• A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions specializes in creating, commercializing smart-cart solutions for grocery stores, supermarkets and other retail formats.
• The company’s mission is to “unlock the full potential of every in-store shopping journey, through digitalization and personalization.”
• Cust2Mate supports a digital in-store experience that closely bridges online and brick-and-mortar shopping.

From checkout lanes to connected carts, the retail experience is being reinvented — and A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions (NASDAQ: AZ) is at the forefront of the movement. A2Z develops and deploys “smart-cart” technology that aims to transform how consumers shop in physical stores by melding convenience, personalization and data intelligence into the traditional grocery-store cart.

A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions is a globally oriented technology company that specializes in creating and commercializing smart-cart solutions for grocery stores, supermarkets and other retail formats. The company’s flagship offering, branded Cust2Mate, is a modular, sensor-rich smart cart platform designed to retrofit ordinary shopping carts with a touchscreen interface; a range of sensors, including barcode scanner, computer vision, anomaly analysis and security scale; and built-in payment functionality; the innovative tech enables customers to scan items as they shop, bag the items and pay directly from the cart rather than waiting in line at a checkout lane

The company’s mission is to “unlock the full potential of every in-store shopping journey, through digitalization and personalization.” A2Z’s vision calls for a future in which physical retail stores are deeply connected, not only mirrors online commerce but hybrid environments where in-store shopping benefits from digital convenience, real-time data and personalized experience.

At its core, the Cust2Mate smart cart platform offers several strengths and capabilities that differentiate A2Z from traditional retail solutions. First, its modular hardware design allows retrofit of existing shopping carts, meaning retailers do not necessarily need to rebuild entire cart fleets to adopt the technology. The platform’s combination of sensors (barcode, AI-driven computer vision, anomaly analysis, security scale) ensures accurate tracking of items, supports in-cart payment, and enables store systems to integrate with retailer backend IT infrastructures for data analytics and real-time insights. 

Second, Cust2Mate supports a digital in-store experience that closely bridges online and brick-and-mortar shopping. The system’s touchscreen interface can deliver personalized offers, retail media content, loyalty-club integration and real-time promos, effectively allowing consumer packaged goods (“CPG”) brands and retailers to engage shoppers directly during their physical shopping journey. This creates new monetization paths beyond checkout fees.  

Third, the data-driven nature of the platform gives retailers valuable analytics tools: tracking shopper behavior, basket composition, dwell times, product interest and more. These insights can improve store layout, refine merchandising strategies, optimize inventory and reduce shrinkage, all with the potential to improve margins and operational efficiency.

In recent months, A2Z has demonstrated its commitment to innovation and growth. The company has launched a dedicated AI and Business Insight Division. The division is intended to bring advanced machine learning, computer vision and analytics to its smart-cart platform, elevating the system’s ability to deliver personalized shopping experiences, fraud prevention, retail media, and deeper store- and shopper-level insights. This move signals A2Z’s intention to not only sell hardware but to also build a full-stack retail technology ecosystem focused on long-term data services, advertising and value-added software.

A2Z emphasizes strategic objectives that go beyond individual cart sales. The company envisions expanding its global footprint through strategic partnerships with retailers worldwide, while continuing to innovate and evolve its platform to meet changing customer expectations and retail sector dynamics.  The dual-value proposition — improving shopper convenience and bolstering retailer margins — is central to A2Z’s long-term purpose: to modernize brick-and-mortar retail by merging the best of physical and digital shopping worlds.

That proposition helps explain the broad applicability of Cust2Mate’s solutions. A2Z aims to serve not only traditional grocery stores and supermarkets but also discount retailers, warehouse clubs, convenience stores, drugstores, do-it-yourself retailers and other mass-market formats. Through such wide reach, A2Z positions itself not as a niche vendor but as a foundational retail-automation partner capable of addressing many segments across global retail.

Headquartered in Vancouver, Canada, the company serves global markets. In a retail environment increasingly driven by e-commerce, convenience, speed and personalization, A2Z Cust2Mate Solutions offers a compelling vision for physical stores: Carts that double as personal shopping assistants, checkout lanes that no longer exist and data-driven insights that rival those of online platforms. By integrating hardware, software, payment, data analytics and retail media under one unified platform, A2Z aims to reinvent the shopping journey from end to end.

For more information, visit www.Cust2Mate.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to AZ are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/A2Z

• The energy company plans to begin servicing its own wells and market rigs and service equipment to third-party operators.
• CEO Michael McLaren says the operational restart of the Oil and Gas (“O&G”) service division will reduce maintenance and workover costs.
• Olenox’s proprietary downhole technologies, including plasma pulse and ultrasonic cleaning tools, will play a central role in the expanded service offering.
• Safe & Green expects to reach cash-flow positivity in 2026, supported in part by recurring revenue from third-party well services.
• The company’s energy strategy aligns with ongoing U.S. policy goals focused on strengthening domestic energy production and operational independence.

Safe & Green Holdings (NASDAQ: SGBX), a diversified holding company, said its energy subsidiary Olenox Corp. has received its U.S. Department of Transportation (“DOT”) number and is preparing to mobilize its service division assets. The approval marks a procedural but necessary step for the company as it restarts its oilfield services operations and expands service capacity across its portfolio of wells (https://ibn.fm/Ncnk5).

With the DOT number in place, Olenox can begin transporting rigs, downhole tools, and other heavy equipment essential to field operations. Safe & Green said it will resume servicing its own wells and build a sales team to offer those same services to external operators. According to the company, expanding third-party work is a central part of its plan to enter a recurring and higher-margin service market. The company has not yet disclosed the full timeline for mobilization but said it is actively preparing its fleet and will begin hiring a dedicated sales team.

Michael McLaren, CEO of Safe & Green Holdings Corp., said the restart of the Oil and Gas (“O&G”) service division is an important part of the company’s production strategy. “This is a big step for us to get our service assets mobile and rekindle our O&G service division. Our O&G service division is a key part of our production strategy, being able to do our own work greatly reduces the cost of our maintenance and workover costs.  We can now go full out getting our wells back online,” he said.

The mobilization effort also sets the stage for broader deployment of Olenox’s downhole tooling assets. These include the company’s ultrasonic cleaning tool and its proprietary plasma pulse technology, both of which are designed to improve wellbore cleaning and production stimulation. Safe & Green expects that growth in tooling services, abandonment work, and field support will contribute meaningfully to the company’s goal of reaching cash-flow positivity in 2026.

Olenox operates as a vertically integrated energy business with activity across three divisions: oil and gas, oilfield services, and energy technologies. These monitoring tools provide real-time data on equipment performance, enabling operators to make quicker decisions and reduce response times during field operations. Remote visibility is increasingly used across U.S. energy operations as companies work to optimize production while managing rising labor and logistics costs.

The timing of Olenox’s service mobilization coincides with growing policy emphasis on U.S. energy independence. Federal and state governments have reiterated support for expanding domestic production, improving well-site efficiency, and reducing reliance on foreign supply. This policy backdrop has created demand for well-service companies capable of maintaining and restoring production from existing assets.

As small and mid-sized operators continue adjusting to commodity price volatility, service providers that offer cost-efficient maintenance and stimulation work have gained attention. By bringing service functions in-house, Safe & Green expects to reduce operating expenses at its own wells while creating a new line of recurring revenue from third-party clients.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SafeandGreenHoldings.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SGBX are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SGBX

Disseminated on behalf of Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) and may include paid advertising.

• The company completed its first milestone payment and share issuance under the option agreement to acquire 100% of the Pinard Rare Earths Project in northern Ontario.
• The Pinard project covers 255 contiguous claims across 5,178 hectares within an alkaline intrusive complex comparable to nearby REE-bearing systems.
• A new geoscience interpretation at Atikokan Project identified multiple high-priority REE targets, including a structural–geochemical corridor with TREE values up to 1,947 ppm.
• Powermax continues to build a diversified REE portfolio across Ontario, British Columbia, and Wyoming, including its 100%-owned Ogden Bear Lodge Project bordering a U.S. DOE–funded REE district.
• Global demand for rare earth elements is projected to triple by 2035, underscoring the strategic significance of North American REE exploration amid policies supporting domestic supply chains.

Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company, continued expanding its rare earth element (“REE”) exploration portfolio in November, completing its initial milestone payment and share issuance toward the acquisition of the Pinard Rare Earths Project in northern Ontario. The company confirmed the transaction in a November 13 update, marking progress on a multi-year option agreement that could ultimately give Powermax full ownership of the 5,178-hectare property (https://ibn.fm/0kvU7).

Under the option terms, Powermax issued 160,000 common shares and paid $18,000 to the property optionors. Future payments include additional shares and cash totaling $90,000 over three years. The agreement includes a 1.5% net smelter royalty, with a buyback option allowing Powermax to reduce the NSR to 1.0% for $500,000.

The Pinard project sits roughly 70 kilometers north-northeast of Kapuskasing and is accessible year-round via all-weather roads. Its geology centers on the Pinard Intrusive Rock Complex, an alkaline system featuring nepheline syenites, trachytes and peralkaline granites, rock types that frequently host REE-bearing mineralization. The complex resembles the Clay Howell Intrusive, located 20 kilometers to the southwest, where known REE occurrences have been documented.

Days before the Pinard announcement, Powermax released new results from an integrated geoscientific study of its flagship Atikokan REE Property in northwestern Ontario. The study, led by geophysicist Shahab Tavakoli, combined regional magnetic, gravity, and radiometric datasets with deep lake-sediment geochemistry from the Ontario Geological Survey (https://ibn.fm/HD7s5).

The analysis identified several zones of REE enrichment across the project’s three claim blocks totaling 9,416 hectares. Of particular interest is a corridor of anomalous TREE values along the contact between the White Otter Batholith and the Dashwa Gneissic Suite, a setting characterized by steep structural fabrics and reactive lithologies.

Within Blocks B and C, lake-sediment samples returned TREE values ranging from 254 to 1,947 ppm, alongside radiometric signatures, elevated Th/K and Th/U ratios, consistent with phosphate-associated REE mineralization. Block A also displayed moderately elevated REE values tied to structural corridors within the interior of the batholith.

Powermax has already initiated follow-up work, including high-resolution magnetic and radiometric surveys, detailed geological mapping, and systematic surface sampling. These efforts aim to refine target geometry, verify REE-bearing mineral phases such as monazite and allanite, and prioritize zones for potential drilling.

“We are very encouraged by the progress at Atikokan,” said CEO Paul Gorman, noting that the study provides a strong scientific foundation for identifying REE-enriched corridors and the rapid advancement of the project through integrated fieldwork for detailed follow-up exploration.

Powermax now advances four REE projects across Canada and the United States:

• Atikokan (Ontario) – A 9,416-hectare project within a structurally favorable corridor between the Wabigoon and Quetico sub-provinces, known for granitic REE and lithium-bearing pegmatites.
• Cameron (British Columbia) – A 2,984-hectare pegmatite and gneiss-hosted REE project south of Revelstoke, where Phase 1 sampling returned TREE values up to 1,943 ppm.
• Ogden Bear Lodge (Wyoming) – A 100%-owned 184-hectare project bordering the Bear Lodge district, an area supported by U.S. Department of Energy funding and a nonbinding EXIM Bank financing interest.
• Pinard (Ontario) – Newly optioned, located in a prospective alkaline intrusive complex near existing REE-bearing systems.

This geographic spread aligns with North American government initiatives encouraging domestic REE development. In 2025, Canada continued directing funds toward critical-mineral infrastructure, while the U.S. Department of Energy expanded support for rare earths and magnet supply chains.

Powermax’s exploration activity takes place against a backdrop of rising structural demand for REEs. According to Grand View Research, the global market, valued at US$3.95 billion in 2024, is projected to reach US$6.3 billion by 2030 (https://ibn.fm/TJzeJ). Demand for key magnetic rare earths, including neodymium and praseodymium, is closely tied to electric vehicles, wind turbines, and high-performance electronics.

Global consumption of rare earth oxides is forecast to increase from 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to 176,000 tonnes by 2035 as electrification accelerates (https://ibn.fm/F0ajd). Current supply remains highly concentrated, with China accounting for around 60% of mining and 90% of processing capacity. Recent Chinese export restrictions have elevated supply-chain risk and underscored the need for new development in stable jurisdictions.

North American policy responses include large-scale funding through the U.S. Defense Production Act and Canada’s Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund, both aimed at strengthening domestic supply chains. Exploration-stage companies such as Powermax stand to benefit from this environment as governments encourage upstream project development.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowermaxMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWMXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PWMXF

• The company has won its first U.S. state-level Department of Corrections contract, securing a statewide deployment in Arizona.
• The Arizona agreement displaces an incumbent provider and follows SuperCom’s expansion strategy toward higher-volume, longer-term DOC-level programs.
• Days earlier, the company entered Missouri with a new electronic-monitoring contract, its 13th state entry since mid-2024.
• SuperCom’s PureSecurity platform continues to replace long-time incumbents across multiple jurisdictions.
• The company reports record profitability, with $6 million in net income and gross margins above 60% through the first nine months of 2025.

SuperCom (NASDAQ: SPCB), a global provider of secured e-Government, IoT, and cybersecurity solutions, has secured its first state-level Department of Corrections contract in the United States, marking a new stage in its U.S. expansion. The contract, awarded under Arizona’s statewide Behavioral Health services program, will deploy the company’s GPS-based PureSecurity technology as part of broader rehabilitative and supervision services. Implementation is scheduled to begin in January 2026, according to the company’s announcement (https://ibn.fm/yK21N).

For SuperCom, the win could signal a shift from county-level and regional partnerships toward larger DOC-level engagements, which typically involve more rigorous vendor evaluations and longer revenue cycles. It also marks the first time the company has displaced an incumbent at the DOC tier in the U.S. and strengthens the company’s competitive position in pursuit of state-level opportunities nationwide.

President and CEO Ordan Trabelsi said the contract validates the strategy SuperCom put in place over the past year. “We began by working with regional partners and smaller county agencies, demonstrating strong execution and rapidly building trust,” he said. “Now we are seeing that strategy mature, with SuperCom being selected at the state-agency level as our credibility continues to grow across the U.S. market.”

The contract was secured through a partnership with an Arizona-based service provider, which gave SuperCom a foothold in the state and allowed the companies to submit a joint bid. The collaboration mirrors SuperCom’s expansion pattern in Europe, where it scaled from small programs to much larger deployments.

Two days before the Arizona announcement, SuperCom reported another competitive win, this time in Missouri, where it secured a new electronic monitoring service provider contract after displacing an incumbent vendor (https://ibn.fm/bIAbj). The Missouri award marks the company’s first entry into the state and adds to a rapid expansion that now includes 13 new states and 15 new service provider partnerships since mid-2024.

Industry adoption is being driven in part by service providers and courts looking to update aging monitoring systems. SuperCom’s PureSecurity platform bundles GPS, RFID, software analytics, and smartphone-based tools into a modular ecosystem used for a range of monitoring scenarios, including parole and probation, house arrest, domestic violence, and inmate tracking.

The shift toward electronic monitoring programs is supported by empirical research. Studies from multiple jurisdictions, from Argentina to Australia to France, show that EM reduces recidivism by up to 48%. These findings have strengthened interest among state corrections departments that are pursuing lower-cost alternatives to incarceration.

SuperCom reports that its expansion is backed by financial performance. Through the first nine months of 2025, the company generated $6 million in net income and gross margins exceeding 60%. Trabelsi said the balance sheet provides “the financial foundation and operational capacity to support larger state-level programs across the country.” “This milestone contract reflects how our strategy is maturing, and we are well-positioned to continue expanding into new states while delivering measurable value to the agencies we serve,” he added.

The company’s entry into Arizona is expected to serve as a reference point for future DOC-level bids nationwide. State-level contracts tend to be more difficult to secure, given their size, risk requirements, and lengthy evaluation processes. As a result, they can also be more stable, giving vendors predictable recurring revenue tied to daily active monitoring units.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SuperCom.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPCB are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/SPCB

Disseminated on behalf of Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) and may include paid advertising.

• Search Minerals controls two district-scale rare earth land packages in Labrador, including the Port Hope Simpson–St. Lewis District, a 64-kilometre belt hosting multiple CREE deposits and prospects.
• Deep Fox and Foxtrot host published mineral resource estimates, with Phase 4 results supporting an updated resource model and feasibility-level work for Deep Fox.
• Strong community and Indigenous partnerships support responsible development, environmental review, and long-term project alignment with local stakeholders.
• Extensive historical exploration, including more than 200 drill holes and thousands of channel samples, provides a robust technical foundation for future development decisions.
• The company’s work across two mineralized districts provides exposure to a range of rare earth element types and long-term exploration potential.

Search Minerals (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing critical rare earth element (“CREE”) resources in Labrador, Canada. Since its establishment, the company has concentrated on systematic exploration supported by detailed geological work, extensive sampling, and disciplined technical evaluation across its landholdings.

The company operates with an emphasis on transparency, field-based science, and engagement with local communities and partners, including the NunatuKavut Community Council and municipal leaders in the surrounding region. Its technical programs and community initiatives reflect an ongoing commitment to responsible exploration and long-term regional collaboration.

Through continued exploration, environmental review, and stakeholder dialogue, Search Minerals is working to advance its rare earth assets toward future development within a supportive and mining-friendly jurisdiction.

The company is headquartered in St. Lewis, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Projects

Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District

Deep Fox

Deep Fox has emerged as Search Minerals’ leading resource, supported by extensive drilling, channel sampling, and feasibility-related technical work. Located 2 km northeast of St. Lewis with direct road and tidewater access, the project has been defined through 137 drill holes (25,741 m), 44 channels (1,096 m), geophysical surveys, and nearly 15,500 assays. Mineralization is hosted in steeply dipping pantellerite and extends up to 42 m thick across an approximate 400 m strike length. Phase 4 programs confirmed strong Nd–Pr–Dy–Tb values from surface to at least 200 m depth and expanded the zone both east and west. These results will support an updated mineral resource estimate and advance Deep Fox toward feasibility-level assessment.

Foxtrot

Foxtrot, the company’s first major discovery, lies 10 km west of St. Lewis and has been advanced through extensive work programs including 1,484 channel samples, 72 drill holes, mapping, and geophysics. The mineralized zone is well understood from surface to depth, with consistent alignment between channel and drill core assays. Foxtrot hosts an indicated resource of 10.04 million tonnes and an inferred resource of 3.00 million tonnes (December 2021), and forms part of the combined 2022 mineral resource estimate alongside Deep Fox.

Fox Meadow

Fox Meadow is a large-scale, high-priority exploration target located 11 km west of Port Hope Simpson. The mineralized zone is up to 175 m wide with a current strike length of 680 m, supported by magnetic anomalies extending over 1 km. Channel results indicate more moderate grades than Deep Fox and Foxtrot, but the scale and notably low uranium and thorium values present compelling advantages. Mineralization is structurally complex and hosted in trachytic pantellerites enriched in allanite, fergusonite, and zircon. A 2,000 m drill campaign and additional channel sampling were completed in late 2022, with results pending.

Other Prospects Along the Belt

Search Minerals controls multiple additional discoveries across its 64 km Fox Harbour volcanic belt:

• Silver Fox hosts high-grade zirconium, hafnium, and rare earths, with channel samples showing Zr concentrations surpassing 25,000 ppm.
• Awesome Fox contains strong Nd–Pr–Dy–Tb values across several wide channel intervals.
• Foxy Lady, Fox Run, and Krazy Fox exhibit CREE-enriched mineralization within the same peralkaline stratigraphy that hosts Deep Fox and Foxtrot.

These prospects collectively reinforce the district’s potential to support multiple future development opportunities beyond the flagship assets.

Red Wine CREE District

Search Minerals also controls 17 licenses (427 claims) in central Labrador within the Red Wine CREE District, prospective for both light and heavy rare earth elements as well as niobium and beryllium. Key prospects include Two Tom Lake, Mann #1, Merlot, Dory Pond, Cabernet, and Barbera. Channel assays released in 2025 confirmed significant concentrations of Nb, Be, Nd, Pr, Dy, and Tb across multiple targets. This district remains at an earlier stage but represents long-term upside, with ongoing prospecting, mapping, and additional channel sampling planned to prepare for future drilling.

Market Opportunity

Global demand for rare earth elements is projected to triple from 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to 176,000 tonnes by 2035 as electric-vehicle adoption accelerates and wind-power capacity expands. The global REE market, valued at $3.95 billion in 2024, is expected to reach $6.3 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 8.6%, according to Grand View Research. With supply projected to lag demand by as much as 30%, the outlook points to a sustained structural deficit in key magnet materials.

China currently controls roughly 60% of global REE mining and about 90% of processing capacity, prompting major efforts in North America to strengthen domestic supply chains. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Energy announced $1 billion in critical-minerals funding programs, while Canada’s C$1.5 billion Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund will support project development through 2030. These initiatives underscore the importance of strengthening domestic rare earth supply chains.

In this environment of rising demand, constrained supply, and coordinated policy support, Search Minerals’ district-scale assets position the company within one of the most strategically vital segments of the clean-energy transition.

Leadership Team

Joseph Lanzon, Chief Executive Officer and Director, brings extensive experience in government relations, strategic communications, and high-level advocacy across regulatory, legislative, and capital markets environments. His background includes promoting shareholder interests at the Toronto Stock Exchange and navigating complex policy landscapes, with a strong foundation in strategic messaging, negotiation, and relationship building.

Jason Macintosh, Chief Financial Officer, brings more than 25 years of comprehensive finance leadership experience. He previously served as CFO and Corporate Secretary for STLLR Gold Inc., where he oversaw accounting and finance operations, established financial controls, and aligned financial strategy with the company’s broader growth and exploration objectives.

Dr. Randy Miller, Vice President, Exploration, holds a Ph.D. in Geology from the University of Toronto and is a registered Professional Geoscientist in Newfoundland and Labrador. He brings extensive rare earth element experience, including work on the Strange Lake deposit and 12 years as the province’s Rare Earth Element and Rare Metal Specialist. His research across Labrador and Newfoundland underpins Search’s exploration model, and he has been with the company since 2009.

Ed Moriarity, Vice President, Environment and External Relations, brings over 25 years of experience across private industry, government, and the non-profit sector. He previously served as Executive Director of Mining Industry NL and as a Director of Communications with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and now leads Search’s environmental engagement and partnership work with the NunatuKavut Community Council. He holds a BA from Memorial University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Roehampton-London.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://searchminerals.ca.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SHCMF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SHCMF

Disseminated on behalf of Numa Numa Resources Inc. and may include paid advertisements.

• Bougainville is home to the historic Panguna Mine, one of the world’s most valuable copper and gold deposits.
• The U.S. government has reached out to Bougainville in a notable move, with an invitation from ambassador-at-large B. Mark Walker to visit.
• Numa Numa Resources is positioned as one of the key private-sector entities working on long-term development in the region.

Numa Numa Resources is operating in one of the most geopolitically significant mining regions in the world, and recent diplomatic developments suggest that Bougainville’s role in global resource security is drawing heightened international attention. As the United States engages more directly with Bougainville’s leadership, the importance of the island’s mineral wealth and its strategic location in the Pacific has become increasingly clear. For Numa Numa, an infrastructure developer and mining investor active in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville, this broader geopolitical spotlight reinforces the relevance of its long-term development plans in a region poised for major transformation.

Bougainville is home to the historic Panguna mine, one of the world’s most valuable copper and gold deposits, which at its peak was one of the largest open-pit copper operations globally. According to the United States Geological Survey, Papua New Guinea, including Bougainville, contains significant copper resources that, if redeveloped, could contribute meaningfully to global supply in an era marked by growing demand for electrification metals (https://ibn.fm/dbB70). For context, copper demand related to clean-energy technologies is projected to double by 2035, as reported by the International Energy Agency. As global competition intensifies for reliable supplies of critical minerals, Bougainville’s resource base has taken on renewed global importance.

The U.S. government has reached out to Bougainville in a notable move, with an invitation from ambassador-at-large B. Mark Walker to visit. The invitation to Bougainville’s President Ishmael Toroama conveys encouragement for closer ties between Bougainville and the United States. In the invitation, Walker expresses congratulations on Toroama’s re-election and highlights the U.S. interest in fostering a mutually beneficial partnership. It also invites Bougainville’s leadership to visit the United States to begin a constructive dialogue about how the two nations might work together, emphasizing concerns about expanding Chinese influence in the South Pacific region. Judging by the invite, the United States views Bougainville as a potential strategic partner, particularly given the island’s mineral potential and its location along key maritime and geopolitical corridors.

Bougainville’s political trajectory also plays a central role in its emerging importance. In a 2019 referendum, Bougainville voted overwhelmingly — 98.3% — in favor of independence from Papua New Guinea (https://ibn.fm/73zAM). While independence is still undergoing negotiation, Bougainville’s pursuit of political and economic self-determination has drawn growing international attention. Access to foreign investment, partnerships and technical support will be critical as Bougainville moves toward long-term governance and economic planning. Mining, infrastructure and resource development will be essential pillars of its future economic framework, increasing the relevance of U.S. diplomatic engagement.

The significance of mining in Bougainville extends beyond resource extraction. The region’s mineral wealth has the potential to shape its political stability, economic development and regional partnerships for decades. As renewable energy, electric vehicles and global infrastructure projects fuel demand for copper and gold, markets are increasingly aware that Bougainville could become a contributor to global supply at a time when shortages are anticipated across multiple critical mineral categories. Analysts have warned of projected copper supply deficits later this decade (https://ibn.fm/PG1yy), further indicating why regions such as Bougainville are gaining strategic attention from governments and investors.

Within this evolving environment, Numa Numa Resources is positioned as one of the key private-sector entities working on long-term development in the region. Numa Numa is an infrastructure developer and mining investor dedicated to advancing responsible resource projects in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville. Its mission includes supporting large-scale mining redevelopment, building foundational infrastructure and participating in initiatives that contribute to Bougainville’s economic independence. The company’s focus on infrastructure is particularly important, as Bougainville’s development prospects depend heavily on improvements in transportation, energy access and modernized industrial capacity, areas where private investment will be critical.

Numa Numa’s presence is especially timely given the renewed global interest in the island’s resources. As the region gains diplomatic recognition and new channels of international partnership emerge, companies with established ties, local relationships and development expertise are likely to play a greater role in shaping Bougainville’s economic direction. The company’s commitment to advancing resource development aligns with Bougainville’s broader goals of building a sustainable economy capable of supporting its political aspirations.

The intersection of mineral wealth, geopolitical competition and economic modernization places Bougainville at a critical juncture. With the United States signaling an interest in strengthening ties and with global markets watching for new sources of critical minerals, Numa Numa Resources stands in a strategic position as a participant in the region’s next stage of development. As Bougainville’s future unfolds, the combination of diplomatic engagement and responsible mining investment could help define a new era for an island whose resources have long been recognized but whose potential is only now receiving international focus.

For more information, visit www.NumaNumaResources.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Numa Numa are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NUMA

Disseminated on behalf of  Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) and may include paid advertising.

• Search Minerals focuses on important rare earth elements (“CREE”) exploration across Labrador, holding 100% interest in the Deep Fox and Foxtrot Projects
• Dr. Randy Miller, VP of Exploration and Chief Geologist, awarded the CIM Newfoundland and Labrador Geoscientist of the Year for decades of REE contributions
• The company’s Red Wine Cree and St. Lewis–Port Hope Simpson Districts host more than 20 prospects, strategically positioning Search Minerals as a pillar of Canada’s REE holdings

Search Minerals (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) is a critical exploration and development company focused on maximizing critical rare earth element (“CREE”) resources in Labrador, Canada. Founded in 2009, the company has invested heavily in the acquisition, exploration, and development of high-value REE assets, with the primary aim of creating a source of minerals needed for clean energy, technology, and defense (ibn.fm/fRvLI).

Port Hope Simpson–St. Lewis CREE District, a core portfolio for the company located in the southeastern Labrador area, currently hosts the Deep Fox and Foxtrot Projects, in addition to over 20 new prospects discovered by Search Minerals. In addition to this, there is the Red Wine CREE District located in central Labrador, which is home to several prospects such as Merlot, Two Tom, and Mann #1. These districts form an integral part of the process towards Canada’s critical mineral independence.

The company’s rapid rise is catalyzed by its strategic exploration strategy and the team’s technical expertise. Recently, Search Mineral’s Vice President of Exploration and Chief Geologist, Dr. Randy Miller, was recognized as the Geoscientist of the Year by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Newfoundland and Labrador Branch. The award recognizes Dr. Miller’s over forty years of contributions to geological science and REE exploration, in addition to his work at the Nuiklavik volcanic suite, Strange Lake, and multiple REE systems across Labrador (ibn.fm/vjVJB).

Since he joined the company in 2009, Dr. Miller has been an integral part of the development of the Port Hope Simpson–St. The Lewis District, by helping to interpret the region as a continuous, structurally controlled REE province, facilitated the discovery of the Deep Fox and Foxtrot deposits. “Randy’s scientific insight and leadership have elevated both our company and the region as a cornerstone of Canada’s critical minerals future,” according to Search Minerals’ President and CEO, Joseph Lanzon.

The company’s strategic approach involves combining sustainable exploration, advanced geosciences, and critical stakeholder engagement to capitalize on Labrador’s vast mineral potential. Search Mineral’s properties are situated in Newfoundland and Labrador, an area that provides a supportive climate and regulatory clarity. By investing in these premium-grade CREE districts, the company is strategically positioning itself as a leader in Canada’s clean energy and technology supply chain.

Search Minerals’ vast portfolio, strong technical team, and well-defined vision position correctly to accelerate the development of the rare earth element sector.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://searchminerals.ca.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SHCMF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SHCMF

• OptimumBank reported Q3 2025 net earnings of $4.32 million, an increase from both the prior quarter and the same period last year.
• Total deposits grew 9.17% from Q2 and nearly 19% year-over-year, reaching $959.49 million.
• Loans expanded during the quarter, driven by growth in commercial real estate and consumer lending.
• Net interest margin rose to 4.37%, supported by higher asset yields and improved funding costs.
• Leadership emphasized continued growth, strong capital levels, and a community-banking model centered on relationship banking.

OptimumBank Holdings (NYSE American: OPHC), a bank holding company that owns 100% of community bank OptimumBank, headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, reported another period of higher earnings, loan expansion, and deposit growth in the third quarter of 2025. The bank posted net income of $4.32 million, or $0.37 per basic share, according to its latest update (https://ibn.fm/6jUHu).

The results mark an increase from both the second quarter’s $3.60 million and the $3.30 million earned in the same period last year. For the first nine months of 2025, net income reached $11.8 million, driven by a $5.26 million improvement in net interest income and higher noninterest revenue.

Total assets rose to $1.08 billion, an $83.92 million increase from June 30. The bank’s funding profile also strengthened, with deposits reaching $959.49 million. That reflects a quarterly increase of $80.62 million and nearly $153 million more than a year earlier.

Chairman Moishe Gubin said the bank’s performance reflects discipline in balancing deposit pricing, lending growth, and operating efficiency. “As we celebrate OptimumBank’s 25th anniversary, we are proud to report another quarter of strong performance and steady growth,” he said. “Our momentum continues to build as we expand our customer base, strengthen our core earnings, and deliver meaningful value to our shareholders.”

Net interest income rose to $11.05 million, supported by higher yields on loans and interest-earning deposits. The cost of funding declined slightly from the prior quarter, while yields on earning assets increased to 6.46%. The bank’s net interest margin improved to 4.37%, up from 4.32% in the second quarter and significantly higher than the 3.96% reported a year ago.

Noninterest income totaled $1.98 million, helped by service charges, fee-based revenues, gains on sales of government-guaranteed loans, and loan prepayment fees. Noninterest expenses increased to $6.60 million, driven by staffing and infrastructure investments. OptimumBank held its efficiency ratio at 50.68%, consistent with recent quarters.

Loan activity remained largely constructive. Gross loans increased by $29.16 million, or 3.72%, during the quarter. Commercial real estate and consumer loans grew by $46.64 million and $5.79 million, respectively. Those increases were partially offset by declines in land, construction, and commercial loans, reflecting project completions and shifting market conditions.

Deposit growth also showed strong momentum. Noninterest-bearing demand deposits rose to $313.97 million, up from $259.82 million in the second quarter. The bank ended Q3 with no outstanding borrowings, and capital ratios remained comfortably above regulatory minimums, including an 11.71% Tier 1 Capital to Total Assets ratio.

Asset quality indicators improved. Nonaccrual loans decreased from $3.22 million to $2.98 million during the quarter, with no loans 90 days past due and still accruing. Net recoveries totaled $41,000. The allowance for credit losses stood at $10.02 million, or 1.23% of total loans.

The bank also increased liquidity, with cash and cash equivalents rising to $235.09 million from $181.75 million in the previous quarter.

OptimumBank’s growth strategy continues to center on traditional relationship banking for businesses and consumers in South Florida. In a recent interview, Gubin underscored the importance of community-focused operations. “We are a community bank that services businesses and individuals,” he said, adding that the institution emphasizes personal service over the broad, technology-driven approach of national banks. “Our customers are truly like family members; they’re known to the bank.” The lending portfolio reflects that positioning. “We haven’t had a bad loan in many, many years,” Gubin noted, pointing to a borrower base concentrated among familiar, longstanding clients.

In discussing the bank’s growth trajectory, he emphasized the institution’s long-term path. “We’ve achieved 30–40% growth over the last 5–6 years, and we expect that to continue,” he said. OptimumBank passed the $1 billion asset level in Q3, nearly 25 years after it began trading publicly on the NYSE American.

Looking ahead, Gubin said the bank has the ability to support significant further expansion. Management said the fourth quarter outlook remains constructive, with continued investment in technology, staffing and deposit-gathering initiatives intended to support growth across South Florida. The bank’s financial position provides capacity to absorb expansion in lending and to respond to competitive shifts in regional deposit markets.

“Despite ongoing industry headwinds, our team’s disciplined approach to deposit pricing, targeted lending, and operating efficiency continues to drive results. With a growing foundation of loyal customers and a well-capitalized balance sheet, we are entering our next chapter with confidence, agility, and excitement for the opportunities ahead,” Gubin underlined in the Q3 release.

For more information, visit the bank’s website at www.OptimumBank.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to OPHC are available in the newsroom at https://ibn.fm/OPHC

Disseminated on behalf of Nevada Organic Phosphate Inc. (CSE: NOP) and may include paid advertising.

• NOP is advancing what it believes to be the only known large-scale organic sedimentary phosphate project in North America.
• The company’s Murdock Mountain mineralization is uniquely pure, requiring no beneficiation and meeting the rare global threshold for direct-application P₂O₅.
• Exploration drilling in 2025 confirmed consistent Meade Peak phosphate-bearing stratigraphy across multiple holes exactly where geological models predicted.
• The project benefits from low-capex operational potential and immediate access to rail and road infrastructure near Montello, Nevada.
• With an ETMI range of 210–266 million tonnes across four BLM applications, the company is targeting a large-scale organic fertilizer market growing at 8.7% annually.

Nevada Organic Phosphate (CSE: NOP) is a junior exploration company focused on exploring and advancing an organic sedimentary raw rock phosphate project in northeast Nevada. The company’s business model centers on developing a rare, direct-application phosphate product that aligns with the growing demand for organic agricultural inputs. Its vision is to support the rapidly expanding organic food industry with a clean, reactive, environmentally responsible nutrient source that avoids the contamination issues associated with chemically processed fertilizers.

NOP is advancing the Murdock Mountain Project through disciplined exploration, responsible environmental practices, and strategic planning that positions the company as a future supplier of organic phosphate to key agricultural markets. The company emphasizes transparency, environmental stewardship, and adherence to regulatory standards as it advances its drill program and project development.

By developing a unique phosphate resource in a mining-friendly U.S. jurisdiction with strong infrastructure access, NOP aims to establish itself as a significant participant in the organic fertilizer sector.

The company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.

The Murdock Mountain Phosphate Project

NOP’s flagship asset is the Murdock Mountain Phosphate Project in Elko County, Nevada, a nearly flat-lying sediment-hosted phosphate system traced historically over 6.6 kilometers and extended through additional applications to more than 30 kilometers. The project’s raw rock phosphate is characterized by high purity, absence of heavy metals, and suitability for direct application without processing, aided by francolite (the most reactive crystallite structure of all P₂O₅ minerals) and oolitic textures that provide optimal surface area for interaction with soil micro-organisms. The product’s purity places it within the rare 5% of global P₂O₅ material pure enough for direct field application.

The Murdock Mountain property spans four Bureau of Land Management (“BLM”) applications totaling 7,824 acres, with an Exploration Target Mineral Inventory (“ETMI”) of 10–46 million tonnes in the initial 1,813-acre area and an additional 200–220 million tonnes across three further applications. Historic geologic mapping and recent drilling identify the Upper Phosphatic Zone within the Meade Peak Member as the primary target, with an interval historically ranging from 3.4 to 7.6 meters thick within a 28–40-meter phosphatic sequence.

In 2025, NOP commenced a multi-hole drill program with unrestricted seasonal timing following regulatory updates. Drill holes MM25-1, MM25-2, MM25-3, MM25-4 and MM25-5 all intersected favorable Meade Peak phosphate-bearing stratigraphy precisely where predicted by geological modeling. These intersections ranged from 29.2 to 38 meters (96 to 125 feet), with drilling confirming the interpreted dip and continuity of the target zone. Ongoing step-out drilling continues along the phosphate trend, supported by geological mapping and XRF screening, with assays pending. The project benefits from proximity to Highway SR 30, the hamlet of Montello, and the Southern Pacific rail line, enabling a simple mining concept summarized by: “break it up, dig it up, grind it up, bag it up, and ship it out.”

Market Opportunity

NOP intends to supply organic, direct-application phosphate fertilizer to the rapidly expanding organic food sector in North America. The company cites a $35 billion organic food market, supported by data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service, which estimated an 8.7% annual growth rate between 2021 and 2027.

The shift toward organic and regenerative agriculture is driving demand for reactive, non-acidulated phosphate sources, and NOP notes that American farming practices are increasingly moving toward direct-application phosphate rather than soluble chemical fertilizers. With only 5% of global P₂O₅ pure enough for direct application, the company is targeting a rare, high-value segment of the fertilizer market that does not require competition with conventional chemical fertilizer producers.

Leadership Team

Robin Dow, Chairman & CEO, brings extensive experience as a public venture capital entrepreneur, following prior roles as a retail and institutional broker and researcher at Burns Fry. He has created more than 30 private and public companies across multiple sectors, raised close to $200 million, and built resource operations spanning four continents, 10 countries, four U.S. States, four Canadian provinces, and three Canadian territories.

Eric Szustak, Director, offers over 39 years of financial services, accounting, business development, and marketing experience, supported by senior roles at firms including Midland Walwyn, Merrill Lynch, and BMO Nesbitt Burns. He is the former President and current Chairman of Quinsam Capital Corporation and holds multiple directorships in publicly listed companies.

Garry K. Smith, Director, contributes more than 40 years of exploration management for companies such as Kerr Addison, Teck, Rio Tinto, and Lac Minerals. As a Qualified Person, he specializes in project generation, 43-101 reporting, resource evaluation, geological modeling, and metal ion soil geochemistry, with a strong focus on ethical and environmentally responsible exploration practices.

Paul W. Pitman, P.Geo., Director, is a field hardened veteran with extensive experience in all areas of geological exploration for a number of metals and materials. He has over 55 years’ experience as an exploration geologist. Since 1983, he has acted as a geological consultant to over 70 clients, providing a full range of services (geological, corporate, and administrative). He has served as a Director or Officer (VP or President) of several junior resource companies, including Boreal Agrominerals, a producer off organic fertilizers from igneous rock in Northern Ontario. He is semi-retired but directs his geological expertise as an advisor to several fertilizer companies.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.NevadaPhosphate.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NOP are available in the newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NOP

Disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) and may include paid advertising.

• Near term gold producer LaFleur Minerals is completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) for the purpose of restarting production at its Beacon Gold Mill, sourcing from its Swanson Gold Project, both positioned in the renowned Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec
• The company anticipates beginning to retrieve mineralized material from Swanson and processing it at Beacon in early 2026, benefitting from vast historical data from over 36,000 metres of drilling, including high-grade intervals that could be ideal for open pit mining scenario
• LaFleur Minerals combines near-term production, fully permitted infrastructure, and prime location in the heart of Val-d’Or’s active gold camp, offering investors a de-risked, high-leverage opportunity to participate in Québec’s next wave of gold consolidation and production growth
• Gold has rocketed above the $4,000 per ounce mark this year, after trading at $1,600 when the mill shut down in 2022
• LaFleur recently closed a flow-through private placement offering for aggregate gross proceeds of more than $1.66 million to help fund the operations

Gold explorer and near-term producer LaFleur Minerals (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) anticipates that the coming year will be a productive one as the company’s derisked, proven infrastructure, Beacon Gold Mill, and exploration asset, its flagship Swanson Gold Project, gets up and running in early 2026. 

Swanson and Beacon are both located in Val-d’Or, Québec, one of the most prolific and lowest-risk mining jurisdictions globally, sitting squarely in the renowned Abitibi Gold Belt of Quebec, a historic powerhouse in global gold production that has delivered up more than 190 million ounces of the precious metal during the past century (https://ibn.fm/maTWD). The greenstone belt accounts for more than 300 million ounces of gold when past production and current reserves are factored together, and LaFleur’s projects are in the heart of a jurisdiction surrounded by major operators (Agnico Eagle, Eldorado Gold, Probe Gold/Fresnillo), and well-connected via infrastructure (power, roads, skilled workforce).

Beacon Gold Mill’s pending restart coincides with a meteoric rise in gold prices during the past year, still trading near $4,100 an ounce in late November (https://ibn.fm/EjbF8) after previously hitting a record of nearly $4,400 an ounce the month before (https://ibn.fm/rus0I).

LaFleur Minerals is in the process of completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) that intends to include data from its Swanson deposit as well as the company’s nearby Beacon Gold Mill, which is capable of processing over 750 metric tons per day and is in a state of readiness (pending some equipment upgrades) after last operating in 2022, when gold sold at $1,600 an ounce.  Recommissioning at Beacon is already underway, with existing stockpiles on-site available for initial feed and test runs, providing LaFleur a clear path to cash flow faster than typical exploration-stage peers, with a low ~$5 million capex for restart and no permitting risk. Results from an ongoing twinned hole program will be used to refine Swanson’s geological interpretation, enhance the mineral resource model, and feed into the PEA and a robust mining model.

“We’re looking at having (the PEA) results out in December,” LaFleur CEO Paul Ténière said during an interview last month with Crux Investor (https://ibn.fm/t8nwF). “The Beacon Gold Mill is about 45 to 50 kilometers south of Swanson, and from the very beginning, as part of this PEA, we’ve looked at integrating these two projects together — traditionally they were kind of looked at separately.”

While the Beacon Gold Mill has the important potential to accept custom production projects from other mine operations in the Abitibi region to boost company revenues, LaFleur’s focus now is on getting its own operation running sourcing material from its district-scale Swanson Gold Project. LaFleur owns both mill infrastructure and a reliable source of feed, combined with size, grade and jurisdiction, this is a rare combination for a junior.

“Because Swanson is so advanced and sitting on an existing mining lease, we can get that into production fairly quickly compared to maybe other deposits in the region,” Ténière said. “We’ve already got a team looking at restarting the mill. … There’s cleanup to do, there’s maintenance to do at the mill. … So that everything is tuned up properly, so that when Swanson comes into play in early 2026, everything is running smoothly.”

LaFleur recently completed a flow-through private placement funding offer for aggregate gross proceeds of more than $1.66 million that benefits work such as ore-sorting and metallurgical testwork of a large bulk sample of 100,000 metric tons left from previous exploration (https://ibn.fm/DhMcM).

“We have lots of side projects on the go as part of the PEA,” Ténière said. “We’re also going to be doing some metallurgical testing of the historical drill core and also some drilling that we’re doing now at Swanson. … On the geology side, we’re doing a resource update. As part of that, we’re actually doing some twin holes and other additional holes at the Swanson deposit. We’ve got at least a dozen holes that are being done there. We’re more than halfway through that now and we’re just waiting for assay results to come back from that. The purpose of that is to verify the historical drilling but also looking at infill as well. So, we’ll have all those results back in the next few weeks and that will all be part of the PEA.”

For more information, visit the company’s website at LaFleurMinerals.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LFLRF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/LFLRF

Qualified Person Statement:

All scientific and technical information contained in this article has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.