MONTRÉAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / April 1, 2026 / Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX-V:CRE)(OTCQX:CRECF)(FSE:F12) ("Critical Elements" or the "Corporation") is pleased to provide an update on its Phase 1 Winter 2026 drill program, at the 100% owned Rose West Discovery ("Rose West"), located in Eeyou Istchee, Québec. Rose West is situated within 10 km of the highly advanced Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project ("Rose"). Rose West was previously documented as a near surface, sub-horizontal 10-40 m thick lithium-rich pegmatite bearing zone intercepted by drilling over a 450 m x 370 m footprint area in the winter of 2024 (see Press Release dated February 3, 2026). Recent drilling confirms the presence of spodumene rich intervals all around the initial core zone, and especially towards the East Target area, extending the main pegmatite body by about 800 meters towards the east and by about 400 meters to the south, thus bringing its overall footprint to 1250 m x 800 m. Furthermore, the recent drilling has identified three (3) new spodumene-bearing pegmatitic bodies within the target area; a significant addition to the working model as it could potentially lead to rapid growth of the mineral inventory within the footprint of the project.

Assay results were received for holes RW-26-29, RW-26-30 and RW-26-45, and returned lithium and tantalum assays, as highlighted:

• 1.51% Li₂O and 242 ppm Ta₂O₅ over 3.60 m, and 0.77% Li₂O and 170 ppm Ta₂O₅ over 15.05 m (including 1.39% Li₂O and 111 ppm Ta₂O₅ over8.00 m)in hole RW-26-29

• 1.17% Li₂O and 704 ppm Ta₂O₅ over 2.95 m, in hole RW-26-30

• 1.24% Li₂O and 108 ppm Ta₂O₅ over 27.80 m (including 1.43% Li₂O and 122 ppm Ta₂O₅ over22.00 m), and 0.93% Li₂O and 185 ppm Ta₂O₅ over 12.65 m in hole RW-26-45

  * Core length; the true thickness is between 80 to 95% of the core length.

To date, the Winter 2026 drill program has covered most of the Line A, Line E and Line K planned holes (Figure 1). As previously mentioned, holes were planned to reach three specific goals:

1. Expand laterally all around the existing mineralized footprint (RW-26-29 to 34, RW-26-45 & 46);

2. Test the area for continuity to the northeast (RW-26-47 to 50), to the southeast (RW-26-40 to 44);

3. Verify the potential of discovering additional lithium-bearing pegmatites below the currently defined area.

Figure 1 below presents the 2026 collars location with, as well as the revised footprint on surface of the interpreted spodumene-rich pegmatitic dykes. Eighteen (18) holes have been drilled to date for a total of 3,755 meters. Table 1 presents the collar locations along with final length and the azimuth / dip of the holes drilled to date.

Figure 1: Location map of the 2026 drillholes with respect to those from the winter 2024 campaign

Table 1 - 2026 Winter Drillholes location and summary description

Table 2 following presents the composite assay results received to date, and the intervals of anticipated mineralization along the other holes that were fully logged at the time of this news release. The main pegmatite (Zone 3) shows downhole intersection lengths ranging from about 2.0 m in hole RW-26-49 at its northeastern limit to over 25.0 m in hole RW-26-45, confirming the continuity of the core zone defined previously. Nine other holes have intersected Zone 3 with a thickness averaging 13.0 meters. Zone 2 has been intersected in 6 holes with thicknesses ranging from 5.0 to 15.0 meters. Holes RW-26-29 and 30 have intersected the thin Zone 4 very close to the top.

Zones 5, 6 and 7 are newly interpreted from the recent results, and they show a thickness comparable to the main Zone 3 and, along with the other zones, are believed to be stacked following an "en echelon" pattern within a structural corridor defined by the presence of shallow dipping aplitic dykes (see Figures 2 to 4).

Table 2 - Spodumene-bearing pegmatite intervals and assay results from the Winter 2026 drill campaign.

* Core length; the true thickness is between 80 to 95% of the core length.

** Zone; n.a. refers to "not assigned" to a given interpreted mineralized zone.

Figure 2: Vertical section - looking northwest

Photos 2A and 2C show a new pegmatitic zone (Zone 5), and photos 2B and 2D are examples of the main pegmatite (Zone 3) aspect in core.

Figure 3: Vertical section - looking northwest

Photo 3A from hole RW-26-45 represents the widest intersection of the current campaign. Photo 3B is an example of Zone 2. Photos 3C and 3D show the new Zone 5 and Zone 7 respectively.

Figure 4: Vertical section - looking northeast

Core photos 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E are all examples of the main Zone 3 pegmatite. Photo 4C presents a thinner intersection through Zone 2.

The Winter 2026 drill campaign will soon be ending, and assay results are expected to become available regularly from now on. The campaign has already proven to be successful by demonstrating the lateral continuity of the mineralization, and interpretation of the mineralized model has been completed to the extent of the available data. Figure 5 below shows a 3D view looking up-plunge along the shallow structural corridor defined by aplitic dykes. The sub-horizontal pegmatites dykes are believed to be in an extensional position, consistent with the moderate to steep structural fabric observed in the core which counterpart illustrates the principal flattening component of the stress regime. The shallow aplitic dykes (Aplite 1 and Aplite 2) are then interpreted as reverse shear planes developed in response to this regional NE-SW regional shortening.

"It seems that the behaviour of the pegmatites, the way and where they developed, is intimately tied to the stress regime in place; deep drilling has revealed the presence of two pegmatite bodies (Zones 6 and 7) positioned in the footwall of the Aplite 2 structure. This could suggest a repetition of a similar system below the current mineralized footprint. As the corridor defined by the aplites dips eastward, this opens a near surface potential to the west of the current zones. A mirror image could then be true towards the unexplored eastern area as well. This drilling campaign has confirmed that our predictive model, an important tool, is effective with positive implications for the planning of our upcoming Summer 2026 drill campaign", commented Kenneth Williamson, Director of Exploration of the Corporation.

Figure 5: 3D view - looking southwest

"Given good lateral continuity of the zone, this drilling program significantly increases the footprint of the Rose West Discovery. Should grades remain consistent with those reported in 2024, Rose West will become an element of major impact in the perspective of the whole Rose Project", commented Jean-Sébastien Lavallée, CEO of the Corporation.

Quality assurance/quality control

Quality assurance and quality control procedures have been implemented to ensure best practices in sampling and analysis of the drill core samples. Standards, duplicate and blanks were regularly inserted into the sample stream. The drill core samples were delivered, in secure tagged bags to the ALS Minerals laboratory facility in Val-d'Or, Québec. The samples are weighed and identified prior to sample preparation. The samples are crushed to 70% minus 2 mm, then separated and pulverized to 85% passing 75 μm. All samples are analyzed using sodium peroxide fusion ME-MS-89L, with full analysis for 52 elements. Value over 25,000 ppm Li were re-assays using Li-ICP-82b and value over 2,500 ppm Ta₂O₅ were re-assays using Ta-XRF10.

Qualified Person

Kenneth Williamson, Géo, M.Sc. Exploration Director at Critical Elements, is the Qualified Person that has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Corporation.

About Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

Critical Elements aspires to become a large, responsible supplier of lithium to the flourishing electric vehicle and energy storage system industries. To this end, Critical Elements is advancing the wholly-owned, high-purity Rose Lithium-Tantalum project in Québec, the Corporation's first lithium project to be advanced within a land portfolio of over 1,016 km². On August 29, 2023, the Corporation announced results of a new Feasibility Study on Rose for the production of spodumene concentrate. The after-tax internal rate of return for the Project is estimated at 65.7%, with an estimated after-tax net present value of US$2.2B at an 8% discount rate. In the Corporation's view, Québec is strategically well-positioned for US and EU markets and boasts good infrastructure including a low-cost, low-carbon power grid featuring 94% hydroelectricity. The project has received approval from the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the recommendation of the Joint Assessment Committee, comprised of representatives from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Cree Nation Government, received the Certificate of Authorization under the Environment Quality Act from the Québec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and the project mining lease from the Québec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests under the Québec Mining Act.

For further information, please contact:

Jean-Sébastien Lavallée, P. Géo.
Chief Executive Officer
819-354-5146
jslavallee@cecorp.ca
www.cecorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is described in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian Securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "scheduled", "anticipates", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "scheduled", "targeted", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking information contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated receipt of the final assay results from the 2026 drilling program on the Corporation's Rose West property, the results and completion of the 2026 exploration drilling program and its related objectives. Forward-looking information is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Although Critical Elements has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from expected results described in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: delays in obtaining final assay results from the laboratory facility, the final and complete results of the Corporation's 2026 exploration drilling program on the Corporation's Rose West property not delivering the anticipated results and the effects on the Corporation's stated objectives, as well as those risk factors set out in the Corporation's Management Discussion and Analysis for its most recent quarter ended February 28, 2026 and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation's SEDAR+ profile. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and Critical Elements disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release. Although the Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Critical Elements Lithium Corp.