Gold79 Mines Ltd. announced with great sadness the passing last week of the Company's longest standing Director, Dr. James M. Franklin. Dr. Franklin, or Jim to his many colleagues across academia and the minerals industry, served as a Director of Gold79 and its predecessor Aura Resources, from its inception in 2003. In 1996, Jim was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada's Academy of Science and in 2019 he was inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame which are just two examples of Jim's significant achievements among numerous additional awards and recognition across the geoscience world.

His contributions to the understanding of the Canadian Shield and associated mineral deposits gained Jim global acclaim. His sharp and inquisitive scientific mind was always on display and contributed to the learning of students and executives alike. Jim was always instrumental in assuring that exploration was based upon solid field work, keen observations and good science.