NorthIsle to work with B.C. Critical Minerals Office

Mr. Nicholas Van Dyk reports NORTHISLE INCLUDED IN BC'S CRITICAL MINERALS OFFICE The Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals of the Province of British Columbia has selected NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. to work with the Critical Minerals Office as the company prepares the North Island project for environmental assessment and future permitting processes. The Critical Minerals Office works with selected advanced project proponents to accelerate their permitting processes by helping co-ordinate first nations and community engagement, identify regulatory requirements early, align permitting pathways, and support readiness for future environmental assessment and regulatory processes. Sam Lee, president and chief executive officer, commented: "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. With continued government support and improved co-ordination, we can more effectively unlock the potential of our North Island project to deliver enduring value." Jagrup Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals, stated: "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." North Island project press conference and celebration event A joint press conference regarding the Critical Mineral Office announcement was held at the North Island project site office on Feb. 20, 2026, which is located within the territory of Kwakiutl First Nation as well as the town of Port Hardy. NorthIsle is grateful to the hereditary leadership of Kwakiutl First Nation for welcoming the company and the other guests for this event. NorthIsle was honoured to host Mr. Brar, Minister of Mining and Critical Minerals of the Province of British Columbia, hereditary and elected leadership, elders and youth of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation, the mayor and councillors of Port Hardy, and members of the local community at the company's site office for this special occasion. In total, approximately 70 people attended the event, underscoring the broad-based interest in the company's North Island project. Update on first nations agreements NorthIsle is pleased to announce that it now has agreements in place with all three first nations whose territories overlap the North Island project. NorthIsle confirms that its wholly owned subsidiary, North Island Mining Corp. (NIMC), has entered into agreements with Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation, establishing formal frameworks to support continued engagement, informed discussions, nation-specific processes, information sharing and exploration-related activities within each nation's respective territory. These agreements reflect several years of dialogue and relationship building and are intended to support a clear and respectful process for continuing work as well as future discussion and decision making associated with the North Island project. Collectively, the agreements now cover 100 per cent of the mineral tenure comprising the project. About NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. NorthIsle is a Vancouver-based company whose vision is to become Canada's leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. NorthIsle, through its 100-per-cent-owned subsidiary, North Island Mining, owns the North Island project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island project is located near Port Hardy, B.C., on a greater-than-34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100 per cent owned by NorthIsle on a belt stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now-closed Island copper mine operated by BHP Billiton. Since 2021, the company has discovered two significant deposits, expanded resources and demonstrated the economic potential of the project and is now focused on the development of this compelling project while exploring within this highly prospective land package. NorthIsle respectfully acknowledges that the company's North Island project is located within the territories of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation. NorthIsle is committed to collaborating with first nations to build authentic, mutually beneficial relationships. We seek Safe Harbor.