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CSE:AWCM | OTC:AWLIF | FSE:5HV

Ameriwest Launches New Corporate Website Highlighting the Bornite Project and Engages Momentum Public Relations Inc.

Vancouver, British Columbia, February 13, 2026 - Ameriwest Critical Metals Inc. ("Ameriwest" or the "Company") (CSE: AWCM) (OTC: AWLIF) (FSE: 5HV), is pleased to announce the launch of an updated website and corporate presentation, which are intended to provide improved access to corporate information and investor resources as the Company advances its critical metals strategy in North America.

The Company's new website, www.ameriwestcriticalmetals.com, and refreshed corporate presentation are designed to support the Company's objective of becoming a critical metals producer with streamlined access to investor materials and corporate updates. The platform highlights Ameriwest's flagship Bornite Project in Oregon, at which Ameriwest intends to fast track exploration and permitting activities. The website and presentation also outline the Company's broader critical minerals portfolio, including the Xeno rare earth project in northern British Columbia and lithium assets in Nevada and Arizona.

Engagement of Momentum Public Relations Inc.

Ameriwest is also pleased to announce that it has entered into an investor relations consulting agreement (the "Consulting Agreement") dated February 12, 2026 (the "Effective Date") with Momentum Public Relations Inc. ("Momentum PR") pursuant to which Momentum PR will provide a suite of investor relations, market awareness and public relations services to the Company (collectively, the "Services"), subject to any required approvals of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE").

The Services will commence as of the Effective Date and will continue for an initial term of five (5) months, ending on or about July 11, 2026, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the Consulting Agreement. Momentum PR will provide the Services through Maxence Gagne-Godbout. Each of Momentum PR and Mr. Gagne-Godbout is at arm's length to the Company and, to the Company's knowledge, does not have any direct or indirect interest in the Company or its securities.

The Services are expected to include, among other things: (i) assistance with the preparation and dissemination of corporate communications and investor materials; (ii) the development and execution of market awareness and digital marketing campaigns; (iii) support for shareholder communications and investor outreach; and (iv) advice regarding messaging, branding, and positioning in the capital markets. The promotional activity is anticipated to occur through customary channels including online/digital media, social media, email distribution, third-party publisher networks, and other web-based platforms, as may be agreed by the Company from time to time.

In consideration for the Services, the Company will pay Momentum PR a fee of $15,000 per month plus GST during the term of the Consulting Agreement (for total cash compensation of $75,000 plus GST), payable on or before the last business day of each calendar month, and will reimburse Momentum PR's reasonable, pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with the Services. No stock options or other equity-based compensation is issuable to Momentum PR under the Consulting Agreement.

Momentum PR's contact information is as follows:

Momentum Public Relations Inc.

109-137 Saint-Pierre Street, Montreal, Quebec H2Y 3T5

Tel: 1.450.332.6939 | Email: info@momentumpr.com

Under the Consulting Agreement, Momentum PR may not distribute marketing materials regarding the Company or its securities without the prior written approval of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The Company and Momentum PR have also agreed that Momentum PR is not being engaged to provide services that would require broker-dealer registration in the United States.

About Ameriwest Critical Metals Inc.

Ameriwest Critical Metals Inc. is a diversified critical metals-focused exploration company with mineral properties in Oregon, British Columbia, Nevada and Arizona. The Company's near-term focus is the Bornite Copper Project in Oregon, a breccia-pipe copper-gold-silver system that has been the subject of extensive historical drilling, metallurgical test work, a pre-feasibility study and environmental baseline programs. Ameriwest has acquired the historic core and data and intends to carry out modern 3-D modeling, verification work and confirmation drilling to assess the potential of the system. At Xeno, in northern British Columbia, the Company has an interest in a rare earth-yttrium project associated with alkaline intrusives and carbonatite-style mineralization. The Company's Thompson Valley and Railroad Valley projects provide lithium exposure through claystone and brine targets, respectively. Collectively, these projects give Ameriwest leverage to metals that are important to electrification, defense, infrastructure and data-center development. Ameriwest's strategy is to advance these assets through disciplined, staged exploration and technical evaluation.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

David Watkinson

Chief Executive Officer and director

For further information, please contact:

Sam Eskandari

Director

(416) 918-6785

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the matters referenced herein and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "intend", "should", and similar expressions. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in this forward-looking information as a result of regulatory decisions, competitive factors in the industries in which the Company operates, prevailing economic conditions, changes to the Company's strategic growth plans, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information should not be unduly relied upon. Any forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the Company's expectations as of the date hereof, and is subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities legislation.