TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / February 19, 2026 / Sterling Metals Corp. (TSXV:SAG)(OTCQB:SAGGF) ("Sterling" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its 2026 drill campaign at the Soo Copper Project ("Soo Copper" or the "Project") located a 1-hour drive north of Sault Ste Marie, near Batchawana Bay, Ontario. The program is planned for a minimum of 20,000 metres with the winter portion of the program aimed at testing the larger scale targets along strike and below the MEPS discovery area (Figure 1 and 2).

The 2026 drill program will focus on systematically delineating the scale of the MEPS Discovery area and evaluating additional targets generated from surface copper occurrences and geophysical data. Recent drilling has demonstrated a strong correlation between resistivity lows, favourable structural trends and copper mineralization which has been reinforced through physical property testing in drill core. The relative scale of the resistivity low associated with the MEPS Discovery and the resistivity lows associated with 2026 targets shows potential for a much larger system than what was delineated in 2025.

Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director, commented, "Across our team, there's a strong sense that last year only revealed the tip of the iceberg. The grade, rock type, geophysics, our 30km copper system and the association with the Midcontinent Rift all speak to the large potential scale we are dealing with. In 2026 our focus will be to determine the extent of this system and doing so as quickly as possible by taking advantage of year-round access and tremendous infrastructure. There has rarely been such an ideal combination of timing and location to pursue what could become a significant copper discovery, and we're excited about what lies ahead."

Figure 1: Near surface resistivity low associated with area of bornite mineralization discovered to date at the MEPS Discovery.

Figure 2: ZTEM inversions completed in late 2025 suggest larger areas of low resistivity coincident with copper mineralization below the MEPS discovery, outcrops and soils at Mamainse Mountain.

Sterling is aware of the assay delays and is working closely with the laboratory to resolve the backlog on outstanding holes and improve turnaround times going forward. The Company remains committed to providing updates as results are received.

An updated investor presentation is available on the Company's website: https://sterlingmetals.ca/investors/presentations/.

Qualified Person

Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Senior Vice President, Exploration and Evaluation for Sterling Metals has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About the Soo Copper Project

The Soo Copper Project sits just 20 minutes off the Trans-Canada Highway, one hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, and 20km from rail and deep-water access. With near-surface copper-one of the most critical of all critical metals-alongside gold, and with the project now demonstrating both scale and grade, Sterling sees the potential for Soo Copper to become a nationally significant asset as Canada accelerates its efforts to secure strategic copper resources. Prime Minister Carney's recent designation of copper as one of Canada's first five strategic assets underscores the importance of this discovery and its potential to emerge as a key project of national interest.

About Sterling Metals

Sterling Metals is a mineral exploration company focused on large scale and high-grade Canadian exploration opportunities. The Company is advancing the 25,000-hectare Soo Copper Project in Ontario which has past production, and multiple breccia and porphyry targets strategically located near robust infrastructure and the 29,000-hectare Adeline Project in Labrador which covers an entire sediment-hosted copper belt with significant silver credits. Both opportunities have demonstrated potential for important new copper discoveries, underscoring Sterling's commitment to pioneering exploration in mineral rich Canada.

Sterling Metals acknowledges that its exploration activities within the Soo Copper project are conducted on the traditional lands of the Batchewana, Garden River, and Michipicoten First Nations of the North Shore of Lake Superior. We recognize and respect the longstanding and diverse relationships Indigenous Peoples have with the land and are committed to engaging in a manner that is respectful, transparent, and inclusive.

For more information, please contact:

Sterling Metals Corp.
Mathew Wilson, CEO and Director
Tel: (416) 643-3887
Email: info@sterlingmetals.ca
Website: www.sterlingmetals.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is provided and is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Sterling Metals Corp.