Mr. Nicholas Van Dyk reports

NORTHISLE ANNOUNCES EXPLORATION AND GEOLOGY TEAM TRANSITION PLAN

NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc. is transitioning its exploration and geology teams to better support the company's dual focus on exploration and project development. Following Dr. Pablo Mejia Herrera's decision to leave his role as vice-president, exploration, to pursue a new business opportunity, effective Oct. 11, 2026, NorthIsle's chairman, Alex Davidson, is now overseeing the company's exploration activities, with a particular focus on advancing the company's generative exploration strategy. Dr. Mejia has worked closely with the company during this transition to ensure a seamless hand-off of technical data and exploration plans. The company is well advanced in its search for a vice-president, geology, who will take ownership of the overall technical geology function and support both the development and exploration of the North Island project.

Mr. Davidson, chairman, stated: "I am excited to work more closely with the exploration team, particularly when we are just beginning to define and execute a strategy for the larger North Island district. I look forward to working with Dr. John Thompson, technical adviser, and our highly capable exploration team in Port Hardy, led by Pat Hamilton, to realize the potential of our mineral district with a comprehensive regional exploration program."

Sam Lee, president and chief executive officer, commented: "I am delighted to have Alex step into a leading role for our generative exploration strategy. I can think of no better person to lead the company's exploration strategy as we set out to further demonstrate the scale and quality of the North Island mineral district.

"I would also like to express my thanks to Pablo Mejia for his leadership, expertise, and contributions to the company. He successfully led the growth of our exploration operations over the past two years, which culminated in a significant increase in our mineral resource estimate released last quarter. His knowledge and experience have been invaluable, and we wish him well in his new venture."

Exploration and development milestones

The company continues to advance the North Island project, with multiple near-term development and exploration catalysts including:

• Completed -- $115-million financing to advance the North Island project;
• Completed -- drilling results at Northwest Expo, extending strike and defining higher-grade zones;
• Completed -- commence extension drilling in Northwest corridor;
• Completed -- initiate early engagement on mine waste storage area (ahead of schedule);
• Completed -- drilling results at Red Dog, confirming additional higher-grade mineralization extending below the previous resource envelope;
• Completed -- integrated resource update for the North Island project;
• Q4 2026 -- announce results from continuing drilling and regional exploration activity;
• Q4 2026 -- file initial project description;
• Q4 2026 -- commence BC Hydro system impact study;
• Q1 2027 -- announce North Island project PFS results;
• Continuing -- metallurgical test work (results to be included in North Island project PFS);
• Continuing -- continue positive engagement with indigenous rightsholders and local stakeholders.

Coming investor events

The company will be attending several investor events, including:

• Gentile mining investor conference: Oct. 19;
• LME Week 2026: Oct. 19 to 23;
• Canadian Critical Minerals Opportunity Forum: Nov. 5;
• RBC Bringing the Diggers Down Under: Nov. 11 to 12;
• Swiss Mining Institute conference: Nov. 18 to 19;
• CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference: Jan. 20 to 22;
• Vancouver Resource Investment Conference: Jan. 24 to 25;
• AME Roundup: Jan. 25 to 28;
• TD Cowen Global Mining Conference: Jan. 26 to 28.

About NorthIsle Copper and Gold Inc.

NorthIsle is a Vancouver-based company whose vision is to become Canada's leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. NorthIsle, through its 100-per-cent-owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island project is located near Port Hardy, B.C., on a greater-than-34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100 per cent owned by NorthIsle on a belt stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now-closed Island copper mine operated by BHP Billiton. Since 2021, the company has discovered two significant deposits, expanded resources, demonstrated the potential of the North Island project, and is now focused on the development of this compelling project while exploring within this highly prospective land package.

NorthIsle respectfully acknowledges that its North Island project is located within the territories of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation and Tlatlasikwala First Nation. The company is committed to collaborating with first nations to build authentic, mutually beneficial relationships.

We seek Safe Harbor.