Trident Drills into Saskatchewan's Gold Past for Future Riches

VANCOUVER, BC – January 15, 2026 – In the frozen expanse of northern Saskatchewan, the drills are turning once again. Trident Resources Corp. has officially commenced an ambitious 10,000-metre winter diamond drilling program at its Contact Lake Gold Project, signaling a major new phase of exploration in the historically rich La Ronge Gold Belt. The fully-funded campaign aims to transform a site dormant for decades into a cornerstone asset, building on spectacular high-grade gold intercepts from its initial 2025 drilling.

This program is more than just a routine exploration; it represents a calculated effort to awaken a sleeping giant. The Contact Lake site is no stranger to gold production, but a combination of low metal prices and shifting corporate priorities left its full potential untapped for nearly three decades.

Reviving a Forgotten Giant

The Contact Lake project carries a significant legacy. The site hosted the Contact Lake Gold Mine, operated by uranium giant Cameco Corporation between 1994 and 1998. During its tenure, the mine produced approximately 200,000 ounces of gold. However, with gold prices languishing around $300 per ounce, Cameco ceased operations to focus on its core uranium business, leaving what many geologists believe was a substantial amount of gold in the ground.

For almost 30 years, the project saw little to no exploration activity. That changed when Trident Resources acquired the property and applied modern exploration theory to the historical data. The company's 2025 drill program, the first in a generation, returned stunning results that electrified investors and validated the project's renewed potential. Highlights included drill hole CL25003, which intersected a broad 43.25-metre zone grading 7.03 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, including a bonanza-grade interval of 9.25 metres grading 30.06 g/t gold. Other holes, such as CL25006, hit 15 metres of 7.28 g/t gold, confirming the presence of a robust and high-grade mineralizing system.

These results were critical, as they not only confirmed historical grades but also discovered new mineralization below the previously mined structures, suggesting the system is much larger than previously understood. This winter program is designed to aggressively follow up on those discoveries.

A Calculated Bet in a Prolific Belt

Trident is not entering this ambitious program on a whim. The company is backed by a formidable treasury, reporting over $12 million in cash and marketable securities. This strong financial position, bolstered by a three-way merger that formed the current company, allows it to execute the 10,000-metre program without immediate financing pressures—a rare luxury in the junior exploration sector.

“Launching our winter drill program is an exciting step forward for Trident and our shareholders,” commented Jon Wiesblatt, CEO of Trident Resources, in a recent statement. “With gold mineralization identified historically and modern exploration techniques now being applied for the first time, we believe Contact Lake has the potential to become one of the more significant new gold projects in the La Ronge Gold Belt.”

The project's location adds to its allure. The La Ronge Gold Belt is a well-established mining jurisdiction, home to numerous past-producing mines and SSR Mining's currently operating Seabee Gold Operation, which has produced over two million ounces of gold. Yet, vast tracts of the belt remain underexplored. Trident's work at Contact Lake is part of a regional resurgence, with companies like MAS Gold Corp. also actively exploring nearby, all seeking to leverage new geological models to unlock value in a district known for its high-grade, structurally controlled gold deposits.

New Team, New Technology, New Targets

Leading the charge is a recently refreshed management team with deep expertise in both geology and capital markets. Chairman Tim Termuende is a professional geologist with over four decades of experience, much of it within the La Ronge Gold Belt itself. The exploration efforts are being co-led by VP Exploration Cornell McDowell and newly appointed Exploration Manager Paul Kremer, who previously played a key role in resource growth at the nearby Seabee Gold Operation. This blend of regional experience and a proven track record inspires confidence in the company's ability to execute its strategy effectively.

The 2026 program will deploy up to 40 drill holes across both land and ice-based targets at Contact Lake, as well as at the adjacent Preview SW deposit, another historical resource on the company's property. The strategy is to systematically test high-priority zones identified through a combination of structural mapping, modern geophysical surveys, and a painstaking review of historical data. By integrating these datasets, Trident aims to not only expand the known zones of mineralization but also to make entirely new discoveries.

Navigating Risks and Responsibilities

While the potential is enormous, the path forward is not without challenges. Junior mineral exploration is an inherently high-risk, high-reward venture where positive drill results are never guaranteed. Furthermore, operating in northern Saskatchewan during winter presents significant logistical hurdles, from mobilizing equipment over ice roads to managing operations in extreme cold, all of which can impact costs and timelines.

Trident must also navigate a stringent regulatory environment. Saskatchewan's environmental protection regulations govern all phases of mining, from exploration to closure. This includes strict rules for activities like drilling on ice, requiring careful management of drill mud and cuttings to protect the local ecosystem. Building and maintaining a social license to operate, which includes robust engagement with local and Indigenous communities, is paramount for any resource company aiming for long-term success in the region.

The coming months will be pivotal for Trident Resources. The market will be watching closely as drill core is pulled from the ground and sent for analysis. The assay results from this 10,000-metre program will go a long way in determining whether Contact Lake can truly be resurrected as a major Canadian gold project, potentially creating significant value for shareholders and breathing new economic life into this historic corner of the La Ronge Gold Belt.