Cabral Gold Strengthens Board with Vale Executive Appointment Ahead of Production Decision

• Cabral Gold has appointed Vinícius Resende Domingues, General Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Vale S.A., to its Board of Directors with immediate effect.
• Domingues brings extensive regulatory expertise from Brazil's largest mining company, which employs over 64,000 people across 30 countries and operates complex mining operations globally.
• The appointment strengthens Cabral's board as the company approaches a production decision for its initial operation at the Cuiú Cuiú gold district in Brazil.
• Domingues' academic credentials include advanced degrees in engineering and economics, plus teaching positions at prestigious Brazilian and international universities.
• CEO Alan Carter views the appointment as validation of the Cuiú Cuiú project's potential and expects Domingues' Brazilian network to provide strategic value for expansion efforts.

‍

Cabral Gold Inc. (TSXV: CBR) (OTCQB: CBGZF) is a Canadian-based gold exploration and development company focused on advancing its flagship Cuiú Cuiú gold district in the Tapajós region of northern Brazil. The company is positioned at a critical juncture as it approaches production decisions for its Brazilian operations while continuing exploration activities to expand its resource base. The recent appointment of a senior Vale executive to its board represents a strategic move to strengthen governance and regulatory expertise as the company transitions from exploration to potential production phases.

The appointment of Vinícius Resende Domingues to Cabral's Board of Directors signals the company's commitment to building institutional knowledge and regulatory capabilities necessary for operating in Brazil's mining sector. This development comes at a pivotal time as Cabral evaluates production scenarios for its Cuiú Cuiú project.

Executive Profile & Qualifications

Professional Background at Vale S.A.

Vinícius Resende Domingues currently holds the position of General Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Vale S.A., Brazil's largest mining company and one of the world's major mining corporations. Vale operates across 30 countries with a workforce exceeding 64,000 employees, providing Domingues with exposure to complex international mining operations and regulatory frameworks.

His role at Vale involves navigating Brazil's intricate mining regulatory environment, which includes federal, state, and municipal jurisdictions. This experience provides direct relevance to Cabral's operations in the Tapajós region, where regulatory compliance and stakeholder engagement are essential for project advancement.

Beyond his corporate role, Domingues serves as a Board member of IBRAM (the Brazilian Mining Institute), the country's primary mining industry association. This position provides him with insights into industry trends, policy developments, and best practices across Brazil's mining sector.

Academic Credentials & Teaching Roles

Domingues' educational background demonstrates depth in both technical and business disciplines. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Brasília, followed by Master's and Doctorate degrees in Geotechnical Engineering from the same institution. This technical foundation is complemented by business education, including an MBA in Project Management from Fundação Getulio Vargas in Brasília and a Master's degree in Economics from Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo.

His academic involvement extends to teaching positions, including his role as an Honorary Lecturer at University College London and visiting lecturer at the Federal University of Minas Gerais in Belo Horizonte. These academic affiliations suggest continued engagement with emerging industry research and development trends.

Strategic Implications for Cabral Gold

Regulatory Expertise & Brazilian Market Knowledge

The appointment addresses a critical need for Brazilian regulatory expertise as Cabral approaches operational phases at Cuiú Cuiú. Brazil's mining sector operates under complex federal and state regulations, with environmental permitting, community engagement, and operational compliance requiring specialized knowledge.

Domingues' experience managing regulatory affairs at Vale provides direct exposure to these challenges at scale. Vale's operations span multiple Brazilian states and include various commodity types, offering insights into regulatory approaches across different jurisdictions and project types.

Network & Industry Connections

His position on IBRAM's board and academic roles create access to industry networks, government officials, and academic researchers. These connections could prove valuable as Cabral navigates permitting processes, engages with local communities, and seeks partnerships or financing arrangements.

The Brazilian mining sector involves complex stakeholder relationships, including federal and state governments, local communities, environmental agencies, and industry associations. Domingues' established relationships within these networks could facilitate Cabral's operational development.

Management Commentary & Strategic Vision

CEO Perspective on the Appointment

Alan Carter, President and CEO of Cabral Gold, emphasized the strategic value of the appointment, stating:

"We're very pleased to welcome Vinicius to Cabral Gold's Board of Directors. His outstanding background, including his role as General Manager of Regulatory Affairs at Vale S.A., and his broad network in Brazil, will add real strategic value as we advance to a production decision for the initial operation at Cuiú Cuiú and continue our exploration efforts aimed at expanding the resource base."

Carter's comments highlight two key areas where Domingues' expertise is expected to contribute: advancing toward production decisions and supporting resource expansion efforts. The timing suggests these initiatives are active priorities for the company's near-term strategy.

Validation of Project Potential

"We believe that attracting someone of Vinicius' caliber to our Board is a strong endorsement of the potential of the Cuiú Cuiú gold district."

This perspective positions the appointment as external validation of the project's viability and growth prospects.

The ability to attract senior executives from major mining companies to board positions can signal institutional confidence in a project's technical and economic merits. For investors, such appointments may indicate that industry professionals view the opportunity as compelling relative to other available options.

Interview with Alan Carter, CEO of Cabral Gold

Cuiú Cuiú Project Context

Production Decision Timeline

Management's reference to advancing "to a production decision for the initial operation at Cuiú Cuiú" suggests the company is evaluating development scenarios for its Brazilian asset. This phase typically involves finalizing economic studies, securing permits, and arranging financing for construction activities.

The appointment of regulatory expertise at this stage indicates recognition that permitting and compliance considerations are critical factors in production planning. Brazilian mining projects require environmental licenses, operational permits, and community agreements before commencing operations.

Resource Expansion Objectives

Carter's mention of "exploration efforts aimed at expanding the resource base" indicates ongoing activities to define additional mineralization at Cuiú Cuiú. Resource expansion can improve project economics by extending mine life, reducing unit costs, or supporting larger-scale operations.

The combination of production planning and exploration activities suggests Cabral is pursuing parallel tracks: developing known resources while seeking to expand the overall opportunity size.

Industry & Regulatory Environment

Brazilian Mining Sector Dynamics

Brazil represents one of the world's major mining jurisdictions, with established infrastructure, skilled workforce, and significant mineral endowments. However, the regulatory environment requires specialized expertise to navigate federal, state, and municipal requirements effectively.

Recent years have seen increased focus on environmental compliance, community engagement, and operational safety standards. Companies operating in Brazil must demonstrate technical competence, financial capability, and social responsibility to maintain their social license to operate.

Regulatory Compliance Requirements

Mining operations in Brazil require multiple permits and licenses, including exploration permits, environmental licenses, water use authorizations, and operational permits. The process involves federal agencies like IBAMA (environmental protection) and ANM (mining regulation), plus state and municipal authorities.

Domingues' experience managing these processes at Vale provides relevant expertise for Cabral's regulatory requirements. His involvement in IBRAM also offers insights into industry best practices and emerging regulatory trends.

Financial & Operational Considerations

Board Composition & Governance

The addition of Domingues strengthens Cabral's board composition by adding operational expertise from a major mining company. Independent directors with relevant industry experience enhance governance quality and provide strategic guidance for management decisions.

Investors typically view board appointments positively when new directors bring complementary skills and experience relevant to company operations. The regulatory and operational expertise from Vale's platform addresses specific needs for Cabral's Brazilian operations.

Resource Allocation & Strategic Focus

The appointment occurs as Cabral allocates resources between production planning and exploration activities. Board oversight becomes increasingly important as companies transition from exploration to development phases, where capital requirements and operational risks increase significantly.

Domingues' project management background and regulatory experience provide relevant expertise for evaluating development alternatives and managing execution risks.

Market Position & Competitive Landscape

Gold Sector Dynamics

Cabral operates within the global gold sector, where production costs, resource quality, and operational efficiency determine competitive positioning. Brazilian gold operations benefit from established infrastructure and skilled workforce, but must manage regulatory complexity and community relations effectively.

The Tapajós region has attracted interest from multiple gold companies due to its geological potential and existing infrastructure. Cabral's success will depend on advancing its projects efficiently while maintaining stakeholder relationships.

Strategic Differentiation

The appointment of a senior Vale executive may provide strategic differentiation by demonstrating institutional credibility and regulatory expertise. This positioning could be valuable for partnership discussions, financing arrangements, or permitting processes.

Companies that successfully navigate Brazilian regulatory requirements and maintain strong stakeholder relationships often achieve competitive advantages in project development timelines and operational efficiency.

For Investors

The appointment of Vinícius Resende Domingues to Cabral Gold's Board of Directors represents a strategic enhancement of the company's governance and operational capabilities as it approaches critical development decisions at the Cuiú Cuiú gold district. His extensive regulatory expertise from Vale S.A., combined with academic credentials and industry network access, addresses specific needs for operating successfully in Brazil's mining sector.

For investors evaluating Cabral Gold's prospects, this appointment provides several positive indicators: management's ability to attract senior industry talent, recognition of regulatory requirements for project advancement, and institutional validation of the Cuiú Cuiú opportunity's potential. The timing coincides with the company's transition toward production decisions, suggesting strategic preparation for operational phases.

The combination of ongoing exploration activities and production planning indicates Cabral is pursuing value creation through both resource expansion and development optimization. Domingues' expertise in regulatory affairs and project management provides relevant oversight capabilities for these parallel initiatives.

However, investors should monitor progress on specific milestones including resource updates, economic studies, permitting advancement, and financing arrangements. The appointment strengthens Cabral's institutional capabilities, but execution of development plans remains the primary determinant of investment returns. The company's ability to leverage Domingues' expertise and network connections will influence its success in advancing the Cuiú Cuiú project toward commercial production.