N.A. Niobium sets out exploration plans for 2026

Mr. Murray Nye reports NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM AND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP. LAUNCHES ITS C$2.69 MILLION DISTRICT-SCALE FULLY-FUNDED COMPREHENSIVE 2026 QUEBEC EXPLORATION PROGRAM FOCUSED ON NIOBIUM AND RARE EARTH ELEMENTS DISCOVERIES North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp.'s fully financed comprehensive 2026 exploration program across its district-scale land package of 29,936-hectare niobium and rare earth elements focused land position in Quebec's prolific Grenville province. The work program is designed to confirm, expand and advance multiple niobium and rare earth element targets hosted within carbonatite, syenite and niobium, yttrium, and fluorine-type pegmatite systems -- geological environments known to host major critical element deposits. Within its broader portfolio, four properties will be the focus for 2026, each hosting mineral occurrences of rare earth elements and niobium within pegmatites and syenites, with historic highlight assays including: 2.7 per cent total rare earth elements -- Blanchette pegmatite; 0.68 per cent total rare earth elements -- Bardy pegmatite; 0.21 per cent total rare earth elements -- Sabot syenite; 0.4 per cent total rare earth elements plus 0.3 per cent niobium -- Seigneurie pegmatite. When benchmarked against global rare earth elements and niobium producers, North American Niobium's historical assays compare favourably. For rare earths, advanced hardrock deposits (carbonatites) such as Mount Weld (Lynas, Australia) and Bayan Obo (China) typically report grades in the 1.0-per-cent- to 6.0-per-cent-total-rare-earth-oxide range, with many North American development-stage projects including Bear Lodge (United States) and Wicheeda (Canada) averaging approximately 0.4 per cent to 1.2 per cent total rare earth oxides. In this context, the company's historic assays of 2.7 per cent total rare earth oxides at Blanchette and 0.68 per cent total rare earth oxides at Bardy fall squarely within the grade profile of established global producers and top-tier development projects. For niobium, Brazil's Araxa (CBMM) and Quebec's Niobec, the world's primary niobium suppliers, mine ore with grades generally ranging from 0.4 per cent to 2.5 per cent Nb2O5. Early-stage exploration values above 1,000 parts per million Nb (approximately 0.1 per cent Nb) are considered highly encouraging; thus, North American Niobium's 0.32 per cent Niobium grab sample at Seigneurie represents a strong early-stage indicator consistent with the grade envelopes observed in proven niobium-bearing intrusive systems. Even though these results are only indicative and no grades over length have yet been reported, they show that the company's emerging rare earth and niobium targets fall within globally competitive grade ranges seen at major mines and leading development projects. The 2026 exploration strategy is engineered to quickly advance the top targets toward drilling and build an exploration model that maximizes the potential for rare earth and niobium discoveries. 2025 exploration program overview In 2025, North American Niobium completed its first-pass prospecting program across the Quebec portfolio, including reconnaissance mapping, initial sampling and verification of historic Soquem airborne radiometric anomalies at key targets. This work allowed the company to refine priority zones at Blanchette, Bardy, Sabot and Seigneurie. The 2025 program also included the full consolidation of the 29,936-hectare land package and the compilation of historical geological, geochemical and geophysical data sets needed to design the 2026 exploration campaign. To date, expenditures have primarily covered early-stage prospecting ($200,000), sampling and property acquisition costs, representing the initial investment phase prior to the larger coming allocations for geophysics, surface geochemistry, bedrock sampling and drilling planned for 2026. 2026 exploration program overview North American Niobium's exploration program is structured in four stages: geophysics (ground or airborne), surface geochemistry, bedrock sampling below till and drilling. The company has allocated a total 2026 exploration budget of approximately $2.69-million. Contingent on successful drilling results, the company will initiate a first mineral resource estimate and first-pass mineralogical and metallurgical work, defining key rare earth element mineral species, assessing thorium/rare earth element relationships, and generating the data sets required to evaluate future processing and recovery pathways. Surface geochemistry surveys -- $80,000 Two options are currently assessed by the company across all of its properties: soil gas surveys (radon and helium) and fluorine-hydrogeochemistry surveys. Fluorine is a strong pathfinder element for both carbonatite- and rare-earth-element-bearing NYF-pegmatite systems while radon and helium are elements produced by the decays of uranium and thorium -- elements typically associated with these deposits. Detecting these key pathfinder elements through these surveys provides quasi-instant readings, potentially identifying anomalous drainage catchments and areas in record time, and helping narrow down potentially mineralized areas and complement magnetic and radiometric anomalies. These methods are, however, sensitive to soil conditions and are currently being assessed. Geophysical surveys -- $250,000 (to be completed end of first quarter 2026) Airborne magnetics and radiometrics, drone or helicopter based, will be completed across a portion or all of the Blanchette, Bardy and Seigneure properties. These data sets are essential for: Mapping structural corridors and intrusive centres; Identifying radiometric anomalies associated with rare earth element deposits; These surveys have been deployed by Soquem in the 1970s in La Haute Cote Nord area. Overburden-penetrating bedrock sampling -- $200,000 (to be completed end of first quarter 2026) Bedrock sampling, when inaccessible, will be performed using non-hydraulic-force gas-powered drills. This program will enable sampling the bedrock below the till cover. The till cover is considered minimal on all four properties in focus, with a maximum estimated depth of four metres. Validate geophysical and geochemical anomalies; Confirm bedrock geology; Sample till sand nearest bedrock. Diamond drilling -- $1.9-million (to be completed end of third quarter 2026) North American Niobium plans to execute a 6,000-metre drill program focused on the highest-ranked multidata set targets. The drilling will be distributed as follows. Drilling costs, including geological support and assays, are estimated at $1.9-million, representing the company's largest budget allocation for 2026. The primary objectives of the drilling program are to: Confirm and extend historic rare earth element/niobium zones; Model the 3-D geometry of these mineralized intrusive bodies; Test high-priority radiometric and magnetic anomalies; Generate data sets required for the company's inaugural mineral resource estimate. Its 2026 drilling campaign is designed to confirm the subsurface continuity, scale and grade of the rare earth element/-niobium mineralized systems identified across the portfolio. Advancing toward first technical milestones Contingent on successful results, North American Niobium intends to initiate: Mineralogical characterization; Baseline metallurgical testing for rare earth element and niobium recovery; Additional technical studies, which may include further mineral processing and metallurgical evaluations, and a maiden mineral resource estimate. These programs will support the progression of one or more deposits toward potentially future scoping studies. Importance of niobium and national security Niobium is designated as a critical mineral by both Canada and the United States, and is explicitly listed on the U.S. Department of Defence's critical minerals list, because of its essential applications in high-strength steel, clean-energy technologies, aerospace alloys, superconducting materials and advanced defense systems. Today, more than ~90 per cent of global niobium supply originates from a single jurisdiction, creating a major dependency risk for North American industries. This concentration of supply has elevated niobium to a national security priority as secure access is required for infrastructure, electric vehicles, microreactors, jet engines, missile systems and emerging quantum technologies. Establishing a reliable domestic source of niobium is therefore vital for strengthening North America's supply chain resilience and reducing reliance on foreign-controlled critical mineral markets. The Quebec and Grenville province opportunity Quebec is one of the world's premier jurisdictions for critical mineral exploration and development, offering a unique combination of geological potential, infrastructure and government support. The Grenville province hosts some of North America's most significant rare earth and niobium deposits, including the Niobec mine, and remains vastly underexplored. Quebec provides year-round road access, abundant low-cost hydro power and a highly skilled mining work force, significantly reducing exploration and future development risk. The provincial and federal governments have also identified critical minerals as a strategic priority, offering financial incentives, permitting stability and strong institutional backing for domestic supply chain development. This combination of geology, infrastructure and supportive policy makes Quebec one of the most advantageous locations globally for advancing new rare earth elements -- niobium discoveries. "We are drilling across the company's entire portfolio in 2026 to maximize our chances of making a significant critical element discovery," said Murray Nye, chief executive officer of North American Niobium. "This work program positions North American Niobium to systematically advance multiple rare earth elements/niobium targets in one of the world's most prospective geological belts for critical minerals. With clear milestones, strong derisking strategies, that includes combining geophysics, surface geochemistry and bedrock sampling, we expect 2026 to be a transformational year for North American Niobium. By establishing a clear exploration road map today, we ensure continuity and clarity for shareholders as we release results throughout the year." About North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. North American Niobium is a North American mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base and critical mineral assets. Its portfolio includes the Silver Lake property in British Columbia's Omineca mining division and a recently acquired land package in Quebec's Grenville province. The Quebec properties add exposure to rare earth elements, niobium and nickel-copper occurrences, expanding the company's footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defence applications. Qualified person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Clyde McMillan, PGeo, a consultant to the company and a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein. We seek Safe Harbor.