NorthIsle to work with B.C. Critical Minerals Office

Executive Summary

• NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. has been selected by the British Columbia Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to work with the Critical Minerals Office, a move intended to accelerate the permitting and environmental assessment processes for its North Island project.
• The company has secured formal agreements with all three First Nations whose territories overlap the project (Quatsino, Kwakiutl, and Tlatlasikwala), covering 100% of the mineral tenure and establishing frameworks for engagement and exploration.
• A press conference was held at the project site on February 20, 2026, attended by government ministers, First Nation leadership, and local officials, signaling strong government and community support for the project's advancement.

Key Details

• Critical Minerals Office Inclusion: Selected by the BC Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals to coordinate with the Critical Minerals Office. This partnership aims to accelerate permitting by coordinating First Nations and community engagement, identifying regulatory requirements early, and aligning permitting pathways.
• First Nations Agreements: North Island Mining Corp. (NIMC), a wholly owned subsidiary, has entered into agreements with:
  • Quatsino First Nation
  • Kwakiutl First Nation
  • Tlatlasikwala First Nation
• Tenure Coverage: These agreements collectively cover 100% of the mineral tenure comprising the North Island project.
• Agreement Scope: The frameworks support continued engagement, informed discussions, nation-specific processes, information sharing, and exploration-related activities.
• Event Details: A joint press conference and celebration were held on February 20, 2026, at the North Island project site office (located within Kwakiutl First Nation territory and near Port Hardy). Approximately 70 people attended, including Minister Jagrup Brar, First Nation leadership, and local government officials.
• Project Context: The North Island project is a copper and gold porphyry project located on a >34,000-hectare block of mineral titles, 50 km northwest of the closed Island copper mine. Since 2021, the company has discovered two significant deposits and expanded resources.

Notable Quotes

• Sam Lee, President and CEO: "We welcome inclusion in the Critical Minerals Office and recognize this as an important catalyst for accelerating our North Island project. Co-ordination with this office, alongside our ongoing work to build consensus through meaningful first nations and stakeholder engagement, provides a pathway to efficient and expeditious project development."
• Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals: "NorthIsle has a great team and great leadership, the financial strength to support the project, and local support from the community. The government is serious to move forward this project and we want to send a strong message to the investment community because this project is going to move forward."