Aya Gold & Silver Signals New Growth Era with Strategic Board Overhaul

MONTREAL, Quebec – June 12, 2026 – Aya Gold & Silver Inc. has signaled a significant strategic evolution following its Annual General Meeting (AGM), appointing a new Chair and achieving a landmark 50% female representation on its Board of Directors. The outcomes of the meeting, held today, provide a clear growth signal, indicating a deliberate move to strengthen governance and deepen local expertise as the company accelerates its expansion in Morocco.

While shareholders overwhelmingly approved all key resolutions, the AGM was more than a routine corporate proceeding. It marked a pivotal board transformation, highlighted by the appointment of Ghislane Guedira as the new Chair. This change, coupled with the retirement of two long-serving directors, ushers in a new chapter of leadership for the Canadian mining company at a time of record financial performance and operational momentum.

A New Chair with Deep Moroccan Roots

The most prominent signal from the AGM is the elevation of Ghislane Guedira to Chair of the Board. Ms. Guedira, who has served as an independent director since June 2024, brings a formidable resume rooted in the highest echelons of Moroccan finance and industry. Her appointment is a strategic masterstroke, aligning leadership directly with the company's operational heartland.

Ms. Guedira's background includes a transformative tenure as Chief Financial Officer of OCP Group, Morocco’s state-owned phosphate giant, where she was instrumental in securing the company’s first international credit ratings and executing major bond issuances. More recently, she has been leading A.P. Moller Capital's infrastructure fund in Morocco, further cementing her expertise in high-stakes financial structuring within the region. Her career also includes leadership roles at major Moroccan conglomerates and an early start at Arthur Andersen in Paris and Casablanca.

“We are pleased to welcome Ms. Ghislane Guedira as Chair of the Board,” said Benoit La Salle, President & CEO. “Ghislane brings extensive financial expertise, deep knowledge of Morocco’s business landscape, and significant leadership experience that will guide Aya through its next phase of growth.”

Her appointment is not just about local knowledge; it’s about navigating the intricate financial and regulatory landscape of a key growth market. For a company focused on expanding its resource base along Morocco's Anti-Atlas fault, having a Chair with Ms. Guedira's network and experience is an invaluable asset.

Decoding the Shareholder Mandate

Beyond the leadership change, the AGM voting results offer a nuanced look at shareholder sentiment. On the surface, confidence is strong. The re-appointment of KPMG LLP as auditors passed with 99.90% approval, and the advisory vote on executive compensation—often a contentious issue—was approved by a commanding 94.75% of votes. These figures suggest broad alignment with the company's governance and strategic direction.

However, a closer look at the director elections reveals a layer of shareholder scrutiny. While all nominees were elected, President & CEO Benoit La Salle received a notable 11.09% of votes against his re-election to the board, the highest among all directors. While this is far from a rejection, it serves as a signal that a segment of the shareholder base is expressing dissent. Such votes can reflect concerns ranging from executive pay to strategic execution, and they are a data point that a responsive board will not ignore.

The AGM also marked a graceful transition with the retirement of two long-serving directors, former Chairman Robert Taub and Lead Independent Director Dr. Jürgen Hambrecht. In his statement, Mr. La Salle thanked them for their instrumental roles in Aya's transformation. This planned renewal, replacing institutional knowledge with fresh, strategically aligned expertise, is a sign of a board actively managing its own evolution to meet future challenges.

Fueling Growth in a Rich Mining Frontier

The board's transformation is occurring against a backdrop of exceptional operational and financial performance. Aya is not just restructuring its leadership; it is building on a foundation of tangible success. The company recently reported record-breaking first-quarter 2026 results, with revenue soaring 247% year-over-year to $117.3 million and net profit increasing by 600% to $48.5 million. This performance is fueled by its Moroccan assets.

The Zgounder mine, a rare silver-only operation, is the company's cash-flow engine. With a recently extended mine life to 2036 and production ramping up, it provides a stable platform for growth. Simultaneously, the company is advancing its Boumadine polymetallic project, where recent drilling has confirmed high-grade mineralization and suggests significant resource growth potential. Aya describes its focus area, the Anti-Atlas fault, as one of Africa’s “most geologically rich, underexplored and mining-friendly regions,” signaling vast untapped potential.

The strategic appointment of Ms. Guedira is therefore perfectly timed. Her expertise is set to be a crucial catalyst in unlocking the full value of these Moroccan assets, from optimizing existing operations to navigating the development of new discoveries like the high-grade gold zone at Asirem.

A Governance Milestone for the Mining Sector

Perhaps the most forward-looking signal from Aya's AGM is the achievement of gender parity on its board. With Ms. Guedira’s appointment, women now represent 50% of the company's directors. As Mr. La Salle noted, this is “an important milestone for Aya.”

This achievement is particularly significant in the mining industry, a sector that has historically lagged in gender diversity at both the executive and board levels. By reaching this milestone, Aya positions itself as a leader in modern corporate governance. This is more than a social victory; it is a powerful business signal. A diverse board is widely seen as leading to more robust decision-making, better risk management, and enhanced corporate performance. In an era where investors are increasingly applying Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) criteria to their decisions, a demonstrable commitment to diversity can broaden a company's appeal and lower its cost of capital.

For Aya Gold & Silver, the confluence of a renewed board, seasoned local leadership, strong shareholder support, and a clear operational strategy sends a powerful message. The company is not just mining for precious metals in Morocco; it is actively forging the leadership and governance structures it believes are necessary to build sustainable, long-term value in a complex and promising region.