Founders Metals Strikes Gold: 17.8 m of 5.68 g/t Au at Surface in New Zone

Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR, OTCQX: FDMIF, FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") has made a significant discovery at its Antino Gold Project in southeastern Suriname. The Company announced drill core assay results from the newly discovered Da Vinci prospect, revealing substantial gold mineralization from surface over two broad shear zones. The first five drill holes at Da Vinci have intersected notable gold intervals, including 36.0 meters of 2.21 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) and 67.0 meters of 1.26 g/t Au.

Highlights of the discovery include:

* Two northwest-striking, sub-parallel shears with similar structural characteristics as the Upper Antino Froyo Zone
* Gold mineralization confirmed in a broad, high-grade shear zone with 17.8 m of 5.68 g/t Au in the first channel
* Four additional grab samples from Van Gogh with grades of 66.8 g/t Au, 11.0 g/t Au, 7.8 g/t Au, and 1.5 g/t Au
* Current mapping indicates the structure extends >300 m along strike, with an average estimated true width of ~20 m for the main shear
* Sampling, LiDAR analysis, and mapping indicate more than one mineralized structure
* First of over ten 2025 exploration targets tested with similar overlapping geological characteristics as at Upper Antino

Founders' President and CEO, Colin Padget, commented on the discovery, "With all four drills back turning following a three-week break over the holidays, we're starting out strong in 2025. Our focus this year is on making new discoveries and continuing to grow what we know at Antino. Our technical team has identified 10-12 new areas with geological characteristics like those leading to December's Da Vinci Zone discovery and today's 17.8 m channel of 5.68 g/t Au is our first example of this approach in action. Our fully funded 60,000 m drill program is now underway with assay results beginning to roll in from the lab. With ongoing expansion drilling in several areas and our plan to rapidly test new targets, we will continue our track record of regularly releasing news throughout 2025. We look forward to a busy and exciting 2025."

The Da Vinci discovery demonstrates the potential for significant resource expansion at the Antino Gold Project, which could lead to an increase in the project's overall valuation. The recognition of common geological features at Da Vinci, similar to those associated with other gold zones on the property, suggests the potential for many more new discoveries over the 200 km2 property. The Company has secured funding for 60,000 meters of drilling in 2025, which will allow it to test new targets and further advance the project.





Table 1: Assay Results
| Hole ID | From (m) | To (m) | Core Length (m) | Au (g/t) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DV001 | 71.10 | 99.60 | 28.50 | 1.30 |
| | 72.60 | 83.10 | 10.50 | 2.39 |
| DV002 | 151.00 | 218.00 | 67.00 | 1.26 |
| | 197.00 | 218.00 | 21.00 | 3.24 |
| DV003 | 72.60 | 108.60 | 36.00 | 2.21 |
| DV004 | 0.00 | 15.60 | 15.60 | 1.18 |
| DV005 | 0.00 | 47.10 | 47.10 | 1.07 |
| | 18.60 | 29.10 | 10.50 | 3.40 |
| | 122.10 | 125.00 | 2.90 | 0.74 |
| | 137.00 | 144.00 | 7.00 | 0.37 |

*Intervals represent down-hole depths with true widths of mineralization currently unknown

Table 2: Drill Hole Locations
| Hole ID | Easting* (m) | Northing* (m) | Elevation (m) | Azimuth (°) | Dip (°) | Depth (m) |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| DV001 | 824705.9 | 394339.0 | 189.3 | 26.5 | -50.3 | 221.0 |
| DV002 | 824705.9 | 394339.0 | 189.3 | 31.5 | -70.3 | 305.0 |
| DV003 | 824706.5 | 394340.9 | 189.5 | 30.0 | -55 | 206.1 |
| DV004 | 824704.1 | 394342.1 | 189.4 | 210.9 | -50.5 | 200.0 |
| DV005 | 824605.8 | 394350.5 | 186.9 | 32.7 | -49.8 | 271.8 |

*The coordinate reference system is WGS 84, UTM zone 21N (EPSG 32621)

The Da Vinci discovery is a significant milestone for Founders Metals, demonstrating the potential for substantial resource growth and increased valuation. The Company's fully funded drilling program in 2025 will allow it to test new targets and further advance the project, potentially leading to additional high-grade gold discoveries. Investors should closely monitor Founders Metals' progress as it continues to explore and develop the Antino Gold Project.