Mr. Guy Le Bel reports

XXIX EXPANDS OPEMISKA FOOTPRINT WITH PLUTO PROPERTY OPTION

XXIX Metal Corp. has entered into an option agreement with Germanium Mining Corp. to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Pluto property, located in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, approximately 10 kilometres from the Opemiska project.

Highlights:

• Pluto adds early-stage copper-gold-silver exploration exposure near Opemiska without changing XXIX's core focus on Opemiska and Thierry;
• XXIX views the broader Opemiska district as highly prospective for copper-gold mineralization, with Pluto adding new exploration targets that could benefit the Opemiska camp;
• The property covers approximately 556 hectares and includes nearby claims that create a practical exploration footprint;
• Recent forestry road development has improved access and may reduce the cost of initial fieldwork;
• Pluto benefits from approximately $248,000 in excess exploration work credits from prior assessment work, including an extended IP survey;
• Historical work indicates copper-gold-silver potential, which requires modern validation;
• XXIX plans to compile historical data, complete reconnaissance mapping and prospecting, rank targets, and assess whether trenching or drilling is warranted.

Pluto comprises approximately 556 hectares. Additionally, XXIX has staked certain nearby claims to complement the transaction. The acquisition gives the company low-cost exposure to an early-stage copper-gold-silver exploration opportunity while maintaining its capital allocation priorities at Opemiska and Thierry.

Pluto has seen limited historical work relative to other areas of the region, in part because access was historically challenging. Recent forestry road development has improved access and may allow the company to evaluate the property more efficiently during an initial field program.

"Pluto is a low-cost addition to our regional exploration pipeline. The value of the transaction is that it gives XXIX the ability to evaluate ground where historical work, existing credits and improved access may support a practical first-pass exploration program. Our approach will be disciplined and systematic: compile the historical data, verify the geology through field validation, and advance only those targets that warrant additional exploration and investment," said Guy Le Bel, chief executive officer of XXIX.

Pluto complement to XXIX's strategy in the Chapais-Chibougamau district

XXIX's strategy remains centred on advancing Opemiska and Thierry. Pluto is intended to be a complementary addition to that strategy rather than a new development focus.

Pluto's proximity to Opemiska is relevant from a regional exploration and logistics perspective. If field validation supports historical information, Pluto could provide additional early-stage exploration potential around the Opemiska project. At this stage, Pluto is not part of the Opemiska mineral resource or development plan and will be advanced only if results justify further work.

Transaction terms

Under the terms of the option agreement, XXIX can acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Pluto property by making aggregate consideration of $100,000, comprising $50,000 in cash and $50,000 in XXIX shares, and by completing $250,000 in exploration expenditures on the property on or before Dec. 31, 2028.

Exploration rationale

The property is considered prospective for copper-gold-silver mineralization based on historical work and its regional geological setting. The company cautions that Pluto is an early-stage exploration property and that historical information has not yet been fully verified by XXIX.

Historical information from the broader Pluto area indicates the presence of sulphide-bearing rocks and copper, gold and silver indicators. These observations require modern field verification, sampling, geological interpretation and quality assurance/quality control work before their significance can be determined.

Planned first-phase work program

XXIX's initial work program is expected to focus on low-cost validation and target ranking. Any trenching or drilling would be considered only after the historical data review and field validation work have been completed.

The initial field program is expected to commence during the summer/fall 2026 field season, subject to closing of the transaction, TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, permitting, access and contractor availability.

Cautionary note regarding historical information

The historical exploration information described in this news release is based on publicly available assessment reports, prior operator disclosure and other historical sources. XXIX has not yet independently verified all historical data. Historical results should not be relied upon as evidence of current mineral resources or reserves on the property. Additional exploration, verification sampling, geological interpretation and quality assurance/quality control work will be required before the company can determine the significance of historical results or whether the property hosts mineralization of economic interest.

About XXIX Metal Corp.

XXIX is advancing its Opemiska and Thierry Copper projects, two significant Canadian copper assets. The Opemiska project, one of Canada's highest-grade open-pittable copper deposits, spans 21,333 hectares in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, with strong infrastructure and nearby access to the Horne smelter. An October, 2025, preliminary economic assessment outlined a 12,500-tonne-per-day open-pit operation over a 17-year mine life, generating an after-tax net present value (discounted at 8 per cent) of $505-million, an internal rate of return of 27.2 per cent and a 2.3-year payback period (prices of $4.35 per pound copper, $3,000 per ounce gold and $30 per ounce silver). The Thierry project hosts the K1 (near-surface) and the past-producing K2 (underground and surface) zones (see XXIX's news release dated Oct. 1, 2024, for details regarding resources). Thierry has significant infrastructure in place, including an all-season road, an airport within five kilometres, a provincial power grid within eight kilometres and nearby rail. With these two high-potential projects, the company has solidified its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector and has established itself as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developers.

Qualified person statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Denis McNichols, PGeo, Geo, vice-president, exploration, for XXIX Metal, a qualified person, as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

We seek Safe Harbor.