North American Niobium begins soil-gas survey in Quebec

Executive Summary

• North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. has initiated a soil-gas radon survey at its Blanchette and Bardy projects in Quebec to evaluate the effectiveness of this geochemical method for detecting niobium- and rare-earth-element-bearing granitic pegmatite systems beneath overburden.
• The survey is an early-stage test designed to refine exploration targets and guide future activities, with no analytical results reported at this time.
• The company plans to evaluate the survey results upon completion to determine next steps in its broader exploration strategy.

Key Details

• Survey Initiation: The soil-gas survey commenced on December 16, 2025, and is currently ongoing.
• Contractor: Conducted by RadonEx, an independent contractor and specialist geochemical services provider.
• Locations: Blanchette and Bardy projects, located approximately north-west of the municipality of La Tuque, Quebec.
• Sample Points:
  • Blanchette Project: 82 sample points.
  • Bardy Project: 68 sample points.
• Objective: To assess whether the soil-gas radon method can assist in refining exploration targets and detecting indications of niobium- and/or rare-earth-element-bearing granitic pegmatite systems beneath overburden cover.
• Geological Context: Thorite (a thorium-bearing mineral) has been identified in government thin sections on the Blanchette REE prospect. Radon is a naturally occurring gaseous element formed from the radioactive decay of uranium and thorium, measurable within overburden.
• Status: No analytical results are being reported at this time; the program is an initial test to evaluate responsiveness.

Notable Quotes

• "This program reflects a disciplined and methodical approach to advancing our Quebec exploration portfolio. The soil-gas radon survey is being undertaken as a targeted, early-stage test to evaluate whether this technique can enhance our understanding of subsurface geology beneath overburden cover," said Murray Nye, chief executive officer.
• "Given the presence of thorium-bearing minerals identified in historic work at Blanchette, we believe this method has the potential to contribute meaningful geochemical insight that could help refine targets and guide future exploration activities in a cost-effective manner."