Mr. John Karagiannidis reports

QIMC TO BEGIN DRILLING DDH-26-03 APRIL 21, 2026; EXPANDS DEPTH TO 900 METRES; DDH-26-02 EXTENSION TO 700 METRES PLANNED

DDH-26-03 at Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.'s Nova Scotia hydrogen project is scheduled to commence on April 21, 2026, with a planned total depth of 900 metres, reflecting an expansion from initial plans based on the integration of geological, structural and gas geochemistry data from DDH-26-01 and DDH-26-02.

This strategic deepening of the drill program is designed to test the continuation and intensification of hydrogen-bearing systems at depth, consistent with the company's structurally controlled hydrogen exploration model.

Discovery highlights -- Nova Scotia hydrogen project

• Drilling to begin April 21, 2026, with DDH-26-03 targeting deeper hydrogen-bearing intervals;
• DDH-26-03 expanded to 900 metres, reflecting strengthened interpretation from DDH-26-01 and DDH-26-02;
• DDH-26-02 to be extended to 700 metres to test vertical continuity in deeper zones;
• Multiple intervals greater than 1,000 ppm (parts per million) V hydrogen identified in lower sections of DDH-26-02;
• Overall hydrogen concentrations increase with depth, supporting structurally controlled system interpretation;
• Domains 4-6 define a vertically continuous hydrogen-bearing trend, supported by integrated geological, structural and gas data sets.

CEO commentary

"The data from domains 4 through 6 in DDH-26-02 significantly enhances our understanding of the system," said John Karagiannidis, president and chief executive officer of Quebec Innovative.

"We are observing a progression from moderate hydrogen values in transitional units to strongly elevated concentrations in deeper, structurally complex intervals. This pattern is consistent with our working geological model and supports continued stepout and deeper drilling.

"The decision to deepen DDH-26-03 to 900 metres and extend DDH-26-02 reflects our commitment to systematically evaluating the vertical extent and structural controls of the hydrogen-bearing system."

DDH-26-03 -- expanded depth driven by strong subsurface indicators

The decision to extend DDH-26-03 to 900 metres is directly supported by:

• Increasing hydrogen concentrations with depth observed in DDH-26-01 and DDH-26-02;
• Identification of structurally controlled permeable zones and fault corridors;
• Evidence of sealing lithologies and compartmentalization favorable for hydrogen accumulation;
• Integration of geological interpretations aligned with Quebec Innovative's R2G2 structural model.

These factors collectively point toward a more robust and vertically extensive hydrogen system than initially interpreted, supporting deeper drilling to further evaluate the vertical extent, continuity and structural controls of the hydrogen-bearing system.

DDH-26-02 -- domains 4 to 6 provide critical geological and gas insights

Quebec Innovative has completed a preliminary integrated interpretation of domains 4 through 6 in DDH-26-02, led by senior project geologist Edward Procyshyn, PGeo, revealing a progressive strengthening of the hydrogen system with depth.

Domain 4 (approximately 209 m to 270 m)

At a depth of 209 m, the sedimentary units are less foliated. Fragments are predominantly white quartz, with irregular patches of recrystallized siltstone and sandstone floating within a dark mudstone matrix. Thin beds (five to 15 centimetres thick) of dark silty mudstone and pale grey siltstone beds (up to 25 cm thick) are present.

The main lithological change from the overlying units is the absence of granite clasts and the lithic fragments are no longer flattened. Furthermore, in the coarse sandstone beds, sand-sized particles are aligned into thin, bedding-like laminae separated by dark mudstone, giving a foliation-like appearance.

From 245 m to 263 m depth, the lithology is dominated by pale grey silty sandstone. Coarse sandstone intervals, up to one metre thick, contain thin, clean feldspathic beds (five to 10 cm thick) alternating with muddy coarse sand intervals up to 30 cm thick, which host thin mudstone beds (less than five cm thick).

A muddy conglomerate at 263 to 268 m depth contains granule- and pebble-sized, irregularly shaped granite fragments within a poorly sorted, coarse-grained sandstone matrix.

Narrow shear and fault zones (three to 20 cm thick) occur at 253.3 m, 257.0 m and 258 m. These zones develop dark foliated mudstone with shear foliation oriented at shallow angles to the core axis (approximately 20 degrees, 30 degrees and 15 degrees, respectively). Approximately 30 cm of core loss was recorded at the fault zone at 257.0 m depth.

At approximately 267 m depth, the conglomerate composition transitions to a grit containing aligned white fragments within a mudstone matrix, interbedded with thin (five to eight cm thick) intervals of dark, highly indurated mudstone.

Gas geochemistry

Analysis of gas extracted from water samples collected at the wellhead during drilling indicates only anomalous and reoccurring moderate hydrogen (H2) concentrations.

The absence of significant hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a notable characteristic of this domain. Only approximately one-third of samples contained measurable hydrogen, and only one shear zone (at 257 m depth) returned moderate hydrogen values.

Over all, hydrogen concentrations in this domain are low to moderate and contrast with the higher concentrations of hydrogen observed in the underlying domains.

Domain 5 (approximately 270 m to 375 m)

Hydrogen concentrations in gas extracted from water samples at the drill head are comparable to those observed within the lower major fault zone in Domain 2 between 128 m to 164 m depth, with eight samples ranging between 500 ppm V and greater than 1,000 ppm V (Quebec Innovative press release April 13, 2026). Individual elevated values (greater than 1,000 ppm V) are generally spaced three metres to nine metres apart.

Lithology and structural setting

The lithology intersected within Domain 5 is dominated by grits and coarse-grained sandstone containing scattered and locally concentrated white quartz fragments. These fragments are subrounded to angular and range from granule to coarse sand size. They are poorly sorted, with no clear organization by composition or grain size.

Units are locally foliated and altered, forming narrow intervals (that is, at 278 m depth) where fragments are aligned into discrete streams separated by a dark, siliceous matrix.

Narrow black mudstone intervals (less than one m thick) are locally interbedded within the sandstone sequence. These mudstone units are typically massive; however, they often contain dispersed white quartz fragments ranging from granule to coarse sand size.

Most sandstone beds are characterized by a muddy matrix, although occasional pale grey sandstone intervals exhibit a silty sand matrix.

Supporting observations

Photographs and accompanying descriptions are presented in depth sequence and provide additional detail on:

• Lithological variations;
• Bedding characteristics;
• Textural relationships;
• Compositional features.

Domain 6 (approximately 375 m -- greater than 480 m and open at depth)

Gas distribution and geochemistry

The distribution pattern of samples containing elevated hydrogen concentrations in gases extracted from water in the upper part of Domain 6 is similar to the distribution of gas values observed in Domain 5.

Hydrogen concentrations in the lower part of Domain 6 however, are significantly elevated, with 14 samples exceeding 1,000 ppm V. These high-value samples are generally closely spaced, suggesting a continuous or strongly connected hydrogen-bearing system.

Lithology and stratigraphic setting

The interbedded sequence of conglomerate, coarse sandstone and siltstone observed in the basal units of Domain 5 continues into Domain 6, with bed thicknesses ranging from less than 30 cm to 2.5 m.

Within Domain 6:

• A conglomerate-siltstone unit extends from approximately 375.5 m to 400.5 m depth;
• This is underlain by a thick interval of dark, finely bedded to laminated mudstone from approximately 400.5 m to 405.5 m;
• Between 405.5 m and 407.5 m, the formation grades into slightly bleached mudstone, faintly bedded with variably spaced siltstone layers (one to five millimetres thick).

Narrow intervals (five to 10 cm thick) within the mudstone contain a silt-rich matrix, where primary bedding becomes less distinct. Thin sandstone beds (less than 10 cm thick) are present but relatively rare.

The mudstone sequence overlies an unsorted silty sandstone containing occasional granite pebbles. These increase in frequency downhole, forming pebble conglomerate intervals (five to 30 cm thick) spaced approximately 10 to 40 cm apart within a muddy, medium-grained sandstone matrix.

Alteration and mineralogical characteristics

The mud and finer silt components of the sedimentary units are partially recrystallized, forming a grey silica-rich matrix within sandstone units.

• Clay-rich mudstones are slightly bleached and indurated;
• Sandstone and conglomeratic units, and to a lesser extent silty mudstones, exhibit metasomatic alteration;
• This alteration commonly produces a greenish colouration;
• The matrix locally develops small green patches containing micron-scale prismatic minerals.

Structural characteristics

The more massive, indurated mudstone and siltstone-rich intervals are highly fractured.

• Fractures are typically inclined at approximately 45 degrees relative to the core axis;
• Bedding is commonly oriented near-perpendicular to the core axis;
• Micro fracturing is locally well developed, producing crackle-like textures;
• Closely spaced wisps and fracture networks are observed within these intervals.

Overall geological interpretation

In summary:

• The upper third of Domain 6 consists of a thickly interbedded sequence of muddy grit, coarse sandstone and conglomeratic mudstone (approximately five to seven m thick), containing white quartz, pink granite and dark lithic fragments.
• Local conglomerate beds and lenses (less than 40 cm thick) contain irregular, pebble-sized granite fragments.
• The middle portion transitions downhole into thick intervals of dark, thinly bedded to laminated mudstone, alternating with coarse-grained to gritty sandstone and thinner (less than 30 cm) sandy conglomerate beds.
• Below approximately 470 m depth, conglomerate beds become less common and the lithology is dominated by poorly sorted grit and coarse silty sandstone, often containing isolated angular granite fragments within the matrix.
• Narrow (less than 70 cm thick), widely spaced intervals of vaguely bedded silty mudstone are present, typically brownish in colour and highly indurated.

Extension of DDH-26-02 to 700 metres

Based on the strength and continuity of hydrogen concentrations in Domain 6, Quebec Innovative will return to DDH-26-02 and extend drilling to 700 metres.

This extension aims to:

• Test the downward continuation of high-concentration hydrogen zones;
• Evaluate proximity to potential source horizons or basement structures;
• Confirm the vertical scale and persistence of the hydrogen system;
• Further refine geological and geochemical models guiding future drilling.

Next steps

• April 21, 2026: commencement of DDH-26-03 (target depth: 900 m);
• Extension of DDH-26-02 to 700 m;
• Continued integration of:
  • Downhole geology;
  • Dissolved gas and headspace data;
  • Structural and geophysical data sets.
• Continuing refinement of drill targeting across the Nova Scotia project corridor;
• All results will continue to be validated through ongoing geological, geophysical and analytical integration.

Senior project geologist

The geological content and analytical assessment in this press release was extracted from a preliminary report prepared by Edward Procyshyn, PGeo, Quebec Innovative senior project geologist. Mr. Procyshyn has reviewed and approved the technical content of this press release.

About Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.

Quebec Innovative Materials is a North American exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of natural hydrogen and critical mineral projects. The company is advancing its district-scale hydrogen exploration model across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Minnesota (United States), leveraging its proprietary R2G2 framework developed in collaboration with INRS. Quebec Innovative is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship and innovation, with the objective of supporting clean energy and decarbonization initiatives.

We seek Safe Harbor.