Mr. Mark Luchinski reports

EARTHWISE MINERALS BEGINS DRILL PROGRAM AT THE IRON RANGE GOLD PROJECT TO DEFINE AND EXPAND MINERALIZATION

Diamond drilling has commenced at the Talon zone of the Iron Range gold project in southeastern British Columbia, where Earthwise Minerals Corp. holds an option to earn up to an 80-per-cent interest from Eagle Plains Resources Ltd.

The phase I drill program is designed to define and expand mineralization from the high-grade core of the Talon system toward a priority geophysical induced polarization (IP) target along a downplunge trend. Drilling will infill the strongest historical intercepts to refine the geometry and continuity of the Talon mineralized system, culminating in a targeted test of a coincident resistivity-conductivity IP geophysical anomaly interpreted to represent a potential extension of the mineralized corridor.

Program highlights:

• Drilling now under way at the Talon zone, Iron Range gold project;
• Three diamond drill holes planned for approximately 1,200 metres;
• Systematic drilling designed to refine the geometry and continuity of the Talon mineralized system;
• Final hole to test a downplunge extension toward a strong, untested area of the IP geophysical anomaly associated with historically defined mineralization at the Talon zone;
• Program anchored by high-grade historical intercepts, including 56.5 metres at 1.9 grams per tonne gold;
• Fully permitted project with excellent road access and established infrastructure.

Drill program overview

The 2026 drill program consists of approximately 1,200 metres of diamond drilling across three holes designed to systematically advance the Talon zone.

The initial two holes are designed to crosscut the mineralized structure to better constrain the true thickness, orientation and continuity of the Talon system. Mineralization is interpreted to be structurally controlled and associated with steeply dipping shear zones.

The third hole will test a downplunge extension of the system along a southwest-trending vector, targeting a zone of stronger IP geophysical response. This hole represents the primary expansion test of the program and is designed to evaluate whether the Talon system strengthens or expands along this interpreted trend.

Drill targeting is based on the integration of historical drilling, geophysical data sets and updated structural interpretation.

Historical drill results

Historical drilling at the Talon zone (drill hole IR10-010, total depth 313.8 metres) intersected:

• 56.5 metres grading 1.9 grams per tonne gold, including higher-grade intervals.

Notable higher-grade intercepts include:

• 14.0 metres grading 5.1 grams per tonne gold, 1.86 per cent lead, 2.10 per cent zinc and 75.3 grams per tonne silver;
• 7.1 metres grading 8.13 grams per tonne gold, 2.84 per cent lead, 3.07 per cent zinc and 86.6 grams per tonne silver.

Source: Eagle Plains Resources news release dated Dec. 21, 2010

These results highlight the presence of a broad mineralized system hosting discrete higher-grade zones, supporting the potential for a robust and laterally continuous mineralized corridor.

Advancing the Talon system

The 2026 drill program is designed to advance the Talon zone through a combination of systematic drilling to refine the geometry and grade of the Talon zone and targeted testing of a downplunge geophysical anomaly.

Initial drilling focuses on defining the geometry and continuity of mineralization from the strongest known intercepts, while the final hole is positioned to evaluate potential expansion of the system along a clearly defined structural and geophysical trend.

Results from this phase of drilling will guide follow-up exploration aimed at expanding the system along strike and downplunge.

Geological context and significance of the Talon zone

Mineralization at the Talon zone is structurally controlled and associated with shear zones occurring along the flanks of high-chargeability and high-resistivity anomalies, interpreted to represent steep, west-plunging structures. Gold mineralization is typically associated with sulphide-bearing zones, including arsenopyrite, hosted within breccia and stockwork vein networks.

The Talon zone forms part of a larger mineralized system developed along the Iron Mountain fault zone, a major regional structural corridor extending over tens of kilometres. This system exhibits characteristics consistent with a large-scale hydrothermal environment, supporting the potential for expansion along structurally controlled trends.

Historical drilling has confirmed a broad mineralized corridor hosting multiple higher-grade shoots within a wider envelope of mineralization. The zone remains open in multiple directions, supporting the potential for continued expansion as drilling progresses.

Key attributes of the Talon zone include:

• Broad mineralized corridor defined by historical drilling;
• Structurally controlled system associated with a major regional fault;
• Presence of multiple higher-grade shoots within a wider mineralized envelope;
• Mineralization open along strike and at depth.

Project scale and exploration potential

The Iron Range gold project is a district-scale land package covering approximately 21,437 hectares in southeastern British Columbia and spans over 30 kilometres of the Iron Range fault zone, a major regional structural corridor associated with mineralization.

Key project attributes include:

• 21,593 metres of historical drilling (87 holes);
• 2,482 line kilometres of geophysical surveys.
• Over $8-million in historical exploration expenditures;
• Year-round road access and proximity to power, rail and smelting facilities;
• Fully permitted for drilling.

This extensive data set provides a strong foundation for efficient, cost-effective exploration and supports the systematic advancement of multiple targets.

Infrastructure and permitting

The Iron Range gold project benefits from established infrastructure and permitting that support efficient and cost-effective exploration.

Key advantages include:

• Year-round road access through Highway 3;
• Proximity to rail, power and natural gas infrastructure;
• Access to regional smelting facilities;
• A fully permitted drill program.

These factors reduce logistical complexity and support the efficient execution of continuing and future exploration programs.

Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified or confirmed by a qualified person but form a basis for continuing work on the subject properties. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties.

Management commentary

Mark Luchinski, chief executive officer of Earthwise Minerals, commented: "We are starting this program from a position of strength at the Talon zone, where historical drilling has already confirmed a broad mineralized system hosting higher-grade zones. Our initial drilling is designed to refine our understanding of the geometry, continuity and structural controls of the Talon system while testing extensions of historically defined mineralization.

"The program culminates in a targeted test of a downplunge extension associated with a stronger area of IP geophysical response, representing an important opportunity to evaluate the expansion potential of the system. This disciplined, data-driven approach is designed to advance our understanding of Talon and support future exploration targeting."

Granting of incentive stock options

Earthwise announces that its board of directors has approved the granting of 1.4 million incentive stock options to senior executives, directors and consultants of the company. The options grant the holders the right to purchase common shares in the capital of the company at a deemed price of eight cents per common share. The options vest immediately and expire on May 12, 2031.

Qualified person

Charles C. Downie, PGeo, a qualified person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and an officer and director of Eagle Plains Resources, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.

About Earthwise Minerals Corp.

Earthwise Minerals is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on advancing the Iron Range gold project in southeastern British Columbia near Creston, B.C. The company holds an option to earn up to an 80-per-cent interest in the fully permitted project, which is road accessible and situated within a prolific mineralized corridor. The property covers a 10-kilometre-by-32-kilometre area along the Iron Range fault system and hosts multiple high-grade gold showings and large-scale geophysical and geochemical anomalies.

We seek Safe Harbor.