USANewsGroup.com Market Intelligence Brief –

The ‘Global Village’ is dead. What killed it wasn’t a virus or a war—it was trust collapse. In 2026, nations aren’t just closing physical borders; they’re slamming digital gates shut, locking down data pipelines, cutting dependency chains, and building walls around their most critical infrastructure.

The ‘Everything Bubble’ has finally popped. Stock buybacks can’t save you. Debt can’t be papered over. What’s left standing are the Hard Assets and Sovereign Infrastructure—the companies that control the gateways to government security, defense supply chains, and medical reality.

This isn’t about speculation anymore. It’s about survival positioning. The only safe money in 2026 is in the companies governments must buy from to stay operational.

The firms that hold the keys to encrypted communications.

The miners who control the metals that make missiles, EVs, and grid batteries possible.

The biotech labs that can respond when the next pathogen crosses a border.

Paper wealth is dying. Physical control is the new currency. And five companies are locking down the choke points right now.

THE DIGITAL FORTRESS – CSE: QSE

Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. (CSE: QSE) (OTCQB: QSEGF) (FSE: VN8)

Governments are panic-buying Post-Quantum security because they know what’s coming: Q-Day—the moment quantum computers crack every encryption standard protecting state secrets, military communications, and financial infrastructure. When that day arrives, nations without quantum-resistant systems will be digitally naked.

QSE just proved it’s not selling snake oil. On February 3, 2026, the company announced a 3-Year Security Deal with the Brazilian Government—a sovereign power entrusting QSE to lock down its internal communications. The contract covers 4,500 user licenses in Year 1 alone, with an initial value of US$150,000. But this isn’t a one-and-done transaction. It’s a ‘land and expand’ deal for QSE’s Single Sign-On (SSO) platform, meaning Brazil is opening the door for QSE to embed itself deeper into the country’s digital infrastructure over time.

This is massive validation. Brazil isn’t a startup. It’s a BRICS nation with 215 million people and a government that’s increasingly wary of foreign digital surveillance. They’re not trusting Silicon Valley. They’re trusting QSE.
The message is clear: Digital Sovereignty is the new battleground, and QSE is selling the locks, keys, and vault doors. Governments that wait will be the ones scrambling when quantum decryption goes live.

Read this and more news for Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/04/26/the-currency-of-tomorrow-why-investing-in-cutting-edge-ai-recognition-tech-could-mean-big-money/

THE SPEED OF WAR – NASDAQ: VWAV

VisionWave Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: VWAV)

In modern warfare, Latency is Death. The difference between a successful missile interception and a smoldering crater isn’t firepower—it’s reaction time. And right now, the US military has a critical bottleneck: semiconductor design cycles that take months when battlefield reality demands seconds.

Every advanced weapons system, every drone swarm, every hypersonic defense platform runs on custom chips. But when those chips fail in the field—or when new threats emerge—the Pentagon can’t wait 90 days for a design revision. They need fixes now. That’s where VisionWave comes in.

The company is nearing completion of AstraDRC, an automated semiconductor design tool that fixes chip errors automatically—no human engineers required, no months-long debugging cycles. This isn’t about incremental improvement. It’s about collapsing the kill chain from minutes to seconds.

And on February 3, 2026, VisionWave made a move that signals they’re deadly serious: they acquired the QuantumSpeed computational engine, valued at $99.6 million. This isn’t vaporware. QuantumSpeed is the processing backbone that makes real-time chip design possible—turning VisionWave into the company that can redesign battlefield systems on the fly.

Think about what that means. A Chinese hypersonic missile with a new electronic signature? VisionWave’s tech could design a countermeasure chip during the flight path. A compromised drone network? Patch the silicon before the enemy knows you’ve adapted.
The Pentagon doesn’t buy ‘nice-to-haves.’ They buy mission-critical infrastructure. And VisionWave is now sitting at the chokepoint between defense readiness and obsolescence.

Read this and more news for VisionWave at:
https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/09/11/the-ai-defense-technology-developments-potentially-relevant-in-2025-26/

THE BIOLOGICAL REALITY – TSXV: VPT

Ventripoint Diagnostics (TSXV: VPT) (OTCPK: VPTDF)
Healthcare systems are collapsing under their own weight. Hospitals can’t afford million-dollar MRI machines. Rural clinics can’t recruit cardiologists. Indigenous communities have zero access to advanced diagnostics. And governments are running out of money to paper over the gaps.

The only way out is AI-driven efficiency that replaces expensive hardware with software intelligence. Ventripoint has cracked that code.

Their technology turns standard 2D ultrasounds into MRI-grade 3D cardiac models—no radiation, no $2 million machines, no specialist required. It’s the medical equivalent of turning a flip phone into a supercomputer with a software update. And it works anywhere—from a Vancouver hospital to a remote clinic 500 miles from the nearest paved road.

Proof? Their partnership with Nisga’a Valley Health Authority, announced January 29, 2026. This isn’t a pilot program in a wealthy metro area. This is remote Indigenous care—the ultimate stress test for ‘Hub-and-Spoke’ medicine. If Ventripoint’s tech works in the Nass Valley, it works everywhere.

Investors clearly believe it. Demand for their recent private placement was so intense they doubled the raise to $1 Million. That’s not hype. That’s capital flowing toward the only healthcare model that survives the Medical Scarcity Crisis.

Governments face a brutal choice: spend billions on hardware they can’t maintain, or invest in AI diagnostics that democratize advanced care at a fraction of the cost. Ventripoint isn’t competing for market share. They’re replacing the entire paradigm.

When the next pandemic hits—or when aging populations overwhelm cardiac wards—systems running Ventripoint’s platform will keep functioning. Everyone else will be triaging in hallways.

Read this and more news for Ventripoint Diagnostics at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/11/21/the-mri-grade-disruption-hiding-in-plain-sight-why-the-smart-money-is-watching-ventripoint

THE MONETARY ANCHOR – TSXV: RUA,OTC:NZAUF

Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA,OTC:NZAUF) (OTCQB: NZAUF)
When digital currencies collapse—and they will—central banks don’t reach for Bitcoin. They reach for Gold. It’s the only asset that has survived every currency crisis, every regime change, every empire’s fall. But here’s what most investors miss: strategic defense needs more than monetary metals. It needs Antimony.

Antimony is the unsung metal in flame retardants, military armor, and ammunition production. China controls over 60% of global supply. And just like rare earths, they’ve proven they’ll weaponize that control when geopolitics heat up.

Rua Gold has both. Their Auld Creek Project in New Zealand isn’t just a gold deposit—it’s a dual-threat asset with significant antimony mineralization. And the smart money knows it. On January 28, 2026, RUA closed a massive C$33 Million Financing. That’s not retail speculation. That’s institutional capital flooding into a company that controls monetary insurance and defense-critical supply in one package.

But here’s the kicker: RUA is targeting inclusion in New Zealand’s ‘FAST TRACK’ permitting process, announced January 19, 2026. This isn’t bureaucratic theater. Fast Track is reserved for projects the government considers economically essential. Translation: Wellington wants this mine built now.

Gold backs currencies. Antimony builds missiles. RUA controls both pipelines. When the next monetary crisis hits—or when defense stockpiles run dry—governments won’t be negotiating. They’ll be panic-buying from whoever has the metals in the ground.
RUA isn’t waiting for permission. They’re preparing to become the supplier governments can’t afford to ignore.

Read this and more news for Rua Gold at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2025/04/02/others-found-1911-g-t-here-before-now-a-proven-11b-mining-team-is-back-to-finish-the-job/

THE STRATEGIC CHOKE POINT – CSE: ARS

Ares Strategic Mining (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF)

The United States cannot build F-35 fighter jets without Fluorspar. It cannot produce advanced steel. It cannot manufacture the aluminum alloys that go into everything from tanks to telecommunications infrastructure. And right now, China controls the global supply.

This isn’t a market inefficiency. It’s a national security crisis. The Pentagon knows it. Congress knows it. And on January 20, 2026, they did something about it: Ares Strategic Mining secured a multi-year Pentagon contract with an estimated initial value of ~$169 Million, potentially rising to $250 Million.

Read that again. The US Department of Defense just handed Ares a nine-figure contract to supply domestically-produced fluorspar. This isn’t a ‘mining play’ anymore. It’s a National Security Mandate.

Ares didn’t waste time. On January 27, 2026, they announced they are immediately accelerating flotation plant construction to meet Pentagon demand. No delays. No feasibility studies. The government needs fluorspar now, and Ares is the only US-based supplier capable of delivering at scale.

This is the ultimate choke point. China can cut off exports tomorrow, and every US defense contractor would grind to a halt within months. Ares is the strategic bypass—the only pipeline that keeps American steel mills, aircraft manufacturers, and defense contractors operational when geopolitical tensions spike.

The Pentagon doesn’t sign $250 million contracts with companies they think might succeed. They sign them with mission-critical suppliers they cannot afford to lose.

Ares isn’t competing for market share. They’re replacing foreign dependency with sovereign supply. And in 2026, that’s the only investment thesis that matters.

Read this and more news for Ares Strategic Mining at: https://usanewsgroup.com/2024/04/29/this-company-is-bringing-essential-mining-back-to-the-u-s-fueled-by-government-action/

CONTACT:

USA NEWS GROUP
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DISCLAIMER: Nothing in this publication should be considered as personalized financial advice. We are not licensed under securities laws to address your particular financial situation. No communication by our employees to you should be deemed as personalized financial advice. Please consult a licensed financial advisor before making any investment decision. This is a paid advertisement and is neither an offer nor recommendation to buy or sell any security. We hold no investment licenses and are thus neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. The content in this report or email is not provided to any individual with a view toward their individual circumstances. USA News Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Market IQ Media Group, Inc. (MIQ). This article is being distributed for Baystreet.ca Media Corp. (BAY), who has been paid a fee for an advertising contract with Rua Gold Inc. ($45,000 CAD for a three month contract subject to the terms and conditions of the agreement from the company direct) and Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd. MIQ has been paid a fee for QSE – Quantum Secure Encryption Corp., VisionWave Holdings, Inc., and Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (fee since expired) advertising and digital media from the companies directly or through affiliates. There may be 3rd parties who may have shares of these companies and may liquidate their shares which could have a negative effect on the price of the stock. This compensation constitutes a conflict of interest as to our ability to remain objective in our communication regarding the profiled companies. Because of this conflict, individuals are strongly encouraged to not use this publication as the basis for any investment decision. The owner/operator of MIQ/BAY owns shares of QSE – Quantum Secure Encryption Corp. (purchased via private placement) , VisionWave Holdings Inc., Ventripoint Diagnostics Ltd. , and Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (purchased in the open market and/or private placements). They do not currently own shares of Rua Gold Inc. but reserve the right to buy and sell, and will buy and sell shares of all mentioned companies at any time without further notice. All material disseminated by MIQ has been approved by the mentioned companies. Technical information relating to Rua Gold Inc. has been reviewed and approved by Simon Henderson, CP, AUSIMM, a Qualified Person who is the COO of the company and therefore not independent. While all information is believed to be reliable, it is not guaranteed by us to be accurate. Individuals should assume that all information contained in our newsletter is not trustworthy unless verified by their own independent research. Because events and circumstances frequently do not occur as expected, there will likely be differences between any predictions and actual results. Always consult a licensed investment professional before making any investment decision. Be extremely careful: investing in securities carries a high degree of risk; you may likely lose some or all of the investment.

(TheNewswire)

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA (February 5, 2026): Angkor Resources Corp. (TSXV: ANK,OTC:ANKOF) (‘ANGKOR’ OR ‘THE COMPANY’) is pleased to announce that nine Indigenous community land titles have been formally granted to Indigenous communities in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia, following a three-year recognition process. Angkor has supported Indigenous community rights since first establishing operations in the province, which is home to approximately 45% of Cambodia’s Indigenous population.

The Company’s Andong Meas mineral exploration license is situated within the traditional land of these Indigenous communities. Angkor recognizes the importance of these land titles and is committed to working collaboratively with the communities on whose land the Company operates. The formal recognition of these land titles is a significant milestone for the Indigenous peoples of Ratanakiri and reinforces Angkor’s long-standing commitment to respectful and cooperative engagement with local communities.

Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1:  Community delegates from Tang Se Village receive their Indigenous Land Titles after working for over 5 years through a challenging procedure.  

Delayne Weeks, CEO, commented ‘We are very pleased that these nine community land titles have been formally recognized. Angkor has supported Indigenous community rights since setting foot in the province, and this achievement reflects years of collaborative effort  between Angkor and the communities. Our Andong Meas license sits within these traditional lands, and we are committed to working alongside these communities as partners, ensuring mutual respect and shared benefit as we advance our exploration activities.’

SOCIAL PROGRAMS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

In addition to its support for Indigenous land rights, Angkor continues to advance a range of social programs across its areas of operation in Cambodia. The Company works closely with local authorities, who are present at all sessions, and sponsors community training initiatives aimed at improving safety, health, and education outcomes for Cambodian families.

The Company’s current social programs, stretching across the oil territory of Block VIII and the two mineral license areas include:

• English Language Training: Angkor provides English language training for children in the communities surrounding its operations, giving young Cambodians valuable language skills to support future education and employment opportunities. 

• Water Filters and Latrines: The Company is now implementing the installation of water filtration systems and latrines in communities across the Block VIII oil and gas license area, improving access to clean water and sanitation for families in rural Cambodia. 

• Moto Vehicle Safety Training: Angkor sponsors moto vehicle safety training sessions focused on proper operation of motorcycles, which are the primary mode of transportation in rural Cambodia. Motorcycle-related injuries and fatalities, particularly among children, remain a serious concern in the region, and these sessions are designed to reduce harm and save lives. 

• Financial Fraud Awareness: The Company sponsors training sessions of financial scam awareness, educating community members on how to identify and avoid fraud through mobile phones and messaging platforms such as Telegram. These sessions help protect vulnerable populations from increasingly common digital financial scams. 

 
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FIGURE 2 safety training for Moto operation and anti-fraud education is sponsored and delivered across provinces in the oil and mineral provinces where Angkor and EnerCam operate.  

Angkor has reached over 1,500 students through its sponsored training sessions to date. All sessions are conducted in partnership with local authorities, who attend and participate in the delivery of program content to their communities.

Weeks added, ‘Our commitment to social responsibility is a core part of who we are as a company. Working with Indigenous communities, local authorities, and families across Cambodia is not separate from our resource exploration activities – it is fundamental to how we operate. We believe that building trust and creating value for communities creates a stronger foundation for everything we do.’

ABOUT Angkor Resources CORPORATION:

Angkor Resources Corp. is a public company, listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange, and is a leading resource optimizer in Cambodia working towards mineral and energy solutions across Cambodia.  

The company’s mineral subsidiary, Angkor Gold Corp. in Cambodia holds two mineral exploration licenses in Cambodia with multiple prospects in copper and gold.  Both licenses are in their first two-year renewal term.    

Its Cambodian energy subsidiary, EnerCam Resources, was granted an onshore oil and gas license of 7300 square kilometres in the southwest quadrant of Cambodia called Block VIII.   The company then removed all parks and protected areas and added 220 square kilometres, making the license area just over 4095 square kilometres.  EnerCam is actively advancing oil and gas exploration activities onshore to meet its mission to prove Cambodia as an oil and gas producing Nation.  Having completed seismic in 2025, the Company looks to identify drill targets and advance to drilling Cambodia’s first onshore oil & gas exploratory wells shortly thereafter.

CONTACT:   Delayne Weeks – CEO

Email:-   info@angkorresources.com   Website: angkorresources.com  

Telephone: +1 (780) 568-3801

Please follow @AngkorResources on , , , Instagram and .

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

_____________________________________

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘intends’ or ‘anticipates’, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘should’, ‘would’ or ‘occur’. This information and these statements, referred to herein as ‘forward‐looking statements’, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of new leadership expertise, and the Company’s plans to develop its resources and create shareholder value.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied certain material assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will successfully advance the development of its resources and that such efforts will result in creating shareholder value.

These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that the Company will not advance the development of its resources and that the Company will not create shareholder value.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, Canada TheNewswire – February 05, 2026 Spartan Metals Corp. (‘Spartan’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: W OTCQB: SPRMF | FSE: J03) is pleased to announce that within its recently staked land expansion of the Tungstonia Claim block at its 100% owned Eagle Project in eastern Nevada, included the acquisition of the past producing(1) Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine on the historic Yellow Jacket Claims. The Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine is located approximately 2 kilometers (km) E-NE of the legacy Tungstonia Mine (Figure 1).

Rebecca Ball, Spartan’s VP of Exploration, states, ‘Acquiring an additional, past producing tungsten mine in the district is an exciting development for Spartan as it allows the team to evaluate and explore both the vein system at Tungstonia and skarn type mineralization potential at Yellow Jacket. Our geologic work continues to expand the footprint of tungsten mineralization at the Eagle Project that commonly exceeds 1.0% WO3. The higher-grade material that was historically produced from the Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine combined with the known production from our Tungstonia and Rees tungsten mines indicates a significant tungsten endowment in the district, and we are focused on expanding this district-scale exploration project.’

The Yellow Jacket Claims were historically mined as a skarn style deposit with scheelite mineralization hosted within the favorable Guilmette Formation carbonates along the contact with the Tungstonia Pluton. The Guilmette is also in contact with the Tungstonia Pluton at the Rees Mine with known scheelite mineralization and along the southern edge of the Tungstonia Pluton where Spartan recently identified a large tungsten soil anomaly (Figures 1 and 2). The presence of this large tungsten soil anomaly at this favorable contact and its similarity to the Yellow Jacket and Rees mines suggests the potential for strong, skarn type mineralization at the newly identified tungsten target in the southeast portion of the Tungstonia Claim block. Similar projects hosted in Guilmette formation are Kinross’s Alligator Ridge and Bald Mountain deposits and Ridgeline Minerals Selena project as a few among many others in Nevada.

The Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine operated between 1943-1944 producing material averaging 1.12% WO3 that was shipped directly from the Yellow Jacket Claims (2). Two mineralized zones are presently known; an eastern zone that extends for about 100 meters (m) along strike with an unknown thickness and a western zone that extends for at least 335m and opens into an approximate 1m x 10m deep shaft (Figure 3). Exploration activities ceased at Yellow Jacket as government purchase programs for tungsten were discontinued, although the War Minerals Report (2) noted ‘the property is a promising prospect’ and that additional development work is required.

Planned activities for 2026 include:

• Additional soil sampling over the newly staked ground at Tungstonia (including at Yellow Jacket), 

• Geophysics over the entire Tungstonia Claim block and, 

• Diamond core drilling of high potential targets. 

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Figure 1: Tungstonia surface geology with tungsten soil density map showing the Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine hosted in the Guilmette Formation with cross section line progressing through the previously reported tungsten soil anomaly. The close relationship and consistent WO3 grades at or above 1.0% illustrate high potential district scale exploration.

Click Image To View Full SizeFigure 2: A-A’ Cross Section at Tungstonia claim block showing the relationship between the Yellow Jacket Tungsten Mine and previously reported tungsten soil anomaly.

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Figure 3: Yellow Jacket Shaft

About The Eagle Project

The Eagle Project presents a unique opportunity to delineate one of the largest and highest-grade Tungsten (‘W’) and Rubidium (‘Rb’) districts in the United States. The Project consists of the past-producing (1) high-grade Tungstonia, Yellow Jacket, and Rees/Antelope tungsten (W-Cu-Ag) mines. Operations at these mines were from 1915 to 1942 with intermittent small-scale production occurring until 1956. Tungsten production from these mines totaled 8,379 units at grades between 0.6%-0.9% WO3 (3).

1. (1)A Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to classify any historical estimates as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating any historical estimates as current mineral resources or reserves. Further work, including drilling and verification, will be required to evaluate the potential of the Eagle Project. 

2. (2)Hobbs S.W., 1944 War Minerals Report #224, Wartime Studies by the US Bureau of Mines 

3. (3)Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (1988), Bulletin 105 p213-217 

The Project is ~36.5 km² in size and located approximately 120 kilometers northeast of the town of Ely, in the Kern Mountains of White Pine County, Nevada. The Project covers 9,033 acres consisting of 445 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unpatented lode mining claims. 

Three deposit types are present at Eagle; Porphyry, Skarn, and Carbonate Replacement (CRD) that contain significant or anomalous grades of Tungsten (W), Silver (Ag), and Rubidium (Rb) plus Cu-Sb±Au-Pb-Zn-Bi-As across three project focus areas that also includes the potential to recover W-Rb-Ag from the legacy Tungstonia Mill Tailings.

The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of, and approved by Brett R. Marsh, CPG. Mr. Marsh is President and CEO of Spartan Metals Corp. and a ‘qualified person’ as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Spartan Metals Corp.

Spartan Metals is focused on developing critical minerals projects in well-established and stable mining jurisdictions in the Western United States, with an emphasis on building a portfolio of diverse strategic defense minerals such as Tungsten, Rubidium, Antimony, Bismuth, and Arsenic.

Spartan’s flagship project is the Eagle Project in eastern Nevada that consists of the highest-grade historic tungsten resource in the USA (the past-producing Tungstonia Mine) along with significant under-defined resources consisting of: high-grade silver; rubidium; antimony; bismuth; indium; as well as precious and base metals. More information about Spartan Metals can be found at www.SpartanMetals.com  

On behalf of the Board of Spartan

‘Brett Marsh’

President, CEO & Director

Further Information:

Brett Marsh, M.Sc., MBA, CPG

President, CEO & Director

1-888-535-0325

info@spartanmetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute ‘forward-looking statements.’ Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘intends,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will,’ ‘would,’ ‘may,’ ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Spartan has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that: the current objectives concerning the Company’s projects can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the Company’s ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain all applicable regulatory and other approvals and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

Rio Silver Inc. (‘Rio Silver’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) is providing geological and operational context for its Maria Norte Project by discussing its location within the same regional mineralized corridor as the adjacent Tangana Mining Unit, operated by Silver X Mining Corp., based on publicly available disclosures and technical reporting.

The Company believes this context is useful in illustrating the proven endowment of the district, while noting that mineralization on adjacent or nearby properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company’s property.

District Context and Structural Setting

Maria Norte hosts multiple mapped mineralized structures, including the Castor , the Maria, the Pamela and Jess Veins, and additional prominent vein and vein splays, together with approximately 500 metres of the Las Animas vein set, which is also mapped within SilverX’s West Tangana area. These vein systems occur along the same regional structural corridor and lie approximately 600 metres from vein extensions currently comprising SilverX’s Tangana Mining Unit, separated by a regional fault.

Mineralized exposures traced at Maria Norte to date, extending up to approximately 1,000 metres to date, show elevated silver and gold values with lesser lead and zinc, consistent with a silver-dominant vein system. By comparison, the Tangana area historically operated as a lead-zinc mining camp between 1960 and 1975, during which approximately 234,098 tonnes were extracted from four principal vein sets across a combined horizontal extent of approximately 2.5 kilometres and a vertical range of approximately 960 metres, as disclosed by SilverX.

At Maria Norte, evidence of a rumoured historic tunnel or adit of approximately 400 metres is supported by the presence of a reclaimed waste dump. A single independent reference sample collected from this dump returned 12.7 ounces per tonne silver and 2.194 g/t gold. This material was historically discarded as uneconomic under previous operating conditions. This sample is not representative of mineralization at Maria Norte and should not be relied upon.

The Maria Vien metallurgical sampling locations

Adjacent Property and Economic Study Disclosure

Rio Silver controls a portion of the Tangana West vein system within the Maria Norte Project area, however the Company has not completed any economic study, including a Preliminary Economic Assessment, on this portion of the project. Silver X Mining Corp., which operates adjacent mining units within the same regional mineralized corridor, has completed a NI 43-101–compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment covering its Tangana Mining Unit (reference p. 82). That study is referenced herein solely to provide geological and operational context within the district. Information derived from Silver X’s technical report is not indicative of mineralization, mineral resources, mineral reserves, or economic outcomes on Rio Silver’s property and should not be relied upon.

Exploration and Development Opportunity

Maria Norte has been held for approximately 18 years by prior operators, during which time exploration activity was limited primarily to surface mapping and selective sampling. Several exposed veins and vein splays remain undocumented by modern exploration methods. Subject to access and permitting, the Company plans to advance systematic surface mapping and sampling during the Q3 2026 dry season.

For context, SilverX has reported that its Tangana West area hosts multiple documented veins and vein splits adjacent to the same regional fault system. Within this corridor, Rio Silver controls approximately 500 metres of Las Animas vein outcrop mapped along approximately 1.5 kilometres of strike. Public disclosures by SilverX report vein widths and grades within the broader Tangana system; however, these data are provided for contextual purposes only and are not indicative of mineralization on Rio Silver’s property.

Management Commentary

‘Maria Norte sits within a proven silver district, and the structural setting gives us a compelling geological framework to work from,’ said Chris Verrico, Chief Executive Officer of Rio Silver. ‘What excites us is not only the extent of underexplored ground relative to nearby operations, but the fact that much of this mineralization was historically overlooked when silver and gold prices were a fraction of where they are today. Material that was once disregarded under past economic conditions may warrant a very different assessment in the current price environment. While adjacent mining activity provides valuable district context, our opportunity lies in advancing access to systematically evaluate what we believe is a rare opportunity to pursue high-impact development targets within a disciplined, capital-efficient framework.’

Moving Ahead

The Company’s near-term focus includes:

• Finalizing remaining community access agreements
• Completing access and portal preparation
• Securingall necessary permits for development and mining,
• Initiating adit development and commence driving a drift along the Maria vein
• Advancing metallurgical, processing design, and technical studies

Why This Matters to Investors

For investors, Maria Norte offers exposure to a silver-dominant mineralized system within an established mining district, where nearby operations provide real-world geological and operational context. While each project is unique and outcomes cannot be inferred from adjacent properties, the combination of structural continuity, multiple vein systems, and limited modern exploration highlights the potential for meaningful upside as Rio Silver advances access, exploration and development, alongside metallurgy, and technical work. When paired with a staged, low-capex development strategy, this positions the Company for value creation as execution milestones are achieved.

Cautionary note: the potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature, that there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource at this time and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource.

Qualified Person

Jeffrey Reeder, P.Geo., is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Reeder is a consultant to the Company and is not independent within the meaning of NI 43-101.

About Rio Silver Inc.

Rio Silver Inc. (TSX-V: RYO | OTC: RYOOF) is a Canadian resource company advancing high-grade, silver-dominant assets in Peru, the world’s second-largest silver producer. The Company is focused on near-term development opportunities within proven mineral belts and is supported by a seasoned technical and operational team with deep experience in Peruvian geology, underground mining, and district-scale exploration. With a clear development strategy and a growing portfolio of highly prospective silver assets, Rio Silver is establishing the foundation to become one of Peru’s next emerging silver producers.

Learn more at www.riosilverinc.com

Stay Connected with Rio Silver
Investors and stakeholders are encouraged to follow Rio Silver for the latest company updates, project milestones, and event announcements across the Company’s official social media channels:

By following Rio Silver’s official channels, investors can stay informed as the Company advances its silver-dominant projects and executes on key development milestones.

ON BEHALF OF Rio Silver INC.

Chris Verrico
Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

To learn more or engage directly with the Company, please contact:
Christopher Verrico, President and CEO
Tel: (604) 762-4448
Email: chris.verrico@riosilverinc.com
Website: www.riosilverinc.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding anticipated development activities, underground access timing, permitting progress, community engagement, processing strategies, and the Company’s ability to advance toward potential production and cash flow. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Rio Silver undertakes no obligation to update such statements except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/26a913ae-e888-48a2-8bca-01b26cbfcd9d

Standard Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: STND,OTC:STTDF) (OTCQB: STTDF) (FSE: 9SU0) (‘Standard Uranium’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that mobilization is underway for the maiden diamond drilling campaign at its Corvo Uranium Project (‘Corvo’ or the ‘Project’), located in the eastern Athabasca Basin region. The winter 2026 program will focus on the Manhattan Showing, an area characterized by significant surface mineralization with outcrop grab samples returning up to 8.10% U3O8 along a NE-SW trending electromagnetic (‘EM’) corridor coincident with low-density anomalies.

The Project is currently under a three-year earn-in option agreement (the ‘Option Agreement‘) with Aventis Energy Inc. (‘Aventis‘) (CSE: AVE). Pursuant to the Option Agreement, Aventis has been granted an option (the ‘Option‘) to earn a 75% interest in the Project by funding CAD$6M in exploration expenditures over three years, with the inaugural drill program beginning next week.

2026 Corvo Drill Program Highlights

• Mobilization & Site Access Initiated: Base Diamond Drilling personnel have commenced road construction to establish property access. The drilling crew is currently finalizing preparations and is scheduled to be enroute to the site by the end of this week.

• High-Priority Shallow Drill Targets Identified: The drill program will comprise approximately 3,000 metres of skid-supported diamond drilling, partitioned across eight (8) to ten (10) drill holes. Operations will focus on high-priority uranium targets, which were rigorously refined through integration and interpretation of the Company’s 2025 high-resolution geophysical surveys and historical data.

• Drilling to Test High-Grade Manhattan Showing: For the first time, the Company will drill test the Manhattan Showing, which returned a maximum surface sample grade of 8.10% U₃O₈¹. This priority target is characterized by a confluence of mineralization, EM conductors, and newly defined density anomalies – classic signatures of Athabasca-style uranium mineralization. Additionally, the upcoming program is designed to explore the untapped potential of the northwestern EM corridor, which extends along strike from the showing for several kilometres.

‘Getting the drills turning at Corvo is a major milestone for Standard and our partners at Aventis Energy, notably as we will test the high-grade Manhattan Showing at depth,’ said Sean Hillacre, President & VP Exploration. ‘By combining the surface mineralization of 8.10% with our newly defined gravity lows and EM conductors, we have clear, high-priority targets that fit the classic signature of unconformity-related uranium deposits. With the support of our partners at Aventis, our team is eager to see what this northwestern corridor holds as we apply a rigorous, discovery-focused approach to this inaugural program.’

Figure 1. Regional map of the Corvo Project. The Project is located 60 km due east of Cameco’s McArthur River mine and 45 km northeast of Atha Energy’s Gemini Mineralized Zone (‘GMZ’).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/282777_9b4d1b02a463cbc6_001full.jpg

Figure 2. Summary map showing EM conductor trends on the Corvo project and highlighting the Manhattan Showing, with Reduced-To-Pole Total Magnetic Intensity in the background.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/282777_9b4d1b02a463cbc6_002full.jpg

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Sean Hillacre, P.Geo., President and VP Exploration of the Company and a ‘qualified person’ as defined in NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Samples collected for analysis were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for preparation, processing, and ICP-MS or ICP-OES multi-element analysis using total and partial digestion and boron by fusion. Radioactive samples were tested using the ICP1 uranium multi-element exploration package plus boron. All samples marked as radioactive upon arrival to the lab were also analyzed using the U₃O₈ assay (reported in wt.%). SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals in accordance with Standard Uranium’s quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols. All samples passed internal QA/QC protocols and the results presented in this release are deemed complete, reliable, and repeatable.

Historical data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling results from previous operators are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has yet verified this data and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on such data. The Company’s future exploration work may include verification of the data. The Company considers historical results to be relevant as an exploration guide and to assess the mineralization as well as economic potential of exploration projects. Any historical grab samples disclosed are selected samples and may not represent true underlying mineralization.

Natural gamma radiation from rocks reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (‘cps’) using a handheld RS-125 super-spectrometer and RS-120 super-scintillometer. Readers are cautioned that scintillometer readings are not uniformly or directly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured and should be treated only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals. The RS-125 and RS-120 units supplied by Radiation Solutions Inc. (‘RSI’) have been calibrated on specially designed Test Pads by RSI. Standard Uranium maintains an internal QA/QC procedure for calibration and calculation of drift in radioactivity readings through three test pads containing known concentrations of radioactive minerals. Internal test pad radioactivity readings are known and regularly compared to readings measured by the handheld scintillometers for QA/QC purposes.

References

¹ News Release: Standard Uranium Confirms High-Grade Uranium Mineralization up to 8.10% U₃O₈ at Surface on the Corvo Project, https://standarduranium.ca/news-releases/standard-uranium-confirms-high-grade-uranium-mineralization-at-surface-on-the-corvo-project/

^*The Company considers uranium mineralization with concentrations greater than 1.0 wt% U₃O₈ to be ‘high-grade’.

^**The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 65,535 counts per second (cps) on a handheld RS-125 Super-Spectrometer to be ‘off-scale’.

^***The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 300 counts per second (cps) on a handheld RS-125 Super-Spectrometer to be ‘anomalous’.

About Standard Uranium (TSXV: STND,OTC:STTDF)

We find the fuel to power a clean energy future

Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company and emerging project generator poised for discovery in one of the world’s premier uranium districts. The Company holds interest in over 241,652 acres (97,793 hectares) in the Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.

Standard Uranium’s Davidson River Project, in the southwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises ten mineral claims over 30,737 hectares. Davidson River is highly prospective for basement-hosted uranium deposits due to its location along trend from recent high-grade uranium discoveries. However, owing to the large project size with multiple targets, it remains broadly under-tested by drilling. Recent intersections of wide, structurally deformed and strongly altered shear zones provide significant confidence in the exploration model and future success is expected.

Standard Uranium’s eastern Athabasca projects comprise over 53,166 hectares of prospective land holdings. The eastern basin projects are highly prospective for unconformity related and/or basement hosted uranium deposits based on historical uranium occurrences, recently identified geophysical anomalies, and location along trend from several high-grade uranium discoveries.

Standard Uranium’s Sun Dog project, in the northwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is comprised of nine mineral claims over 19,603 hectares. The Sun Dog project is highly prospective for basement and unconformity hosted uranium deposits yet remains largely untested by sufficient drilling despite its location proximal to uranium discoveries in the area.

For further information contact:

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ or ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations; timing of the Company’s exploration programs; and estimates of market conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025.

Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: that the transaction with Aventis will proceed as planned; the future price of uranium; anticipated costs and the Company’s ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company’s securities; future sales of the Company’s securities; the Company’s ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company’s mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282777

Tartisan Nickel Corp. (CSE: TN,OTC:TTSRF) (OTCQB: TTSRF) (FSE: 8TA) (‘Tartisan’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that the Company has appointed Colonel Jack Jacobs to Tartisan Nickel Corp’s. Board of Advisors.

Jack Jacobs was born in Brooklyn, New York. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Rutgers University and entered the U.S. Army in 1966 as a Second Lieutenant through the ROTC program. He served as a platoon leader in the 82nd Airborne Division, executive officer of an infantry battalion in the 7th Infantry Division and commanded the 4th Battalion 10th Infantry in Panama. A member of the faculty of the US Military Academy, Jacobs taught international relations and comparative politics, and he was a member of the faculty of the National War College in Washington, DC.

He was in Vietnam twice, both times as an advisor to Vietnamese infantry battalions, earning three Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars and the Medal of Honor, the nation’s highest combat decoration. Jacobs retired as a Colonel.

He was a founder and Chief Operating Officer of AutoFinance Group Inc, one of the firms to pioneer the securitization of debt instruments; the firm was subsequently sold to Key Bank. He was a Managing Director of Bankers Trust, where he ran foreign exchange options worldwide and was a partner in the institutional hedge fund business. Jacobs subsequently founded a similar business for Lehman Brothers.

Jacobs is the co-chair of CapZone’s USA Fund, which funds projects of the defense industrial base, and he serves on several charitable boards of directors, including the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation and the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation. An on-air analyst for NBC News, he was a member of the team that produced the 2011 Murrow Award-winning Nightly News segment ‘Iraq: The Long Way Out.’ Colonel Jacobs is also the co-author of the memoir, If Not Now, When? , published by Penguin and winner of the Colby Award. His second work of non-fiction is Basic, released by St. Martin’s Press in 2012, and he was an Executive Producer of the series Ten Weeks, which aired on Roku.

Mark Appleby, CEO of Tartisan Nickel states, ‘We welcome Colonel Jacobs to our Board of Advisors as we navigate our way in the Critical Minerals space with various government and corporate agencies. We look forward to working with Colonel Jacobs as we bring Tartisan Nickel Corp. to the next level in 2026 and beyond’.

About Tartisan Nickel Corp.

Tartisan Nickel Corp. is a Canadian-based critical minerals exploration and development company which owns, the Kenbridge Nickel Project near Sioux Narrows, Northwestern Ontario, the Sill Lake Silver Project near Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario as well as the Night Danger Turtle

Pond Project near Dryden, Ontario.

Tartisan Nickel Corp. common shares are listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE: TN,OTC:TTSRF) (OTCQB: TTSRF) (FSE: 8TA). Currently, there are 152,215,641 shares issued and outstanding (156,287,356 fully diluted).

This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282735

// Not for distribution to the United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States //

Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX,OTC:IMIMF; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) (‘Copper Quest’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that further to its news release dated January 26, 2026, it has increased and closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement for total gross proceeds of $2,099,890 (the ‘Offering’) through the issuance of 16,513,000 units (each, a ‘Unit’) at a price of $0.13 per Unit.

Each Unit consists of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a ‘Share‘) and one Share purchase warrant, whereby each Share purchase warrant (a ‘Warrant‘) shall be convertible into an additional Share (a ‘Warrant Share‘) at an exercise price of C$0.165 per Warrant Share. Each Warrant shall expire on the date that is two (2) years following the date of issuance (the ‘Expiry Date‘). The Expiry Date of the Warrants may be accelerated if the closing price of the Shares on any Canadian stock exchange equals or exceeds $0.50 for ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issue of the Warrants, such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 calendar days following the date a news release is issued by the Company announcing the accelerated expiry date of the Warrants.

Proceeds from the Private Placement are intended for exploration activities and general working capital purposes. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals. Fees of $113,405.28 are to be paid and 872,348 finder’s warrants issued (the ‘Finder’s Warrants‘) to certain finders in connection with the Offering. Each Finder’s Warrant is exercisable into one Share for a period of (2) two years after the date of issuance at an exercise price of $0.165 and includes the same accelerator provision.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45‐102 – Resale of Securities.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act’), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Stock Option Grant

The Company also announces it has granted an aggregate of 3,250,000 stock options (collectively, the ‘Options‘) to a director, officer, and certain consultants of the Company, for the purchase of up to 3,250,000 common shares in the capital of the Company pursuant to the Company’s Stock Option Plan.

The Options are exercisable for a period of 5 years at an exercise price of $0.15 per Share and vest immediately. The Options and underlying Shares will be subject to a four month hold period in accordance with the policies of the CSE.

About Copper

Copper is an essential industrial metal at the heart of the global energy transition and modern infrastructure. It plays a critical role in electrification, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, data centers, and smart technologies. With global demand rising and new supply challenged by declining grades, complex permitting, and underinvestment, the copper market faces persistent deficits and growing geopolitical scrutiny. Recent U.S. policy announcements, including import tariffs and initiatives to secure domestic and allied supply chains, underscore copper’s strategic importance and the need for resilient, localized resource exploration, development, production and processing capacity.

About Copper Quest

The company’s land holdings comprise 7 projects that span over 45,000 hectares in great mining jurisdictions of Canada and the USA. Copper Quest is committed to building shareholder value through acquisitions, discovery-driven exploration, and responsible development of its North American critical mineral portfolio of assets. The Company’s common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘CQX’. For more information on Copper Quest, please visit the Company’s website at www.copper.quest.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the past-producing Alpine Gold Mine located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the City of Nelson British Columbia, spanning 4,611.49 hectares with a 2018 National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects historical inferred resource of 268,000 tonnes, estimated using a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t Au and an average grade of 16.52 g/t Au, that represents an inferred resource of 142,000 oz of gold (McCuaig & Giroux, 2018)*. Apart from the Alpine Mine itself the property hosts 4 other less explored significant vein systems including the past-producing King Solomon vein workings, the Black Prince and the Cold Blow veins system, and the Gold Crown vein system. *The Company has not yet completed sufficient work to verify the 2018 historic inferred resource results.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Stars Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Property, spanning 9,693 hectares in central British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt with Tana Zone discovery drill intersection highlights of 0.466% Cu over 195.07m* in drill hole DD18SS004 from 23.47m, 0.200% Cu over 396.67m* in drill hole DD18SS010 from 29.37m, and 0.205% Cu over 207.27m* in drill hole DD18SS015 from 163.98m. This highly prospective, approximately 5 X 2.5 kilometer annular magnetic anomaly is interpreted to represent an altered monzonite intrusion and surrounding hornfels.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Kitimat Copper-Gold Property, spanning 2,954 hectares within the Skeena Mining Division of northwestern British Columbia located northwest of the deep-water port community of Kitimat, British Columbia. The property benefits from exceptional infrastructure, being within 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail, and 6 km of high-voltage hydroelectric transmission lines. Exploration on the Kitimat property dates to the late 1960s, with the most significant historical work conducted by Decade Resources Ltd. (2010), which completed 16 diamond drill holes totaling 4,437.5 meters in the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone, and drill intersection highlights of 1.03 g/t Au, 0.54% Cu over 117.07 m in Hole J-7 from 1.52 m, 1.00 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu over 103.65m in Hole J-1 from 9.15 m, 0.80 g/t Au, 0.45% Cu over 107.01m in Hole J-2 from 6.10 m, and 0.41 g/t Au, 0.33% Cu over 112.20m in Hole J-8 from 11.89 m.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Nekash Copper-Gold Project, a porphyry exploration opportunity located in Lemhi County, Idaho, USA, along the prolific Idaho-Montana porphyry copper belt that hosts world-class systems such as Butte and CUMO. The project is fully road-accessible via maintained U.S. highways and forest service roads and consists of 70 unpatented federal lode claims covering 585 hectares.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Stellar Property, spanning 5,389-hectares in British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt contiguous to the Stars Property.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Thane Project located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern British Columbia spanning over 20,658 hectares with 10 priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization potential.

Copper Quest has an earn-in option of up to 80% and joint-venture agreement on the road accessible Rip Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Project, spanning 4,700-hectares located in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt in central British Columbia.

On behalf of the Board of Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Brian Thurston, P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: 778-949-1829

For further information contact:
Investor Relations
info@copper.quest

https://x.com/CSECQX
https://ca.linkedin.com/company/copper-quest

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, the planned use of proceeds of the Private Placement, and future operations and activities of Copper Quest, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘could’, or ‘should’ occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company’s business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.