04:54 PM EDT, 03/27/2026 (MT Newswires) -- Forte Minerals ( FOMNF ) after trade on Friday said it is advancing community engagement and permitting at its Alto Ruri gold project in Peru.

A statement noted Alto Ruri is located approximately 15 kilometers from Barrick's (ABX.TO) past producing Pierina Gold Mine. The project includes a 2 km by 1.5 km alteration zone.

Forte said the goal is to secure a long-term community agreement to support exploration of a large high-sulphidation gold system that has not yet been fully tested with modern geophysics and drilling.

The company added it completed a five-hole, 1,530-metre drill program at its fully owned Pucarini gold project in southern Peru. Drilling confirmed the presence of the expected hydrothermal system, with one hole showing elevated gold, copper, and molybdenum levels.

"Pucarini presented a robust surface anomaly that warranted a first-pass test," Chief Executive Patrick Elliott said, adding that the company's "primary strategic focus remains on advancing the historically discovered Alto Ruri high-sulphidation gold project."

Shares in Forte closed down 3.5% today.