Collective Mining Eyes Growth with GDXJ Index Entry, Miami HQ Relocation

MIAMI, FL – March 16, 2026 – Collective Mining Ltd. is executing a significant strategic pivot designed to enhance its profile on the world stage, announcing its inclusion in the influential VanEck Junior Gold Miners Index (GDXJ) and the relocation of its executive headquarters from Toronto to Miami. These concurrent moves signal a new phase of growth for the exploration company, aiming to tighten the connection between its corporate strategy and its promising gold and multi-metal projects in Colombia.

Effective at the market close on March 20, 2026, Collective's addition to the GDXJ—a widely followed benchmark for junior gold and silver mining companies—is a key milestone. Simultaneously, the shift to Miami places the company's leadership in a burgeoning financial center with direct and efficient access to Latin America, all while its operational focus remains squarely on advancing its flagship Guayabales project in the mining-friendly district of Caldas, Colombia.

A Strategic Play for Visibility and Liquidity

Inclusion in the GDXJ is more than a symbolic achievement; it is a catalyst that can fundamentally alter a company's investment landscape. The index is tracked by one of the largest gold miner ETFs in the world, meaning that upon the index's rebalancing, passive and rules-based investment funds will be required to purchase Collective Mining's shares to align their portfolios. This influx of demand is widely expected to increase the stock's trading volume and liquidity.

For investors, this “GDXJ effect” can translate to greater market stability and enhanced visibility. The inclusion follows a period of remarkable performance for the company's stock, which has seen gains of over 200% in the past year, reflecting growing market confidence in its exploration results. Analyst consensus remains strong, with a "Strong Buy" rating and an average 12-month price target suggesting considerable upside from its current valuation.

Ari Sussman, Executive Chairman of Collective Mining, commented on the development in a recent press release. "Inclusion in the GDXJ marks an important milestone for the Company, as it reflects our continued progress in developing a world-class mineral district in Colombia, and reinforces the compelling investment case for Collective," he stated. This move validates the company's strategy and its success in advancing its Colombian assets from discovery to the de-risking phase.

The Miami Advantage: Bridging Capital and Colombia

The decision to move the executive headquarters to Miami from Toronto is a calculated one, rooted in both financial and logistical pragmatism. While the company's jurisdiction of incorporation remains in Canada and its dual listings on the NYSE American and Toronto Stock Exchange are unaffected, the Miami office represents a new strategic nexus.

"Miami has rapidly emerged as a leading global financial center, with a strong institutional capital markets presence and strategic connectivity to Colombia and Latin America," Sussman explained. This positions Collective to better engage with the deep and liquid U.S. capital markets, potentially attracting a new and broader class of institutional shareholders.

Operationally, the benefits are even more direct. Miami's status as a gateway to Latin America, with numerous daily direct flights to Colombia, places management in much closer proximity to its field operations. This enhanced connectivity is crucial at what the company calls a "pivotal time." It allows for more efficient coordination with on-the-ground teams, contractors, and consultants as Collective executes its ambitious 2026 exploration program and advances the development of its flagship Guayabales Project.

Unlocking Future Growth with U.S. Index Potential

Beyond the immediate benefits of the GDXJ, the Miami relocation is a forward-looking move that could unlock further opportunities for index inclusion. Establishing an executive office in the United States is often a key criterion for eligibility in major U.S. equity indices, such as the Russell 2000.

Inclusion in an index like the Russell 2000, which represents the bottom two-thirds of the broader Russell 3000 Index, would expose Collective to another massive pool of passive investment capital. With a market capitalization of approximately C$2.11 billion, the company already fits within the typical range for the index. The move to a U.S. headquarters strengthens its case for consideration during the index's annual and semi-annual reconstitutions, a strategic goal the company has openly acknowledged.

This long-term strategy aims to ensure that as Collective continues to de-risk its projects and demonstrate their value, its corporate structure is optimized to capture the attention and capital of the world's largest investment markets.

On the Ground: De-Risking a World-Class Asset

Ultimately, these corporate maneuvers are backed by substantial progress at the company's projects in Colombia. The flagship Guayabales project, anchored by the large-scale Apollo system, is the centerpiece of Collective's value proposition. The company has completed approximately 140,000 meters of drilling to date, with recent step-out drilling at Apollo's Ramp Zone confirming significant mineralization at depth and suggesting the potential for major vertical extension.

The management team, the same group that successfully developed and sold Continental Gold for approximately $2 billion, has been methodically de-risking the project. A critical milestone was recently achieved with the acquisition of all remaining surface rights necessary for a future mining operation at Guayabales, removing a significant potential hurdle for development. Looking ahead, the company plans to begin construction of an exploration adit in the fourth quarter of 2026 to provide underground access for more detailed geological study and resource definition.

With a management and insider ownership of over 45%, the team's interests are firmly aligned with shareholders. As Collective Mining enters this new chapter, its dual strategy of enhancing its corporate structure in the U.S. while aggressively advancing its world-class assets in Colombia positions it for a period of continued growth and value creation.