Heliostar Metals Ltd. (TSX-V: HSTR) (OTCQX: HSTXF) (FSE: RGG1) is pleased to announce that the commencement of mining at the Veta Madre pit at the Company’s 100% owned La Colorada property occurred earlier this week.

Charles Funk, CEO, comments: “The restart of open-pit mining at La Colorada is another important milestone for Heliostar. This progress is part of our corporate plan to secure cash flow through 2027 and 2028 to support construction at Ana Paula. We see production from Veta Madre as a critical part of that plan. Gold production is moving from the innovative approach of stockpile-and-injection leaching that has driven our current production to stacking higher-grade new gold ore for production starting next year. The Company has designed a larger pit than detailed in the 2025 technical report as a result of our recent exploration drilling campaign. Called the Veta Madre Plus pit, it targets an additional 20,000 ounces of gold beyond the current reserve. We see significant potential for additional growth at La Colorada and now have a steady production base from which we can continue to expand the future of the mine.”

La Colorada Mine Details

The La Colorada Mine hosts reserves of 376,000 ounces of gold grading 0.68 grams per tonne in 17.1 million tonnes (“Mt”) of ore. The current technical report and operating plan for the mine show a six-year mine life averaging 46,100 ounces of annual gold production.

Within the larger reserve, the Veta Madre pit hosts 48,000 ounces of gold grading 0.71 g/t in 2.1 Mt of ore. Through the first half of 2026, the Company completed a drill campaign at the Veta Madre Plus pit area and is targeting an additional 20,000 ounces of gold beyond the current reserve base in the currently planned Veta Madre Plus pit.

The operation is currently producing gold from injection leaching and is on track to meet its production guidance of 20,000-22,300 ounces of gold in 2026.

Photo 1: The first blast from the restart of mining at Veta Madre

Photo 2: La Colorada leadership team celebrating the first blast

Photo 3: The La Colorada site team

Photo 4: View of mining operations in the Veta Madre cutback area

Cyanide Code

The Company is also proud to announce it has become a Signatory to the International Cyanide Management Code. The Cyanide Code is a risk-based assurance program focused on the safe and environmentally responsible management of cyanide by companies producing gold and/or silver and by companies manufacturing, warehousing, and transporting cyanide. This step forward is a part of Heliostar’s ongoing commitment to achieve the highest industry standards in all aspects of the Company’s operations. By becoming a signatory, Heliostar commits to following the Cyanide Code’s Principles and implementing its Standards of Practice. As part of this program, the information submitted by the La Colorada operation to the International Cyanide Management Institute (“ICMI”) will be posted on the Cyanide Code website (www.cyanidecode.org).

Qualified Persons

Gregg Bush, P.Eng. and Mike Gingles, MBA, the Company’s Qualified Persons, as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, have reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release and have approved the disclosure herein. Mr Bush is employed as COO, and Mr Gingles is employed as VP Corporate Development of Heliostar.

About Heliostar Metals Ltd.

Heliostar is a growing gold producer with a goal to produce 500,000 ounces per year by the end of the decade. The cash flow from the Company’s La Colorada Mine in Sonora and the San Agustin Mine in Durango supports the development of its 100% owned pipeline of growth projects in Mexico and the USA. These include the flagship Ana Paula development project in Guerrero, the Cerro del Gallo project in Guanajuato, the San Antonio project in Baja Sur, the Goldstrike project in Utah and the Unga project in Alaska.