v3.26.1
Mineral properties
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2026
Mineral Properties  
Mineral properties

 

3.Mineral properties

 

The Company’s mineral properties consist of exploration stage interests located in Ontario, Canada and Nevada, USA.

 

Changes in the project carrying amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2025, are summarized as follows:

 

            
   December 31,       March 31, 
   2025   Additions, net   2026 
    $    $    $ 
Excelsior Springs   4,791,780        4,791,780 
Oneman & Laird   42,835        42,835 
Forester       2,296,707    2,296,707 
    4,834,615    2,296,707    7,131,322 
Elimination of cumulative translation adjustment           778,690 
Total   4,834,615    2,296,707    7,910,012 

 

   December 31,       March 31, 
   2024   Additions   2025 
   $   $   $ 
Excelsior Springs   7,840,981        7,840,981 

 

Exploration and evaluation costs expensed on the projects consisted of the following:

 

   Excelsior   Oneman     
   Springs   & Laird   Total 
Three months ended March 31, 2026  $   $   $ 
Field       4,800    4,800 
Geological and consulting (Note 6)       90,599    90,599 
        95,399    95,399 
Less: Recovery of costs       (200,000)   (200,000)
        (104,601)   (104,601)

 

   Excelsior   Laird &     
   Springs   Oneman   Total 
Three months ended March 31, 2025  $   $   $ 
Geological and consulting   76,623        76,623 
    76,623        76,623 

 

Excelsior Springs

 

In 2021, the Company acquired 100% of Nubian USA from Carlton Precious Inc. (formerly Nubian Resources Ltd.) (the “Seller”). Nubian USA holds full ownership of the mining claims comprising the Excelsior Springs Prospect (the “Property”) located in Esmerelda County, Nevada.

 

The Seller retained a 1% Net Smelter Returns (NSR) Royalty on the claims sold to the Company. One-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by the Company for $500,000. An additional one-half (0.5%) of the NSR Royalty may be purchased by the Company at fair market value.

 

In 2022 and 2024, the Company collectively acquired a 100% interest in the Fortunatus and Prout patented lode mining claims in Esmeralda County, Nevada as part of the Excelsior Springs Project, and a 100% interest in certain claims known as the Blue Dick Mine, together with certain technical data relating to the mining claims. Total consideration paid by the Company for these transactions was $295,272 (US$230,000) and a 3% NSR.

 

On May 28, 2025, the Company entered into an option agreement with Mammoth Minerals Limited (Mammoth) granting Mammoth an option to earn an 80% interest in the Excelsior Springs project. In consideration of the option, Mammoth has paid the Company $178,253 (AUD$200,000) in cash, and 32,000,000 common shares with a fair value of $2,839,872 (US$2,059,520), which was recognized as a reduction to mineral properties totaling $3,018,125 (US$2,187,635). A 1% net smelter return royalty will also be provided to Athena Gold on certain claims comprising the Property.

 

Mammoth is also required to incur not less than US$5,000,000 in exploration expenditures by May 2030. If Mammoth successfully earns its 80% interest, the parties will form a joint venture partnership that provides the Company with a 20% free-carried interest until a Definitive Feasibility Study is published. On May 15, 2026, Mammoth has advised the Buster drilling database is now being finalized for submission to independent resource consultants, marking a key step towards the delivery of Mammoth’s maiden Mineral Resource Estimate and Exploration Target, scheduled for Q3 2026.

 

Oneman Lake and Laird Lake Projects

 

In 2024, the Company entered into a Definitive Agreement with Libra Lithium Corp., (“Libra”) as assigned by Bounty Gold Corp., (“Bounty Gold”) for an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Oneman Lake project, near Kenora, Ontario, and the Laird Lake project, near Red Lake, Ontario. The Company can acquire the projects for cash and common share consideration (which may be accelerated at the Company’s option or settled in a combination of cash of common shares) as follows:

 

·$50,000 by August 19, 2025 (paid, cash of $25,000 (US$18,100) and the issuance of 500,000 common shares with a fair value of $25,000 (US$18,135))
   
·$50,000 by August 19, 2026;

 

 

 

 

·$50,000 by August 19, 2027;
   
·$50,000 by August 19, 2028; and
   
·$1,000,000 in cash by August 19, 2029, or alternatively:

 

·75% in cash and 25% in common shares, for a total payment of $1,250,000;
   
·50% in cash and 50% in common shares, for a total payment of $1,500,000;
   
·25% in cash and 75% in common shares, for a total payment of $1,750,000.

 

Upon completion of the above obligations by the Company, Bounty Gold will retain a 2% NSR on the Properties, of which 1% may be purchased by the Company for $1,000,000 at any time.

 

On February 20, 2026, the Company entered into an exploration agreement with Wabauskang First Nation (“WFN”) to promote a cooperative and mutually respectful relationship concerning the Laird Lake project situated in the Red Lake Gold District of Ontario, or any other additional mining claims or properties in which Athena may acquire an interest, located within the WFN’s traditional territory. The Company issued 10,101 common shares at a fair value of $6,000 (Note 4).

 

Forester Gold Project

 

On March 16, 2026, the Company acquired a 100% interest in the Forester Gold Project located in Northwestern Ontario, Canada, through the acquisition of a private British Columbia holding company, Last Bounty Gold Corp., (“Last Bounty”) by way of a Share Purchase Agreement executed on February 25, 2026. Pursuant to the agreement, the Company issued 4,242,429 common shares at a price of $0.54 per share for a total fair value of $2,310,000 (Note 4), less $13,293 in cash reimbursements from Last Bounty.

 

Last Bounty had no material assets, liabilities, or expenses on the acquisition date and accordingly the acquisition by the Company has been accounted for as an asset acquisition in accordance with the guidance provided in IFRS 2, Share-based Payments and IFRS 3, Business Combinations through the issuance of common shares by the Company for the net assets of Last Bounty. Accordingly, no goodwill or intangible assets were recorded with respect to the acquisition as it does not constitute a business. The fair value of the consideration paid by the Company was entirely attributable to mineral properties.