Mr. Murray Nye reports

NIOB AUTHORIZED TO DRILL AT TWO MORE QUÉBEC PROJECTS

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. can launch maiden diamond drill programs at Bardy and Blanchette after receiving an Authorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (ATI) for each project. Granted by Quebec's Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets (MRNF), the ATI authorizes the company to proceed with diamond drilling targeting niobium and rare-earth element mineralization at the 100-per-cent-owned projects located approximately 45 kilometres northwest of La Tuque in the Mauricie region.

"We are now authorized to drill at three of our 100-per-cent-owned projects in Quebec: Bardy, Blanchette and Seigneurie," said Murray Nye, the company's chief executive officer. "The Bardy and Blanchette projects host high-grade rare-earth and niobium mineralization in granitic pegmatites that have never been tested by drilling. We look forward to building on the strong collaborative relationship we have established with the Atikamekw community at Wemotaci as we advance toward our first drill program at these projects."

Highlights

• ATI drilling permit granted by Quebec's MRNF for the Bardy and Blanchette projects is valid for two years and clears the path for diamond drilling.
• Located in the Mauricie region of Quebec, the Bardy and Blanchette projects are 100 per cent owned by North American Niobium and part of the company's 36,882-hectare district-scale land package in Quebec's Grenville province.
• North American Niobium met with the Atikamekw First Nation Council at Wemotaci and local family chief members whose traditional territory includes the project area as part of ATI permitting framework
• Government sampling at Blanchette validated by the company returned up to 2.70 per cent total rare-earth elements (TREE) including 4,090 parts per million neodymium, hosted in granitic pegmatite have never drill tested.

Quebec ATI

The ATI permit authorizes North American Niobium to conduct diamond drilling and build access trails at the 100-per-cent-owned Bardy and Blanchette projects. The permit was granted on March 24, 2026, and is valid for two years, through to March 23, 2028.

Before granting an ATI, the Quebec government requires companies to engage with local stakeholders and indigenous communities. North American Niobium completed discussions with the Atikamekw First Nation Council at Wemotaci and local family chief members whose traditional territory includes the project area. The company has taken a collaborative approach to working on Atikamekw territory, recognizing the importance of building long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect and transparency. Among the items discussed were logistical considerations, potential access routes and opportunities for community involvement in upcoming field programs.

The company intends to use the ATI to advance its exploration strategy and initiate the first diamond drill program targeting niobium and rare earth mineralization at the Bardy and Blanchette projects.

Geological context and exploration target

The Bardy and Blanchette projects are located within the Grenville geological province, a region known for hosting rare-earth element and critical mineral occurrences. The project area contains REE- and niobium-bearing granitic pegmatites identified through government geological mapping and sampling programs.

Government geologists collected outcrop samples from both the Blanchette and Bardy showings that returned significant rare-earth and niobium values. At Blanchette, sample 16-GC-1051E returned 26,967 parts per million (2.70 per cent) total rare-earth elements including 4,090 parts per million neodymium (Nd), hosted in a one-metre-wide granitic pegmatite dike cutting graphite paragneiss, with disseminated allanite and rare-earth carbonates. At Bardy, sample 16-AM-122D returned 6,848 ppm (0.68 per cent) total rare-earth elements including 1,150 ppm Nd, hosted in a pegmatite dike (0.2 to four m wide) cutting gabbronorite, with disseminated allanite.

These showings have never been tested by diamond drilling. The upcoming drill program will be designed to test the subsurface extent, continuity and grade of the REE- and niobium-bearing pegmatite systems at depth and along strike.

Grant of RSUs

The company also announces that, pursuant to its stock option and restricted share units (RSU) plans, it has granted a total of 320,000 restricted share units to an advisory consultant, subject to applicable regulatory approval Canadian Securities Exchange approval. Each RSU entitles the recipient to receive one share common share of the company upon vesting. The RSUs will vest nine months from the date of grant.

Marketing agreement

The company announces that it has entered into a marketing services agreement with The New Beverley Group, for a period of three months commencing April 10, 2026, paying $100,000 to New Beverly as compensation. New Beverly has a business address located at 621, 550 West Broadway, Vancouver, B.C., V5Z 0E9, and its principal Justin Kuhn can be contacted at 1-905-993-1271 or justin@newbeverley.com. New Beverly and Mr. Kuhn are arm's length from the company.

Qualified person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101). Clyde McMillan, PGeo, a consultant to the company and a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein.

About North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp.

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals 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 district-scale land package covering 29,936 hectares in Quebec's Grenville province. The Quebec properties host rare-earth element, niobium and nickel-copper occurrences, expanding the company's footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defence applications.

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