File: Attachment 2026-01-26 NNX- News Release - NICKEL NORTH DISCOVERS STRONG SCANDIUM (SC) ANOMALIES IN THE SOIL SAMPLES AT .pdf

January 26th, 2026 tonyguo@nnexploration.com www.nnexploration.com

1188 West Georgia St. Suite 1488 Vancouver BC V6E 4A2

Trading Symbol: "NNX: TSX.V"

NEWS RELEASE

NICKEL NORTH DISCOVERS STRONG SCANDIUM (SC) ANOMALIES IN THE SOIL SAMPLES AT HAWK RIDGE CU-NI-PGE PROJECT

Vancouver, B.C. January 26, 2026 Nickel North Exploration Corp. ("Nickel North" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NNX) is pleased to announce the discovery of strong Scandium (Sc) anomalies from the soil samples at Hawk Ridge Copper-Nickel-PGE Project in Northern Quebec.

These samples were submitted to AGAT Laboratories in Vancouver for high-precision geochemical analysis which has reported strong Cu, Ni and Co anomalies in 2022 (Nickel North Exploration Corp. | Nickel North 2022 Soil Samples Discover New Strong Cobalt Anomalies and Confirm Multiple Strong Ni-Cu Anomalies at Hawk Ridge Nickel-Copper-PGE Project).

The new results in 2025 successfully validate the previous XRF findings, and have identified strong Palladium (Pd), Platinum (Pt), and Gold (Au) anomalies that were not previously quantified by XRF analyzer. Further studies discovery the strong Scandium (Sc) anomalies in the soil, rock and core samples at Hawk Ridge Project

Highlights of the Sc Anomalies at Hawk Ridge Project:

dot Discovery of Sc Metal Anomalies: Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of significant Sc metal associated with V metal anomalies in the soil samples analyzed in 2025 (Figure 1). o Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 55.5 g/t (55.5ppm) and greater than 30 ppm. o Vanadium (V): Assays returned values up to 378 g/t (378mm) and most of them greater than 200 ppm. o There is a strong positive correlation between Sc and V. Both elements are hosted in ferromagnesian minerals like clinopyroxene and hornblende

dot Confirmation of Sc anomalies in the previous rock and core samples: o Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 61 g/t (61ppm) in the rock samples assayed in 2023 (Figure 2). o Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 83 g/t (83ppm) in the historical core samples drilled in the last twenty years(Figure 3).

dot There is a strong positive correlation between Sc and V in all three different samples.

AC/14290231.1 tonyguo@nnexploration.com www.nnexploration.com

1188 West Georgia St. Suite 1488 Vancouver BC V6E 4A2

dot Target Expansion: The strong Sc anomalies have refined and expanded the exploration potential at the Hawk Ridge Cu-Ni-PGE project, which indicates the possible other Rare Earth elements anomalies at the Hawk Ridge Project. Nickel North will do the Rare Earth elements assay in the early 2026.

dot Rare Earth metals are critical to various industries and national security. Nickel North will conduct the potential extraction studies including rare earth elements liberation/leach kinetics and reduce passivation at Hawk Ridge Project and selective electrochemical metal recovery study to the Hawk Ridge mineralization (stepwise electrowinning of Cu/Ni/Co), followed by REE capture/purification (ion exchange + oxalate precipitation + solvent extraction polishing) in 2026.

Integration with Ongoing Exploration

The new Sc and V anomalies data will be integrated with existing geological mapping, geophysical interpretations, and historical datasets to update the Company's geological and mineralization models for the Hawk Ridge Project. This integrated approach is expected to assist in defining priority areas for 2026 field programs, including potential drilling.

Dr. Tony Guo, President and CEO commented: "We are highly encouraged by these Sc and V anomalies discoveries from soil and rock samples and from all historical core samples assay results. Nickel North will conduct further REE assay and extraction studies. The potential REE elements byproducts in the Hawk Ridge Cu-Ni-Co project will have potential additional values to the project. These results reduce geological uncertainty at the Hawk Ridge project and provide clear, high-priority targets for our upcoming 2026 exploration season."

About Nickel North Exploration

Nickel North Exploration is a Canada-based exploration company focused on defining a Cu-Ni- Co-PGE mineral resource at its Hawk Ridge Project in Northern Quebec. The board of directors, advisor committee and management team are experienced, successful mine finders. The property consists of a 50 km long belt of strong magmatic Cu-Ni-Co-PGE occurrences covering 179.67 km2. Quebec is a mining-friendly jurisdiction. Nickel North Exploration is a conscientious corporate citizen maintains good relations with local Inuit communities and is committed to sustainable development. For more information on the company, please visit www.nnexploration.com or follow Company on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nickelnorth.

Nickel North Exploration Corp. has been identified as a key player in the Critical and Strategic Minerals value chain by Quebec's Ministry of Economics and Innovation (MEI) in 2021 (Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020-2025 (quebec.ca),

which is part of Quebec's Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Metals (QPDCSM) and aims to stimulate the exploration and mining of SCMs, their transformation and recycling.

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

Per: "Tony Guo"

AC/14290231.1 tonyguo@nnexploration.com www.nnexploration.com

1188 West Georgia St. Suite 1488 Vancouver BC V6E 4A2

Tony Guo

Nickel North Exploration Inc. Tony Guo. P. Geo, Chief Executive Officer (Tel: +1-778-877- 5480) E-mail: infonnx@gmail.com

North America IR / PR Jemini Shum Capital Kevin kevin@jeminicapital.com Tel: +1 (647) 725-3888 x702

For further information please visit http://www.nnexploration.com This news release may contain forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward- looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames, or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

AC/14290231.1

File: '\\swfile\EmailIn\20260126 075329 Attachment 2026-01-26 NNX- News Release - NICKEL NORTH DISCOVERS STRONG SCANDIUM (SC) ANOMALIES IN THE SOIL SAMPLES AT .docx'

tonyguo@nnexploration.com www.nnexploration.com

1188 West Georgia St. Suite 1488 Vancouver BC V6E 4A2

AC/14290231.1

January 26th, 2026

Trading Symbol: "NNX: TSX.V"

NEWS RELEASE

NICKEL NORTH DISCOVERS STRONG SCANDIUM (SC) ANOMALIES IN THE SOIL SAMPLES AT

HAWK RIDGE CU-NI-PGE PROJECT

Vancouver, B.C. - January 26, 2026 - Nickel North Exploration Corp. ("Nickel North" or the "Company") (TSX-V: NNX) is pleased to announce the discovery of strong Scandium (Sc) anomalies from the soil samples at Hawk Ridge Copper-Nickel-PGE Project in Northern Quebec.

These samples were submitted to AGAT Laboratories in Vancouver for high-precision geochemical analysis which has reported strong Cu, Ni and Co anomalies in 2022 (Nickel North Exploration Corp. | Nickel North 2022 Soil Samples Discover New Strong Cobalt Anomalies and Confirm Multiple Strong Ni-Cu Anomalies at Hawk Ridge Nickel-Copper-PGE Project).

The new results in 2025 successfully validate the previous XRF findings, and have identified strong Palladium (Pd), Platinum (Pt), and Gold (Au) anomalies that were not previously quantified by XRF analyzer. Further studies discovery the strong Scandium (Sc) anomalies in the soil, rock and core samples at Hawk Ridge Project

Highlights of the Sc Anomalies at Hawk Ridge Project:

Discovery of Sc Metal Anomalies: Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of significant Sc metal associated with V metal anomalies in the soil samples analyzed in 2025 (Figure 1).

Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 55.5 g/t (55.5ppm) and greater than 30 ppm.

Vanadium (V): Assays returned values up to 378 g/t (378mm) and most of them greater than 200 ppm.

There is a strong positive correlation between Sc and V. Both elements are hosted in ferromagnesian minerals like clinopyroxene and hornblende

Confirmation of Sc anomalies in the previous rock and core samples:

Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 61 g/t (61ppm) in the rock samples assayed in 2023 (Figure 2).

Scandium (Sc): Assays returned values up to 83 g/t (83ppm) in the historical core samples drilled in the last twenty years(Figure 3).

There is a strong positive correlation between Sc and V in all three different samples.

Target Expansion: The strong Sc anomalies have refined and expanded the exploration potential at the Hawk Ridge Cu-Ni-PGE project, which indicates the possible other Rare Earth elements anomalies at the Hawk Ridge Project. Nickel North will do the Rare Earth elements assay in the early 2026.

Rare Earth metals are critical to various industries and national security. Nickel North will conduct the potential extraction studies including rare earth elements liberation/leach kinetics and reduce passivation at Hawk Ridge Project and selective electrochemical metal recovery study to the Hawk Ridge mineralization (stepwise electrowinning of Cu/Ni/Co), followed by REE capture/purification (ion exchange + oxalate precipitation + solvent extraction polishing) in 2026.

Integration with Ongoing Exploration

The new Sc and V anomalies data will be integrated with existing geological mapping, geophysical interpretations, and historical datasets to update the Company's geological and mineralization models for the Hawk Ridge Project. This integrated approach is expected to assist in defining priority areas for 2026 field programs, including potential drilling.

Dr. Tony Guo, President and CEO commented: "We are highly encouraged by these Sc and V anomalies discoveries from soil and rock samples and from all historical core samples assay results. Nickel North will conduct further REE assay and extraction studies. The potential REE elements byproducts in the Hawk Ridge Cu-Ni-Co project will have potential additional values to the project. These results reduce geological uncertainty at the Hawk Ridge project and provide clear, high-priority targets for our upcoming 2026 exploration season."

About Nickel North Exploration

Nickel North Exploration is a Canada-based exploration company focused on defining a Cu-Ni-Co-PGE mineral resource at its Hawk Ridge Project in Northern Quebec. The board of directors, advisor committee and management team are experienced, successful mine finders. The property consists of a 50 km long belt of strong magmatic Cu-Ni-Co-PGE occurrences covering 179.67 km2. Quebec is a mining-friendly jurisdiction. Nickel North Exploration is a conscientious corporate citizen maintains good relations with local Inuit communities and is committed to sustainable development. For more information on the company, please visit www.nnexploration.com or follow Company on Twitter at https://twitter.com/nickelnorth.

Nickel North Exploration Corp. has been identified as a key player in the Critical and Strategic Minerals value chain by Quebec's Ministry of Economics and Innovation (MEI) in 2021 (Quebec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020-2025 (quebec.ca), which is part of Quebec's Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Metals (QPDCSM) and aims to stimulate the exploration and mining of SCMs, their transformation and recycling.

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

Per: "Tony Guo"

Tony Guo

Nickel North Exploration Inc.

Tony Guo. P. Geo, Chief Executive Officer (Tel: +1-778-877-5480)

E-mail: infonnx@gmail.com

North America IR / PR Jemini Capital Kevin Shum kevin@jeminicapital.com

Tel: +1 (647) 725-3888 x702

For further information please visit http://www.nnexploration.com

This news release may contain forward-looking information, which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward- looking information in this news release may include, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames, or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither TSX Venture exchange nor its Regulations Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.