Thickest rare earth element carrying pegmatite interval 33.10 metres

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: KS82.F) (OTCQB: NIOMF) has hit encouraging early indications that Blanchette hosts a meaningful rare earth bearing pegmatite system. The first hole drilled on the property in Québec’s Grenville Province intersected 66 metres in total of pegmatite carrying disseminated rare earth element -bearing minerals—potentially allanite—and associated magnetite.

“These visual results are from the first of eight holes planned for Blanchette,” said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer. “We chose our drill targets based on where radon data, high-resolution magnetics, and surface mapping all line up with the newly identified intrusion on the property. Our overall goal is to intersect niobium and rare earth element bearing pegmatite systems, and we appear to be on the right track.”

Highlights from visual core logging (assays pending)

• Cumulative 66 metres of pegmatite carrying disseminated REE-bearing minerals with associated magnetite at Blanchette.

• Pegmatite first intersected from 26.05 metres downhole, with multiple pegmatite intervals logged through the hole.

•  Thickest single pegmatite interval measured 33.10 metres, from 102.30 metres to 135.40 metres.

• Rare earth element-bearing minerals up to approximately 2 centimetres wide were observed in the core.

• Strong possibility REE minerals includes allanite, which would indicate a REE-fertile magmatic system capable of concentrating light rare earths at scale, with strong potential for neodymium and praseodymium. Trace monazite and possibly thorite were also noted.

• Locally elevated handheld scintillometer response was recorded over REE-mineral-bearing intervals, including a discrete radioactive mineral grain that returned a strong scintillometer anomaly.

• Coincident anomalies tested: drilling targeted the Blanchette 1 surface-showing dyke discovered by the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts, Québec’s ministry of natural resources and forests, and a coincident radon anomaly within an interpreted pegmatite system defined by radiometric and magnetic data. A NIOB grab sample from this dyke showed 1.8% total rare earth oxides (TREO), including 774 ppm praseodymium (Pr), 2480 ppm neodymium (Nd), and 108 ppm dysprosium (Dy). It also contained 1030 ppm of niobium (Nb) and 8700 ppm of zirconium (Zr).

• Assays pending: drill core is being submitted for multi-element and REE laboratory analysis; results will be disclosed once received and verified by the Company.

• Laurentia Geological Services, a Saguenay, Québec-based geological consulting group, is running the drill program.

Figure 1: BBC-2026-001 drill core – pegmatite carrying disseminated rare earth element-bearing minerals (strong possibility of allanite) with associated magnetite.

First Drill Hole at Blanchette Tests the Blanchette 1 Dyke and a Coincident Radon Anomaly

The Blanchette property lies within Quebec’s Grenville Province and forms part of NIOB’s district-scale critical-minerals land package.

Drill hole BBC-2026-001, the first hole drilled on the property, was designed to test the Blanchette 1 surface-showing dyke together with a coincident radon anomaly and was drilled toward the east.

The hole intersected a cumulative 66 metres of pegmatite carrying disseminated REE-bearing minerals with associated magnetite. Pegmatite was first intersected from 26.05 metres downhole, and multiple pegmatite intervals were logged through the hole, the thickest measuring 33.10 metres from 102.30 metres to 135.40 metres.

Geological Observations Highlight REE-Bearing Minerals in the Intersected Pegmatite
The intersected pegmatite is a pink-grey, syenogranitic to monzogranitic pegmatite.

Rare earth element-bearing minerals, locally up to approximately 2 centimetres wide, were observed and identified in the drill core by Laurentia Consulting, the geological consultant that logged the hole. There is a strong possibility that the dominant REE-bearing mineral is allanite based on its habit and appearance in core; trace monazite and possibly thorite were also noted. The REE-bearing minerals occur in direct association with magnetite.

Figure 2: Close-up of drill core from BBC-2026-001 showing rare earth element-bearing minerals up to approximately 2 centimetres wide (strong possibility of allanite) in association with magnetite. Minerals observed and identified in core by Laurentia Consulting.

Handheld scintillometer readings through the pegmatite are locally elevated relative to host-rock background. A discrete, rounded radioactive mineral grain observed in core returned a strong scintillometer anomaly and has not yet been identified. Host rocks between the pegmatite intervals include migmatised paragneiss, banded and granitic gneiss, syenogranite, migmatite, and gabbronorite.

True widths have not yet been determined and will be estimated once the geological model is updated with the remaining drill-hole data.

Next Steps at Blanchette

1. Submit and analyze drill core from BBC-2026-001 for multi-element and rare earth element assays at an accredited laboratory.
2. Complete petrography and mineralogy on selected pegmatite intervals to confirm the identity of the rare earth element-bearing minerals, including the possible allanite, monazite, and thorite, as well as to identify the radioactive grain noted in core.
3. Integrate BBC-2026-001 results into the Blanchette property-scale geological model to guide follow-up drilling.

Scintillometer and Visual-Logging Disclosure

The mineral identifications referenced in this release are based on visual core logging only; no laboratory assay results are yet available for the intervals reported. The rare earth element-bearing minerals described are interpreted from their appearance and habit in core; while there is a strong possibility that the dominant REE-bearing mineral is allanite, this has not been confirmed and no mineral identification in this release is a substitute for laboratory analysis.

Handheld scintillometer readings referenced in this release were collected on drill core as a qualitative logging aid and are indicative only; they are not accepted as quantitative results for mineral disclosure purposes and are not a substitute for laboratory assay.

No quantitative rare earth element or other metal concentrations have been reported for the drill-core intervals described in this news release. Quantitative geochemical results will only be reported following laboratory assay and review against certified reference material, blank and duplicate quality-assurance data by a Qualified Person.

The identification of rare earth element-bearing minerals, including the interpretation that the dominant phase may be allanite, is preliminary and remains to be confirmed by laboratory analysis. Samples have been submitted to an accredited laboratory.

Geochemical results, including any quantitative rare earth element, niobium or other metal content, will be reported when assays are received and quality-assurance review is complete.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Clyde McMillan, P.Geo., a consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM AND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP.

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is a North American mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base, and critical mineral assets. Its portfolio includes the Silver Lake property in British Columbia’s Omineca Mining Division and a district-scale land package covering 29,936 hectares in Quebec’s Grenville Province. The Quebec properties host rare earth element, niobium, and nickel-copper occurrences, expanding the Company’s footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defense applications.