Explorer With High-Grade Gold in New Zealand Launches OTCQB Trading

1. KO Gold Inc. is a billboard sponsor of Streetwise Reports and pays SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
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1. Disclosure for the quote from the John Newell article published on February 25, 2026

1. For the quoted article (published on February 25, 2026), the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$3,550.
2. Author Certification and Compensation: [John Newell of John Newell and Associates] was retained and compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart for writing this article. Mr. Newell holds a Chartered Investment Management (CIM) designation (2015) and a  U.S. Portfolio Manager designation (2015). The recommendations and opinions expressed in this content reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the companies discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly tied to the specific recommendations or views expressed.

John Newell Disclaimer

As always it is important to note that investing in precious metals like silver carries risks, and market conditions can change violently with shock and awe tactics, that we have seen over the past 20 years. Before making any investment decisions, it's advisable consult with a financial advisor if needed. Also the practice of conducting thorough research and to consider your investment goals and risk tolerance.

1. Ownership and Share Structure Information

The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.

KO Gold Inc. (KOG:CSE) announced that its common shares began trading on the OTCQB Venture Market on March 20 under the ticker symbol "KOGDF," according to a March 23 release.

This listing on the OTCQB represents a significant achievement for the company as it continues to develop its extensive land holdings in the Otago Gold District on New Zealand’s South Island and gears up for a busy exploration and drilling season in 2026.

"Listing on the OTCQB marks a key milestone for KO Gold as we expand our market presence and improve accessibility for U.S. investors," President and Chief Executive Officer Greg Isenor said. "We believe this broader North American exposure will help grow our shareholder base and enhance the Company’s profile at a pivotal time, as we advance exploration in the Otago Gold District in New Zealand and maintain a steady flow of news.”

The OTCQB, managed by OTC Markets Group Inc., is a well-recognized U.S. public market designed for entrepreneurial and development-stage companies that comply with current reporting standards. Trading on the OTCQB is anticipated to increase the company's visibility among U.S. investors and facilitate easier trading of its shares in U.S. dollars during U.S. market hours.

Investors can access real-time quotes and market information for KO Gold on the OTC Markets website under the ticker "KOGDF," which is expected to enhance liquidity and attract broader investor participation. KO Gold’s common shares will also continue to be traded on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol "KOG".

An Active 2026 Exploration Season

KO has planned an active exploration and drilling season in 2026 within the Otago Gold District of New Zealand's South Island, where it holds a significant land position. The company controls four 100%-owned exploration permits — Smylers Gold, Glenpark, Hyde, and Carrick — covering approximately 190 km². Additionally, KO Gold is awaiting approval of the Carrick Range exploration permit south of its Carrick permit expanding its exploration footprint to 400 km².  KO Gold holds net smelter return (NSR) royalty interests on three additional permits in the region covering an additional 240 km².

Over the past five years, KO Gold has invested over CA$3 million in various exploration activities across these permits, including both reverse circulation (RC) and diamond drilling at the Smylers Gold EP. This groundwork has identified multiple high-priority drilling targets, informed by geological mapping, geochemical surveys, and the analysis of historical exploration data. Drilling is set to commence at the Smylers Gold EP, which is adjacent to OceanaGold's Macraes Mine. The focus here is to test the continuity of previously intersected gold mineralization and to expand known zones of mineralization.

Similarly, drilling at the Carrick EP will target the historic Carrick Goldfield, aiming to validate significant historical gold intersections through twin holes and step-out drilling. KO Gold is also finalizing an access agreement with the New Zealand Department of Conservation to allow drilling on DOC lands within the Carrick Goldfield. Historical drilling in this area has revealed multiple zones of gold mineralization associated with fault zones, featuring high-grade quartz vein systems that have yet to be fully tested by modern exploration techniques.

KO Gold plans to commence its RC and diamond drilling programs in Q2 2026, starting with the Smylers Gold EP and then moving to the Carrick EP. Additional surface exploration programs and drilling across other permits are scheduled throughout 2026 as part of an expanded exploration campaign in the Otago Gold Belt. New Zealand's transparent Crown Minerals permitting framework, coupled with a fast-track approvals regime, provides a stable and competitive environment for mining investments.

With its strategic land holdings along key structural corridors in the Otago Gold Belt, KO Gold is well-positioned for potential district-scale hard-rock gold discoveries.

"KO Gold has assembled a highly prospective land position in the Otago Gold Belt, and we are now preparing to test several priority targets through drilling," Isenor said. He highlighted the company's excitement about entering a vigorous phase of exploration in a district experiencing a resurgence, further underscored by the progress of nearby projects like Santana Minerals' Bendigo-Ophir project.

The company's OTCQB listing is expected to further enhance investor visibility as it advances its exploration initiatives across the Otago gold portfolio.

Analyst: Possible New Upward Trend

¹In a February 25 analysis by Technical Analyst John Newell of John Newell & Associates, significant advancements were highlighted in KO Gold's operations within the historic Otago Gold District on New Zealand's South Island. The company has shifted from quietly establishing its presence to showcasing substantial technical advancements in its exploration efforts. Recently, KO Gold's stock has emerged from an extended period of consolidation, reaching its initial technical target and capturing the attention of both technical traders and investors focused on fundamentals.

KO Gold has strategically concentrated its exploration activities within the Otago Gold District, holding approximately 400 square kilometers of exploration permits. According to Newell, this focused approach situates the company along critical structural trends known for significant discoveries and existing mining operations, providing a unique blend of scale and prime location within the junior mining sector.

At the heart of KO Gold’s portfolio is the Smylers Gold Project, positioned just southeast of the Macraes Gold Mine, which is the largest active gold operation in New Zealand. Both historical and recent drilling efforts at Smylers have consistently revealed substantial gold mineralization, with soil geochemistry indicating an extension of the mineralized structure into the lesser-explored Smylers East area. The company has verified over four kilometers of strike length along the Hyde-Macraes Shear Zone, suggesting potential for further expansion.

Recent updates from the company include the completion of a financing round and the initiation of targeted drilling to investigate high-grade mineralized zones. These efforts reinforce the belief that the structural system at Smylers is more extensive and continuous than previously recognized.

From a technical analysis standpoint, KO Gold's stock has recently surpassed a critical resistance level near CA$0.30, accompanied by a significant increase in trading volume. This breakthrough indicates a possible new upward trend, bolstered by robust market interest. Newell projects the next price targets at approximately CA$0.50 and CA$0.60, with a long-term objective around CA$0.90, reflecting the potential magnitude of the base when projected higher.

"For investors willing to accept exploration risk in exchange for leveraged exposure to potential discovery, KO Gold Inc. remains a Speculative Buy at current levels at CA$0.30," Newell stated. He emphasized that there is considerable upside potential as the technical structure evolves and forthcoming drill results further delineate the scale of the system.

The Catalyst: Oil Drops as Gold Recovers

Gold prices saw a notable increase on Wednesday, with spot gold rising nearly 2% to US$4,551.50 an ounce, and gold futures for April delivery climbing over 3% to US$4,565.60 per ounce, reported Lee Ying Shan for CNBC on March 25.

This surge came as oil prices dropped, alleviating some concerns about persistent inflation amid ongoing efforts by the U.S. to resolve the conflict in the Middle East.

President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that the U.S. and Iran are currently engaged in negotiations, suggesting that Iran is keen on reaching a peace agreement. This statement came after Trump decided to hold off on his recent threat to strike Iranian energy infrastructure, citing ongoing negotiations as the reason, the report said.

In a related development, Tehran announced that it would allow "non-hostile" vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, provided they comply with specific safety and security measures and do not engage in aggressive actions against Iran. This decision comes after the blockade of this crucial oil shipping route contributed to a significant rise in energy prices since the conflict began nearly four weeks ago.

Despite the gains, gold prices are still approximately 17% below their peak at the end of January, Shan noted. Goldman Sachs attributed the recent decline in gold prices to patterns consistent with historical trends, driven by expectations of higher interest rates and market volatility. Daan Struyven, co-head of global commodities research at Goldman Sachs, explained in a media briefing that the decline was not surprising and noted that rising rate expectations have particularly impacted investor demand for gold-backed ETFs, which are sensitive to rate changes. Struyven also mentioned that episodes of extreme market stress could lead investors to sell gold along with other assets to cover margin calls.

Despite these challenges, Goldman Sachs maintains a structurally bullish view on gold, projecting a price of US$5,400 by year-end, the CNBC piece reported. This optimism is supported by continued central bank purchases as countries look to diversify into assets that carry lower geopolitical and financial risks.

Gold prices are currently facing challenges due to rising inflation fears and a strong U.S. dollar, which are dampening investor enthusiasm, wrote Neils Christensen for Kitco News on March 24. However, the overall macroeconomic environment continues to support the value of gold in the long term.

In a discussion with Kitco News, Bart Melek, the head of commodity strategy at TD Securities, explained that while geopolitical tensions usually bolster gold prices, the current market dynamics are heavily influenced by increasing bond yields and the anticipation that central banks will maintain a tighter monetary policy for an extended period.

Melek emphasized the critical role of interest rates in determining gold's performance, stating, "In the end, it's all about interest rates."

He highlighted that despite the escalating geopolitical crisis, gold has not rallied significantly, illustrating its heightened sensitivity to real yields. While gold is traditionally seen as a safeguard against inflation, Melek pointed out that inflation on its own does not necessarily lead to higher gold prices. Rather, it is the interplay between inflation and interest rates that is crucial.

"Gold people always say inflation, inflation — that’s true, but it’s not sufficient," he remarked. "It's really the relative value of other assets, mainly Treasuries."

Melek also identified the recent sharp increase in crude oil prices, fueled by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, as a significant factor that is intensifying inflationary pressures and complicating the Federal Reserve’s approach to policy.

Ownership and Share Structure²

About 17.5% of the company is owned by insiders and management, the rest is retail.

KO Gold’s market cap is CA$6.26 million with 42.88 million shares outstanding. It trades in a 52-week range of CA$0.15 and CA$0.35.