Mr. Adrian Hobkirk reports

CRITICAL REAGENT ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT

Further to its news release of Jan. 9, 2026, Critical Reagent Processing Corp. has closed its non-brokered private placement, issuing 3.5 million common shares at 6.75 cents per share for gross proceeds of $236,250.

No finders' fees were paid in connection with the private placement. The shares issued under the private placement are subject to statutory hold periods expiring four months from the date of closing of the private placement.

The company intends to use the net proceeds of the private placement for general working capital.

About Critical Reagent Processing Corp.

Critical Reagent Processing has completed its purchase option agreement to acquire up to a 100-per-cent interest in the Mina Laguna Santa Maria project, which consists of two mining concessions licensed for the production of sodium carbonate (soda ash). Pursuant to the option agreement, the company is now the holder of 100 per cent of No. 17.643 Ignacio VI and 86 per cent of No. 1.255 Santa Maria and has filed documentation to obtain the remaining 14 per cent of No. 1.255 Santa Maria, located in Salta province, Argentina. The 500-hectare property hosts a natural deposit of sodium carbonate, or soda ash. Soda ash is a necessary reagent for the production of lithium carbonate. The U.S. Geological Survey reported in 2022, 165,000 tonnes of soda ash were exported from the United States to Argentina, with a value of $48-million (U.S.). Critical Reagent Processing believes the Laguna Santa Maria project holds a competitive advantage over soda ash importation into Argentina as it is located in-country and in an area of significant lithium carbonate production and project development. Management is continuing to evaluate the property and market for soda ash in Argentina. Results of a bulk sample chemical evaluation are expected shortly.