LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME | OTC: LMEFF | FSE: 5YD) has expanded its 2026 Phase 1 diamond drilling program at its 100%-owned Ishkōday Gold and Polymetallic Project in Northwestern Ontario, increasing planned metreage from 3,865 to 5,605 metres across 22 drill holes. The decision follows the latest assay results from six holes—LBX26-113, LBX26-114A, LBX26-115, LBX26-116, LBX26-117 and LBX26-121—which the company reported on October 30, 2026, via NEWMEDIAWIRE.
The results are significant for investors because they provide early validation of LAURION’s geological model at the A-Zone, the primary target area. The expanded program is being guided by SRK Consulting’s independent structural gap analysis, which identified five priority target areas where additional drilling may address gaps in the existing drill database. LAURION aims to use this framework to systematically advance exploration and support the evaluation of a potential maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). For a mid-stage explorer, demonstrating continuity of mineralization is a critical step toward resource definition and, ultimately, project value.
The headline intercept came from hole LBX26-117, which returned 1.80 metres grading 17.10 g/t gold and 9.24 g/t silver, including 0.80 metres at 31.50 g/t gold. The hole also intersected a broader 10.05-metre interval of gold-bearing polymetallic mineralization deeper down, grading 1.112 g/t gold, 2.12 g/t silver and 0.51% zinc, which included 1.85 metres at 4.107 g/t gold, 0.23% copper and 2.19% zinc. LBX26-121, drilled from the same collar at a shallower angle, cut 5.20 metres grading 1.067 g/t gold and 1.11% zinc, plus a separate 0.65-metre interval at 6.240 g/t gold. LBX26-116 returned 2.80 metres grading 2.261 g/t gold, 8.06 g/t silver and 0.15% copper, and a wider 20.05-metre zone averaging 0.411 g/t gold and 0.61% zinc.
Not all holes met expectations. LBX26-113, designed as a twin of historical hole 92-65 to verify previously reported high-grade mineralization, returned lower grades than the historical results. LAURION said it will evaluate the implications for its historical drill database and geological interpretation. The company also noted that all core lengths are drilled thicknesses and true widths have not yet been determined.
Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO, said the drilling is designed to address specific gaps identified by SRK Consulting, improve understanding of the continuity and geometry of mineralization between drill holes, and build a reliable technical foundation at the A-Zone. “We will continue to let the data guide our next steps,” she said. The company has posted drill hole interpretation images, including LBX26-113 – Interpretation and LBX26-114A, along with diagrams for LBX26-115, LBX26-116, LBX26-117 and LBX26-121.
The Ishkōday Project covers approximately 57 square kilometres within the Beardmore–Geraldton and Onaman–Tashota Greenstone Belts and hosts a single 6.0 km by 2.5 km mineralized corridor. Historical and modern exploration programs have completed over 100,000 metres of drilling, confirming a large and evolving gold-rich polymetallic mineral system. LAURION’s strategy emphasizes disciplined, data-driven exploration and positioning the project for a potential future MRE. The company said additional targets, sequencing and timing remain subject to ongoing results and available financing. For more information, the company’s website is http://www.LAURION.ca, and the original release is available at www.newmediawire.com.
