Mr. Murray Nye reports

NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM RECEIVES KEY SEIGNEURIE AUTHORIZATION

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is preparing to launch its first drill program at its Seigneurie project after receiving an Authorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (ATI) from Quebec's Ministere des Ressources naturelles et des Forets (MRNF). The ATI authorizes the company to proceed with diamond drilling activities designed to test the project's niobium and rare-earth element potential.

"This milestone marks the beginning of an exciting new phase for the company as we prepare to initiate our first drilling program targeting niobium and rare-earth mineralization at Seigneurie," said Murray Nye, the company's chief executive officer. "Following thorough engagement and communication with stakeholders and local communities, we are pleased to have received the ATI required to begin drilling at the Seigneurie project."

Highlights

• ATI authorization granted by Quebec's MRNF, enabling impact-causing exploration activities, including diamond drilling.
• The Seigneurie project is 100 per cent owned by North American Niobium and located in the Haute-Cote-Nord region of Quebec.
• Stakeholder engagement completed with local communities and relevant parties as part of Quebec's ATI permitting framework.
• Historical drilling in the 1970s intersected significant pegmatite intervals but never assayed for critical or rare-earth elements.
• Geological reinterpretation indicates a pegmatite intrusion potentially exceeding 250 metres in width, representing a significant exploration target for critical minerals.

Quebec ATI

The ATI authorization allows the company to conduct impact-causing exploration activities, including the construction of drill access trails and the execution of diamond drilling programs, at the 100-per-cent-owned Seigneurie project. The ATI was granted on March 23, 2026, and is valid for a period of two years, expiring on March 22, 2028.

Under Quebec's ATI framework, proponents must complete an information and engagement process with identified stakeholders prior to receiving authorization for certain exploration activities. North American Niobium completed discussions with multiple stakeholder groups, including the first nation council of the Essipit Innus, the municipality of Longue-Rive and other relevant stakeholders. Among the items addressed were logistical considerations and potential access routes.

The company intends to use the ATI authorization to advance its exploration strategy and initiate the first modern drill program targeting niobium and rare-earth mineralization at Seigneurie.

Geological interpretation and exploration target

The Seigneurie project is located within the Grenville geological province, a region known for hosting a variety of rare-earth element and critical mineral occurrences.

Historical exploration conducted in the 1970s intersected substantial pegmatite bodies during drilling campaigns, with reported intervals reaching up to approximately 50 to 70 metres of pegmatite. At the time, exploration programs primarily assayed samples for uranium and thorium, and no analytical work was conducted for rare-earth elements or niobium.

A recent review of historical surface and drill data, combined with interpretation of first vertical derivative (1VD) magnetic data undertaken by the company's geological team, suggests that the pegmatite intrusion may represent a dike-like body exceeding 300 metres in width in certain areas and striking east-west. The extent of this intrusion is open in all directions. This interpretation is supported by surface mapping, historical drill data, 1VD magnetic data and structural analysis of the intrusive system.

The upcoming drilling program will be designed to test the scale, continuity and mineralization potential of the interpreted pegmatite system.

Qualified person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 -- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Clyde McMillan, PGeo, a consultant to the company and a qualified person as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein.

About North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp.

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals is a North American mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base and critical mineral assets. Its portfolio includes the Silver Lake property in British Columbia's Omineca mining division and a recently acquired land package in Quebec's Grenville province. The Quebec properties add exposure to rare-earth elements, niobium and nickel-copper occurrences, expanding the company's footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defence applications.

We seek Safe Harbor.