Blossom Gold Taps Expert to Ignite Nevada's Next Major Gold Project

TORONTO, ON – April 20, 2026 – In a strategic move signaling a major acceleration of its flagship project, newly-listed Blossom Gold Inc. has appointed world-class exploration expert Dr. John DeDecker as its Vice President, Exploration. The appointment comes as the company ramps up a fully-funded, aggressive drill program at its Rosebud Project in Nevada, aiming to capitalize on a surging precious metals market and unlock the potential of a significant gold and silver resource.

Dr. DeDecker’s arrival provides a massive injection of specialized technical expertise at a pivotal moment for the company. As drills are already turning at Rosebud, his leadership is expected to refine and fast-track the exploration of a deposit that already holds 1.28 million ounces of gold and 13.4 million ounces of silver.

A Strategic Appointment for an Ambitious Project

Dr. John DeDecker is not just another executive hire; he represents a specific, strategic choice to match world-class talent with a high-potential asset. With a Ph.D. from the prestigious Colorado School of Mines and over a decade of industry experience, he is an internationally recognized expert in the exact type of geology found at Rosebud: epithermal gold and silver deposits.

His most recent role as Vice President of Exploration at Eskay Mining Corporation saw him lead exploration in British Columbia's prolific Golden Triangle, where he was credited with a major revision of the geological understanding of the area. Colleagues note his “genetic model-driven exploration philosophy”—a scientific approach that uses a deep understanding of how mineral deposits are formed to more effectively target new discoveries. This philosophy is seen as a perfect match for the complexities of the Rosebud system.

Rick Winters, CEO of Blossom, highlighted the significance of the appointment. "We couldn't be more excited to have someone of his caliber joining our senior leadership team," Winters stated in the company's announcement. "His exceptional academic background, genetic model-driven exploration philosophy, and proven track record leading large-scale drill programs make him an outstanding addition... His breadth of experience across a wide range of deposit types, but especially epithermal deposits, will be invaluable as we continue to rapidly advance the Rosebud Project.”

Reviving Rosebud: From Historic Mine to Modern Opportunity

The Rosebud Project, located in Nevada’s Pershing County, is not a new discovery but a story of rediscovery and re-evaluation. The site includes the former Rosebud Mine, operated by a Newmont-Hecla joint venture from 1997 to 2000. At that time, with gold prices languishing between US$250 and US$350 per ounce, the partners focused on high-grade underground mining, chasing veins with a cut-off grade of nearly 7 grams per tonne gold.

Blossom Gold’s vision for Rosebud is entirely different and perfectly suited for the current economic climate. The company is focused not just on the remaining high-grade pockets, but on the much larger, lower-grade halo of mineralization surrounding the historic mine works. Their plan envisions a large-scale open-pit operation with modern, on-site heap-leach processing—a method designed for cost-effective extraction from lower-grade material.

The project's current technical report outlines an Inferred Mineral Resource of 70.755 million tons, containing an estimated 1.28 million ounces of gold and 13.4 million ounces of silver. Critically, the geological report notes that the deposit remains open for expansion in all directions, suggesting the current resource could be just the beginning.

The Science of Discovery and Aggressive Timelines

Blossom Gold is wasting no time putting its strategy into action. The company recently filed a Notice of Intent with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management for an 80,000-foot drill program designed to both expand the known resource and upgrade it from the 'Inferred' to the 'Indicated' category, a key step in de-risking the project for future development.

Dr. DeDecker arrives to oversee a project already humming with activity. “We currently have three rigs turning at site, with a fourth expected in two to three weeks,” he commented. “The exploration program is building real momentum, and we look forward to keeping the market informed as results continue to come in.”

This aggressive on-the-ground work is part of a clear and ambitious timeline. Blossom aims to complete a feasibility study by the first quarter of 2027, which could pave the way for a construction decision in the second half of 2028. This accelerated path is made possible by the project's location in a mining-friendly jurisdiction and the company's confidence in its technical approach.

Riding the Precious Metals Supercycle

Blossom Gold's aggressive push at Rosebud is perfectly timed with a historic bull market for precious metals. Gold prices have surged past previous all-time highs, with many major financial institutions forecasting prices to average over US$5,000 per ounce in 2026. Silver is experiencing an even more dramatic run, with some analysts predicting prices could top US$100 per ounce, driven by both safe-haven buying and soaring industrial demand.

These prices fundamentally change the economics of gold mining, making large, lower-grade deposits like Rosebud highly attractive. This favorable market has fueled a resurgence in the junior mining sector, with investor capital flowing back into exploration companies after years of scarcity. Blossom Gold is a prime example, with its market capitalization growing significantly since its public listing in January 2026 to over CAD 270 million.

The company has stated it is “fully funded” for its current exploration and development plans, giving it the financial stability to execute its strategy without immediate pressure to return to the market. This combination of a world-class team, a significant resource, an aggressive but clear plan, and powerful market tailwinds has placed Blossom Gold firmly on the radar of investors looking for the next major North American gold story. With drilling ongoing and initial assay results expected to become regular in the coming weeks, the market will be watching closely to see if Dr. DeDecker's scientific approach can begin to unlock the full potential of the Rosebud project.