US Gold Explorers Gain Edge From Record Prices and NEPA Overhaul

Safe-haven demand has gold prices reaching historic levels and
building a base over $5000 US. Well-known established miners like
Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE: AEM) (TSX: AEM), Barrick Gold (NYSE: B) (TSX: ABX), and Newmont (NYSE: NEM) are reporting significant earnings growth and record cash
flow. 

US mining stocks just got another boost following news of major
reforms to NEPA, which are expected to reduce bureaucratic delays,
streamline environmental reviews, shorten development timelines, and
potentially lower project costs.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump, the Department of
the Interior
recently announcedfinal sweeping reforms to its National Environmental Policy Act
procedures, cutting red tape, accelerating project approvals and
restoring NEPA to its intended role as a focused, efficient
decision-making tool. 

The reforms, led by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and part of a
whole-government approach, reaffirm the rescission of more than 80%
of Interior’s prior NEPA regulations, with the majority of
those regulations moved into a streamlined Departmental NEPA
Handbook of Implementing Procedures.

West Point Gold Corp. (TSXV: WPG)  (OTCQB: WPGCF) is unlocking America’s next district with high-grade gold
exploration in the Southwestern US. The company is focused on four
strategically located projects along the prolific Walker Lane Trend
in Nevada and Arizona.

West Point Gold just announced results for four holes from the
high-grade zone at Northeast (NE) Tyro, part of the ongoing
15,000-metre (m) drill program at its flagship Gold Chain Project in
Arizona. The Company is reporting assay results for four drill holes
(954m), GC25-89, GC25-90, GC26-91 and GC26-93.

Highlights:

• 
  These holes have extended the strike length of the high-grade zone
  at NE Tyro to more than 300m
• 
  Hole GC26-91 returned 21.34m of 13.48 g/t Au from 128.0m to
  149.4m, expanding the highest portion of the high-grade zone at NE
  Tyro to the northeast.

• 
  Hole GC25-89 returned 32.0m of 4.48 g/t Au from 152.4m to 184.4m,
  about 30m south of GC25-48 (41.2m at 4.33 g/t Au) and about 100m
  below surface vein exposures.

• 
  Hole GC26-93 returned 30.5m of 3.09 g/t Au from 132.6 to 163.1m,
  expanding the high-grade zone at NE Tyro along strike to the
  northeast.

• 
  Hole GC25-90 returned 25.9m of 1.23g/t Au from 256.0m to 281.9m
  and expands the mineralized zone at NE Tyro along strike to the
  southwest into an area previously considered to be weakly
  mineralized.

• 
  To date, 9,898m of the ongoing 15,000m drill program at the Gold
  Chain project have been completed, with assays released for 4,194m
  of drilling. Results are pending from the Tyro Main Zone, South
  Tyro, Red Hill Ledge, Black Dyke and Sheep Trail targets,
  representing 30 holes.

• 
  A third drill rig (core) will commence drilling at Gold Chain in
  early March, focused on increasing our understanding of the
  high-grade NE Tyro zone and extending the Tyro Main Zone to depth.

“The continuity and consistent high grades at NE Tyro, along with
our ability to continue expanding the zone, are positive
indicators for the scale potential of this zone. Drilling
continues at Gold Chain, as we are well funded to deliver on our
dual exploration goals for 2026, of delivering a maiden resource
for the Tyro Main Zone and making a discovery at one of the
multiple step-out targets we are testing,” stated Derek
Macpherson, President and CEO.

Full news

westpointgold.com

West Point Gold also announced that it has been recognized as a 2026
Top 50 Company by the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”).

The TSX Venture 50™ is an annual ranking of the top performing
companies from the past year on TSXV based on three equally weighted
criteria: market capitalization growth, share price appreciation and
trading value. The TSX Venture 50™ showcases the top 50 of the
over 1,600 TSXV issuers.

“We are honoured to be recognized as a member of the 2026
TSX Venture 50™. This recognition reflects the hard work of
the team and West Point Gold, which resulted in strong share price
performance in 2025. Following the completion of our recent
financing, we are well-funded to continue creating value for
shareholders in 2026. We thank our shareholders for their ongoing
support, and hope to connect with many of them at upcoming
events.”

Over the past year, the Company has advanced exploration and
technical programs at its flagship Gold Chain project in Arizona,
and acquired the Baxter Spring property, expanding its Nevada
portfolio. West Point Gold remains focused on operational discipline
and building lasting shareholder value.

Full news
westpointgold.com

A major producer in the Walker Lane Trend, Kinross Gold (TSX: K) (NYSE: KGC), operates the large Round Mountain mine, one of the most
productive in the US. In mid-January, they
announced
they are proceeding with the construction of three organic growth
projects: Round Mountain Phase X and Bald Mountain Redbird 2 in
Nevada, and Kettle River-Curlew in Washington. These projects are
expected to meaningfully extend mine life and will benefit long-term
costs within Kinross’ United States portfolio.

Overall highlights:

Continued positive exploration results and robust internal studies
have demonstrated strong margins with average all-in sustaining
costs² (AISC) of ~$1,650 per gold equivalent ounce (“Au
eq. oz.”) at an attractive Internal Rate of Return³ (IRR)
and Net Present Value (NPV) that supports proceeding to
construction.

These projects are expected to contribute significantly to
Kinross’ US production profile and to maintaining 2 million Au
eq. oz. per year, with expected production of 400,000 Au eq. oz. per
year between 2029 and 2031 and a total of 3 million Au eq. oz.
between 2028 and 2038, based on the initial mine plan inventories.

Strong value proposition with a combined IRR of 55% and a combined
incremental post-tax NPV4 of $4.1 billion at a gold price of $4,300.

All three assets have significant potential for mine life extensions
beyond the initial mine plan inventories included in the completed
project studies, potentially further enhancing returns and asset
values.

Phase X and Curlew continue Kinross’ grade-enhancement
strategy, adding higher-grade underground ounces, lowering long-term
costs with lower capital intensity, and providing optionality for
further mine-life extension beyond the initial mine-plan
inventories. Redbird 2 provides a substantial mine-life extension
through efficient open-pit mining at Bald Mountain, with incremental
AISC2 of $1,466 per Au eq. oz.

Kinross intends to self-fund these projects from its operating cash
flows and has forecasted capital expenditures of approximately $425
million in 2026 to support their development. Total attributable
capital expenditures5 for the global portfolio in 2026 are expected
to be $1.5 billion (+/- 5%).

As at December 31, 2025, the Company had completed its 2025 share
repurchase program, achieving its increased target of $600 million
in shares and reducing its share count by 2.5%. The Company will
continue to prioritize its strong balance sheet, liquidity and
return of capital program.

Barrick Gold ‘s (NYSE:B)(TSX:ABX) Fourmile Project, NV is considered one of the
highest-grade, undeveloped projects in North America, with
significant expansion potential. 

Barrick
recently reported
fourth quarter operating and financial results for the period ending
December 31, 2025. Barrick produced 871,000 ounces of gold and
62,000 tonnes of copper in the quarter and the Company generated
$6.00 billion in revenue, as well as $2.73 billion in operating cash
flow and $1.62 billion in free cash flow Net earnings per share for
the quarter of $1.43 and adjusted net earnings per share of $1.04
increased 88% and 79%, respectively, from Q3.

For the full year 2025, Barrick reported revenues of $16.96 billion,
operating cash flow of $7.69 billion and free cash flow of $3.87
billion, increasing 31%, 71% and 194%, respectively, from 2024. Net
earnings per share of $2.93 and adjusted net earnings per share of
$2.42 for the full year increased 140% and 92%, respectively, from
2024. Full-year gold production was 3.26 million ounces while
full-year copper production was 220,000 tonnes, consistent with the
guidance provided at the start of the year.

Hecla Mining’s (NYSE: HL) Hollister
mine in Nevada is North America’s third highest grade gold
mine.

According to the company
Hollister has:

• 
  Exceptional Grades: Historic production of 0.5 Moz gold equivalent
  at ~0.8 oz/ton gold and ~5.0 oz/ton silver

• 
  Strategic Location: Within hauling distance of Midas mill,
  avoiding need for capital on a site-specific mill for new
  discoveries

• 
  Hatter Graben Resource: Inferred Resource containing 141,600 oz
  gold and 1,251,700 oz silver at 0.38 oz/ton gold and 3.4 oz/ton
  silver with expansion potential

• 
  District-Scale Opportunity: One of the largest high-level
  epithermal surface expressions in the region indicates fully
  preserved system at depth

• 
  Multiple Targets: Classic Northern Nevada Rift vein district with
  additional Carlin-style potential at Santa Renia on the Northern
  Carlin Trend

• 
  Fast-Track Potential: Pre-existing mine infrastructure and
  permitting should facilitate advancement of any new discoveries.

The mining sector’s supercycle is gaining momentum as gold and
other metals reach new highs, and now government is fast-tracking
the sector. The gold rush is on!