Spanish Mountain Gold Taps Veteran IR Pro for C$1.25B Project Push

VANCOUVER, BC – January 23, 2026 – As it moves closer to a pivotal construction decision on its flagship gold project, Spanish Mountain Gold Ltd. (TSX-V: SPA) has engaged a seasoned industry specialist to amplify its message to the investment community. The company announced it has retained the services of Laura Stein, a New York-based communications professional with over three decades of experience in the mining sector.

The move signals a strategic intensification of the company's investor outreach as it advances its 100%-owned Spanish Mountain Gold Project in British Columbia, a venture with an estimated initial capital cost of C$1.25 billion. Stein is tasked with communicating directly with existing shareholders, analysts, and prospective investors, a critical role as the company navigates the path toward a final construction decision targeted for or before 2027.

A Strategic Move Ahead of Critical Milestones

The timing of this engagement is crucial. Spanish Mountain Gold is at a development stage where clear, consistent, and compelling communication can significantly influence market perception and access to capital. Bringing on a professional with Stein's deep-rooted experience in the mining industry underscores the company's intent to professionalize its investor relations ahead of major financing and development hurdles.

Stein's track record includes providing communication services for other junior and development-stage mining companies, such as Dryden Gold Corp., and she has been a voice at industry conferences, sharing insights on attracting investment in a competitive sector. Her role with Spanish Mountain Gold will involve a multi-channel approach, leveraging email, social media, and conference participation to build and sustain market interest.

The compensation package for Stein, which includes 250,000 stock options priced at $0.22, aligns her interests with those of shareholders. The options vest over an 18-month period, suggesting a long-term strategic commitment. This structure incentivizes the building of sustained value as the project de-risks and moves toward production. The agreement, which the company noted is an arm's-length transaction, remains subject to final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange.

Bolstering a C$1 Billion 'Green Gold' Vision

At the heart of the story Stein will be tasked with telling is the significant economic potential of the Spanish Mountain Gold Project, underpinned by an ambitious environmental vision. The company's Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), updated in an NI 43-101 technical report filed in August 2025, paints a robust financial picture. The base case projects an after-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of C$1.025 billion and an Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 18.2%, based on a gold price of US$2,450 per ounce.

The project demonstrates significant leverage to the price of gold, a key selling point for investors. At a spot price of US$3,300 per ounce, the after-tax NPV skyrockets to C$2.315 billion with an IRR of 32.0%. With a projected mine life of 24.5 years and average annual production of over 203,000 ounces in its first five years, the project represents a potentially large-scale, long-life asset in a stable Canadian jurisdiction.

Beyond the numbers, Spanish Mountain Gold is aggressively branding the project as a future leader in sustainable mining, striving to build the "'greenest' gold mine in Canada." This claim is central to its identity and its appeal to a growing cohort of ESG-focused investors. The project's design leverages access to British Columbia's hydroelectric grid, which is expected to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions compared to diesel-powered operations. The ore's characteristics also allow for an energy-efficient milling process, further minimizing its carbon footprint.

The company's commitment extends to proactive environmental stewardship and strong Indigenous relations. It has been conducting onsite environmental monitoring since 2006 and has established cooperation agreements with the three First Nations whose traditional territories include the project area. This long-standing engagement, which includes training and employing Indigenous environmental monitors, is a cornerstone of its social license to operate. The project is currently navigating the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office's review process, a critical step in validating its environmental claims and securing the necessary permits for construction.

Navigating a Cautious Market

Despite the project's promising economics and ESG credentials, Spanish Mountain Gold faces the market realities common to pre-revenue development companies. While the announcement of Stein's engagement saw a modest 2.27% rise in its stock price to $0.225, the company operates in a capital-intensive industry where investor sentiment can be cautious. Market analysis indicates concerns over ongoing cash burn and a lack of widespread analyst coverage, which can limit visibility among institutional investors.

The engagement of an experienced IR professional like Laura Stein is a direct tactic to address these challenges. Her role will be to translate the complex technical and financial details of the Spanish Mountain project into a clear and convincing narrative. By proactively engaging with analysts and funds, particularly those with an ESG mandate, the company aims to broaden its shareholder base and build the market confidence necessary to secure the substantial financing required for construction.

As Spanish Mountain Gold continues its resource-extension drilling and advances through the environmental assessment process, effective communication of these milestones will be paramount. Stein's appointment marks a clear effort by the company's leadership, under President and CEO Peter Mah, to ensure its compelling story reaches the right audience at the right time, paving the way for the development of the Cariboo Gold Corridor's next major mine.