AmeriTrust’s platform is the first to deliver side-by-side loan and lease decisions from a single retail application, with live-inventory calculators that enable lower payments on shorter terms.

AmeriTrust Financial, an independent automotive finance company, today announced the launch of a fintech-driven lending platform designed to expand used-car leasing for franchised and large independent dealers nationwide. Backed by institutional investors and a group of billionaires, the company is scaling rapidly across the continental United States. AmeriTrust is currently the only independent lender that offers used-car leasing at a national level.

Dealers can submit a single retail loan application to AmeriTrust and receive side-by-side decisions for both a loan and a lease. AmeriTrust’s technology automatically converts the application for lease structuring, helping dealers offer leasing without added paperwork or specialized calculations. Through used-car leasing, dealers can advertise lower monthly payments without extending loan terms.

‘With grocery bills up and used-car prices still high, consumers need a better path to affordability than simply stretching loan terms,’ said Jeff Morgan, CEO of AmeriTrust Financial and former national lease partner to Tesla. ‘While extending terms can reduce payments, it also increases negative equity and default risk. Used-car leasing is a smarter alternative — and today, only a handful of OEMs provide used-vehicle lease options at scale, leaving a significant gap in the market.’

In addition to side-by-side loan and lease decisions, AmeriTrust also offers:

• Pre-filled contract and title documentation: AmeriTrust automatically pre-fills all contract paperwork, including title applications and other state-specific forms, helping dealers avoid errors that can delay funding, require re-contracting, or even jeopardize the sale.

• Leases for every type of driver and credit tier: From leases with no mileage and wear-and-tear penalties to options for subprime credit, AmeriTrust offers multiple used-car lease structures designed to approve as many customers as possible.

• Payment calculators tied to real-time inventory: At no cost, dealers can connect their inventory to AmeriTrust’s portal and generate loan and lease payments that reflect actual deal terms, not estimates. While a customer is in-store, dealers can compare vehicles across terms, lease types and credit tiers to find the best fit.

• Exceptionally fast decisioning and funding: Dealers receive decisions within minutes, and most contracts are funded the same day.

• Free dealer lease training: AmeriTrust will host Q&A sessions and training resources to help dealers understand the nuances of used-car leasing, so they can present lease options to customers with confidence.

‘Leasing makes up 25 percent of the auto finance market for new vehicles,’ Morgan said. ‘But while the used-vehicle market is roughly three times larger, leasing accounts for only about 3 percent of used vehicle financing — and much of that is still tied to OEM certified pre-owned programs. As an independent lender, we have the flexibility to lease any make or model, certified pre-owned or not. The growth opportunity is enormous, and the market is underserved. AmeriTrust is scaling quickly to close that gap.’

In response to this market demand, AmeriTrust Financial attracted investment over the past year from institutional investors and multiple billionaires through its parent company, AmeriTrust Financial Technologies Inc. (TSXV: AMT,OTC:AMTFF)(OTCQB: AMTFF)(Frankfurt:1ZVA). AmeriTrust Financial currently operates in 28 states, with plans to expand across the entire continental United States over the next several months.

To sign up with AmeriTrust, franchised and large independent dealers should call 1-800-600-6872. Approved dealers can submit loan applications through DealerTrack, RouteOne or AmeriTrust’s proprietary portal.

About AmeriTrust Financial

Based in Fort Worth, Texas, AmeriTrust Financial provides new- and used-car loans and leases through franchised and large independent dealers across the United States. The company’s lending technology delivers side-by-side loan and lease decisions from a single retail loan application. AmeriTrust Financial is owned by AmeriTrust Financial Technologies Inc. For more information, visit www.ameritrustfinancial.com .

About AmeriTrust Financial Technologies Inc.

AmeriTrust Financial Technologies Inc., listed on the TSXV, OTCQB, and Frankfurt markets, is a finance solution and fintech provider disrupting the automotive industry. AmeriTrust’s integrated, cloud-based transaction platform facilitates transactions amongst consumers, dealers, and funders. AmeriTrust’s platform is being made available across the United States. For more information, visit www.ameritrust.com .

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260203748930/en/

Media Contact:
Jessica Satterfield-Reyna
The Satterfield Agency LLC
(972) 841-1577
jessica@thesatterfieldagency.com

TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 3, 2026 / Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG,OTC:LGCXF)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the ‘Company‘ or ‘Lahontan‘) is pleased to announce that the Company has retained RESPEC Company LLC (‘RESPEC’) and Kappes, Cassiday & Associates (‘KCA’) to update the Santa Fe Mine Project Technical Report, including a new Mineral Resource Estimate (‘MRE’) and Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’). The updated MRE will incorporate all drilling completed since October 2024, and utilize new metallurgical data, mining costs, and revised gold and silver prices to design conceptual pit shells to constrain the MRE. Once the MRE is completed, the team will then focus on developing a revised PEA which should reflect the impact of the new technical data as well as metal prices. It is expected that the MRE should be completed in the coming months, with the PEA expected in Q2 2026.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Executive Chair, President, CEO, and Founder commented: ‘Lahontan is excited to begin the process of updating the Santa Fe Mine MRE and PEA. Not only do we have additional drilling to incorporate into the MRE, but also a revised and very detailed three-dimensional geologic model, which will greatly aid gold and silver grade interpolation. Combined with new metallurgical data and upward trending metal prices, we look forward to an updated MRE. The PEA process is vital to Lahontan as it creates an operational model that can be used to evaluate multiple mining scenarios over a range of metal prices that in turn, will provide key data, i.e. process plant throughput, waste rock tonnages, etc., that will be used in our mine permitting program.’

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan’s flagship property, the 28.3 km² Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the ‘Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project’, Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company’s website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

Qualified Person

Brian J. Maher, M.Sc., CPG-12342, is a ‘Qualified Person’ as defined under Canadian National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release in respect of all technical disclosure other than the Mineral Resource Estimate as noted above.‎ Mr. Maher is Vice President-Exploration for Lahontan Gold and has verified the data disclosed in this news release, including the sampling, ‎‎analytical and test data underlying the disclosure.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann
Founder, CEO, President, and Director

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.
Kimberly Ann
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, Director
Phone: 1-530-414-4400
Email: Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com
Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘project’, ‘intend’, ‘believe’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’ and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions ‘may’ or ‘will’ occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company’s control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

SOURCE: Lahontan Gold Corp

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Cartier Resources Inc. (″ Cartier ″ or the ″ Company ″) (TSXV: ECR,OTC:ECRFF; FSE: 6CA) is pleased to announce the seventh batch of results from the 100,000-m drilling program (2 drill rigs), for the Contact Sector and more precisely, the North Contact Zone (″ NCZ ″) and its east extension, on the 100%-owned Cadillac Project, located in Val-d’Or (Abitibi, Quebec). The NCZ consists of three parallel high-grade gold zones: NC1, NC2 and NC3, spaced approximately 50 m apart.

Strategic Highlights from Contact Sector

Drill Hole Results (Figures 1 to 4)
NCZ East Extension

• CA25-559 intersected 54.6 g/t Au over 1.0 m including 85.1 g/t Au over 0.5 m (NC1 Zone).
• CA25-558 graded 4.4 g/t Au over 6.0 m including 23.2 g/t Au over 1.0 m (NC3 Zone).
• CA25-557 reported 7.5 g/t Au over 0.5 m (NC3 Zone).

NCZ

• CA25-554 intersected 1.5 g/t Au over 15.5 m (NC3 Zone).
• CA25-547 graded 1.2 g/t Au over 13.2 m (NC3 Zone).
• CA25-552 reported 1.0 g/t Au over 10.5 m (NC3 Zone).

Significance for Investors

• Holes CA25-557, 558 and 559 discovered high-grade gold zones 500 metres along eastern strike extension of the NC1 and NC3 gold zones, significantly expands the North Contact main mineralized system. These new results, consistently associated with visible gold grains and sulphides, demonstrate the gold-fertile and robust geological continuity of the Contact Sector.
• Holes CA25-547, 552 and 554 confirmed NCZ extends to surface and remains open at depth, supporting the potential for shallow development scenarios and significant resource expansion. The NCZ represents an extensive and large mineralized gold system (400 m in strike length by 300 m in depth), comprised of multiple stacked gold zones with significant grades, widths and continuity.
• The combination of exposed bedrock, minimal overburden (5 m) and proximity to year-round road access (250 m) positions Contact Sector as a highly strategic asset for more flexible operating scenarios and further improving the project economics.

Next Steps

• Further expansion drilling is planned to expand NCZ gold mineralization at depth (300-600 m), connect footprint of NCZ and its eastern extensions and determine gold enrichment with the primary objective of upgrading the mineral resource estimate.
• Additional exploration drilling is required to test several new high-priority regional targets along strike of the Contact Sector and the Héva Fault Zone, backed by detailed structural and geological modelling and VRIFY’s artificial intelligence (AI) driven targeting.

‘ This discovery and results conclude what was planned at the Contact Sector of the current 100,000-meter program. Obviously, we’re convinced of the high gold potential of this segment of the Héva Fault and we are actively working to increase the current drilling program to 250,000 metres. The Contact Sector will no doubt receive focussed attention. This expanded campaign is designed to unlock maximum shareholder value and demonstrate the Cadillac Project’s potential as a mining camp scale. ‘ – Philippe Cloutier, President and CEO of Cartier.

‘ The North Contact Zone, its new eastern extensions and the systematic presence of visible gold grains over 1 km of the Héva Fault Zone highlights the strength and scale of the gold system. This newly identified fault is rapidly becoming a highly growth opportunity for the Cadillac project and defined by numerous untested geophysical anomalies over 5 km, readily accessible, providing huge upside potential for making gold discoveries. Our team is currently designing the add-on drill program to ready timely execution and strong results for shareholders. ‘ – Ronan Deroff, Vice President Exploration of Cartier.

Table 1: Drill hole best assay results from Contact Sector

* Occurrences of visible gold (VG) have been noted in the drill core at various intervals. ** Based on the observed intercept angles within the drill core, true thicknesses are estimated to represent approximately 50-75% of the reported core length intervals.

Figure 1: Location of the new drill results (regional plan view)

Figure 2: Location of the new drill results (regional longitudinal section)

Figure 3: Plan view, cross and long sections of the Contact Sector

Figure 4: Photos of the drill core from holes CA25-558 and CA25-559

Contact Sector

The Contact Sector is a highly prospective area featuring the North Contact Zone with inferred resources of 136,700 ounces (2.1 million tonnes at 2.0 g/t Au) and several newly defined high-priority drill targets.

The NCZ lies along an east-west trending, strongly sheared corridor (Héva Fault Zone), situated approximately 900 m north of the Cadillac Fault Zone, and occurs at the contact between the hanging wall mafic to intermediate volcanics (basalt to andesite) of Louvicourt Group and the footwall turbiditic sedimentary rocks (wacke-mudrock) of Cadillac Group. This lithological contact is a favorable horizon for hydrothermal fluid flow, likely related to synvolcanic gold deposition.

The NCZ, defined by at least three parallel gold-rich zones, are typically and primarily associated with a fine-grained and disseminated arsenopyrite-pyrrhotite mineralization, with a pervasive biotite-chlorite-carbonate alteration, all crosscut by late-stage smoky quartz vein and veinlet stockworks containing visible gold. Locally, accessory minerals such as sphalerite, galena and tourmaline are observed.

Milestones of 2025-2027 Exploration Program

100,000 m Drilling Program (Q3 2025 to Q2 2027)

The ambitious 600-hole drilling program will both expand known gold zones and test new shallow surface high-potential targets. The objective is to unlock the camp-scale, high-grade gold potential along the 15 km Cadillac Fault Zone. It is important to note that Cartier’s recent consolidation of this large land holding offers the unique opportunity in over 90 years for unrestricted exploration.

Environmental Baseline Studies & Economic Evaluation of Chimo mine tailings (Q3 2025 to Q3 2026)

The baseline studies will be divided into two distinct parts which include 1) environmental baseline desktop study and 2) preliminary environmental geochemical characterization. The initial baseline studies will provide a comprehensive understanding of the current environmental conditions and implement operations that minimize environmental impact while optimizing the economic potential of the project. These studies will be supplemented by an initial assessment of the economic potential of the past-producing Chimo mine tailings to determine whether a quantity of gold can be extracted economically.

Metallurgical Sampling and Testwork Program (Q4 2025 to Q1 2026)

The metallurgical testwork program includes defining of expected gold recovery rates and improving historical results from the Chimo deposit, as well as establishing metallurgical recovery data for the first-time for the East Chimo and West Nordeau satellite deposits, where no previous data exists. This comprehensive program will characterize the mineralized material, gold recovery potential and validate optimal grind size defining the most efficient and cost-effective flowsheet. The data generated will directly support optimized project development and have the potential to significantly reduce both capital and operating costs, while also improving the environmental footprint.

Preliminary Economic Assessment (2026)

Internal engineering studies have been initiated to validate a multitude of development scenarios that consider the updated MRE and current market environment. Following the selection of the most optimal scenario, a PEA will be completed which will also build upon the results of the metallurgical testwork program and the environmental baseline studies to unveil the updated development strategy and vision of the project.

Table 2: Drill hole collar coordinates from Contact Sector

Table 3: Drill hole detailed assay results from Contact Sector

* Occurrences of visible gold (VG) have been noted in the drill core at various intervals. ** Based on the observed intercept angles within the drill core, true thicknesses are estimated to represent approximately 50-75% of the reported core length intervals.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) Program

The drill core from the Cadillac Project is NQ-size and, upon receipt from the drill rig, is described and sampled by Cartier geologists. Core is sawn in half, with one half labelled, bagged and submitted for analysis and the other half retained and stored at Cartier’s coreshack facilities located in Val-d’Or, Quebec, for future reference and verification. As part of Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC) program, Cartier inserts blank samples and certified reference materials (standards) at regular intervals into the sample stream prior to shipment to monitor laboratory performance and analytical accuracy.

Drill core samples are sent to MSALABS’s analytical laboratory located in Val-d’Or, Quebec, for preparation and gold analysis. The entire sample is dried and crushed (70% passing a 2-millimeter sieve). The analysis for gold is performed on an approximately 500 g aliquot using Chrysos Photon Assay technology, which uses high-energy X-ray excitation with gamma detection to quickly and non-destructively measure gold content.

Alternatively, samples are submitted to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (‘Actlabs’), located in either Val-d’Or or Ste-Germaine-Boulé, both in Quebec, for preparation and gold analysis. The entire sample is dried, crushed (90% passing a 2-millimetre sieve) and 250 g is pulverized (90% passing a 0.07-millimetre sieve). The analysis for gold is conducted using a 50 g fire assay fusion with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish, with a detection limit up to 10,000 ppb. Samples exceeding this threshold are reanalyzed by fire assay with a gravimetric finish to determine high-grade values accurately.

Both MSALABS and Actlabs are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited for gold assays and implement industry-standard QA/QC protocols. Their internal quality control programs include the use of blanks, duplicates, and certified reference materials at set intervals, with established acceptance criteria to ensure data integrity and analytical precision.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this press release has been prepared, reviewed and approved by Mr. Ronan Déroff, P.Geo., M.Sc., Vice President Exploration, who is a ″Qualified Person″ as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (″ NI 43-101 ″).

About Cadillac Project

The Cadillac Project, covering 14,000 hectares along a 15-kilometre stretch of the Cadillac Fault, is one of the largest consolidated land packages in the Val-d’Or mining camp. Cartier’s flagship asset integrates the historic Chimo Mine and East Cadillac projects, creating a dominant position in a gold mining district. With excellent road access, year-round infrastructure and nearby milling capacity, the project is ideally positioned for rapid advancement and value creation.

The Cadillac property contains total gold resource of 767,800 ounces in the measured and indicated category (10.0 Mt at 2.4 g/t Au) and 2,416,900 ounces in the inferred category (35.2 Mt at 2.1 g/t Au) across all the sectors. Please see the ″ NI 43-101 Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate on the Cadillac Project, Val-d’Or, Abitibi, Quebec, Canada. Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo. of PLR Resources Inc., Stephen Coates, P.Eng. of Evomine Consulting Inc. and Florent Baril, P.Eng. of Bumigeme Inc. ″, effective January 27, 2026.

About Cartier Resources Inc.

Cartier Resources Inc., founded in 2006 and headquartered in Val-d’Or (Quebec) is a gold exploration company focused on building shareholder value through discovery and development in one of Canada’s most prolific mining camps. The Company combines strong technical expertise and a track record of successful exploration to advance its flagship Cadillac Project. Cartier’s strategy is clear: unlock the full potential of one of the largest undeveloped gold landholdings in Quebec.

For further information, contact:
Philippe Cloutier, P. Geo.
President and CEO
Telephone: 819-856-0512
philippe.cloutier@ressourcescartier.com
www.ressourcescartier.com

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

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/96974a1b-a4b1-4998-b693-c7861a904fd3

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a3dd0d6-8fb1-45fb-ae5a-7f3122c27921

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3070290b-fb85-4fb5-81ba-27a456d7df6e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5eb6ca50-70f9-404f-a175-bc3d373be04a

ILC Critical Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: ILC,OTC:ILHMF) (OTCQB: ILHMF) (FSE: IAH0) (‘ILC’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce a non-brokered private placement (the ‘Offering’) of up to 100,000,000 common shares at CAD$0.025 per share to raise gross proceeds of up to CAD$2,500,000. There are no warrants attached to this placement.

Proceeds of the private placement will be used partly to enable the Company to invest in growing its Southern African and Canadian operations and partly for general working capital purposes. If ILC decides to exercise its option, the Company may use part of the proceeds to exercise the option to acquire Lepidico (Mauritius) Ltd. (‘Lepidico Mauritius’) with a final net amount payable of around CAD$450,000. Lepidico Mauritius owns 80% of the company in Namibia that owns the Karibib project.

A table showing approximate split of proceeds if the full CAD$2.5 million is raised is as follows :

*Assumes Lepidico Mauritius option exercised

Payments to persons conducting Investor Relations activities are expected to be appreciably less than 10% of the gross proceeds of the Offering. Any such Investor Relations engagements will be filed with the TSX Venture Exchange (‘TSXV’), in accordance with their policies.

Closing of the Offering is subject to acceptance by the TSXV. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a four-month hold period from the date of issuance under applicable Canadian securities laws. The Company may pay finders fees on a portion of the placement, as permitted by TSXV policies and applicable securities laws.

It is anticipated that some directors and insiders will participate in this Offering. The issue of shares (to the extent subscribed for by insiders) constitute ‘related party transactions’ pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (‘MI 61-101’), as the subscribers include directors of the Company. The Company is exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the shares in reliance on the exemptions contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, respectively, as the fair market value of the shares to be issued to directors and insiders does not exceed 25% of the Company’s market capitalization.

About ILC Critical Minerals Ltd.

ILC Critical Minerals Ltd., formerly International Lithium Corp., has exploration activities in Ontario, Canada, with intentions to expand into Southern Africa. It has projects at various stages, ranging from Definitive Feasibility Study at Karibib in Namibia (note that ILC currently has an option only and is treating this as historic information at this point and not a current resource for ILC) to Preliminary Economic Assessment at Raleigh Lake to Pre-Drilling at Wolf Ridge. The primary target metals in Canada are lithium, rubidium and copper. There are three projects (two in Ontario and one in Ireland) in which ILC has sold its share, but where the Company stands to receive future payments from either a resource milestone being achieved or from a Net Smelter Royalty. In Namibia the Karibib project contains lithium, rubidium and cesium.

While the world’s politicians remain divided on the future of the energy market’s historic dependence on oil and gas and on ‘Net Zero’, there is in any scenario an ever-increasing and significant demand for electricity driven by AI and data centres, and by a likely unstoppable momentum towards electric vehicles and grid-scale electricity storage. All of these contribute to rising demand for lithium, copper, and other metals. Rubidium is also a critical metal, strategic for high-precision clocks, space technology, and improving the performance of certain types of solar panels. ILC has seen the politically driven, increasingly urgent push by the USA, Canada, the EU, and other major economies to safeguard their supplies of critical minerals and to become more self-sufficient. The Company’s Canadian and Southern African projects, which contain lithium, rubidium, cesium and copper, are strategic in this regard.

The Company’s key mission for the next decade is to generate revenue for its shareholders from lithium, rubidium and other critical minerals while also contributing to the creation of a greener, cleaner planet and less polluted cities.

This includes optimizing the value of ILC’s existing projects in Canada as well as finding, exploring and developing projects that have the potential to become world-class deposits. The Company announced that it regards Southern Africa as a key strategic target market and, in addition to Namibia, it has applied for and hopes to receive EPOs in Zimbabwe. The board hopes to make further announcements on the portfolio developments over the next few weeks and months.

The Company’s interests in various projects now consist of the following, and in addition, the Company continues to seek other opportunities:

The Company’s primary strategic focus at this point is on the Raleigh Lake Project, comprising lithium and rubidium, and the Firesteel copper project in Canada, as well as obtaining EPOs and mineral claims in Zimbabwe. The Karibib projects in Namibia, including further development of the EPL there, will be a high priority if ILC decides to exercise its option and remain involved.

The Raleigh Lake Project now encompasses 32,900 hectares (329 square kilometres) of mineral claims in Ontario and represents ILC’s most significant project in Canada. To date, drilling has occurred on less than 1,000 hectares of the Company’s claims. A Preliminary Economic Assessment was published for ILC’s lithium at Raleigh Lake in December 2023, with a detailed economic analysis of ILC’s separate rubidium resource still pending. This showed, for the lithium only and not yet taking into account the rubidium, a Post-tax NPV of CAD$342.9 million and a Post-tax IRR of 44.3% p.a. This was based on a spodumene price of US$2,350 per tonne. As at February 2, 2026 the spot spodumene price was US$ 1,965 per tonne. Raleigh Lake is 100% owned by ILC, free from any encumbrances and royalties. The Raleigh Lake Project boasts excellent access to roads, rail, and utilities.

A continuing goal has been to remain a well-funded, strategically run company that turns ILC’s aspirations into reality. Following the disposal of the Mariana project in Argentina in 2021, the Mavis Lake project in Canada in 2022, and the Avalonia project in 2025, ILC has continued to generate sufficient cash inflows to advance its exploration projects.

With increasing demand for high-tech rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage, and portable electronics, lithium has been dubbed ‘the new oil’. It is a key part of a green, sustainable economy. By positioning itself on projects with significant resource potential and solid strategic partners, ILC aims to become a preferred lithium and critical minerals resource developer for investors and to continue building value for its shareholders throughout the 2020s, the decade of battery metals.

On behalf of the Company,

John Wisbey
Chairman and CEO
www.ilccm.com

_______________________________________________________________________________________

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.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Except for statements of historical fact, this news release or other releases contain certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this or other news releases may include: the timing of completion of any offering and the amount to be raised, the likelihood or otherwise of the Company exercising its option on Lepidico Mauritius, the outcome of and issues around the arbitration involving Lepidico Namibia, the effect on results of anticipated production rates, the timing and/or anticipated results of drilling on the Karibib or Raleigh Lake or Firesteel or Wolf Ridge projects, expected commodity prices, the expectation of resource estimates, preliminary economic assessments, feasibility studies, lithium or rubidium or cesium or copper recoveries, modeling of capital and operating costs, results of studies utilizing various technologies at the company’s projects, the Company’s budgeted expenditures, government permits or approval for licences and licence renewals, future plans for expansion in Southern Africa and planned exploration work on its projects, increased value of shareholder investments in the Company, the potential from the Company’s third party earn-out or royalty arrangements, the future demand for lithium, rubidium, cesium and copper, and assumptions about ethical behaviour by our joint venture partners or shareholders in our projects or third party operators of projects or royalty partners. Such forward-looking information is based on assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those discussed in the sections entitled ‘Risks’ and ‘Forward-Looking Statements’ in the interim and annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis which are available at www.sedarplus.ca. While management believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are subject to significant business, economic, legislative, and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282473

(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia – February 3, 2026 ‑ TheNewswire Harvest Gold Corporation (TSXV: HVG,OTC:HVGDF) (‘Harvest Gold’ or the ‘Company’) announces that it has met the required exploration expenditure obligation of $1,250,000 through its 2025 exploration program in the Northern and Central portion of the Mosseau property, its flagship property in the Urban Barry Belt in Quebec’s Abitibi region.

Harvest Gold President and CEO, Rick Mark, states: ‘We have come a long way in the last 18 months and are now in an excellent position to meet our first ownership target of attaining 80% of Mosseau. That now requires only $1,500,000 in further exploration expenditures in the next two-year period with the same annual cash and share issuances. Importantly, for our shareholders to know, at that point we have the option to buy the last 20% of Mosseau for a $1,500,000 payment.’

The Mosseau property spans 147 claims totaling 7265.88 hectares (72.66 km2), which includes a 17.7 km long gold-bearing structure running through the length of the property. Mosseau adjoins the Urban Barry Greenstone Belt of the Abitibi Region of Quebec.

The Urban Barry property is located in the Ralleau and Wilson townships in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay/Abitibi region of Quebec.

About Harvest Gold Corporation

Harvest Gold is focused on exploring for near-surface gold deposits and copper-gold porphyry deposits in politically stable mining jurisdictions. Harvest Gold’s board of directors, management team and technical advisors have collective geological and financing experience exceeding 400 years.

Harvest Gold has three active gold projects focused in the Urban Barry area, totalling 377 claims covering 20,016.87 ha, located approximately 45-70 km west of Gold Fields Limited’s – Windfall Deposit (Figure 5).

Harvest Gold acknowledges that the Mosseau Gold Project straddles the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay and Abitibi territories.  Harvest Gold is committed to developing positive and mutually beneficial relationships based on respect and transparency with local Indigenous communities.

Harvest Gold’s three properties, Mosseau, Urban-Barry and LaBelle, together cover over 50 km of favorable strike along mineralized shear zones.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rick Mark
President and CEO
Harvest Gold Corporation

For more information please contact:

Rick Mark or Jan Urata
@ 604.737.2303 or info@harvestgoldcorp.com

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.

Forward Looking Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward looking statements’. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that Harvest Gold expects to occur, are 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.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ,OTC:QQCMF) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Questcorp’) has chosen Peter W. Walcott and Associates Limited of Coquitlam, BC to undertake the permitted 10 to 15 line km induced polarization (IP) survey at the Company’s 1,168 hectare North Island Copper project near Port Hardy on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

The IP survey will concentrate on the historic Marisa Zone, a porphyry copper target last explored in the 1990’s. Surface sampling and a preliminary 12.3-line km IP survey identified an interesting chargeability anomaly that was followed up by a five-hole, 376.43 diamond drilling program. Two of the five holes hit interesting copper values including down hole intervals of 0.078% copper over 56.39 metres in DDH92-01 and 0.041% copper over 70.71 metres in DDH92-03 in an altered quartz diorite. Copper grades were increasing with depth in DDH92-03. The Company plans to follow up these historic results. Source: Geophysical and Diamond Drilling Report on the Marisa Property by G.J. Allen and P.G. Dasler dated 1992-Feb-29 for Great Western Gold Corporation.

‘As copper prices continue to climb due to demand and supply issues, the importance of the North Island Copper project increases,’ commented Questcorp President & CEO, Saf Dhillon. ‘We feel the 1992 preliminary drill results demand further exploration, especially with copper grades increasing with depth to the bottom of one of the historic drill holes. Our setting in the right rocks between the historic Island Copper Mine and NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. (CSE: NCX), further attests to the potential of Questcorp’s North Island Copper project.’

The 2026 IP survey will run lines at the same azimuth, spaced midway between the 1973 IP survey lines to tighten the coverage over the area. Walcott hopes to incorporate the historic IP with the 2026 data to generate new chargeability and resistivity subsurface elevation plans, along with the 2026 psuedosection lines. The plans and sections will be utilized to generate drill targets for a follow-up drill program. Walcott is expected to mobilize to the property mid-February, with completion anticipated prior to month end.

Questcorp cautions investors a Qualified Person has not verified the historical exploration data and further cautions the presence of copper mineralization on the NorthIsle Copper and Gold and the BHP properties is not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the North Island Copper property.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a Director of the Company and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Questcorp Mining Inc.

Questcorp is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metal properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper property, on Vancouver Island, B.C., subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100-per-cent interest in and to mineral claims totalling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation.

This news release includes certain ‘forward-looking statements’ under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such 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. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/282479