Contango ORE, Inc. announced that its 30% owned Manh Choh project, operated by a subsidiary of Kinross Gold Corporation (?Kinross?), is on track for first production in early third quarter of 2024. Ore and waste mining are ongoing with the full mining fleet now in operation as planned. Following several months of orientation runs, transportation of ore to the Kinross Fort Knox mine, where the ore will be processed, continues to ramp up with all contracted trucks received, the majority of the drivers onboarded, and trailer manufacturing now complete.

At Fort Knox, mill modifications and site preparation remain on plan, including the completion of the ore delivery road and tie-ins for the pebble recycle conveyor. Building construction is advancing well, along with interior piping and electrical works. HIGHLIGHTS: Manh Choh has been mining and stock piling ore since August, 2023; Ore transport of direct shipping ore from the Manh Choh mine site to the Fort Knox stockpile commenced in November, 2023; All contracted trucks received, the majority of the drivers onboarded, trailer manufacturing now complete, and mill modifications remain on plan; and First Gold production is planned for early in third quarter of 2024.