MIAG's Nevada Land Grab Creates New Junior Gold Powerhouse

VANCOUVER, BC – February 19, 2026 – In a move that redraws the map for junior gold exploration in the United States, Made in America Gold Corp. (MIAG) has cemented its position as a dominant force in Nevada. The company, a subsidiary of investment firm Palisades Goldcorp Ltd., announced the successful acquisition of Undercover Gold Inc., adding a significant 73-square-kilometer land package in the heart of one of the world's most prolific gold-producing regions.

The deal, which closed on February 18, hands MIAG the highly prospective South Cortez and South Tonkin properties. This expansion increases its total holdings to approximately 800 square kilometers, making it the largest junior mineral claim holder in the state. This vast territory is surpassed only by global mining titans Nevada Gold Mines (a Barrick-Newmont joint venture) and Kinross Gold, placing the junior explorer in an entirely new league.

"The closing of the South Cortez and South Tonkin acquisition marks a transformative milestone for MIAG," stated Justin Daley, CEO of MIAG. "By integrating these projects into our portfolio, we are easily the biggest junior company landholder in Nevada, controlling roughly 800 km² of the state's most productive and prospective gold trends."

A New Player in the Battle Mountain Trend

The strategic importance of this acquisition lies not just in its size, but its location. The new properties are situated in Nevada's famed Battle Mountain Trend, a belt of mineralization that has yielded over 60 million ounces of gold from legendary deposits like Pipeline, Cortez Hills, and Goldrush. Crucially, MIAG's new claims lie just six kilometers south of the Tier 1 Goldrush and Fourmile deposits, placing the company on the doorstep of proven, world-class discoveries.

This consolidation of land in such a prime jurisdiction is a deliberate strategy. While other junior explorers in Nevada hold smaller, more fragmented positions—often ranging from 45 to 130 square kilometers—MIAG has amassed a district-scale portfolio. This scale provides a significant competitive advantage, allowing for systematic, large-scale exploration programs that can uncover the geological patterns leading to major deposits. The company's projects are now adjacent to operations run by a who's who of the mining world, including Nevada Gold Mines, SSR Mining, McEwen Mining, and I-80 Gold, further validating the high-prospectivity of the ground.

Unlocking a Geological Jackpot

The geological prize MIAG is targeting is classic Carlin-type gold mineralization, the very engine of Nevada's gold wealth. These are large, high-tonnage deposits where microscopic gold is disseminated through sedimentary rock. The key to finding them is identifying favorable host rocks, specifically the lower-plate stratigraphy of the Roberts Mountains thrust—a geological setting synonymous with Nevada's biggest discoveries.

While the surrounding Cortez district has been heavily mined for decades, the South Cortez and South Tonkin blocks have remained remarkably under-explored, particularly at depth. This is the opportunity MIAG intends to seize. Historical data, including seismic and aeromagnetic surveys, has already confirmed that the coveted lower-plate host rocks are present at accessible depths of less than 400 meters. This significantly de-risks the exploration process and lowers the potential cost of future discovery and development.

As CEO Justin Daley noted, "These projects don't just add acreage, they represent newly consolidated claim groups just six kilometers south of the Tier 1 Goldrush and Fourmile deposits. With favorable lower-plate geology confirmed at shallow depths and a wealth of historic data already in hand, we are positioned to unlock value in part of a district that has already proven to host 10-million-ounce-plus deposits."

The Strategic Financial Architecture

The transaction also showcases a sophisticated investment strategy orchestrated by parent company Palisades Goldcorp. Rather than a simple cash purchase, the deal was structured as a share-for-share exchange, with Undercover Gold shareholders receiving 1,642,710 MIAG shares, representing a 10% equity stake in the newly enlarged company. This aligns the interests of the former Undercover team, which was founded by the experienced exploration group NewQuest Capital Inc., with the future success of the project.

Furthermore, the deal involves a complex but valuable web of royalties. NewQuest Capital retains a 1.75% net smelter royalty (NSR) on certain claims, giving it long-term exposure to any future production. In a parallel move, Palisades Goldcorp put in place its own 1.75% NSR on all of MIAG's other 100%-owned claims. This ensures that Palisades, as an investment company, benefits directly from production revenue, which is insulated from operational costs and risks.

In a final strategic shuffle, a 3.0% NSR on Nevada King Gold Corp.'s separate Atlanta Gold Mine Project, which was previously held within MIAG, was transferred to a new subsidiary solely for the benefit of Palisades shareholders. This maneuver effectively unlocks the royalty's value for Palisades' investors, demonstrating a clear playbook of using its portfolio companies not just for equity appreciation but also for generating valuable, long-term royalty streams.

A Calculated Move in a Competitive Landscape

MIAG's aggressive expansion does not occur in a vacuum. Nevada is currently a hotbed of activity, with majors like Nevada Gold Mines continuing to develop their flagship assets and a host of ambitious junior companies making significant strides. Companies like I-80 Gold are advancing multiple projects with the goal of becoming a major mid-tier producer, while others like Nevada King Gold and Hycroft Mining are aggressively drilling to expand their own resources.

This flurry of activity creates a competitive environment but also confirms the immense potential that still exists in the state. By consolidating a dominant land position in the most sought-after part of Nevada, MIAG has not only increased its chances of making a discovery but has also positioned itself as a key strategic player in the region. The company's focus now shifts to integrating the massive trove of historical data and launching its own advanced exploration programs to delineate high-priority drill targets that, as Daley stated, "have remained under-explored for far too long."