Valkea Resources Strengthens the Bulk-Tonnage Gold Potential of the Koivu Zone at the Paana Project, Northern Finland

Vancouver, December 9, 2025 - Valkea Resources Corp. (TSXV: OZ) (OTCQB: OZBKF) (the "Company" or "Valkea") is pleased to announce drill results from the 2025 fall exploration drill program at its 100% owned Paana project in Lapland, Finland. The 2,454-meter, seven-hole drill program targeted bulk-tonnage gold mineralization at the Koivu Zone, Aarnivalkea West target (Figure 2).
Highlights
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Fall 2025 Paana Project drill program complete: Seven drill holes at the Koivu Zone (Aarnivalkea West target) tested the up-dip and strike-extent of disseminated gold mineralization discovered in historical hole FAVD-64 (55.48 meters of 1.63 g/t gold including 8.50 meters of 8.57 g/t gold from 158.0 meters downhole7) and confirmed in hole AW-24-005 (36.45 meters of 1.50 g/t gold including 15.35 meters of 3.43 g/t gold from 150.15 meters down hole, see the Company's February 27th, 2025 news release).
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Assay results demonstrate continuity of bulk-tonnage style gold mineralization at the Koivu Zone covering a 200-meter dip extent and over 100-meter strike extent where it remains open down-dip and along strike:
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10.4 meters of 0.54 g/t gold at 193.95 meters downhole and 12.77 meters of 0.77 g/t gold including 6.0 meters of 1.15 g/t gold at 331.8 meters downhole in drill hole AW-25-010
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5.6 meters of 1.13 g/t gold at 92.45 meters downhole in drill hole AW-25-007
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15.2 meters of 0.35 g/t gold at 18.0 meters downhole in drill hole AW-25-008
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Vein-hosted gold mineralization intersected outside of bulk-tonnage mineralization:
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17.55 g/t gold over 0.5 meters at 282.85 meters downhole in AW-25-012
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Further drilling is warranted across the Aarnivalkea West target towards the southern Honka Zone, 500 meters south of Koivu, where previous drill programs discovered zones of high-grade mineralization (e.g., 18.14 g/t gold over 4.0 meters at 223.0 meters downhole in drill hole FAVD626).
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Results are pending from a Phase 1, 300-hole base of till (BoT) program conducted across parts of the Paana Project designed to strengthen the pipeline of high-priority drill targets. Phase 1 BoT program represents a small portion of the planned project-wide survey.
"Results from our follow-up Fall 2025 drill program at the Paana Project focused on the newly established Koivu Zone," stated Chris Donaldson, CEO & Executive Chair. "Drilling continues to validate the geological and structural interpretation for the target area, with mineralized domains now demonstrated to extend both up-dip and along strike. The majority of holes intersected broad zones of bulk-tonnage style gold mineralization, supporting continuity from previously reported strong results. Collectively, the results indicate that the gold system at Aarnivalkea West is substantial and complex, with potential for both broad, continuous mineralization and localized higher-grade zones. Follow-up step-outs down-dip and southward toward the high-grade Honka Zone are warranted to further assess the scale and characteristics of this emerging target."
Aarnivalkea West Target
The Aarnivalkea West target, located approximately 24 km northwest of Agnico Eagle's Kittilä mine and 65 km northwest of Rupert Resource's Ikkari deposit (Figure 1), is underlain by highly prospective rocks of the Central Lapland Greenstone belt. Based on previous exploration programs, the broad and open 1.3 km long target is considered prospective for both Kittila-style, high-grade mineralization and Ikkari-style disseminated mineralization.
Drill Program
Bulk tonnage-style gold mineralization at the Koivu Zone, the northern extent of the Aarnivalkea West target (Figure 2), is modelled within a series of east-dipping domains (Domains A and B). Gold mineralization consists of quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins, veinlets and disseminated pyrite associated with broad zones of carbonate-sericite±albite alteration hosted in deformed and sheared intermediate volcanic rocks and diorite porphyries. Higher grade mineralization consists of locally intense albite alteration (bleaching) cut by quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins (e.g., 64.2 g/t Au over 0.5 meters in AW-25-005, see February 27th, 2025 news release).
The fall 2025 drill program at Koivu consisted of 2,454 meters of core drilling in seven holes (Figure 2). The drill holes were collared along three sections with 270o azimuths and -55o dips. Drilling primarily tested the mineralization potential of Domain A - up-dip and along strike (north and south) of holes FAVD64 (55.48 meters of 1.63 g/t gold including 8.50 meters of 8.57 g/t gold from 158.0 meters downhole7, Figure 3) and AW-25-005 (36.45 meters of 1.50 g/t gold including 15.40 meters of 3.43 g/t gold from 150.2 meters downhole7, see February 27th, 2025 news release). Two holes (AW-25-007 and AW-25-008) were drilled up-dip from AW-24-005 along section 7552400N (Figure 3), two holes (AW-25-009 and AW-25-010) were drilled along section 7552350N (Figure 4), and three holes (AW-25-011, AW-25-012 and AW-25-013) were drilled along section 7552450N (Figure 5).
Drill results confirm the geological and structural model for the target area and extend mineralized domains up-dip and along strike (e.g., Domain A, Figures 3, 4 and 5). Results show continuity of bulk-tonnage style gold mineralization over a 200-meter dip extent and over 100-meter strike extent where it remains open down-dip and along strike. New insights from the drilling include:
- Drill holes AW-25-009 and AW-25-010 extend the strike-extent of Domain A, 50 meters south. Both holes intersected broad zones (up to 100 meters) of disseminated pyrite with intervals of strong carbonate-sericite-albite alteration with local bulk-tonnage style gold mineralization (e.g., 10.4 meters of 0.54 g/t gold from 193.95 meters downhole in AW-25-010 and 10.3 meters of 0.56 g/t gold from 138.8 meters downhole in AW-25-009, Table 1). A new zone of mineralization was also intersected near the bottom of AW-25-010 consisting of quartz-pyrrhotite veins and vein stockworks and quartz-carbonate-pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite cemented breccias. This new zone of gold mineralization returned 6.0 meters of 1.15 g/t gold within 12.65 meters of 0.77 g/t gold from 331.8 meters downhole (Table 1 and Figure 4). Further drilling is warranted to test the extent of this zone of mineralization.
- All three holes drilled to the north intersected broad zones of Koivu-style alteration with local bulk-tonnage gold mineralization (e.g., 15.2 meters of 0.34 g/t gold at 190.75 meters downhole in AW-25-012, Figure 5) within Domain A. Higher-grade mineralized veins, outside of Domain A, were also intersected in AW-25-012 (17.55 g/t gold over 0.5 meters at 282.85 meters downhole, Table 1 and Figure 5) which demonstrates the added high-grade vein potential of the target area.
Summary and Next Steps
The fall 2025 drill program at the Paana Project accomplished its two main objectives: 1) expand the footprint of bulk-tonnage style mineralization at the Koivu Zone, and 2) refine the geological and structural model for the target area.
Gold mineralization along Domain A is now modelled over a 200-meter dip extent and at least 100-meter strike extent where it remains open. Further drilling is warranted to test the extent of Domain A while focusing on targeting higher-grade zones that are known to exist within the bulk-tonnage mineralization (e.g., FAVD64 and AW-24-005, Figure 3). Additional drilling aimed at testing the extent of the pyrrhotite-associated gold zone near the bottom of AW-25-010 is also warranted (Figure 4).
The 500-meter gap between the southern Honka and the northern Koivu zones also warrants systematic drill testing. This area has only been investigated at depth with one drill hole (FAVD66, Figure 6), which intersected zones of strong bulk-tonnage gold mineralization (e.g., 18.6 meters of 1.09 g/t gold from 220.0 meters downhole9, Figure 6) and confirms the strong prospectivity of sparsely tested area.
Results are pending from a Phase 1, 300-hole base of till (BoT) survey conducted across parts of the Paana Project. Phase 1 sampling is part of a larger, planned project-wide BoT survey. The focus of the Phase 1 BoT program was on evaluating the footprints of high-priority gold anomalies defined in earlier programs. Results from the Phase 1 BoT program will be used to refine areas for additional BoT sampling as well as to refine new drill targets across the Paana Project.
Figure 1. Map of the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt highlighting Valkea's landholdings as well as neighboring companies and associated exploration, development and mining projects. Abbreviations: P&P* = Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve, Prob.+ = Probable Mineral Reserve. *See references 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 for sources of data.
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Figure 2. Map showing drill collar locations from the Fall 2025 drill program at the Koivu Zone in relation to previous drilling across the Aarnivalkea West target. Section lines for Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 are shown. *See references 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and February 27th, 2025 news release for sources of data from previous drill programs.
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Table 1. Aarnivalkea West Assay Results - Koivu Zone
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | Au (g/t) |
| AW-25-007 | 92.45 | 98.05 | 5.60 | 0.97 |
| and | 119.60 | 153.65 | 34.05 | 0.21 |
| and | 173.40 | 180.50 | 7.10 | 0.20 |
| and | 190.30 | 195.90 | 5.60 | 1.13 |
| and | 209.75 | 223.00 | 13.25 | 0.21 |
| AW-25-008 | 8.00 | 48.50 | 40.50 | 0.24 |
| including | 18.00 | 33.15 | 15.15 | 0.35 |
| AW-25-009 | 138.80 | 149.10 | 10.30 | 0.56 |
| and | 167.15 | 196.40 | 29.25 | 0.27 |
| including | 167.15 | 171.85 | 4.70 | 0.91 |
| and | 237.30 | 253.45 | 16.15 | 0.30 |
| and | 272.00 | 277.95 | 5.95 | 0.39 |
| AW-25-010 | 172.45 | 177.40 | 4.95 | 0.53 |
| and | 193.95 | 204.30 | 10.35 | 0.54 |
| and | 218.15 | 221.80 | 3.65 | 0.51 |
| and | 234.35 | 249.80 | 15.45 | 0.37 |
| and | 294.50 | 309.70 | 15.20 | 0.25 |
| and | 320.65 | 350.50 | 29.85 | 0.42 |
| including | 331.80 | 344.45 | 12.65 | 0.77 |
| including | 338.45 | 344.45 | 6.00 | 1.15 |
| AW-25-011 | No significant intervals | |||
| AW-25-012 | 138.10 | 138.60 | 0.50 | 3.36 |
| and | 175.80 | 182.50 | 6.70 | 0.21 |
| and | 190.75 | 205.95 | 15.20 | 0.34 |
| and | 212.50 | 214.00 | 1.50 | 1.25 |
| and | 282.85 | 284.45 | 1.60 | 5.62 |
| including | 282.85 | 283.35 | 0.50 | 17.55 |
| and | 338.85 | 346.85 | 8.00 | 0.22 |
| AW-25-013 | 98.90 | 103.00 | 4.10 | 0.48 |
| and | 190.00 | 213.60 | 23.60 | 0.28 |
| and | 228.50 | 238.35 | 9.85 | 0.24 |
1. Calculations are uncut and length-weighted using a 0.1 g/t gold cutoff with less than five continuous meters of internal dilution
2. Intervals are downhole core lengths. True widths are unknown.
Figure 3. Section (B to B') looking north showing results from holes AW-25-007 and 008 drilled up-dip from FAVD64 and AW-24-005 at the Koivu Zone. See references below for sources of historical data. Inset, box photos of AW-24-007 showing drill core from 96 to 99.5 meters downhole. Zones of bleaching was caused by silica-sericite-carbonate alteration associated with veins and veinlets of quartz-carbonate-pyrite and disseminated gold mineralization. Abbreviations, qtz = quartz, ser = sericite, ab = albite, carb = carbonate, py = pyrite. *See references 7 and 10 for sources of data for holes FAVD01, 02, 03, 03, 04, 06, 07, FAVD26, and FAVD64. See February 27th, 2025 news release for results for holes AW-24-004 and AW-24-005
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Figure 4. Section C to C' looking north showing results from holes AW-25-009 and 010 drilled at the Koivu Zone. Inset A, box photos of AW-24-009 showing drill core from 166 to 169 meters downhole. Zones of bleaching caused by silica-sericite-carbonate alteration associated with veins and veinlets of quartz-carbonate-pyrite and disseminated gold mineralization. Inset B, box photos of AW-25-010 showing drill core from 337.8 to 348.8 m downhole. New zone of gold mineralization associated with pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite cemented breccias and veinlets. Abbreviations, qtz = quartz, ser = sericite, ab = albite, carb = carbonate, py = pyrite, po = pyrrhotite
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Figure 5. Section D to D' looking north showing results from holes AW-25-011, 012 and 013 drilled at the Koivu Zone. Inset box photos of AW-25-012 showing drill core from ~282 to 285 meters downhole. Zones of bleaching caused by silica-sericite-albite-carbonate alteration associated with veins and veinlets of quartz-carbonate-pyrite. A sample from this interval graded 17.55 g/t Au over 0.5 meters (Table 1). Abbreviations, qtz = quartz, ser = sericite, ab = albite, carb = carbonate, py = pyrite.
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Figure 6. Schematic long section (A to A') through the Aarnivalkea West target showing new and historical drill data in the Koivu and Honka Zones. The red outline represents the target area for the recently completed Fall 2025 drill program. The orange outlines represent areas for proposed drill programs. *See references 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 and February 27th, 2025 news release for sources of data from previous drill programs.
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Table 2. Drill Collar Information
| Hole ID | Easting (m) | Northing (m) | Elevation (m) | Dip | Azimuth | EOH (m) |
| AW-25-007 | 418449 | 7552401 | 245.9 | -55 | 270 | 351.0 |
| AW-25-008 | 418371 | 7552413 | 244.2 | -55 | 270 | 326.6 |
| AW-25-009 | 418500 | 7552343 | 247.0 | -55 | 270 | 317.1 |
| AW-25-010 | 418550 | 7552350 | 245.2 | 55 | 270 | 357.0 |
| AW-25-011 | 418507 | 7552447 | 245.2 | 55 | 270 | 320.1 |
| AW-25-012 | 418559 | 7552448 | 245.6 | 55 | 270 | 383.5 |
| AW-25-013 | 418610 | 7552450 | 242.9 | 55 | 270 | 398.6 |
Coordinates are in UTM Z 35 N
Sampling, Chain of Custody, Quality Assurance and Quality Control
All drill core analytical results have been monitored through the Company's quality assurance and quality control program (QA/QC). Drill core was sawn in half at Valkea's dedicated and secure core logging and processing facility in Sodankylä, Finland.
Half of the drill core was sampled and delivered in secured bags to the ALS Global preparation facilities in Sodankylä, Finland. Core samples were prepared using ALS standard preparation procedure PREP-31A which involves crushing the sample to 70% less than 2mm, followed by a riffle split of 250g, and then a pulverised split to better than 85% passing 75 microns.
Following sample preparation, the pulps were sent to the ALS Global analytical laboratory in Galway, Ireland for analysis. ALS Global is registered to ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditations for laboratory procedures.
Drill core samples were analyzed for 48 elements by ICP-MS on a 0.25-gram aliquot using a four-acid digestion (method ME-MS61). Gold was analyzed by fire assay on a 30-gram aliquot with an AES finish (inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy - method Au-ICP21). Overlimit samples (>10 ppm Au) were reanalysed by fire assay using a gravimetric finish on a 30-gram aliquot (Au-GRA21).
In addition to ALS Global laboratory QA/QC protocols, Valkea implements a rigorous internal QA/QC program that includes the insertion of field and lab duplicates, certified reference materials (standards prepared by an independent lab) and blanks into the sample stream. Data verification of the analytical results includes a statistical analysis of the QA/QC data. Results are considered acceptable.
About Valkea Resources
Valkea Resources at the forefront of gold exploration in Finland's highly prospective Central Lapland Greenstone Belt (CLGB). With an extensive portfolio of high-potential projects, including the flagship Paana project, Valkea Resources is committed to discovering and advancing significant gold deposits in one of the world's emerging gold districts.
Contact Information
For more information please contact:
Chris Donaldson, Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: (604) 813-3931 | Email: info@valkea.ca
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Qualified Person
The disclosure of technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Christopher Leslie, Ph.D., P.Geo., Chief Geologist for the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.
Some technical information contained in this release is historical in nature and has been compiled from public sources believed to be accurate. The historical technical information has not been verified by Valkea and may in some instances be unverifiable. Mineralization hosted on adjacent and/or nearby projects is not necessarily indicative of mineralization hosted on Valkea's projects.
References
1 and 2. Agnico Eagle website (agnicoeagle.com), Dec. 31, 2024 Reserve & Resource statement, P&P* = Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve
3. Thomas, B., and Daffern, T. (2025), Ikkari Pre-Feasibility Study, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Effective Date February 14, 2025, Rupert Resources website (rupertresources.com) Prob+ = Probable Mineral Reserve
4. Aurion Gold website (aurion.com), May 2nd, 2022 NR and June 13th, 2022 NR
5. Aurion Gold website (aurion.com), March 19th, 2024 NR
6. S2 Resources website (s2resources.com.au), December 8th, 2020 NR
7. S2 Resources website (s2resources.com.au), January 4th, 2021 NR
8. S2 Resources website (s2resources.com.au), October 11th, 2021 NR
9. S2 Resources website (s2resources.com.au), August 30th, 2021 NR
10. S2 Resources website (s2resources.com.au), October 8th, 2019 NR
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's exploration plans.
Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of required approvals; the price of metals; and the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to: the Company's early stage of development; the fluctuation of the price of metals; the availability of additional funding as and when required; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; the timing and ability to maintain and, where necessary, obtain necessary permits and licenses; the uncertainty in geologic, hydrological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions; infrastructure risks, including access to water and power; environmental risks and hazards; risks associated with negative operating cash flow; and risks associated with dilution. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see the Company's other public disclosure documents.
Although management has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.
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