Mr. Karl Kottmeier reports

EMP METALS AND SALTWORKS HOST DELEGATION TOUR OF PROJECT AURORA DEMONSTRATION PLANT IN SASKATCHEWAN

EMP Metals Corp. and the company's Project Aurora partner, Saltworks Technologies Inc., have welcomed a delegation of industry leaders, institutional investors, Chris Beaudry, Saskatchewan's Minister of Energy and Resources, Daryl Harrison, MLA for Cannington, and representatives from both provincial and federal funding agencies for a tour of the fully integrated, continuous flow lithium refining demonstration facility located within the company's Viewfield project area in Saskatchewan.

The visit provided stakeholders with a first-hand look where production brine is delivered directly from the production well into the facility, through pretreatment, direct lithium extraction and concentration steps, with the spent brine returned through the disposal system and injected into the targeted disposal zone.

During the tour, attendees observed live process runs and performance data, and engaged directly with both EMP Metals' and Saltworks' technical teams. The company highlighted how the Project Aurora demonstration plant is designed to validate commercial-scale lithium recovery from subsurface brines within the Williston basin -- a resource opportunity that could position Saskatchewan and Canada as a key contributor to the global battery material supply chain.

"The advancement of Project Aurora is another incredible example of Saskatchewan's growing strength in the critical minerals sector," Saskatchewan Energy and Resources Minister Mr. Beaudry said. "With support from the Saskatchewan Critical Minerals Innovation Incentive, this project is bringing new technology and economic opportunities to our province. Project Aurora reinforces Saskatchewan's position as a world-class destination for investment in the development of critical minerals projects while contributing to the continued diversification of Saskatchewan's southeast and the mining and drilling industries as a whole."

"It was a pleasure to attend the opening of Project Aurora and to see first-hand the innovation that is taking place in Saskatchewan's emerging lithium sector," Cannington MLA Mr. Harrison said. "This facility highlights the potential of our resources and opportunities ahead for Saskatchewan's critical minerals industry."

Megan Low, vice-president of lithium process solutions at Saltworks, stated: "Project Aurora demonstrates a different approach to lithium development: integrated, data-driven and built for commercial scale. By continuously processing live Saskatchewan brine through our Generation 2 DLE system in partnership with EMP, we're generating the operating data needed to train digital twins that will enhance full-scale design and cost, reduce technical risk, optimize performance and accelerate the path to commercial production. We were pleased to showcase the progress being made alongside EMP Metals and the strength of Saskatchewan's emerging lithium industry."

Karl Kottmeier, chief executive officer of EMP Metals: "We were honoured to host leaders from government, industry and the investment community. Their support has enabled us to achieve this major step toward establishing domestic production of battery materials, and underscores the growing importance of lithium as a strategic resource and the role Saskatchewan can play in meeting future demand."

Mr. Kottmeier continued: "Canada's energy future depends on innovation, and EMP Metals and Saltworks are demonstrating what that looks like on the ground. We are committed not only to advancing lithium extraction efficiently and sustainably, but also to ensuring this project will support local employment, strengthen the regional economy and create lasting benefits for the communities that have supported resource development for generations."

Project Aurora is EMP's integrated, continuous flow lithium refining demonstration system, designed to process 10 cubic metres per day of raw brine from wellhead to lithium chemicals. The facility is intended to validate process performance, optimize operating assumptions, and generate engineering and economic data to support future commercial-scale development.

Project Aurora is a joint initiative between EMP Metals and Saltworks Technologies Inc. to simplify lithium brine refining, reduce costs and derisk scale-up through a fully integrated system. As part of the collaboration, Saltworks is advancing full-scale plant design and cost estimates for a modular commercial refinery capable of producing more than 3,000 tonnes per year of lithium products, using operational data generated during the demonstration phase.

EMP's Saskatchewan lithium resource benefits from favourable brine chemistry free of hydrogen sulphide and oil-derived organics, shallow, low-cost drilling, established infrastructure, and a supportive critical mineral regulatory environment. These advantages support the company's plans to pursue initial commercial modules targeting 1,500 to 3,000 tonnes of lithium products annually, with expansion thereafter.

About EMP Metals Corp.

EMP is a Canadian-based lithium exploration and development company focused on large-scale resources using direct lithium extraction. EMP currently holds more than 205,000 net acres (83,000 hectares) of subsurface dispositions and strategic wellbores in Southern Saskatchewan.

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The technical content on this website has been reviewed and approved by Greg Bronson, PGeo, a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Bronson is not independent as he is a director of the company.

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