Awalé hits 43.7 g/t gold equivalent below BBM open pit

Highlights The first two holes drilled below the BBM open pit intersected strong gold mineralization, confirming the deposit continues at depth. These are the first two of twelve holes following BBM's high-grade core, which steepens at depth, down to 600 metres below surface. Results from the remaining ten holes are expected over the coming weeks.

Results include: 7m @ 7.21 g/t gold equivalent from 385m downhole, including 1m @ 43.68 g/t gold equivalent , the highest grade drilled to date at BBM (BBDD-31) 46m @ 2.35 g/t gold equivalent from 364m downhole, including 17m @ 3.41 g/t gold equivalent (BBDD-30) These initial holes build confidence that BBM has a meaningful underground component beyond the open pit. Seven rigs are turning at Odienné. A separate update on Charger and Awalé's 100%-owned exploration ground, including first drilling at Seydou and follow-up at the Fremen discovery, will follow shortly.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 20, 2026) - Awalé Resources Limited (TSXV: ARIC) (OTCQX: AWLRF) (FSE: 2F60) (" Awalé " or the " Company ") is pleased to report the first assay results from deeper drilling at the BBM gold-copper deposit at the Odienné Project (" Odienné " or the " Project ") in Côte d'Ivoire. The results confirm that BBM's high-grade core continues below the current open pit Mineral Resource and point to an emerging underground component of the deposit. The two holes reported today are the first of a twelve-hole program drilled below and beyond the open pit Mineral Resource.

The program follows BBM's high-grade core, which is interpreted to have a steeper plunge, to an initial vertical depth of 600 metres below surface. Assays for the remaining ten holes are pending (see plan map and long section in Figures 2 and 3). "BBM is delivering.

The first holes below the open pit hit where we e