CEO.CA Chairman's Briefing

(TheNewswire)

• Drillhole TR25-03 intersected 6.08m of 456.6 gpt AgEq within a broader zone of 50.3m averaging 89.7 gpt AgEq at shallow depth 

• Second drill rig mobilized to site and has commenced Core drilling of Carbonate Replacement Deposit (“CRD”) style targets 

• 10 RC holes have now been drilled with additional results pending 

Vancouver, Canada – August 14, 2025 - Aztec Minerals Corp. (AZT: TSX-V, OTCQB: AZZTF) (“Aztec” or the “Company”) announces it has received the results from the first 5 holes of its reverse circulation portion of the 2025 drilling program at the Tombstone Property in Southeastern Arizona.  The company also announces that a second drill rig (core) has been mobilized onto the property and has commenced drill testing of deeper carbonate replacement style (“CRD”) targets underlying the property.

Highlights include drill hole TR25-03 in the Southern Extension Area which returned 253.0 grams per tonne (gpt) silver and 2.26 gpt gold (456.6 gpt silver equivalent (AgEq) using a 90:1 silver:gold ratio) over 6.08 meters (m) within 50.3m of 53.0 gpt silver and 0.41 gpt gold, starting from 67.0m depth.  Drill hole TR25-02, drilled adjacent to the collar of TR25-03 returned 28.9 m at 27.6 gpt AgEq (10.4 gpt Ag and 0.19 gpt Au), 35.1 m at 11.6 gpt AgEq (8.7 gpt Ag and 0.05 gpt Au) and finished the drill hole in 9.1 m at 12.9 gpt AgEq (5.4 gpt Ag and 0.08 gpt Au). It should be noted all intersection lengths reported are apparent widths of the mineralization, not true widths, which can range at the property from 30% to 100% of apparent widths.

Aztec also reports analytical results from two RC “precollars” (drill holes TC25-01 and TC25-02) which are expected to be completed as core holes to 600m - 800m total depths as part of the core drilling portion of the 2025 drilling program which has now commenced.  The highlights of the shallow RC portion of these holes include:

• TC25-01 which intersected 22.9m at 39.4 gpt AgEq (23.0 gpt Ag and 0.18 gpt Au); and 

• TC25-02 which intersected 62.5m at 40.7 gpt AgEq (19.4 gpt Ag and 0.24 gpt Au).  

The core extensions of the pre collared drill holes target potential CRD sulfide mineralization below the near-surface gold-silver oxide mineralization discoveries in the primary Contention pit and Southern extension zones.  Aztec has previously identified several large, strong, conductive bodies, underneath the historic gold-silver district through NSAMT (natural-source audio-frequency magneto-telluric surveys) anomalies1.

Aztec Minerals’ CEO Simon Dyakowski stated, “The high-grade silver intersection drilled in TR25-03 demonstrates the continued discovery of high-grade precious metal mineralization that the historic Tombstone Silver District is best known for.  This intersection of 456.6 gpt Silver Equivalent over 6m is situated nearly 50 m north of our highest-grade silver drill intersection drilled last year in TR24-16.  We are encouraged by the continued interceptions of this zone of strong mineralization zone in the South Extension area.  Aztec is also excited to have added a second drill rig, and to have commenced drilling, for the first time, the initial CRD targets at the Tombstone Project.”

The successful drilling of TR25-03 and TC25-02 in the Southern Extension of the Contention pit has confirmed the geologic model for that portion of the Contention pit and prioritizes it for exploration going forward.  The southern end of the Contention system has yet to be defined.  Of note, early results of the 2025 program reaffirm the importance of the Qfp dike bodies acting as conduits for the hydrothermal breccias and quartz veinlets.  The Qfp dike bodies have variations in thickness and mineralization and plunge to the West.  Key limestone marker beds of the project were not regularly intercepted as is found further north.  This supports the concept that East of the Contention fault system, as seen in the discovery of TR24-16, Blue limestone was not intercepted, suggesting the South Extension has significant faulting of the Contention fault system.

Detailed Drillhole Summary Highlights (see Table 1 & 2 below):

• Hole TC25-01 – Drilled as a precollar for deeper core drilling intersected 22.9 m at 39.4 gpt AgEq (23.0 gpt Ag and 0.18 gpt Au). The hole was designed to test for mineralization in the western side of the Contention system of the Southern Extension. The interval is composed of siliciously and argillically altered, lower Bisbee group fine-grained sandstones/quartzites, siltstones/hornfels cut by hydrothermal breccias and faults/fissures with quartz veining.  Moderate to strong iron oxides, manganese oxides, orange to red color, and 1 to 10% oxidized pyrite sites. 

• Hole TC25-02 – Drilled as a precollar for deeper core drilling, intersected a broad zone of 62.5 m at 40.7 gpt AgEq (19.4 gpt Ag and 0.24 gpt Au). The hole was designed to test for mineralization in the western side of the Contention system of the Southern Extension. The interval is composed of siliciously and argillically altered, lower Bisbee group fine-grained sandstones/quartzites, siltstones/hornfels cut by hydrothermal breccias and faults/fissures with quartz veining.  Moderate to strong iron oxides, manganese oxides, orange to red color, and 1 to 10% oxidized pyrite sites. 

• Hole TR25-01 – Designed as a test of the southern end of the presumed trend of the Contention system.  While it intercepted weak to moderate alteration and mineralization it confirmed suspicions that the Contention system changes strike North of the drillhole, striking to the southwest in a possible sigmoidal manner.  The interval is composed of siliciously and argillically altered, lower Bisbee group fine-grained sandstones/quartzites, siltstones/hornfels and limestones cut by minor hydrothermal breccias and faults/fissures with weak quartz veining.  Moderate to strong iron oxides, manganese oxides, orange to red color, and trace oxidized pyrite sites. 

• Hole TR25-02 - Intersected 28.9 m at27.6 gpt AgEq (10.4 gpt Ag and 0.19 gpt Au), 35.1 m at 11.6 gpt AgEq (8.7 gpt Ag and 0.05 gpt Au) and finished the drill hole in 9.1 m at 12.9 gpt AgEq (5.35 gpt Ag and 0. 08 gpt Au). The hole was designed to test the western side of the Contention system from the West. The drillhole intersected three zones of mineralization and leaves the mineralization open to the West and to depth. The interval is composed of siliciously and argillically altered, lower Bisbee group fine-grained sandstones/quartzites, siltstones/hornfels cut by quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes, hydrothermal breccias and faults/fissures with quartz veining.  Moderate to strong iron oxides, manganese oxides, orange to red color, and 1 to 3% oxidized pyrite sites.  

• Hole TR25-03 - 50.3m of 89.7 gpt AgEq (53.0 gpt Ag and 0.41 gpt Au) including a high grade 6.08m intercept of 456.6 gpt AgEq (253.0 gpt Ag and 2.26 gpt Au) within a zone of 89.7 gpt AgEq over 50.3 m. The hole was designed to test the western side of the Contention system. The drillhole intersected a series of mineralization zones and leaves the mineralization open to the East and to depth. The interval is composed of siliciously and argillically altered, lower Bisbee group fine-grained sandstones/quartzites, siltstones/hornfels cut by quartz-feldspar porphyry dikes, hydrothermal breccias and faults/fissures with quartz veining.  Moderate to strong iron oxides, manganese oxides, orange to red color, and 1 to 10% oxidized pyrite sites.  

View drill sections here:

Link to section view hole TR25-02 and TR25-03

 Link to section view hole TC 25-01

Link to section view hole TC 25-02

Figure 1: Tombstone 2025 RC Drilling Plan Completed to Date

Click Image To View Full Size

The ten RC drill holes in the program completed to date are as part of a “fan grid pattern” being drilled in the Contention area since 2020.  Nine of these RC drill holes were to test for extensions on the western, eastern borders, the southern extensions, and underneath of the north-trending main Contention target zone which hosts the historic underground and open pit Contention mine.  One RC drill hole tested a projected dike and fissure vein intersection under mineralized outcrops and historic shafts.  The drill program continued to identify pervasively oxidized and hematite-rich, silicified hydrothermal breccias composed of quartz feldspar porphyry dike and Bisbee Group clastic sedimentary fragments, typical of the material mined historically at the Contention Mine.

Additional mineralization types continued to be outlined by the current drilling including: manganese replacements in limestone beds and skarns, quartz veinlets, sulfide relicts as disseminations, silicification of altered hornfels, quartz feldspar porphyries and hydrothermal breccias.  For the 2025 program being currently reported, TR25-02 is the deepest hole drilled, it has an inclination of -75 degrees and was drilled to a depth of 193.6 m (187 m vertical) remaining in mineralized and oxidized rocks most of its length.

The drilling results showed that the Contention area mineralization is still open and to depth and the mineralized volume is expanding.

2025 RC and Core Drilling Program

The RC drilling program is targeting shallow zones associated with surface exploration and 3D geological modelling, prospective for wide oxide gold-silver mineralization, and drilling precollars for the deeper CRD target tests.  The drilling program has completed 10 RC drill holes (1,832.3 m) to date, testing both the Contention Main and Southern Extension areas as step out targets and a Westside Area first pass target (see Figures 1, 2 below), with results from the first five holes in the Southern Extension area now announced.  Visual observations of the drilled sample materials and initial assay results continue to validate the potential bulk mineable oxide gold-silver geological setting as outlined in Aztec’s geological exploration model.

The primary objectives of the 2025 drilling program are to: Expand the known mineralization horizontally to the west, north and south, and down dip beyond the holes drilled by Aztec in 2020-24 at the Contention Pit with step outs to enlarge the shallow, broad, bulk tonnage gold-silver mineralization discovered there; test by core drilling the initial deep CRD targets and also, to explore with first pass drilling new targets identified in the Westside area.

Table 1: Contention South Extension Drill Results Currently Reported

Table 2 – Drillhole Coordinates

*Both drill holes are precollars for 2025 deep core drilling

Drill samples are collected every 1.52 m from RC chips and every 1.5m from sawing the core drill holes.  The samples are analyzed by Bureau Veritas for gold with a 30-gram sample size using the method FA430 followed by MA300. Over limits, when present, are analyzed by AR404 or FA550. All holes contain certified blanks, standards, and duplicates as part of the quality control program. The QA/QC has delivered excellent results to date good data integrity.  The samples are shipped to and received by Bureau Veritas Minerals laboratory for the gold and multielement geochemical analysis and additional gold results will be received and reported in the next several weeks.  The QAQC for the drilling programs has been evaluated and found to have good results.

The company uses quality assurance-quality control as a standard part of its sampling-assaying-assessments in conjunction with its exploration sampling programs.  Samples and their collection are controlled by an industry standard conforming QAQC program including insertions of certified standards, blanks and sample duplicates.  The samples are being regularly shipped to and received by the Bureau Veritas Minerals laboratory in Hermosillo, Mexico for geochemical analysis.

Tombstone Project Overview

Aztec Minerals holds a 85.0% interest in the Tombstone Property Joint Venture, which includes most of the original patented mining claims in the main district as well as some recently acquired properties.

The main target of the current drilling is to continue testing the shallow, bulk tonnage, potentially heap leachable, mesothermal gold-silver oxide mineralization adjacent and below the previously mined Contention pit by step-out drilling.  Future drilling is expected to focus on follow-up on the current program’s results. It is anticipated that possible targeting could include strike and dip extensions of the shallow oxide mineralization, and move along those trends deeper into the sulfide zone as historically there was significant production to 300 m depth.

The Tombstone project is located 100 kilometers (km) southeast of Tucson, Arizona and covers much of the historic Tombstone silver district.  Tombstone is renowned for its high grade, oxidized, silver-gold mesothermal stringer lode veins, hydrothermal breccias and manto CRD orebodies that were mined in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  The historic silver production in the Tombstone district from 1878 to 1939 was estimated at 32 million ounces and 250,000 ounces of gold*.

The district geology consists of a mix of shallow-level, oxidized Au-Ag and base metal deposits related to CRD and skarns hosted in folded and thrusted sediments, intrusive dikes, and lode veins, and as well the under explored, sulfide versions located below the water table.

Host rocks to the mineralization are primarily the clastic sediments of the lowest portion of the Cretaceous Bisbee Formation.  Between 50 and 300 meters (m) in depth, the Bisbee is underlain by approximately two kms thick of the same Paleozoic carbonate formations that host the 110 MT Hermosa-Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit of South32 located 60 km southwest of Tombstone.

Aztec believes that the historic silver mines at Tombstone could be related to a much larger mesothermal system with CRD mineralization below the old mines.  Since 2017, Aztec has completed geological mapping, geochemical sampling and geophysical surveying to identify the most prospective areas for Au-Ag mineralization around and below the Contention open pit, and CRD zinc-lead-copper-silver-gold mineralization below the entire district.  Aztec management views the district as highly prospective for the discovery of mesothermal and CRD mineralization.

Summary Tombstone Project Highlights

• Well located property on patented (33) and unpatented (73) claims (663 hectares / 1639 acres), covers much of the historic Tombstone silver mining district, great infrastructure, local town, road access, full services, water, power 

• Historic silver districtproduced 32 million ounces of silver and 250,000 ounces of gold from 1878-1939, in high grade, oxidized, silver-gold-lead-zinc-copper vein, breccia and CRD deposits, and small open pit heap leach production in late 1980’s 

• Drilling by Aztec in 2020-24 has demonstrated that the Contention Pit target has significant, shallow. oxidized Au-Ag bulk tonnage mineralization which is open in all directions 

• Multiple other prospective targets in Cretaceous and Paleozoic rocks related to major NW and NNE trending structures hosting porphyritic intrusions crosscutting a possible caldera ring structure 

x Aztec has not verified these historic results and is not relying on them.  Aztec has in its possession the historic drill logs, maps and reports but does not have any information on the quality assurance or quality control measures taken in connection with these historical exploration results.

Noted References:

1 – “Zonge International, AMT Survey, Tombstone Project, Cochise County, AZ, Data Acquisition and Processing Report, Prepared for Aztec Minerals, 18 May 2020, Zonge Job #20013”

Allen David Heyl, B.Sc., CPG – AIPG No.11277, VP Exploration of Aztec, is the Qualified Person under NI43-101, supervises the Tombstone exploration programs.  Mr. Heyl has reviewed and approved the technical disclosures in this news release.

“Simon Dyakowski”

Simon Dyakowski, Chief Executive Officer

Aztec Minerals Corp.

About Aztec Minerals – Aztec is a mineral exploration company focused on two emerging discoveries in North America. The Cervantes project is an emerging porphyry gold-copper discovery in Sonora, Mexico. The Tombstone project is an emerging gold-silver discovery with high grade CRD silver-lead-zinc potential in southern Arizona. Aztec’s shares trade on the TSX-V stock exchange (symbol AZT) and on the OTCQB (symbol AZZTF).

Contact Information - For more information, please contact:

Simon Dyakowski, President & CEO, Director

Tel: (604) 685-9770
Fax: (604) 685-9744
Email:  info@aztecminerals.com

Website: www.aztecminerals.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains “forward‐looking information or statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, completing ongoing and planned work, statements relating to advancing the Tombstone Project, drill and sampling results including additional potential work and results therefrom, the Company’s plans for its Tombstone Project, potential for further expansion of the mineralization at the Tombstone Project, expected results and outcomes, the technical, financial and business prospects of the Company, its project and other matters. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, including the price of metals, the ability to achieve its goals, that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms. Such forward-looking information reflects the Company’s views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of exploration results, risks related to the inherent uncertainty of exploration and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses, and those filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions, adverse weather or climate conditions, failure to maintain or obtain all necessary government permits, approvals and authorizations, failure to obtain or maintain community acceptance (including First Nations), decrease in the price of gold, silver and other metals, increase in costs, litigation, and failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations. The Company does not undertake to update forward‐looking statements or forward‐looking information, except as required by law.

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