Mr. Sam Lee reports

NORTHISLE COMMENCES ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS FOR THE NORTH ISLAND PROJECT

The initial project description (IPD) for NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc.'s 100-per-cent-owned North Island project has been accepted by the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Office (EAO) and Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC), which was submitted on Oct. 21, 2026. The acceptance of the IPD formally commences the provincial environmental assessment (EA) process and the planning phase of the federal impact assessment process.

Sam Lee, president and chief executive officer, commented: "The commencement of the EA process represents a significant milestone for the North Island project. I would like to acknowledge the significant contributions of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation, Tlatlasikwala First Nation, the EAO and IAAC, and the members of the NorthIsle team, who together made it possible to prepare and complete the IPD in a thoughtful, timely and collaborative way. As we enter the assessment process, we remain anchored by our commitment to building authentic, mutually beneficial relationships with first nations and welcome continued engagement and collaboration."

In preparation for the EA process and planning phase, NorthIsle worked closely with Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation to incorporate the interests, knowledge, guidance and community values of each first nation into the assessment of the North Island project. With the acceptance of the IPD, the EAO and IAAC will begin to engage with first nations, government agencies, North Island communities, the public and other stakeholders to identify key information requirements for subsequent stages of assessment.

NorthIsle will continue its environmental baseline programs, as well as project development and exploration activities, in parallel with the assessment process, including the continuing prefeasibility study (PFS). The IPD presents an in-process snapshot of the development plan for the North Island project that will continue to be developed through the PFS, which remains on target for Q1 2027.

The company intends to support a co-ordinated provincial and federal assessment process, including through the potential substitution of the federal impact assessment process, subject to the applicable regulatory processes and approvals.

Exploration and development milestones

The company continues to advance the North Island project, with multiple near-term development and exploration catalysts including:

• Completed -- $115-million financing to advance the North Island project;
• Completed -- drilling results at Northwest Expo, extending strike and defining higher-grade zones;
• Completed -- commence extension drilling in Northwest corridor;
• Completed -- initiate early engagement on mine waste storage area (ahead of schedule);
• Completed -- drilling results at Red Dog, confirming additional higher-grade mineralization extending below the previous resource envelope;
• Completed -- integrated resource update for the North Island project;
• Completed -- initial project description filed and accepted, formally initiating the EA process;
• Q4 2026 -- announce results from continuing drilling and regional exploration activity;
• Q4 2026 -- commence B.C. Hydro system impact study;
• Q1 2027 -- announce North Island project PFS results;
• Continuing -- metallurgical testwork (results to be included in North Island project PFS);
• Continuing -- continue positive engagement with indigenous rightsholders and local stakeholders.

About NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc.

NorthIsle Copper and Gold is a Vancouver-based company whose vision is to become Canada's leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. NorthIsle, through its 100-per-cent-owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island project is located near Port Hardy, B.C., on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100 per cent owned by NorthIsle on a belt stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now closed Island copper mine operated by BHP Billiton. Since 2021, the company has discovered two significant deposits, expanded resources, demonstrated the potential of the North Island project and is now focused on the development of this compelling project while exploring within this highly prospective land package.

NorthIsle respectfully acknowledges that our North Island project is located within the territories of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation. The company is committed to collaborating with first nations to build authentic, mutually beneficial relationships.

We seek Safe Harbor.