Mr. Rana Vig reports

META CRITICAL MINERALS INITIATES MAIDEN DRILL PROGRAM AT TABLE MOUNTAIN HIGH-PURITY SILICA PROJECT, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Meta Critical Minerals Inc. has initiated its maiden diamond drilling program at its 100-per-cent-owned Table Mountain silica project, located approximately four kilometres east of Golden, B.C., Canada. Drilling is now under way following receipt of the company's drill permit under the British Columbia Mines Act, with approximately 1,250 metres planned in 24 holes.

Table Mountain hosts a maiden National Instrument 43-101 mineral resource estimate of 56,945,602 tonnes inferred at an average grade of 98.91 per cent SiO2 (silicon dioxide) (see news release dated June 30, 2025). The resource remains open along strike and at depth, and this program is the company's first to test the quartzite unit below surface.

The technical report, "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Table Mountain Project, Golden Mining Division, British Columbia, Canada," has an effective date of June 30, 2025, and is available under the company's profile on SEDAR+.

Highlights:

• Drilling plan: An approximately 1,250-metre drill program of 24 shallow diamond-core holes is planned in a grid-based pattern at Table Mountain.
• Permitted and bonded: British Columbia's Ministry of Mining and Critical Minerals' approval and relevant drilling permit have been received, and a $50,500 reclamation security has been posted as a condition of the company's Mines Act permit.
• Fully funded: Meta has the funds in treasury to execute the planned 2026 Table Mountain drill program without requiring additional financing.
• Clear resource definition objective: Drilling is designed to provide the technical data required to support an updated mineral resource estimate in accordance with NI 43-101, with the objective of defining resources in the indicated category where drill density, continuity, data quality and results support such classification. The program is also designed to test for expansion of the existing MRE laterally and at depth.
• Metallurgical advancement: The program is also designed to collect sufficient material for further metallurgical testing.
• Near-term results: Initial assay results are expected during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Yannis Tsitos, president of Meta Critical Minerals, commented: "Putting the first holes into Table Mountain is the step this project has been building toward since our initial mapping and sampling in 2024. Our surface sampling and channel work has given us a clear picture of the quartzite unit, and drilling will now show us its quality and continuity laterally and at depth. These results will drive an updated resource estimate and our preliminary economic assessment, which together form the technical foundation for advancing Table Mountain toward a production decision."

2026 diamond drilling program

Drilling will focus on resource definition within the main quartzite zone, which hosts the maiden MRE. The program also includes initial testing of priority targets identified during the company's 2025 prospecting and channel sampling program (see news release dated Sept. 22, 2025). Drilling is expected to take approximately three to six weeks to complete, weather permitting.

The holes are designed to test the continuity and grade of the Mount Wilson formation quartzite at depth, with the objective of increasing confidence in the current inferred resource and testing for extensions of the mineralized zone.

Results from the program will be used to prepare an updated MRE and to support the preliminary economic assessment planned for Table Mountain, with drill core also providing additional material for metallurgical testing. This work will inform the vertically integrated development strategy the company is advancing with Quad Consulting Group (see news release dated Feb. 11, 2026).

About the Table Mountain project

The Table Mountain silica project is located approximately four kilometres east of Golden, B.C., Canada, with excellent year-round road access and proximity to the CPKC Golden rail yard. The property covers roughly 2,526 hectares, encompassing up to 11 kilometres of regionally mapped strike length of the Mount Wilson formation quartzite, with regionally mapped widths ranging from 300 to 1,400 metres at surface. Table Mountain is strategically situated near two established high-purity silica operations -- the Moberly silica mine and the Sinova quartz quarry. This advantageous location highlights the project's potential to become a significant source of high-purity silica (HPQ) in a region known for hosting premium-quality silica deposits.

Qualified person

Technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Case Lewis, PGeo, a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and a director of the Table Mountain project vendor.

About Meta Critical Minerals Inc.

Meta Critical Minerals is a well-financed, publicly listed mining company focused on building shareholder value through the acquisition, exploration and development of strategically located critical mineral assets. The company is advancing a portfolio of projects targeting silica (silicon), zircon (zirconium), titanium, scandium, vanadium and rare earth elements, commodities that are essential to advanced manufacturing, defence systems, green power generation and electrification, and emerging technologies. Meta's assets are located in jurisdictions characterized by strong and growing demand for critical minerals, spanning Canada, the United States and central-east Asia. The company's strategy emphasizes near-term production potential, disciplined capital allocation and the development of assets capable of supporting a transition to cash-flow-generating operations, with the objective of delivering sustainable long-term value to shareholders, host communities and regional stakeholders.

We seek Safe Harbor.