Miata Metals Taps Veteran Derk Hartman to Drive Suriname Gold Project

VANCOUVER, British Columbia – February 18, 2026 – Miata Metals Corp. has announced a significant strategic move to bolster its leadership, appointing seasoned mining executive Derk Hartman to its Board of Directors. The appointment, effective immediately, is part of a broader, multi-pronged effort by the junior exploration company to accelerate its flagship Sela Creek Gold Project in Suriname and enhance its position in the capital markets.

In a clear signal of its ambitions, Miata also revealed it has engaged a market-making firm to improve share liquidity and substantially increased its budget for investor awareness campaigns. These simultaneous actions underscore a pivotal moment for the company as it doubles down on its efforts to unlock a potential tier-one gold district in the heart of South America's Guiana Shield.

A Veteran's Return to a Familiar Frontier

Mr. Hartman's appointment brings over 25 years of high-level experience spanning the mining and investment banking sectors. His background represents a powerful combination of technical expertise, project development prowess, and capital markets acumen that is highly sought after in the junior mining space. A Dutch national holding a Master of Science in Extractive Metallurgy, Hartman has a proven track record of advancing complex projects from exploration through to production.

Notably, this appointment marks a return to familiar territory for Hartman. He possesses deep regional knowledge of Suriname, having been involved with the very first company to introduce modern exploration techniques to the Sela Creek and Nassau gold projects back in 2013. This historical insight provides him with a unique perspective on the asset's potential.

His career includes critical leadership roles such as President and COO of Giyani Metals Corp., where he advanced a battery-grade manganese project, and CFO of Silver Bear Resources Plc. At Silver Bear, he was instrumental in the financing and development that brought the Mangazeisky Silver Mine into commercial production—a rare feat for a junior company. Earlier, he honed his financial skills in the investment banking divisions of BMO Capital Markets and ABN AMRO in London, specializing in mining project finance and M&A.

“His unique combination of engineering expertise, capital markets experience, and hands-on success advancing projects through critical development milestones brings a valuable new dimension to our board,” stated Dr. Jaap Verbaas, CEO of Miata Metals. “Derk’s proven ability to transition high-quality assets through key development stages will be instrumental as we work to unlock the full potential of our portfolio.”

Advancing the Sela Creek Gold Project

The timing of Hartman's appointment aligns with a period of intense activity at the Sela Creek Gold Project. Miata Metals has launched a fully funded, 25,000-meter diamond drilling program for 2026, more than doubling the meterage of its successful 2025 campaign. The project, in which Miata holds a 70% interest with an option to acquire 100%, is strategically located in Suriname's prolific Guiana Greenstone belt, just 10 kilometers from Newmont Corporation’s massive Merian Mine.

Recent exploration has already yielded encouraging results, with visible gold identified in the initial drill holes of the current program. The drilling campaign is designed to expand upon known mineralization at the Jon's Trend target and aggressively test several other high-priority areas like Puma, Stranger, and Golden Hand, which lie within a broader corridor of historic and active artisanal gold mining.

Despite a long history of surface-level artisanal mining, the vast ~215km² property remains significantly underexplored for the bedrock sources of this gold. Less than 10% of the artisanal mining footprint has ever been drill-tested at depth, presenting a substantial opportunity for a major discovery.

“I am excited to join the board of Miata Metals at such a pivotal moment for the company,” Mr. Hartman stated. “Miata has assembled a first-class team and is very well funded. I’m particularly pleased to be re-engaging with the Sela Creek project and look forward to working closely with the board and management team to help advance Sela Creek into a tier-one gold mining district.”

A Broader Strategy for Market Confidence

Beyond strengthening its board, Miata Metals is taking concrete steps to bolster its market presence and investor confidence. The company has engaged Independent Trading Group (ITG), a Toronto-based firm, for market-making services at a cost of C$6,000 per month. The objective is to ensure a more orderly and liquid market for Miata's shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange, reducing volatility and making the stock more attractive to a wider range of investors.

Furthermore, Miata has amended its agreement with Connect 4 Marketing Ltd., allocating a budget of up to C$100,000 per month for a comprehensive digital marketing and investor awareness program. This significant financial commitment indicates the company's intent to proactively communicate its progress at Sela Creek and build a stronger shareholder base as the project advances through critical milestones.

Taken together, these three initiatives—a strategic board appointment, market-making services, and an expanded marketing push—represent a coordinated and aggressive strategy. It demonstrates management's belief in the Sela Creek asset and its commitment to creating shareholder value not just through drilling success, but through sophisticated corporate and market management.

Navigating Suriname's High-Potential Landscape

Miata's strategic push comes as Suriname continues to be a focal point for gold exploration. The nation's economy is heavily reliant on mineral resources, and its government is broadly supportive of foreign investment to develop its natural wealth. The Guiana Shield, where Sela Creek is located, is considered one of the world's most prospective and underexplored regions for major gold deposits, a fact validated by the presence of global giants like Newmont and China's Zijin Mining Group.

However, operating in the region is not without its challenges, including an outdated mining legal framework that can add complexity to project development. For junior explorers like Miata, navigating this landscape requires both technical skill and financial fortitude. While past financial statements have noted the inherent risks and working capital deficits common to exploration-stage companies, the assertion that the current 25,000-meter drill program is “fully funded” suggests recent financing success has positioned the company to execute its ambitious plans. The appointment of a capital markets veteran like Hartman further strengthens its ability to secure the necessary funding for future development stages. The results from the ongoing drilling will be a critical test of this renewed strategy and could prove transformative for the company's future in Suriname.