Mr. Paul Sparkes reports

VORTEX ENERGY ANNOUNCES FINAL AMBIENT NOISE TOMOGRAPHY RESULTS FOR THE ROBINSONS RIVER SALT PROJECT

Vortex Energy Corp. has released the final results of the ambient noise tomography survey completed at the company's 100-per-cent-owned Robinsons River salt project, located approximately 35 kilometres south of Stephenville, Nfld. Further to the company's Sept. 16, 2025, announcement that field acquisition had been completed, the final ANT results add a 3-D shear-wave velocity data set to the geological, geophysical and drilling information being considered within the company's continuing staged technical review of the project.

The ANT survey mapped broad subsurface velocity domains and lateral velocity changes that may reflect structural or lithological variation across the survey area. The computational model extends to approximately 3.8 kilometres and is considered to image the subsurface to at least 2.5-kilometre depth. The resulting model provides regional and structural context for the existing drilling, seismic and gravity information, and is being considered as part of the company's continuing integrated review. However, it does not sharply or uniquely resolve the boundaries of the interpreted salt structures, likely because of overlap between the shear-wave velocities of halite and the consolidated clastic sedimentary rocks that comprise much of the local stratigraphic sequence. Accordingly, the ANT results are being used as one component of the integrated interpretation and not as a stand-alone method for delineating salt.

3-D shear-wave velocity model

The resulting shear-wave velocity model covers an area approximately 17.5 kilometres east-west by 9.24 kilometres north-south. It extends to a maximum depth of approximately 3.8 kilometres and is considered to image the subsurface to at least 2.5 kilometres depth. Modelled shear-wave velocities range from approximately 1,100 metres per second near surface to approximately 4,450 metres per second at depth.

Three broad velocity domains were identified. The upper few hundred metres are generally characterized by velocities below approximately 1,500 metres per second. An intermediate, laterally variable domain extends to approximately 2.0- to 2.5-kilometre depth and generally ranges from approximately 2,000 to 4,000 metres per second. A deeper, more homogeneous domain is generally characterized by velocities above approximately 4,000 metres per second.

A depth-normalized velocity contrast model further highlights lateral velocity variation within the survey area. One of the most persistent features is a northeast-trending velocity discontinuity along the eastern part of the model that may represent a major structural or lithological boundary. Persistent higher-velocity zones along the eastern survey margin and below approximately two-kilometre depth may reflect metasedimentary and granitic rocks similar to those exposed southeast of the survey area. These features remain geological interpretations of velocity variations, and have not been confirmed as specific contacts or rock types.

Integration with existing technical information

Comparison of the previously interpreted salt outlines derived from active seismic modelling with the ANT model shows that those interpretations coincide approximately with areas of lower shear-wave velocity. However, lower shear-wave velocity is not unique to salt, and the ANT results alone cannot determine the boundaries, thickness, composition or continuity of the interpreted salt structures. Because the prior outlines were used in the comparison itself, this spatial association should not be considered independent confirmation of those structures.

The ANT results were also compared with the Falcon airborne gravity gradiometry data and the 3-D density inversion available at the time of the analysis. This comparison showed moderate- to low-density variation and subtle density contrasts spatially associated with the previously interpreted salt structures. The company is also considering the ANT velocity model alongside legacy seismic data and recent drilling information and core data within its continuing staged technical review.

Continuing technical review

The ANT velocity and contrast models are being considered as an additional data set within the company's continuing geological, geophysical and commercial review. The current stage remains focused on review and analysis of existing core and technical information, including detailed review and analysis of the VTX-24-W-02 core, representative density measurements, determination of salt percentage by volume, desktop evaluation of available information concerning source water and disposal requirements, refinement of the integrated geological and geophysical model, and land package optimization.

"Completing the ANT survey is another meaningful step forward for Robinsons River, adding a property-scale 3-D view of the subsurface to our growing body of technical data," said Paul Sparkes, chief executive officer of Vortex. "By mapping broad velocity changes and highlighting potential structural and lithological boundaries, this data set sharpens the geological framework and adds real value to our integrated interpretation. Layered together with our drilling, seismic, gravity and core data, these results give us growing confidence in the model as we advance the project through its staged technical review and work toward unlocking the full potential of this district-scale salt opportunity."

Collaboration and acknowledgments

The ANT program was conducted in collaboration with the University of Alberta. Specialized survey design, instrumentation and data processing were provided by CAUR Technologies. The research collaboration was supported in part by a Mitacs grant. The company also acknowledges the financial support of the junior exploration assistance program, administered by the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Qualified person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jared Suchan, PhD, PGeo, vice-president of exploration of the company, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

The qualified person verified the ANT information disclosed in this news release through review of the survey documentation provided by CAUR Technologies, including the acquisition and instrument recovery summaries, data quality assessments, processing methodology, model outputs, and interpretations. Quality control measures included checks of instrument operating duration and recovery, assessment of cross-correlation signal-to-noise behaviour and stability, and evaluation of the dominant directional noise source from the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which was accounted for during processing and inversion. The qualified person did not independently reprocess the raw passive-seismic data set or recreate the 3-D inversion, and has relied on CAUR for those specialist technical components. No sampling or laboratory analytical work was involved in the ANT survey.

For additional information concerning the project and the company's data verification and quality assurance procedures, readers are referred to the company's technical report entitled independent technical report on the Robinsons River salt property, dated July 31, 2023, available under the company's profile on SEDAR+.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy is an exploration-stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in North America. The company is currently advancing its Robinson River salt project comprised a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 kilometres south of the town of Stephenville in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. The Robinson River salt project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The company is also currently advancing its Fire Eye uranium property in the Athabasca basin, a region renowned for its uranium deposits.

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