverse circulation ("RC") drilling, comprising 44 holes totalling 1,639 m, as part of its US$2.3 million 2026 exploration program. The Kraaipan Project is a significantly underexplored, gold-endowed system masked by shallow Kalahari sand cover that represents the direct northern extension of the Archean greenstone terrane, the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt ("KGB"), hosting Harmony Gold's multi-million-ounce Kalgold Mine, 40 km to the south.

Key Highlights

• Potential strike length at Target AE extended to 1,000 m - Anomalous bedrock samples returning up to 0.61 g/t Au were collected approximately 150 m south of previously reported hole KR26-036 (26 m @ 0.59 g/t Au from 1-27 m depth). Together with historical drill intercepts to the south and interpretation of geophysical data to the north, the potential strike length of the target is extended to 1,000 m.

• New gold values at Target AN - Surface samples at Target AN, located 3 km north of Target AE returned a maximum value of 1.67 g/t Au, 500 m along strike and to the north of a 1.33 g/t Au sample collected in 2025.

• Continued significant gold-in-bedrock results for Targets A and AF - outcrop and float samples returned maximum values of 27.8 g/t Au at Target AF and 13.5 g/t Au at Target A, consistent with previously reported surface samples and shallow RC intersections.

• Rotation 3 regional RC drilling completed - 44 regional RC holes were completed for a total of 1,639 m across 10 fences and six target areas. Samples were collected at the base of the Kalahari ("BOK") for overburden geochemistry, together with bedrock samples ("BK") testing prospective geology and geophysical trends. Full assay results are expected in Q3/26.

CEO Commentary

Eira Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of North Arrow, stated: "The value of systematic surface work combined with RC drill testing is allowing us to rapidly identify prospective zones of anomalous gold mineralization at Kraaipan, analogous to the style and tenor of mineralization being actively mined at the multi-million-ounce Kalgold mine, some 40 km to the south, within the same belt. New gold-in-bedrock sampling at Target AE, combined with historic drilling and geophysics, extends the interpreted strike length to approximately one km from the 260 m drilled in Rotation 2, and the target remains open along strike and down dip. Selective outcrop and float samples of up to 27.8 g/t gold at Target AF and 13.5 g/t gold at Target A remain consistent with our shallow RC intersections, and we have added an untested 500 m trend at Target AN and a new target at AQ. Rotation 3 regional drilling is now complete, with 44 holes awaiting assay. Each phase of exploration work at Kraaipan in 2026 has steadily increased our knowledge, allowing us to rank targets across a 60 km long gold belt that has seen very little modern exploration."

Surface Sampling and Prospecting

Figure 1 provides a location map of the sampled Target Zones. Table 1 provides highlights of the surface sample assay values.

Figure 1: Kraaipan Gold Project - Location map of surface sampled Target Zones (white dots) and Rotation 3 RC drill locations (green) in the northern part of the presented view. 

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Table 1 - 2026 Q2 Surface Sample Summary (>0.4 g/t Au)

Target AE

Potential strike extent increased to 1000 m - A total of 18 samples were collected along approximately 1 km long portion of the AE trend to the south and west of the Rotation 2 drilling grid (Figure 2). An anomalous outcrop sample of banded iron formation ("BIF") with discordant and fabric parallel quartz veining (0.61 g/t Au; KR-GS_26-117) was collected approximately 150 m south of RC hole KR26-036 (26 m @ 0.59 g/t Au from 1-27 m depth, please refer to the Company's news release dated July 15, 2026). The sample is positioned 50 m north of an historic RC hole that returned 12 m at 0.3 g/t Au (including 6 m at 0.5 g/t Au; 1998 KRP-070¹) within a similar stratigraphic and alteration package as observed in 2026 Rotation 2 drilling. This extends the current southern strike length of AE by 250 m, remaining open along strike.

The geophysical magnetic high associated with Target AE extends >350 m to the north and along strike of KR26-043 (35 m @ 0.57 g/t from 16 to 51 m depth;please refer to the Company's press release dated July 15, 2026). Additionally, a 2004 VTEM airborne electromatic survey contains an untested 'medium priority conductive anomaly' within BIF², along strike with the magnetic feature. The combination of recent drill results along a 260 m strike length, anomalous gold-in-bedrock samples and historic drill intercepts to the south and the geophysical indicators to the north generates an interpreted strike extent of 1000 m for Target AE (Figure 2). In addition, bedrock sampling has identified a new gold-in-bedrock zone (one surface grab sample of seven samples collected returned a high value of 6.7 g/t Au, previously announced), with a current mapped strike extent of 200 m, situated 15-20 m in the HW and parallel to the main AE target. Additional anomalous gold-in-bedrock samples were collected approximately 200 m to the south and along the interpreted strike of the new zone parallel to AE, which has not been drill tested. Sampling on the southwest portion of Target AE returned gold-in-bedrock results of up to 0.68 g/t Au and warrant follow-up (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Kraaipan Gold Project – Location of Q2 2026 surface rock samples at Target AE with earlier 2026 and 2025 surface rock samples, 2026 RC drilling highlights and historical results. All values in g/t Au unless otherwise stated.

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Target AN

A total of 22 surface samples were collected approximately 3 km to the north of Target AE. The area of interest lies on the western limb of a regional D3 fold along an interpreted NNW trending contact between BIF and a mafic assemblage. A sample of altered BIF returned 1.67 g/t Au and is located 500 m to the north and along strike of a 2025 surface sample that returned a value of 1.33 g/t Au (Figure 3). The 500 m zone of interest has not been drill-tested.

Figure 3: Kraaipan Gold Project – Location of Q2 2026 surface rock samples (white) at Target AN with 2025 surface rock samples (green). All values in g/t Au unless otherwise stated.

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Target AF

A total of 22 samples were collected along 500 m of strike length, including exposed altered BIF and quartz veining at Grid 1, 3, 4 and into the HW of the Target AF. Samples of mineralised BIF at Grid 1 returned values of up to 2.54 g/t Au, samples from Grid 3 returned values of up to 7.77 g/t Au from quartz veins with relict sulphides along vein selvages. At Grid 4 a sample of intensely quartz veined and altered BIF returned a high result of 27.8 g/t Au. The high gold values are consistent with previous surface samples and shallow RC intersections (i.e. Grid 1 KR26-021 3 m @7.21 g/t Au from 16 to 19 m depth, please refer to the Company's press release dated July 15, 2026 (Figure 4).

Target AQ - New Target

Located approximately 300 m to the north and east of Target AF on the western edge of a BIF horizon. Two bedrock samples (KR-GS_26-052/53) of BIF crosscut by NW-SE trending quartz veins with relict sulphide pits along vein selvages returned gold-in-bedrock values of 0.454 and 0.461 g/t Au respectively. Target AQ represents a new gold-in-bedrock trend that could represent a sub-parallel or offset trend to Target AF. This area has not yet been drilled (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Kraaipan Gold Project – Location of Q2 2026 surface rock samples at Target AF and AQ with January 2026 surface rock samples. All values in g/t Au unless otherwise stated. 

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Target A

A total of 13 samples were collected in the vicinity of Grid 1 (Figure 5). A 5.81 g/t Au outcrop sample of quartz veining in metasediment is located 70 m to the south of RC hole KR26-005 that returned 7 m at 1.99 g/t Au from 19-26 m depth, indicating surface expressions of mineralization continue to the south of Grid 1 please refer to the Company's press release dated June 8, 2026. A sample of outcropping altered BIF crosscut by a NW trending quartz vein returned 13.5 g/t Au and is located immediately north of KR26-007 which returned an overburden result of 29 g/t Au.

A total of eight samples returned low Au values from the northern end of Target A (Grid 4) and southern portion of Target AP.

Figure 5: Kraaipan Gold Project – Location of Q2 2026 surface rock samples at Target A and AP with select 2025 surface rock samples, and 2025 and 2026 RC drill holes. All values in g/t Au unless otherwise stated.

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Other Surface Sampling

A total of five samples were collected at Target AJ and seven samples in undefined target areas. These samples returned low values in float and outcrop.

Rotation 3 Regional Reconnaissance RC Drilling

Drilling was completed in two tranches; June 10-19 and July 16-August 3^rd and comprised 44 completed vertical RC holes totaling 1639 m in 10 fences across six target areas (Figure 1). Refer to Appendix A for the full list of RC collar data. RC fences were designed to test favourable geology and geophysical signatures and to determine depth of the Kalahari sand cover, with samples collected from the base of Kalahari overburden and bedrock. Depth to bedrock averaged 31 m with a maximum depth of 45 m. Bedrock intersections are comprised of unaltered BIF and variable altered mafic assemblages. KR26-081, on the western end of transect 8a within Target AM, intersected a 32 m of Kalahari cover and a 2 m interval of altered BIF, with evidence of quartz veining, from 32-34 m depth. Results for the BOK and bedrock samples are anticipated in Q3/2026.

Summary

The Company continues to progress the Kraaipan Project with an integrated approach combining interpretation of existing and new high resolution geophysical data, new surface sampling and RC drilling data. This approach supports the thesis that the under explored region has high potential to host a bulk tonnage, low grade BIF-associated gold deposit analogous to the producing Kalgold Mine of Harmony Gold Mining Company Ltd.

Since Q4 2025, three focused shallow RC programs have identified wide intersections of altered, quartz-veined ferruginous chert and BIF at Target A, AE and AF, each of which warrant follow-up drilling. Recent RC drilling at Target AE, along a strike of 260 m, has select intersections of 27 m @ 1.11 g/t Au and 35 m @ 0.57 g/t Au; new sampling data and incorporation of existing geophysical data has extended the interpreted strike length from 260 m to approximately 1000 m and the target remains open along strike and down dip.

Prospecting and sampling continue to expand known target areas and importantly continue to generate new surface targets for additional mapping, sampling and drilling along an approximately 15 km long prospective corridor. Regional RC reconnaissance drilling of geophysical and prospective geology has proven to be an excellent methodology for rapid sampling under Kalahari cover.

Next Steps

• Rotation 4 drilling is planned to test and confirm the down dip and strike extension of Target AE, planning for this program is underway.

• Surface prospecting and soil sampling will continue across the property. A soil grid is planned for the area south of Target A. Additional prospecting will be conducted south and west of the main Target AE area, Target AN and the north of Target AF.

• R3 regional interpretation will be undertaken when full assay results are received for the BOK and bedrock samples.

• Core Drilling Plan will build on the results at Target AE and ongoing geological interpretation at Target's AF and A.

About the Kraaipan Gold Project

The Kraaipan Project comprises approximately 724 km² of mineral concessions covering the entire ~60 km northern extension of the Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, a highly prospective Archean greenstone terrain straddling the Botswana-South Africa border. Over 80% of the northern portion of the belt is covered by Kalahari overburden, which have seen limited past exploration. The South African portion of the belt hosts numerous mineral occurrences including Harmony Gold's Kalgold mine, a multi-million-ounce, BIF-hosted gold operation located 40 km to the south that has been in continuous production for over 30 years.

North Arrow can earn up to 80% interest in the Kraaipan Project from Rockman Resources through a First Option to earn 60% by investing US$5 million over three years (US$1 million firm commitment achieved), and a Second Option, at Rockman's election, to earn an additional 20% upon completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment. North Arrow's partner Rockman Resources - through its operator Mineral Services - leverages over 25 years of operational experience in Botswana, together with proprietary technologies including high-resolution UAV magnetics, a mobile RC drilling platform optimized for Kalahari conditions, and in-house sample preparation.

Sampling, Laboratory Analyses and QA/QC

RC and surface rock samples collected in the field were driven to Mineral Services' facility in Gaborone to be sorted and prioritized for assay. Samples were allocated unique random sample numbers, sealed and shipped to ALS's laboratory in Johannesburg, South Africa using industry-standard chain-of-custody protocols. Following an initial coarse crush (CRU-21), the entire sample is then pulverized (PUL-21) to better than 85% passing a 75-micron screen prior to geochemical analysis. All samples are analyzed for gold by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish, method code Au-ICP22 (50-gram sample). Samples returning gold values over 10 ppm are subjected to ore-grade check assays using fire assay and a gravimetric finish using method code Au-GRA22 (50-gram sample). Samples are also subjected to lithium borate fusion and acid digestion for whole-rock analysis of major and trace elements by ICP-AES (major elements) and ICP-MS (trace elements); method codes ME-ICP06 and ME-MS81, respectively. In addition, a suite of base metals and other trace elements not included in the ME-MS81 method are analysed by ICP-AES on four-acid digestions (method code ME-4ACD81).

QA/QC protocols include ALS laboratory's own internal quality assurance controls as well as Rockman's field controls, including the insertion of duplicates and certified reference materials (CRM), each at a rate of roughly one per 20 samples. QA/QC data are evaluated on receipt for failures, and appropriate action is taken if results for duplicates, CRMs and blanks fall outside allowed tolerances.

About North Arrow Minerals

North Arrow Minerals is a Vancouver-based exploration company focused on evaluating the Kraaipan Gold Project. Management and advisors bring significant global exploration and mining experience. North Arrow's exploration programs are conducted under the direction of Dr. John Armstrong, Ph.D., P.Geo. (NWT/NU), President and Chief Operating Officer of North Arrow and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Dr. Armstrong has reviewed and approves the contents of this press release.

North Arrow Minerals Inc.

/s/ "Eira Thomas"
Eira Thomas, Chief Executive Officer

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to North Arrow's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not restricted to, the amount of geological data available, the uncertain reliability of drilling results and geophysical and geological data and the interpretation thereof, and the need for adequate financing for future exploration and development efforts. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.

Footnotes/References

1. Reunion Mining (Botswana) PTY 1998 Prospecting Licence 56/97. Report for the 2nd Quarter, Third Year 1 September 1998 - 30 November 1998
2. Laconia Resources Ltd. ASX Press Release 25/07/2017. Kraaipan Exploration Update

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/311002

Source: North Arrow Minerals Inc.