EMP METALS PROVIDES UPDATE ON PROJECT AURORA DEMONSTRATION PLANT

Executive Summary

• Completed exterior construction and weather‑sealing of the Project Aurora demonstration plant building at Viewfield, Saskatchewan; power is now connected and interior work will begin soon.
• Saltworks Technologies reports its equipment for the direct well‑head “spoke” DLE plant is 70 % built, with 60 % already in use on analogous projects, advancing the Gen II DLE technology rollout.
• Board authorized grant of 100,000 incentive stock options to a consultant at an exercise price of $0.45 per share, exercisable over five years pending CSE approval.

Key Details

• Building exterior is fully weather‑sealed; site power has been installed and is operational.
• Interior finishing and electrical work are slated to start within weeks, with equipment arrival expected early 2026.
• Saltworks’ Gen II DLE plant design aims to produce ultra‑high purity lithium chloride, reducing capital expenditures through integrated system simplification.
• Aurora conversion hub in Richmond, BC is already commissioned and producing various grades of lithium carbonate from other brine sources.
• 70 % of the “spoke” demonstration plant equipment construction is complete; 60 % of this equipment is already proven in‑field on similar projects.
• Board approved grant of 100,000 incentive stock options to a consultant at $0.45 per common share; options exercisable over five years with vesting terms set by the board and subject to CSE approval.

Notable Quotes

“Completing the building's exterior and essential site infrastructure marks a major step forward for our demonstration plant. With these foundational elements in place, we can now focus on the remaining interior work and begin preparing for the arrival of the Saltworks processing equipment in early 2026.” – Paul Schubach, COO, EMP Metals