Mr. David Watkinson reports

AMERIWEST CRITICAL METALS ANNOUNCES UPLISTING TO THE OTCQB VENTURE MARKET

Ameriwest Critical Metals Inc.'s common shares have been approved for uplisting in the United States from the OTCID Basic Market to the OTCQB Venture Market. The shares will begin trading on the OTCQB at the market open today under the symbol AWLIF. The company's common shares will continue to trade on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol AWCM and on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange under the symbol 5HV.

The OTCQB is a U.S. trading market operated by OTC Markets Group Inc. for developing companies that meet applicable eligibility and continuing disclosure standards. Ameriwest believes the OTCQB listing will provide improved access, visibility and transparency for U.S. investors as the company advances its North American critical metals portfolio.

David Watkinson, the chief executive officer of Ameriwest, stated: "Commencing trading on the OTCQB is an important step for Ameriwest as we continue to broaden our investor reach in the United States. Our primary focus is the Bornite copper-gold-silver project in Oregon, and we believe U.S. investors should have efficient access to companies advancing critical metals projects in North American jurisdictions. The OTCQB listing supports that objective by improving Ameriwest's visibility and accessibility within the U.S. investment market.

"Ameriwest has made significant progress at Bornite during 2026," continued Mr. Watkinson. "The company has completed a preliminary geological model, expanded the Bornite land package, identified additional breccia pipe-style exploration targets, commenced relogging and reassaying of preserved historical drill core, and recently released historical drill intercepts from the Bornite project. Our objective is to continue systematically advancing Bornite through modern verification work, drill planning and further technical evaluation, with the goal of supporting a potential future mineral resource estimate prepared in accordance with NI [National Instrument] 43-101 and CIM [Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum] standards."

Ameriwest's U.S.-focused critical metals strategy

Ameriwest's near-term technical focus is the company's 100-per-cent-owned Bornite copper-gold-silver project, located approximately 50 miles east of Salem, Ore. Bornite hosts a copper-gold-silver mineralized breccia pipe system that has been the subject of extensive historical drilling and technical work.

The company is currently advancing Bornite through a disciplined technical program designed to modernize and verify the historical data set. This work includes geological modelling, relogging and selective reassaying of preserved historical drill core, drill planning, permitting, and additional technical studies.

Qualified person statement

David Watkinson, PEng, a non-independent qualified person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Watkinson is the chief executive officer and a director of Ameriwest.

About Ameriwest Critical Metals Inc.

Ameriwest is an exploration company focused on identifying and acquiring strategic critical mineral projects for exploration and resource development. The company is currently advancing its Bornite copper-gold-silver property in Oregon, its Xeno rare earth property in British Columbia and its Thompson Valley lithium clay property in Arizona. Ameriwest also owns a lithium clay property in Clayton Valley, Nevada, and is in the process of optioning its Railroad Valley lithium brine property in Nevada to Pure Energy Minerals Ltd.

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