(MENAFN- Newsfile Corp) Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 21, 2025) - Founders Metals Inc. (TSXV: FDR) (OTCQX: FDMIF) (FSE: 9DL0) ("Founders" or the "Company") announces significant progress in its surface exploration program at the Antino Gold Project ("Antino" or "Project") in southeastern Suriname. The Company has completed extensive sampling at the Maria Geralda and Parbo targets, setting the stage for upcoming drill programs during the current dry season.

Founders is executing an aggressive exploration strategy targeting high-grade prospects including Maria Geralda, Parbo, Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Lawa, while systematically expanding known mineralization at Upper Antino, Buese, and Lower Antino.

"Surface exploration continues to build a robust pipeline of high-quality drill targets that our team will systematically test through diamond drilling," said Colin Padget, President and CEO. "The ongoing work at Maria Geralda and Parbo reveals significant opportunities for growth, further validating Antino's Tier 1 potential. Phase two drilling is underway at Maria Geralda, and with the rainy season ending, we're eager to return to Van Gogh, Da Vinci, and Lawa to follow up on earlier drilling success."

Key Surface Exploration Results

Maria Geralda Target - continues to demonstrate exceptional potential

• 1.3 km strike length of anomalous auger samples with grades reaching up to 7.47 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au)
• 516 auger samples collected to-date, including 314 anomalous (≥0.02 g/t Au) results
• Strong hit rate: 61% of samples anomalous, with 25% exceeding 0.1 g/t Au
• Ongoing sampling designed to test the southeastern extension towards Van Gogh

Parbo Target - compelling high-grade vein system within large-scale auger gold anomaly

• Historical ¹ 1,200 x 600-metre (m) auger anomaly with samples up to 51.42 g/t Au
  • 1344 historical auger samples with 83% anomalous (>= 0.02 g/t Au) and 46% exceeding 0.1 g/t Au
• Newly discovered 15-metre-wide oxidized shear zone at surface with abundant quartz veining and grab samples grading up to 26.85 g/t Au
• Historical trench results including 49.0 m of 1.02 g/t Au ¹
• Limited historical drilling intersected up to 12.0 m of 3.36 g/t Au ¹
• Commencement of auger and trenching programs to refine future Phase 1 drilling targets

Geological Context and Strategy

The Company's exploration strategy targets structures associated with the Central Guiana Shear Zone, a major regional control on gold mineralization. Recent surface work has successfully extended the Maria Geralda anomaly 1.3 kilometres south of the discovery hole (22.5 m core length of 11.88 g/t Au in MG003), with the mineralizing structure remaining open in both directions along strike.

Gold mineralization at Maria Geralda occurs in two distinct styles:

• High-grade shear-hosted mineralization along the contact between metavolcanic-metasedimentary rocks and intrusive complex
• Lower-grade bulk tonnage mineralization within the intrusion itself

At Parbo, surface teams have identified a high-grade vein system within felsic to intermediate intrusive rocks similar to Donut and Lower Antino. Recent mapping and trenching has exposed a 15-metre-wide mineralized shear zone characterized by intense silicification, quartz veining, and sericite alteration, with up to 5% pyrite in brittle fractures-a feature commonly associated with high-grade mineralization elsewhere on the property.

Next Steps

With the dry season now underway, Founders plans to:

• Continue systematic drilling at Maria Geralda with results pending
• Complete auger program at Parbo ahead of Phase 1 diamond drill program in Q4
• Execute surface exploration programs to provide structural context for Phase 2 drilling across other high-priority targets including Van Gogh, Da Vinci and Lawa

The comprehensive exploration approach positions Founders to unlock the full potential of the Antino Gold Project while systematically advancing multiple high-grade targets.

Figure 1: Antino Property Map

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Figure 2: Maria Geralda Plan Map

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Figure 3: Parbo Plan Map

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About Founders Metals Inc.
Founders Metals is a Canadian-based exploration company focused on advancing the Antino Gold Project located in Suriname, South America, in the heart of the Guiana Shield. Antino is 20,000 hectares and has produced over 500,000 ounces of gold from historical surface and alluvial mining to date¹. The Company is systematically advancing one of Suriname's most promising gold exploration and development opportunities with drill-confirmed, district-scale potential. Founders is committed to responsible exploration, community engagement, and delivering long-term value to shareholders through technical excellence and strategic growth in the Guiana Shield.
¹2022 Technical Report - Antino Project; Suriname, South America. K. Raffle, BSc, P. Geo & Rock Lefrançois, BSc, P.Geo.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,

Per: "Colin Padget"

Colin Padget
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director

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