• BLQCBuster is designed, engineered, and manufactured entirely in the United States, for both individual and institutional-scale miners.
• Domestic manufacturing and servicing aim to reduce downtime and supply-chain delays.
• The platform supports multiple mining algorithms, allowing operators to adapt quickly and easily to market conditions.
• Orders are being accepted directly through the company’s website, with no minimum purchase requirement.

BlockQuarry (OTC: BLQC), a leading innovator in American-manufactured cryptocurrency mining solutions and sustainable energy infrastructure, announced that it is now taking orders for its BLQCBuster(TM) crypto mining platform, marking a commercial milestone for a product it has been showcasing to the industry since late 2025 (https://ibn.fm/1fz8s).

The BLQCBuster platform reflects BlockQuarry’s current strategy of targeting miners who are seeking domestic alternatives to overseas-manufactured hardware, and the company’s newly launched website, www.BLQCBuster.com, is designed to serve as the primary point of engagement for potential customers.

The BLQCBuster platform is a rack-mounted, enterprise-grade crypto mining system designed and manufactured entirely in the United States. According to the company, the platform is intended to serve a wide range of operators, from individual miners to institutional-scale facilities. Orders are being accepted through the company’s website with no minimum quantity, a decision that broadens the addressable customer base at launch.

The system is housed in a 2U enclosure and contains eight hashboards built around ASIC chips. BlockQuarry says the architecture emphasizes power efficiency, thermal management, and system uptime, factors that increasingly shape profitability in a competitive mining environment.

Gregg Boehmer, Chief Executive Officer of BlockQuarry, said that, once the company solidified channels for sourcing all materials, they were able to take preorders from miners. “We designed this miner from the ground up to meet the needs of today’s operators, whether you’re a home miner looking for reliable performance or a large-scale operation focused on efficiency, uptime, and American-made quality,” Boehmer said.

A defining feature of the BLQCBuster platform is its universal backplane, which supports both SHA-256 and Scrypt algorithms. This allows miners to switch between Bitcoin and Litecoin mining without replacing core infrastructure. The company describes the platform as cryptocurrency-agnostic, enabling operators to adapt to changing market conditions rather than being locked into a single asset.

The design also allows for field upgrades, with the stated goal of extending hardware life cycles as new algorithms or chip configurations become viable. For miners managing capital expenditures closely, this flexibility may be a practical consideration.

BlockQuarry is positioning the BLQCBuster not only as mining hardware but as part of a broader high-performance computing orientation. Crypto mining, particularly at scale, shares infrastructure characteristics with other compute-intensive workloads, and the company has indicated that the platform’s modular design reflects that overlap.

Domestic manufacturing is a central part of the company’s pitch. BLQCBuster systems are engineered in New York and manufactured in York, Pennsylvania. For mining operators accustomed to overseas supply chains, BlockQuarry argues that U.S. production shortens delivery timelines and reduces operational uncertainty.

The company highlights a domestic repair cycle measured in days rather than months, as well as same-day availability for critical components. Technical support is provided around the clock by U.S.-based technicians, with on-site installation services available nationwide.

Operational continuity is another emphasis. The company says its “Dynamic Superbalancing” system is designed to maintain high uptime even when individual chips fail, a scenario that becomes more likely as equipment ages. While the company does not publish independent performance benchmarks, it frames uptime as a differentiator in an industry where marginal efficiency gains matter.

“Our goal with the BLQCBuster was to raise the bar,” Boehmer added. “From the hashboard architecture and thermal management to the communication interfaces and power efficiency, every element reflects state-of-the-art design and real-world operational experience.”

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

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

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

• Canada-based Powermax is exploring North American sites with important rare earth element (“REE”) mining potential as part of the company’s pursuit of Western solutions to REE supply chain dependence on China
• Rare earths are famously integral to making parts for numerous computerized technologies, including many that support national security interests
• The U.S. Department of Defense’s assistance in funding REE refinery projects in California and Saskatchewan underscores the market’s importance to governments and its potential as a long-term industry
• Powermax’s properties include exploration sites in British Columbia, Ontario, and Wyoming, and the company recently added the option for a second Ontario property

Rare earth minerals have made news headlines in recent years as part of the justification for shifts in international economic policies. This includes trade disputes with China (https://ibn.fm/hgeOD) and the Russia-Ukraine conflict (https://ibn.fm/M0je3), as well as U.S. interests in wresting control of Greenland from Denmark (https://ibn.fm/0sHCg) and even its actions to take a direct hand in governing Venezuela (https://ibn.fm/TrRIr).

Rare earth element explorer Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) is advancing the art of identifying and exploring for rare earth elements (“REEs”) on North American soil as key for any potential solution to the world’s dependence on China’s near monopolistic control of the REE market and other supply chain pressures.

The Canada-based company holds working properties in Canada and the United States, focusing on British Columbia’s Cameron project, Ontario’s Atikokan project and Wyoming’s Ogden Bear Lodge project (https://ibn.fm/odOMW). Powermax also recently announced its decision to option the Pinard REE property in northern Ontario (https://ibn.fm/1dvUk).

Powermax achieved a key technical milestone at the Atikokan property in December, completing geological mapping, prospecting, ground-based radiometric surveys, and geochemical sampling across several priority targets (https://ibn.fm/7G6Za). The company also closed out the year with details of its Phase 2 fieldwork at Cameron (https://ibn.fm/t69Lr), and an announcement of its plans for Phase 1 work at Pinard, combining historical data with new fieldwork to identify target priorities (https://ibn.fm/FBijb).

The open pit Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility in Southern California is currently the only rare earth mining and processing facility in the United States (https://ibn.fm/rhaUZ), while Canada opened its first rare earth minerals processing plant at commercial scale in 2024 in Saskatchewan. Canada has an active REE mining project in the Northwest Territories (https://ibn.fm/ENB8S) and other progressing projects, such as those being explored by Powermax, offering the potential to bolster a resurgent REE market in North America.

The U.S. Department of Defense helps fund the refineries in California and Saskatchewan as part of a national technological security effort to shift rare earth supply chains away from China, underscoring their importance to Western governments. North American nations have increasingly aligned themselves with policies that seek to return REE market strength to the continent.

The U.S Department of Energy describes REEs’ magnetic, heat-resistant, and phosphorescent properties as integral to most modern technologies, including components for critical defense and homeland security applications, “green” energy technologies, hybrid and electric vehicles, and high-value computer electronics (https://ibn.fm/iIBjA).

Powermax’s exploration progress positions the company as a participant in a market that has long-term potential thanks to the supply chain concerns and governmental interest in securing the market.

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

Cautionary Statements:

Exploration results on the Powermax Properties to date are preliminary in nature. No mineral resources or mineral reserves, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, have been identified on any of the Company’s properties, and there is no certainty that ongoing or future exploration will result in the discovery of economically viable mineralization.

References to rare earth processing facilities, government initiatives, or funding programs in North America are provided solely for general industry context. Powermax Minerals Inc. has not received funding, support, or endorsements from the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Department of Energy, or any Canadian federal or provincial government agency, unless otherwise disclosed in the Company’s public filings. This article contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For additional information, readers are encouraged to review the Company’s continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website at www.powermaxminerals.com.

Disseminated on behalf of CMX Gold & Silver Corp. (CSE: CXC) (OTC: CXXMF) and may include paid advertising.

• CMX controls a 100%-owned, past-producing silver asset with extensive underground development and documented high-grade historical production.
• The Clayton Silver Project has seen limited modern geophysical work or systematic exploration, leaving large portions of the mineralized system only partially mined or untested.
• A surface stockpile estimated to exceed 1.0 million tonnes has demonstrated significant grade enhancement through TOMRA X-Ray Transmission ore-sorting technology.
• The project is located in Idaho, a mining-friendly jurisdiction, and benefits from patented claims with surface ownership rights, no government royalties, and minimal permitting requirements.
• Management, directors, and major supporting shareholders collectively hold a significant ownership position in the company, aligning leadership interests with long-term shareholders.

CMX (CSE: CXC) (OTC: CXXMF) is advancing the historic Clayton Silver Mine in Idaho, a past-producing underground operation with a long operating history and significant remaining exploration potential. The company holds a 100% interest in the project through its wholly owned U.S. subsidiary and has positioned the asset as its sole operational focus, allowing management to concentrate technical, financial, and strategic efforts on a single, well-documented silver system.

Clayton was mined for more than five decades but was never systematically explored using modern geophysical or drilling techniques. Historical operators followed known mineralization to supply a relatively small mill and did not pursue broader resource definition or deeper targets, leaving substantial portions of the mineralized system only partially mined or entirely untested. CMX has compiled extensive historical records and mine data that now form the foundation for a modern reassessment of the property.

As CMX advances Clayton during a period of sustained supply deficits and rising industrial demand for silver, the company does so with a high degree of internal alignment. As of December 2025, management, directors, and associated shareholders collectively held approximately 70% of the company’s issued and outstanding shares, underscoring a long-term commitment to the project’s development.

The company is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta.

The Clayton Silver Project

The Clayton Silver Project is CMX’s 100%-owned flagship asset, located in the Bayhorse Mining District of central Idaho, approximately 30–40 kilometers south-southwest of Challis. The property comprises a 1,028-acre land package, including 29 patented mining claims and two patented mill sites (approximately 562 acres) and 20 unpatented claims (approximately 466 acres). The patented claims provide surface ownership rights, carry no government royalties, and do not require drilling permits.

Historic Production and Development

The Clayton Silver Mine operated from 1935 to 1986 and was one of the most active underground mines in the district. Recorded production totaled approximately 7.0 million ounces of silver, along with lead, zinc, copper, and minor gold, from an estimated 2.15 million tonnes of ore, representing an illustrative gross metal value of approximately $660 million at $75/oz silver. Underground development reached eight levels to 1,100 feet, with nearly 19,700 feet of workings, and partially mined two tabular ore bodies known as the South and North Ore Bodies.

Geological Potential

Mine records and historical drilling indicate that mineralization remains open to depth and along strike. Notably, drill hole 1501-A intersected 22 feet of high-grade polymetallic mineralization at approximately 1,425 feet, confirming continuity below the deepest historic workings. CMX has determined that little modern geophysical work or systematic exploration drilling was conducted during the mine’s operating life.

Planned Exploration Programs

Beginning in spring 2026, CMX plans to conduct a comprehensive geophysical program over the historic mine and surrounding structures, including a 3-D Direct Current Induced Polarization (“DCIP”) survey and a Magnetotelluric (“MT”) survey. These surveys are intended to delineate known structures, identify extensions of partially mined ore bodies, and evaluate deeper sources of mineralization, with follow-up diamond drilling planned to test priority targets.

Surface Stockpile Opportunity

CMX also controls a surface stockpile estimated to exceed 1.0 million tonnes of mineralized material that was historically mined but not processed. Testing conducted in 2014 and TOMRA ore-sorting trials in 2022 and 2023 demonstrated that X-Ray Transmission (“XRT”) sorting increased silver grades by approximately 6.4 times and lead and zinc grades by approximately seven times, while recovering more than 70% of contained metals into a high-grade concentrate representing about 10% of the original mass.

Market Opportunity

Silver is a critical industrial metal with more than 10,000 documented uses and is valued for its electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, reflectivity, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial properties. Global silver demand is estimated at approximately 1.19 billion ounces, while global mine production is approximately 830 million ounces, resulting in a persistent supply deficit driven largely by industrial consumption across electronics, solar photovoltaics, electric vehicles, medical applications, catalysts, and battery technologies.

These supply-demand dynamics have been reflected in pricing. In January 2026, silver exceeded $80 per ounce, up 160% over the prior 12 months. This pricing underscores the impact of sustained physical deficits, declining mine supply since 2016, and rising industrial demand tied to green energy, electrification, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. With approximately 70% of global silver production sourced as a byproduct of other metal mining, the industry’s ability to respond quickly to higher prices remains constrained, reinforcing the structural nature of the current market imbalance.

Leadership Team

Jan M. Alston, President and Chief Executive Officer, has more than four decades of experience in public junior natural resource companies across mining, oil and gas, and corporate finance. A trained lawyer, he practiced business law and securities regulation before serving as co-founder, President, and CEO of Purcell Energy Ltd., and later as CEO of Tenergy Ltd., both publicly listed energy companies that were ultimately sold in significant transactions. Since 2011, he has led the advancement of CMX’s Clayton Silver Project.

Glen R. Alston, Chief Financial Officer, has more than 30 years of experience in senior executive and management roles with public junior mining companies. His background includes corporate finance, stock exchange listings, corporate development, project management, and accounting and audit oversight, and he played a key role in CMX’s acquisition of the Clayton Silver Project.

Richard T. Walker, P.Geo., Consulting Geologist, is a Professional Geologist with more than 30 years of exploration experience across Canada, the United States, and South America. He has managed exploration programs for precious and base metals in a wide range of geological settings and has served as President of Dynamic Exploration Ltd. since 1996, providing independent geological consulting services to the mining industry.

Qualified Person Statement – All scientific and technical information contained in the CMX Gold & Silver Corp. Market Awareness Profile (“MAP”) has been reviewed and approved by Richard Walker, M.Sc. (Geology), P.Geo., independent consulting geologist considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://cmxgoldandsilver.com.

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

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

• The depth of Search Minerals’ management and board experience plays a central role in shaping its technical direction and strategy
• At the executive level, the company is led by professionals with decades of experience in mining, finance and corporate leadership
• Board members have extensive experience in mining operations, capital markets, engineering and environmental management

Successful critical minerals development depends not only on geology and technology but also on leadership capable of navigating technical, regulatory, financial and community-related complexities. As demand for rare earth elements accelerates globally, companies seeking to move projects toward production must demonstrate disciplined governance, credible technical oversight and long-term strategic vision. Search Minerals (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) has built its growth strategy around these principles, supported by a leadership team whose experience spans mineral exploration, mine development, processing innovation and regulatory engagement.

A Canada-based mineral exploration and development company, Search Minerals is focused on advancing rare earth element resources in Newfoundland and Labrador. The company’s flagship Critical Rare Earth District includes the Foxtrot and Deep Fox deposits, which are being developed using a proprietary direct extraction process designed to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact. As Search Minerals progresses toward potential development, the depth of its management and board experience plays a central role in shaping its technical direction and long-term strategy.

At the executive level, Search Minerals is led by professionals with decades of experience across mining, finance and corporate leadership. At the forefront is Joseph Lanzon, CEO and director, an experienced strategist with a background in government relations, regulatory navigation and shareholder advocacy. Lanzon has a track record of building strong relationships with key stakeholders and guiding public companies through complex legislative and market environments, bringing high-level communication, negotiation and strategic thinking to the company’s leadership team.

CFO Jason Macintosh complements this with more than 25 years of comprehensive finance experience, including strategic financial leadership at STLLR Gold Inc., where he directed accounting and finance operations and established robust financial controls. His appointment strengthens Search Minerals’ financial discipline and supports the alignment of fiscal strategy with the company’s long-term growth objectives.

This combination of executive skills, spanning operations, stakeholder engagement and financial governance, is particularly important in the rare earth sector, where technical complexity and permitting considerations often intersect with evolving environmental and regulatory standards.

The board of directors provides additional oversight and strategic depth. The Search Minerals board includes members with extensive experience in mining operations, capital markets, engineering and environmental management. Several directors have held senior roles at mining and resource-focused companies, contributing practical insight into project evaluation, risk management and governance best practices. This experience supports informed decision-making as the company advances its assets through exploration, metallurgical testing and potential development pathways.

Leadership experience also plays a key role in regulatory navigation and stakeholder engagement. Operating in Labrador requires ongoing coordination with provincial regulators, Indigenous organizations and local municipalities. Search Minerals has highlighted its commitment to transparent consultation and responsible development, supported by leadership familiar with Canadian regulatory frameworks and community engagement practices. The presence of experienced directors and advisers helps ensure that regulatory compliance and social responsibility are integrated into project planning rather than treated as afterthoughts.

The company’s governance structure reflects an understanding that long-term value creation in critical minerals depends on aligning technical progress with environmental stewardship and social acceptance. Search Minerals has publicly stated that its leadership approach prioritizes sustainable development and ethical resource practices, particularly as governments and end users increasingly scrutinize the origins of rare earth supply chains. This emphasis is reinforced by leadership experience in jurisdictions where regulatory standards are high and community expectations are well defined.

As global interest in domestic and allied rare earth supply continues to grow, Search Minerals’ leadership credentials help differentiate the company within a competitive sector. The Government of Canada has formally identified rare earth elements as strategically important to clean-energy technologies, advanced manufacturing and supply chain security, emphasizing the need for projects that align with environmental stewardship, Indigenous engagement and strong governance.

Within this policy environment, companies advancing rare earth projects are often assessed not only on resource potential but also on their ability to navigate regulatory frameworks, demonstrate technical credibility and maintain effective leadership. Search Minerals experienced executive team and board, combined with its focus on environmentally conscious processing innovation and stakeholder engagement in Labrador, position the company to advance its projects in alignment with these evolving strategic priorities.

Looking ahead, the company’s leadership team is expected to remain a central driver of progress as Search Minerals moves through further metallurgical optimization, project evaluation and engagement with potential strategic partners. The collective track record of the company’s leaders provides continuity and stability at a time when rare earth markets are evolving rapidly. For investors and stakeholders assessing the company’s growth trajectory, the depth of expertise guiding Search Minerals offers an important measure of confidence as it works toward realizing the long-term potential of its critical rare earth district.

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 Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSX.V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) and may include paid advertising.

• A Foremost MPD-1500 track-mounted reverse-circulation drill rig and support equipment have begun Lahontan’s maiden drill campaign at West Santa Fe
• Validating historical drilling can be a cost-effective way to de-risk a target and accelerate the timeline to more formal technical deliverables
• Management has framed West Santa Fe as both a standalone opportunity and a strategic extension of the Santa Fe development story

Consistent operational progress is critical for junior mining companies working to establish credibility, advance projects and build long-term value in a competitive exploration landscape. With that in mind, Lahontan Gold (TSX.V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF), recently announced it has commenced drilling at its West Santa Fe project in Nevada’s Walker Lane, marking a new phase of exploration designed to validate historical data and support future development planning. The program complements ongoing work at the company’s flagship Santa Fe Mine project and underscores Lahontan’s focus on advancing its portfolio of gold and silver assets in a well-established U.S. mining jurisdiction.

According to the company, a Foremost MPD-1500 track-mounted reverse-circulation drill rig and support equipment have begun Lahontan’s maiden drill campaign at West Santa Fe. The near-term focus is “twining” multiple historic drill holes from the 1980s to validate the historic drill-hole database, an important technical step because that can determine whether older results are reliable enough to support future modeling and, potentially, future mineral resource estimation work.

Lahontan reported that prior operators completed 171 drill holes totaling 13,107 meters at West Santa Fe between 1980 and 1995. “Confirming the validity of this robust database may enable the company to use this drill hole data in any future Mineral Resource Estimate for the project,” the announcement noted.

For investors, the significance of this approach is straightforward: Validating historical drilling can be a cost-effective way to de-risk a target and accelerate the timeline to more formal technical deliverables, provided the data stands up to verification work. The current West Santa Fe drilling project emphasizes the depth and scope of historical work, noting that previous drilling totals more than 13,000 meters in 171 holes and that only five holes are deeper than 165 meters, suggesting exploration remains, particularly at depth. The company also characterizes West Santa Fe as a “bolt on” project with “excellent resource potential,” noting that the project is 100% controlled through a seven-year option agreement, with an 11.8 km2 land package in Mineral County, Nevada.

In addition, Lahontan has completed its 2025 phase two drilling program at the Santa Fe Mine project. The company drilled 20 reverse-circulation holes in the Slab and York resource areas with objectives that included expanding gold and silver resources at depth and stepping out to grow mineral resources in the York area. The company reported that the Slab-area holes were up to 194 meters deep and remained in oxidized and hydrothermally altered rock to their final depth, an operational detail that can matter for metallurgy and processing assumptions in oxide-style systems.

Management has framed West Santa Fe as both a standalone opportunity and a strategic extension of the Santa Fe development story. “Lahontan is excited to begin our maiden drill campaign at West Santa Fe,” said Lahontan founder, CEO and president Kimberly Ann. “The historic drill hole data are very encouraging, and we look forward to drill testing this important gold and silver resource exploration target. At the Santa Fe Mine project, the 20 drill holes completed this year represent the largest number of drill holes completed in a single year since the company began drilling the project in 2021.

“Since that time, Lahontan has completed 99 diamond and reverse-circulation drill holes totaling 22,431 meters at Santa Fe,” she continued. “We plan on updating the Santa Fe Mine MRE in early 2026 utilizing the new drill hole data and then incorporating the MRE into a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the project in H1 2026.”

From an investor perspective, two things stand out: First, the West Santa Fe campaign is explicitly structured around validation, an effort to convert historical work into data that can credibly support modern technical reporting, which can be a meaningful value driver if successful. Second, Lahontan is pairing that satellite work with continued drilling at Santa Fe and a stated plan to update the mineral resource estimate and feed that into a preliminary economic assessment timeline in 2026, which provides identifiable milestones that the market can watch.

Taken together, the launch of drilling at West Santa Fe and the completion of an expanded 2025 program at the Santa Fe Mine highlight Lahontan Gold’s methodical approach to advancing its Nevada portfolio. By pairing historical data validation with new drilling and clearly articulated plans to update resources and advance economic studies, the company is working to convert exploration activity into tangible development milestones. In a sector where execution, jurisdiction and project continuity matter, Lahontan’s steady progress in the Walker Lane positions it to remain on investors’ radar as results emerge and the next phase of technical work unfolds.

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

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

Disseminated on behalf of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) and may include paid advertising.

• In the shareholder update, Ryan detailed how 2025 served as a foundational year for advancing the company’s REE separation and processing agenda.
• Ucore’s RapidSX technology is central to the company’s strategy.
• Ucore’s update also emphasized government support and alignment with critical minerals policy frameworks.

Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) delivered an upbeat holiday message to shareholders, reflecting on a year of advancing its rare earth element (“REE”) separation technology and strategic growth while reinforcing its mission to establish a resilient, Western-aligned supply chain in the critical minerals sector. The seasonal message from CEO Pat Ryan reiterated the company’s progress across technology development, government engagement and commercial positioning, underscoring milestones that build toward a future where North America can produce and refine rare earth materials once dominated by foreign sources. Ucore’s work in commercializing its RapidSX(TM) separation technology and advancing facilities in Canada and the United States shapes a narrative of measured progress and long-term strategic positioning for 2026 and beyond.

“In 2025, we focused on advancing our business plan by leveraging unprecedented government support to take a leadership position in the important business of mid-market rare earth refining and processing,” stated Ryan. “Western supply chains are currently being reshaped at a furious pace, and I am pleased to report that we have made good progress in the areas of technology, facilities, government alignment opportunities, business relationships, and capital in implementing our plans for a North American rare earth refining platform outside of China.”

In the shareholder update, Ryan detailed how 2025 served as a foundational year for advancing the company’s REE separation and processing agenda. One of the most significant achievements cited in the update was the continued operation and data gathering at Ucore’s Commercial Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario, where thousands of hours of simulated commercial run-time helped validate the performance of RapidSX technology. Taking more than 5,500 hours and totaling 11,000 process samples, Ucore collected data that informs optimization for the first commercial RapidSX machine, a key step toward eventual commercial-scale operation. Results from this demonstration helped compare RapidSX favorably against conventional solvent extraction, especially in terms of throughput, projected operating expenses, and estimated capital costs.

Ucore’s RapidSX technology is central to the company’s strategy. RapidSX is a proprietary rare earth separation platform that aims to improve on traditional solvent extraction by increasing processing speed, reducing equipment footprint and lowering operational expenses. The modular design of the technology makes it adaptable to different feedstock types and scalable from demonstration to commercial operations, a quality that Ucore believes will help bridge the gap between mine output and downstream manufacturing needs. RapidSX is envisioned as a cornerstone of the company’s broader effort to create an integrated, Western-controlled REE supply chain that includes extraction, separation, and refinement of individual oxides necessary for permanent magnets and other advanced applications.

Throughout the year, Ucore reached several additional milestones. In October, the company announced that it received conditional approval from the Government of Canada for up to $36.3 million to support its Pathway to Samarium and Gadolinium Security Project, which focuses on scaling up a commercial processing facility in Kingston dedicated to refining critical heavy rare earth elements such as samarium and gadolinium. This funding, provided through Natural Resources Canada’s Global Partnerships Initiative and FedDev Ontario, is intended to address gaps in North American supply chains by producing oxides that feed into high-performance magnet production.

Earlier in the year, Ucore also signed a strategic alliance with Vacuumschmelze GmbH & Co. KG and eVAC Magnetics LLC, which aims to coordinate the supply of high-purity rare earth oxides for permanent magnet manufacturing. This memorandum of understanding is designed to align Ucore’s refining plans in Louisiana and Ontario with magnet producers in South Carolina and Europe, helping secure a steady supply of oxides for NdFeB and SmCo magnet production that serve key industrial and defense markets.

Beyond technology and commercial partnerships, Ucore’s holiday update also emphasized government support and alignment with critical minerals policy frameworks. For example, the company previously updated shareholders on progress with its U.S. Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, where it is advancing plans for heavy rare earth processing in partnership with the U.S. Department of War through a multi-phase funding agreement. Progress reported in September included completion of initial field work, application of Defense Priorities and Allocations System status for project procurement, and advancement of full commercial scale-up engineering efforts.

Ryan also acknowledged the evolving policy landscape around rare earths and critical minerals. As Western nations, including the United States and Canada, increase investments and coordination to reduce dependency on concentrated foreign supply sources, companies such as Ucore see opportunities to accelerate domestic processing and secure long-term contracts with consumers of magnet materials in automotive, energy and defense supply chains. Recent headlines from industry forums and rare earth market updates highlight these broader geopolitical shifts and underscore the strategic importance of establishing resilient supply chains.

Looking ahead to 2026, Ryan noted that the company would provide further updates as key milestones are reached. The company’s integrated strategy, combining RapidSX technology, demonstration and commercial facilities in two countries, and partnerships across industry and government, positions it to take advantage of growing global demand for rare earth oxides and to contribute meaningfully to Western supply independence.

For more information, visit www.Ucore.com.

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

Disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) and may include paid advertising.

• LaFleur Minerals Inc., a Canadian near-term gold producer, just announced the closure of a non-brokered hard dollar private placement yielding gross proceeds of $900,000
• This follows the recently closed LIFE offering that yielded $4,695,000 and a Flow-Through offering that brought in $2,205,421, bringing total proceeds to $7,800,421
• With these funds, LaFleur is set to commission and restart gold production operations at its wholly owned Beacon Gold Mine and Mill, which it acquired in Fall 2024

LaFleur Minerals (CSE: LFLR) (OTCQB: LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) is a Canadian gold exploration and development company advancing its district-scale Swanson Gold Project in Québec’s prolific Abitibi Gold Belt and progressing toward the near-term restart of gold production at its wholly owned Beacon Gold Mill. The company just marked a strategic inflection point as it transitions from exploration to near-term gold production and value creation. LaFleur just announced the closure of a non-brokered hard-dollar private placement for 1,800,000 units at $0.50 per unit, yielding gross proceeds of $900,000. This follows the recently closed LIFE offering, which yielded gross proceeds of $4,695,000, and the Flow-Through offering, which brought in $2,205,421 in gross proceeds (https://ibn.fm/EZch9).

With these funds, LaFleur is set to commission and restart gold production operations at its wholly owned Beacon Gold Mine and Mill, starting with the processing of 10,000 to 20,000 metric tons of existing mineralized stockpiles on-site for initial trial runs. In addition, it can begin work on its Swanson Gold Project in Val d’Or, Québec, the subject of an upcoming PEA and primary source of mineralized material for Beacon’s gold processing operations. The funds will also be utilized for general working capital purposes, bringing it closer to realizing its goal of transitioning from an exploration to a near-term gold production and value-creation company, demonstrating their commitment to achieve restart of production at the Beacon Gold Mill in early 2026 (https://ibn.fm/VsqyQ). LaFleur is strategically positioned for success with infrastructure, located in a top mining jurisdiction, a district-scale exploration project with high-grade occurrences, scalability and optionality in terms of footprint and at its Beacon Gold Mill, which can be expanded in capacity down the line and the company starts generating revenues.

LaFleur acquired the Beacon Gold Mill in Fall 2024. Before the acquisition, the facility had undergone over C$20 million in repairs and refurbishments. Immediately, LaFleur set out to complete a comprehensive PEA along with twinning historical holes that formed the basis of the mineral resource at its Swanson Gold Deposit. “Advancing the Beacon Gold Mill to restart gold production with gold prices at record levels above $4,000 per ounce offers amazing economic potential,” noted Paul Teniere, LaFleur’s CEO (https://ibn.fm/lnymH). Beacon Gold Mill, with a replacement cost estimated by an independent valuation conducted to exceed $70 million, is a rare asset to have by a junior gold miner with a current market cap nearly half its value worth in infrastructure. 

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

• SPAI Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Safe Pro Group Inc., that was established to pursue both strategic collaborations and investments with Ukrainian and other international tech developers.
• The company plans to create a collaborative framework to accelerate growth in defense tech, fostering innovation, and creating optimal conditions for technological advancement.
• Through SPAI Ventures, Safe Pro Group Inc. will evaluate opportunities in which to invest or to commercialize technologies that it believes could complement the capabilities of its portfolio of AI and ballistic protective solutions.

Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI), a developer of AI-powered security and defense solutions, recently announced the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary called SPAI Ventures (https://ibn.fm/DYrQK). This unit was established to evaluate and pursue strategic partnerships and investments with technology developers from the Ukraine and other international markets.

Together with Ukrainian entrepreneurs, defense professionals, and other local stakeholders, SPAI Ventures is creating a collaborative framework with the goal of accelerating growth in defense tech, fostering better innovation, and creating the right conditions for technological advancement.

SPAI Ventures is also intended to support Safe Pro’s existing portfolio which includes the patented Safe Pro Object Threat Detection (“SPOTD”) AI image analysis and detection platform, as well as the company’s ballistic protection solutions.

Safe Pro believes that blending the company’s AI capabilities alongside battle-tested hardware and software solutions can help it better meet the evolving needs and requirements of US and NATO defense customers, governments, and humanitarian organizations.

The formation of the company also comes after interest from both US and UK defense stakeholders in technologies that have undergone real-world operational use in Ukraine.

The SPOTD technology has been used in operational environments throughout Ukraine for nearly three years, and has analyzed over 2.4 million images, identified well over 43,000 threats, and has covered around 29,300 acres of land.

In addition, according to reports out of Washington, D.C., the US may be re-evaluating its policy against the use of anti-personnel mines, while also seeking methods to reduce the risk of harm to non-combatants, which is something Safe Pro is well-equipped to help with.

Safe Pro expects to use SPAI Ventures to evaluate investment, integration, and commercialization opportunities that it believes can improve the performance, scalability, and market applicability of the company’s solutions. SPAI Ventures will be headquartered in the USA, but may operate in the Ukraine through local representation.

Speaking about the announcement, Safe Pro Group Chairman and CEO, Dan Erdberg, said that “SPAI Ventures is intended to allow us to build on our operational experience and extensive relationships in the region while remaining disciplined and selective in how we pursue potential opportunities. We believe this approach is consistent with our strategy of expanding Safe Pro’s capabilities while managing risk and maintaining capital flexibility.”

About Safe Pro Group Inc. (NASDAQ: SPAI) 

Safe Pro Group is a tech company that’s delivering AI-powered security and defense solutions for customers in a variety of industries including homeland security, law enforcement, humanitarian, and more. The company’s computer vision technology helps organizations rapidly detect and identify small objects like landmines in drone video and images, to ensure field operations are safe and more efficient.

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

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

Disseminated on behalf of Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) and may include paid advertising.

• Trilogy Metals’ JV company Ambler Metals has recently approved the $35 million 2026 program focused on initiating mine permitting for the Arctic Project while advancing technical de-risking work
• The joint venture plans to target mine permit submissions in 2026, potentially leveraging FAST-41 federal expedited permitting for critical infrastructure projects
• Trilogy maintains a strong cash position exceeding $50 million, with additional funding expected from a $35.6 million US Department of War investment anticipated to close in early 2026

In an industry with a historically lengthy gap between discovery and production, the ability to advance projects through the permitting gauntlet separates aspirational deposits from future mines. Trilogy Metals (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) is positioning 2026 as the year that transforms the Arctic Project in Alaska from a world-class copper resource into a permitted mining operation.

On December 17, 2025, Trilogy announced that Ambler Metals LLC, its 50-50 joint venture with South32 Limited, approved a $35 million program for 2026 that marks a strategic pivot toward permitting and production planning. This budget represents more than capital allocation; it signals confidence in both the project’s technical foundation and the shifting regulatory environment for domestic critical mineral development.

Permitting Takes Center Stage

The 2026 work program prioritizes the mine permit submission for the Arctic Project, with Ambler Metals targeting federal expedited permitting through the FAST-41 framework. FAST-41 was designed specifically to enhance coordination, transparency, and predictability for critical infrastructure projects, and with President Trump’s recent Executive Orders emphasizing domestic critical mineral production, the timing aligns with policy priorities.

Given that the Arctic Project is located on state and private land, the key federal permit will be the Clean Water Act (“CWA”) Section 404 Dredge-and-Fill Permit that is issued by the US Army Corps of Engineers. All other significant permits are issued by the State of Alaska, creating a streamlined permitting pathway compared to projects burdened by federal land restrictions. This jurisdictional advantage, combined with three years of baseline data already collected, positions Arctic for an efficient permitting timeline.

The 2026 program will advance engineering, environmental, and technical work required to support a future final investment decision for mine construction and operations. The program also includes geotechnical and condemnation drilling at Arctic to refine mine design and infrastructure placement, along with preparation of the Bornite Project camp for multi-year exploration use.

Building Institutional Capacity

Ambler Metals will re-establish an independent management team in 2026 dedicated to managing the next phase of development. This team will focus on advancing the permitting, completing technical programs, executing drill campaigns critical for mine design, and strengthening community engagement and workforce development initiatives.

The emphasis on local participation reflects the joint venture’s ongoing partnership with NANA Regional Corporation, which provides a framework for exploration and development in cooperation with local communities. Engagement with regional stakeholders remains a core element of the program, with continued focus on transparent communication, consultation, and long-term workforce planning.

The Road Forward

Ambler Metals will continue evaluating early-stage funding opportunities to support the advancement of the Ambler Access Project (also known as the Ambler Road), through its existing arrangement with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority. The proposed 211-mile industrial-use road connecting the Ambler Mining District to the Dalton Highway received federal Right-of-Way permits in October 2025 following President Trump’s decision to overturn the Biden Administration’s 2024 rejection of the project.

The Arctic Project’s feasibility study, released in February 2023, demonstrated robust economics with a pre-tax NPV of $1.5 billion and a 25.8% IRR at base case metal prices. The project hosts probable mineral reserves of 46.7 million tonnes grading 2.11% copper, 2.9% zinc, 0.56% lead, 0.42 g/t gold, and 31.8 g/t silver. At current spot prices, the project’s pre-tax NPV exceeds $3.9 billion.

With the January 2025 release of the Bornite Preliminary Economic Assessment showing potential to extend mine life beyond 30 years, the projects in the Ambler Mining District represent a generational opportunity to establish a premier North American copper supplier.

For more information, visit www.TrilogyMetals.com.

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

Disseminated on behalf of Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) and may include paid advertising.

• Ucore reports preparations for heavy rare earth element (“REE”) processing at its Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, with a goal of commissioning the first commercial RapidSX(TM) separation unit in mid-2026.
• RapidSX is Ucore’s proprietary REE separation platform designed to improve on conventional solvent extraction processes.
• Ucore’s broader mission is to establish a resilient, vertically integrated REE supply chain in North America.

Ucore Rare Metals (TSX.V: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) is signaling a major leap forward in the race to establish a secure Western supply chain for heavy rare earth elements, with plans ramping up for commercial operations targeted in Louisiana by 2026. The company recently released detailed information about significant progress on its proprietary rapid-separation technology and its transition from demonstration testing in Canada toward full deployment at a U.S. facility that could help reduce longstanding dependencies on foreign processors. The announcement underscores not only technological advancement but also strategic alignment with North American critical-mineral security goals.

In the announcement, Ucore highlights the company’s preparations for heavy rare earth element (“REE”) processing at its Strategic Metals Complex in Alexandria, Louisiana, with a goal of commissioning the first commercial RapidSX(TM) separation unit in mid-2026. This project builds on nearly two years of demonstration work with Ucore’s RapidSX technology at the company’s Commercialization and Demonstration Facility in Kingston, Ontario. According to the company, the Kingston demonstration has completed thousands of hours of continuous processing and tens of thousands of analytical samples, generating data that supports the commercial scalability of RapidSX and its application to rare earth oxide feedstocks.

RapidSX is Ucore’s proprietary REE separation platform designed to improve on conventional solvent extraction processes. Independent descriptions of the technology note that RapidSX can process rare earth elements significantly faster than traditional systems while reducing required plant footprint, construction and operating costs, and time to achieve steady-state production. The modular design enables adaptability to different feedstocks within a smaller physical profile compared with conventional solvent extraction, and its scalability is intended to facilitate staged, phased deployments.  

Ucore’s Louisiana Strategic Metals Complex is designed to address a critical gap in North American rare-earth separation capacity. Historically, rare-earth processing has been concentrated in Asia, particularly China, leaving the United States and Canada reliant on imports for refined rare-earth oxides that are essential for permanent-magnet production and many high-tech and defense applications. By leveraging its RapidSX technology, Ucore aims to produce mid and heavy rare earth oxides at commercial scale in the United States on a timeline that aligns with projected demand from defense and clean-energy sectors.  

Ucore’s Louisiana project is supported by a significant Other Transaction Agreement with the U.S. Department of War valued at $22.4 million. This agreement is tied to the deployment and commercialization of RapidSX heavy rare earth separation operations at the Alexandria site and positions Ucore’s project within the broader U.S. strategy to reshore critical mineral processing. Industry reporting confirms that the company plans to install its first RapidSX commercial module, known as RapidSX Machine #1, at the Louisiana facility by mid-2026 as part of a modular build-out approach.  

Ucore’s broader mission is to establish a resilient, vertically integrated REE supply chain in North America that spans from ore sources through separation and refinement to feed the high-performance magnet manufacturing required for defense, automotive electrification, wind energy and other advanced technologies. The Louisiana facility is a cornerstone of this strategy. Supported by demonstration data and government partnerships on both sides of the border, Ucore’s RapidSX technology and phased commercialization plan represent a practical step toward reducing reliance on foreign processing and advancing Western supply chain self-sufficiency for critical minerals.

For more information, visit www.Ucore.com.

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