Mr. Michael Ruggles reports

SMOOTH ROCK LAUNCHES 2026 EXPLORATION PROGRAM ON THE GIROUX PROJECT

Smooth Rock Ventures Corp. has launched its 2026 exploration program on the Giroux project, strategically positioned within Nevada's prolific Walker Lane shear zone.

The 2026 program is building off the company's previously successful exploration programs (see news release dated May 20, 2020) that returned up to 1 per cent nickel, 23.5 grams per tonne gold, 7.67 per cent copper and 9.87 g/t silver from three outcrops and an old mine dump, respectively. Historical regional sampling programs by previous operators further confirmed the property's merit, with prior geophysical surveys on the property, indicating several potential drill targets.

The 2026 Giroux exploration program will consist of reconnaissance prospecting, detailed geological mapping, surface trenching, systematic sampling and the relocation of numerous historical workings. This reconnaissance program will provide accurate modern data to assist in the planning of an initial drill program, bringing Giroux one step closer to realizing its resource potential.

"In today's resurgent natural resource markets, the timing couldn't be better to reignite exploration at Giroux," said Michael Ruggles, president and chief executive officer of Smooth Rock. "This property delivered past significant results, only to be hampered by COVID-19 and prolonged market headwinds forcing us to pause. Now, with the multiple high-value minerals at surface, a rich history of past workings and a premier location within Nevada's Walker Lane trend, we are moving decisively to accelerate our exploration programs and unlock what we believe is a truly exceptional asset."

About the Giroux property

The Giroux project consists of 12 patented claims and 36 unpatented mining claims covering a combined area of 390 hectares (965 acres), located 60 miles south southeast of Hawthorne, Nev., less than one mile off a main state highway with easily accessible year-round access.

At its core sits the past-producing Giroux mine, documented as one of only two high-grade nickel-producing mines in Nevada's history, with reported production dating to the late 1800s (mining districts and mineral resources of Nevada, Lincoln, 1923). Historical production of copper, silver, gold, zinc and barite also exists on the property. The Giroux property contains numerous historical workings, including multilevel vertical shafts, adits at multiple sublevels, open pits and existing road infrastructure.

Seven miles east from the Giroux project, along the same geological trend and in similar host rock, is the past-producing Candelaria mine, historically one of the largest open-pit silver mines in the history of Nevada, producing silver, gold, zinc, copper, lead, antimony and barite. The Giroux project is located near past-producing mines such as Marietta, Moho, Camp Douglas and Candelaria. The property has been privately held throughout its history. There are no work commitments subject to any portion of the property.

The scientific and technical content and interpretations contained in this news release have been reviewed, verified and approved by Gregory C. Ferdock, MSc, qualified person, CPG, a consultant of the company, an independent qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects).

About Smooth Rock Ventures Corp.

Smooth Rock is a United States-based exploration-stage company engaged in the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties, primarily in the prolific Walker Lane trend, in Nevada. The company flagship asset is a 100-per-cent undivided interest in the Palmetto gold project, consisting of 116 unpatented mining claims totalling 2,217 acres in Esmeralda county, Nevada. The project hosts an NI 43-101-compliant mineral resource estimation (WSP Canada Inc., McCraken). Palmetto has benefited from significant exploration by several major operators over the years, including: Newmont Gold, Phelps Dodge Corp., Romarco Minerals and most recently ML Gold Corp. The initial discovery hole was drilled by Phelps Dodge in 1988, with bonanza gold-silver veins subsequently drilled by Romarco Minerals between 1997 and 2002.

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