Mr. James Nelson reports

CRUZ BATTERY METALS ACQUIRES THE 'SOUTH-ADVOCATE HYDROGEN PROJECT' IN NOVA SCOTIA DIRECTLY BORDERING QUEBEC INNOVATIVE MATERIALS CORP.

Cruz Battery Metals Corp. has acquired the approximately 5,000-acre South Advocate hydrogen project, prospective for hydrogen, directly bordering Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s projects in Nova Scotia. Management is formulating plans to start a work program as soon as possible. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Cruz may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the company's properties.

James Nelson, president of Cruz Battery Metals, stated: "Hydrogen exploration companies are experiencing a surge of investor attention recently, and we are pleased to be able to acquire the South Advocate project, prospective for hydrogen directly bordering Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s, who have made a major recent hydrogen discovery in Nova Scotia. Over the past year, the share price of Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. has gone from a low of 12 cents to a high of $2.37 on March 10, 2026. Cruz now joins other companies such as Rio Tinto and, according to the Financial Post, Koloma Inc., a Denver-based natural hydrogen company backed by investors including Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates through their respective venture funds, as recent entrants into this emerging hydrogen exploration hub. Hydrogen is expected to play a major role in the global transition to cleaner energy as industries like steel, shipping and aviation seek low-carbon fuels, demand for hydrogen could grow rapidly, potentially benefiting companies positioned in the sector. The company is very optimistic about the growth prospects for the remainder of 2026 with multiple potential catalysts on the horizon."

According to a news release dated March 10, 2026, Quebec Innovative Materials announced the completion of discovery hole DDH-26-01 to a depth of 711 metres at its West Advocate hydrogen project in Nova Scotia. Drilling intersected a persistent hydrogen-bearing system beginning at approximately 505 metres, where visible gas was observed at the drill head and well water returned headspace hydrogen concentrations that exceeded the detection limits of the company's GA5000 gas analyzer. Hydrogen concentrations remained elevated to the end of the hole, confirming that the system remains open at depth as drilling advances, with Hole 2 targeting structural zones to the northwest.

In recent news announced on Jan. 28, 2026, Cruz entered into a joint venture agreement to explore the deep-basin lithium brine potential in Clayton Valley, Nevada. The 115 mineral claims comprising the 2,300-acre JV land package are all located within and completely surrounded by, SLB's (formerly Schlumberger) and Pure Energy Minerals' lithium deposit. Clayton Valley, Nevada, is home to the only long-established producing lithium brine basin in the United States, Albemarle's Silver Peak lithium brine mine, which extracts lithium from subsurface brines. It has been the sole U.S. producing lithium brine operation since the 1960s.

Qualified person

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Frank Bain, PGeo, a director of the company and qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Bain has not independently verified American Lithium Corp.'s technical report.

These claims were acquired by staking.

About Cruz Battery Metals Corp.

In Nova Scotia, Cruz has recently acquired the approximately 5,000-acre South Advocate hydrogen project. Cruz also has the Sterling South gold/copper project in Ontario, Canada. In addition, Cruz currently has several battery-metals-focused projects located in the United States. Cruz's Nevada lithium projects consist of the 4,938-acre Solar lithium project, the 240-acre Clayton Valley lithium brine project and the 580-acre Central Clayton Valley lithium brine project. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to Cruz may not necessarily be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the company's properties.