Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (TSXV: SPX, OTC: STLXF) announced on September 22, 2026, that it has signed a drilling services contract with Moroccan contractor Compagnie Marocaine des Forages Minier for a fully funded 5,000-metre, 24-hole Phase II diamond drill program at its Tichka Est Gold Project in Morocco. Rig mobilisation is underway and drilling is expected to begin in October 2026. Separately, trenching at a newly identified dyke target commenced September 14, 2026, and a high-resolution drone magnetic survey has also been contracted, marking a significant broadening of the company's fall exploration campaign.

Key Points

  • Stellar AfricaGold Inc. (TSXV: SPX, OTC: STLXF) is advancing exploration at the Tichka Est Gold Project, Morocco
  • A drilling contract with CMFM has been executed following a competitive tender; rig mobilisation is underway with drilling expected in October 2026
  • Seven mechanical trenches totalling approximately 217 metres commenced September 14, 2026, at a new dyke target; five of the 24 Phase II drill holes are provisionally allocated to this area
  • Investors may be watching for the formal drilling start announcement, trench assay results, and data from the contracted 144-line-kilometre drone magnetic survey

CMFM Selected After Competitive Tender for Phase II Drilling at Zone B

Following tender process AO 01-2026, Stellar AfricaGold executed a drilling services contract with CMFM, chosen from three qualified bidders based on technical capability, mountain-terrain experience, safety record, schedule, and price. The contract includes performance-based requirements covering minimum core recovery in mineralised zones, systematic downhole deviation surveys, and oriented core. The first Phase II holes will target depth and strike extensions of the mineralised diorite sill stack at Zone B, directly beneath drill hole TCK-001, which previously returned 12 metres at 6.62 g/t Au, including 2 metres at 22.28 g/t Au. Drill platforms, access, and water supply are confirmed to be in place.

Trenching at the New Dyke Target Tests Satellite and Geochemical Anomalies

Excavation of the seven-trench program began September 14, 2026, at a dyke corridor identified through the convergence of a 2026 satellite remote-sensing study, dyke-population mapping, and anomalous rock sampling. The approximately 217-metre program is accompanied by systematic channel sampling and detailed structural mapping. Assay results will be reported once received, validated, and interpreted in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. The company states that trenching results will inform the finalisation of the drill plan for the five Phase II holes provisionally allocated to this new dyke target area, with drilling anticipated in Q4 2026 following Zone B holes.

Drone Magnetic Survey to Refine Targeting Across Zones A, B, and C

Stellar AfricaGold has contracted geophysical firm PROGREM SARL to conduct a closed-grid drone magnetic survey covering approximately 144 line-kilometres across Zones A, B, and C. East–west survey lines are spaced 50 metres apart with 500-metre tie lines, flown at a nominal 60-metre terrain clearance using a Geometrics MagArrow magnetometer on a DJI Matrice 350 RTK platform. Deliverables include full processing, interpretation, and 3D magnetic inversion. Acquisition is scheduled for October 2026 and will be integrated into drill targeting, subject to weather conditions at site elevations of up to approximately 2,500 metres.

Earn-In Structure and Project Scale at Tichka Est

The Tichka Est Gold Project covers 82 km² in Morocco's High Atlas region, approximately 90 km south of Marrakech. Under an earn-in agreement with Morocco's ONHYM, Stellar can earn an 85% interest by incurring US$2.39 million in exploration expenditures over three years. Gold mineralisation is currently recognised in Zones A, B, and C, while the company notes that much of the 82 km² project area remains unexplored or only superficially explored. The technical content of the release was reviewed and approved by Qualified Person M. Yassine Belkabir, MScDIC, CEng, MIMMM.