Mr. Mathew Wilson reports

STERLING EXTENDS HIGHER GRADE CORE OF MEPS COPPER ZONE INTERSECTING 44.1M OF 1.02% CUEQ WITHIN 187M NEAR-SURFACE INTERVAL OF CONTINUOUS COPPER MINERALIZATION

Sterling Metals Corp. has released assay results from drill holes SC-26-27 and SC-26-28 at the MEPS zone, part of the company's continuing drill program at the Soo copper project near Batchewana Bay, Ontario. SC-26-27 extends the continuous higher-grade mineralization across the MEPS copper zone 6 returning 44.1 metres of 1.02 per cent copper equivalent within a near-surface longer interval of 187 m grading 0.34 per cent CuEq. Copper mineralization continues to expand with continued drilling.

Highlights:

• SC-26-27 extended the near-surface zone of continuous, higher-grade mineralization returning 44.1 m grading 1.02 per cent CuEq (0.96 per cent Cu), including 18.2 m of 2.02 per cent CuEq (1.92 per cent Cu) within a longer, near-surface interval of 187 m grading 0.34 per cent CuEq (0.32 per cent Cu).
• The company intersected discrete zones of very copper-rich mineralization, including those developed in association with strong hydrothermal breccias, which are clearly characteristic of the MEPS system and occur across a broad continuous footprint of copper mineralization.
• Sterling has completed 53 holes totalling more than 22,000 m in 2026, exceeding the company's minimum 20,000-metre drill program. Given the cost advantages and lack of drill seasonality, drilling continues with no current plans to stop.

Jeremy Niemi, PGeo, senior vice-president, exploration and evaluation, commented: "SC-26-27 is another encouraging result from a system that continues to get larger as we drill it. The hole returned 44.1 metres grading 1.02 per cent CuEq (0.96 per cent Cu), including 18.2 metres grading 2.02 per cent CuEq (1.92 per cent Cu), extending the continuous, higher-grade core zone of MEPS to the west within a broad, coherent envelope of copper mineralization. We are particularly excited by the continuity we are seeing from hole to hole, and, importantly, the system remains open along strike in both directions. We have now drilled more than 22,000 metres this year, and the results continue to give us compelling reasons to keep drilling and expanding the system. Our great cost advantages and the lack of shutdowns due to seasonality allow us to keep drilling."

Technical discussion

The MEPS porphyry copper system is characterized by broad, near-surface copper mineralization hosted predominantly in altered Neoarchean mafic volcanic rocks intruded by multiple phases of Mesoproterozoic felsic porphyry. Previous drilling has demonstrated that stronger copper grades commonly occur adjacent to early GFP felsic dikes and sills and associated magnetite-rich veining while deeper portions of the system contain more molybdenum-rich mineralization within the host basalts, hydrothermal breccias and granite porphyry stock. More recent drilling, including hole SC-26-27 reported here, has also confirmed that very high-grade, very high copper-tenor sulphide mineralization is present across this system and can also be found in association with strongly developed hydrothermal breccias.

SC-26-27 and SC-26-28 were drilled from the same pad as previously reported on the western side of MEPS. SC-26-27 is a nearly vertical hole (85 degrees dip) drilled on the same section as previously reported holes SC-26-26, SC-26-10, SC-26-13 and SC-26-16. The hole intersected a broad mineralized envelope beginning at bedrock and strengthening downward, returning 187.36 m grading 0.34 per cent CuEq (0.32 per cent Cu) from 18.64 m to 206.0 m, including 44.1 m grading 1.02 per cent CuEq (0.96 per cent Cu) from 161.9 m to 206.0 m, and including 18.2 m grading 2.02 per cent CuEq (1.92 per cent Cu) from 162.8 m to 181.0 m. These results further support continuity of the higher-grade parts of the MEPS copper zone to the west along this section.

High-grade sample intervals within SC-26-27 include 163.70 m to 164.15 m grading 5.64 per cent CuEq (5.35 per cent Cu), 169.0 m to 169.5 m grading 6.65 per cent CuEq (6.36 per cent Cu) and 169.50 m to 169.85 m grading 5.04 per cent CuEq (4.8 per cent Cu).

SC-26-28 intersected 271.0 m grading 0.21 per cent CuEq (0.19 per cent Cu) from 24.0 m to 295.0 m within the anticipated broader mineralized zone. The hole encountered a greater proportion of gabbro, a tighter and less favourable host for copper sulphide accumulation, and intersected the upper and lower GFP felsic sills in positions where sulphide abundance is interpreted to be lower. The relatively shallow dip of the hole also resulted in the hole trajectory stepping laterally away from the higher-grade copper corridor as it progressed. Together, these observations are helping refine the geological and geometric controls on mineralization across the western portion of the MEPS system. Sterling has completed 53 holes totalling more than 22,000 m during the 2026 program, exceeding the company's stated minimum 20,000-metre drill program. Drilling remains active, and continues to test the geometry, continuity, grade distribution and expansion potential of the MEPS porphyry copper system. The company has developed great cost-efficiencies and enjoys great cost advantages due to its location and access, which have allowed for a prolonged drill campaign, and consequently has no current plans to stop drilling.

Sampling procedures -- quality assurance/quality control

Analytical services were provided by Actlabs, which is an independent, CALA- and SCC-accredited analytical service firm registered to ISO 17025 and ISO 9001 standard. Drill core samples were logged and split in half with a diamond core saw. Half-core samples were securely stored at the core logging facility until being delivered to Actlabs Thunder Bay lab by commercial transport.

Samples were crushed (fewer than seven kilograms) up to 90 per cent passing two millimetres (10 mesh), riffle split to 250 grams and pulverized by mild steel to 95 per cent passing 105 micrometres (150 mesh). Samples splits underwent a four-acid near total digestion followed by a multielement analysis, including base metals, using an ICP method for 35 elements.

Selected sample pulps were then analyzed for gold using a 30-gram aliquot mixed with fire assay fluxes and silver as a collector, placed in a fire clay crucible, gradually heated to 1,060 C for 60 minutes and followed with an AA finish.

Laboratory QA/QC for the ICP analysis was 14 per cent for each batch, including five method reagent blanks, 10 in-house controls, 10 samples duplicates and eight certified reference materials. An additional 13 per cent QA/QC was performed as part of the instrumental analysis to ensure quality in the areas of instrumental drift. Laboratory quality control for the gold fire assay included two blanks per 42 samples, three sample duplicates, and two certified reference materials, one high and one low (QC seven out of 42 samples).

In-house QA/QC included the systematic insertion of blanks, duplicates and certified reference materials.

Qualified person

Jeremy Niemi, PGeo, senior vice-president, exploration and evaluation, for Sterling Metals, has reviewed and approved the technical information presented herein.

About the Soo copper project

The Soo copper project sits just 20 minutes off the Trans-Canada Highway, one hour north of Sault Ste. Marie, and 20 kilometres from rail and deepwater access. With near-surface copper mineralization, demonstrated scale and grade, and proximity to existing infrastructure, Sterling believes Soo copper has the potential to emerge as a critical Canadian copper project.

About Sterling Metals Corp.

Sterling Metals is a mineral exploration company focused on large-scale Canadian copper exploration opportunities. The company's flagship Soo copper project in Ontario comprises a 35,000-plus-hectare land position across the Batchewana copper belt, which hosts past production and multiple breccia and porphyry targets strategically located near robust infrastructure. Sterling also holds the Adeline project in Labrador, which covers an extensive sediment-hosted copper belt with significant silver credits. Both projects have demonstrated potential for important new copper discoveries, underscoring Sterling's commitment to pioneering exploration in mineral-rich Canada.

Sterling Metals acknowledges that its exploration activities within the Soo copper project are conducted on the traditional lands of the first nations of the North Shore of Lake Superior. It recognizes and respects the long-standing and diverse relationships indigenous peoples have with the land, and is committed to engaging in a manner that is respectful, transparent and inclusive.

We seek Safe Harbor.