Western Exploration Inc. released exploration and development plans for its 100% owned Aura Project, located in North Elko County, Nevada (the "Aura Project"). The Company has a three-pronged approach to advancing the Aura Project in 2022: Surface Exploration – Geophysics, geochemistry and geology will be completed over high-priority exploration targets (including Wood Gulch and Gravel Creek) with the objective of further defining targets for drilling in 2023. Drilling at Doby George – Approximately 2,000 meters of large diameter diamond drill core will be completed at Doby George to advance the metallurgical understanding and geologic interpretation of the project in advance of completing a pre-feasibility study in 2023.

Leveraging GoldSpot Discoveries – The Company will leverage the proprietary artificial intelligence technology of GoldSpot Discoveries Corp. ("GoldSpot") to synthesize 25 years of exploration and drilling data to develop further exploration drill targets at the Aura Project. The 6,000 hectare Aura Project is unique in the junior mining space insofar as it is supported by a technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") at three different deposits (Doby George, Gravel Creek and Wood Gulch (former operating mine)) reflecting an indicated resource of 652,271 Aueq ounces at 1.43 g/t and an inferred resource of 665,357 Aueq ounces at 1.71 g/t. Metallurgical test work for all three deposits has shown that well-established processes, including whole ore flotation at Gravel Creek and heap leaching at Wood Gulch and Doby George, can be used to extract gold and silver from the known mineralization.

A synthesis of exploration work conducted at the Aura Project from 1997 to 2021 has resulted in the creation of a robust geologic model, which offers significant potential for resource expansion and new discovery. The Aura Project is accessible year-round by highway and county roads with access to water and electricity nearby. It is located 32 kilometers north of the Jerritt Canyon mine, which has been in continual operation since 1981.