Val-d'Or, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - February 17, 2026) - Bonterra Resources Inc. (TSXV: BTR) (OTCQX: BONXF) (FSE: 9BR2) ("Bonterra" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has received UL 2723 ECOLOGO® Certification for Mineral Exploration Companies, recognizing our exemplary environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Supported by the Québec Mineral Exploration Association ("AEMQ"), the ECOLOGO® program consists of a certification recognizing best-in-class sustainability and responsible practices for mineral exploration companies, developed by Underwriters Laboratories (UL).

Marc-André Pelletier, President and CEO, commented: "Receiving the ECOLOGO® certification demonstrates the Company's commitment to sustainable development in our exploration activities. Our team works diligently to reduce the impact of our operations while respecting the environment and communicating with local communities. We would like to thank AEMQ for their support and guidance during the accreditation process."

Security-Based Compensation

The Company also announces that effective February 17, 2026, it granted an aggregate of 545,000 restricted share units of Bonterra ("RSUs") to officers of the Company. The RSUs are subject to a one-year vesting period from the date of grant in accordance with the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan.

The Company also granted stock options to officers to acquire an aggregate of 1,660,000 common shares of the Company. Each stock options vest immediately and are exercisable at a price of $0.18 per share for a period of five years from the date of grant.

ABOUT BONTERRA

Bonterra is a Canadian gold exploration company with a portfolio of advanced exploration assets anchored by a central milling facility in Quebec, Canada. The Company's assets include the Gladiator, Barry, Moroy, and Bachelor gold deposits, which collectively hold 7.4 million tonnes at 5.21g/t Au for 1.24 million ounces of Measured and Indicated categories and 9.2 million tonnes at 6.05g/t Au for 1.78 million ounces of Inferred mineral resources category.

In November 2023, the Company entered into an earn-in and joint venture agreement with Osisko Mining Inc. ("Osisko Mining") for the Urban-Barry properties (the "JV Agreement"), which include the Gladiator and Barry deposits. In October 2024, Gold Fields Ltd, through a wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, completed the acquisition of Osisko Mining for C$2.16 billion. Gold Fields is now the counterparty to the JV Agreement and can continue to earn a 70% interest in the joint venture by incurring C$30 million in work expenditures on or before November 2026 (including expenditures incurred by Osisko Mining prior to October 2024). This strategic transaction highlights Bonterra's dedication to advancing its exploration assets, marking a significant step towards development.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation 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.

Caution regarding forward-looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking and are often identified by words such as "may", "will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", and "intend". Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding the award of the ECOLOGO® certification, and Gold Fields' ability to complete the remaining earn-in expenditures under the JV Agreement.

These statements are based on assumptions considered reasonable by management, including assumptions regarding exploration plans, budgets, schedules, regulatory approvals, and the continued advancement of work by Gold Fields. However, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. Such risks include, but are not limited to, changes to exploration plans, results that differ from expectations, operational or permitting challenges, the ability of the parties to complete the Joint Venture, the timing and completion of earn-in expenditures, the speculative nature of mineral exploration, commodity price fluctuations, and the availability of financing. Additional information regarding risks can be found in the Company's filings at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements in this release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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