Mr. Murray Nye reports

NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM AND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP. SUBMITS ATI APPLICATION FOR BARDY AND BLANCHETTE PROJECTS IN QUEBEC, ADVANCING PATH TO DIAMOND DRILLING

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. has provided an update on the permitting process in Quebec for its 100-per-cent-owned Bardy and Blanchette projects, located in the regional county municipality of La Tuque in Quebec. The company has submitted its initial application for an authorization for impact-causing exploration work (the ATI or autorisation de travaux a impacts in french) to Quebec's Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets (MRNF), which governs the ATI process. The ATI is required in Quebec prior to conducting certain impact-causing exploration activities, including diamond drilling.

Highlights:

• Initial ATI application submitted to the MRNF for the Bardy and Blanchette projects (La Tuque, Que.);
• Quebec's ATI framework requires proponents to identify stakeholders and establish constructive relationships through a formal information and engagement process;
• The company has notified relevant parties in areas where the proposed drilling work may take place, including the First Nation Council of the Atikamekw of Wemotaci and the Municipality of La Tuque;
• Prior to any drilling, the company is planning an open-door information meeting with the Atikamekw of Wemotaci to support transparency and share information on where drilling may take place, including in areas that may be in the vicinity of members of the community;
• Based on the company's current understanding of the process, the MRNF review may take approximately three months.

Quebec ATI permitting update

The submission of the ATI application represents an important step toward the potential future execution of a diamond drilling program at the Bardy and Blanchette projects. Under Quebec's ATI framework, the MRNF review process includes verification that the required stakeholder information exchanges have occurred and that questions, comments and requests raised through the process have been appropriately identified.

The company notes that the ATI process can be iterative and timelines may vary depending on the nature and timing of feedback received and the time required to address project logistics. Accordingly, there can be no assurance regarding the timing of the MRNF review or the eventual receipt of an ATI permit.

Stakeholder engagement

The company views stakeholder engagement as a core part of responsible exploration in Quebec and expects it to remain central to its activities at the Bardy and Blanchette projects and any future projects in the province. The company has four stakeholder groups for the purposes of the ATI process, and continues to progress discussions and relationship-building efforts. Certain details of arrangements and discussions are not being disclosed at this time.

In advance of any diamond drilling, the company is planning an open-door information meeting with the Atikamekw of Wemotaci to support transparency and to share information on where drilling may take place, including in areas that may be in the vicinity of members of the community.

"Establishing constructive, positive relationships with stakeholders is a requirement under Quebec's ATI permitting framework and it takes time," said Murray Nye, chief executive officer of North American Niobium. "We're committed to early and consistent engagement. Our experience so far is that people value being consulted and that transparency and respect help build support for responsible projects."

Next steps

The company will continue to engage with stakeholders, respond to feedback received and support the MRNF review process as required. Any future impact-causing exploration work, including diamond drilling at Bardy, Blanchette and Seigneurie, remains subject to receipt of required approvals, including the ATI, and to ongoing planning and stakeholder engagement.

About North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp.

North American Niobium 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 recently acquired land package in Quebec's Grenville province. The Quebec properties add exposure to rare earth elements (REE), niobium (Nb) and nickel-copper (Ni-Cu) occurrences, expanding the company's footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defence applications.

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