North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. Submits ATI Application for Bardy and Blanchette Projects in Québec, Advancing Path to Diamond Drilling

Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: KS82.F) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on the permitting process in Québec for its 100%-owned Bardy and Blanchette projects, located in the Regional County Municipality of La Tuque, Québec. The Company has submitted its initial application for an Authorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (the “ATI”, or Autorisation de Travaux à Impacts in french) to Québec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts (“MRNF”), which governs the ATI process. The ATI is required in Québec prior to conducting certain impact-causing exploration activities, including diamond drilling.

Highlights

• Initial ATI application submitted to the MRNF for the Bardy and Blanchette projects (La Tuque, Québec).

• Québec’s ATI framework requires proponents to identify stakeholders and establish constructive relationships through a formal information and engagement process.

• The Company has notified relevant parties in areas where the proposed drilling work may take place, including the First Nation Council of the Atikamekw of Wemotaci, and the Municipality of La Tuque.

• Prior to any drilling, the Company is planning an open-door information meeting with the Atikamekw of Wemotaci to support transparency and share information on where drilling may take place, including in areas that may be in the vicinity of members of the community.

• Based on the Company’s current understanding of the process, the MRNF review may take approximately three months.

Québec ATI Permitting Update

The submission of the ATI application represents an important step toward the potential future execution of a diamond drilling program at the Bardy and Blanchette projects. Under Québec’s ATI framework, the MRNF review process includes verification that the required stakeholder information exchanges have occurred and that questions, comments, and requests raised through the process have been appropriately identified.

The Company notes that the ATI process can be iterative and timelines may vary depending on the nature and timing of feedback received and the time required to address project logistics. Accordingly, there can be no assurance regarding the timing of the MRNF review or the eventual receipt of an ATI permit.

Stakeholder Engagement

The Company views stakeholder engagement as a core part of responsible exploration in Québec and expects it to remain central to its activities at the Bardy and Blanchette projects and any future projects in the province. The Company has four (4) stakeholder groups for the purposes of the ATI process and continues to progress discussions and relationship-building efforts. Certain details of arrangements and discussions are not being disclosed at this time.

In advance of any diamond drilling, the Company is planning an open-door information meeting with the Atikamekw of Wemotaci to support transparency and to share information on where drilling may take place, including in areas that may be in the vicinity of members of the community.

“Establishing constructive, positive relationships with stakeholders is a requirement under Québec’s ATI permitting framework, and it takes time,” said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer of North American Niobium. “We’re committed to early and consistent engagement. Our experience so far is that people value being consulted, and that transparency and respect help build support for responsible projects.”

Next Steps

The Company will continue to engage with stakeholders, respond to feedback received, and support the MRNF review process as required. Any future impact-causing exploration work, including diamond drilling at Bardy, Blanchette and Seigneurie, remains subject to receipt of required approvals, including the ATI, and to ongoing planning and stakeholder engagement.

ABOUT NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM AND CRITICAL MINERALS CORP.

North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is a North American mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base, and critical mineral assets. Its portfolio includes the Silver Lake property in British Columbia’s Omineca Mining Division and a recently acquired land package in Quebec’s Grenville Province. The Quebec properties add exposure to rare earth elements (REE), niobium (Nb), and nickel-copper (Ni-Cu) occurrences, expanding the Company’s footprint into critical minerals that are strategically important for energy and defense applications.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

Murray Nye
Chief Executive Officer

1055 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500
Vancouver, BC V6E 0B6
Canada

For further information, please contact:

Murray Nye, CEO
Email: info@northamericanniobium.com
Phone: +1 (647) 984-4204

CSE:NIOB
OTCQB: NIOMF
FSE:KS82.F

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical fact, that address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects, anticipates or intends to occur in the future, or that otherwise reflect management’s expectations or beliefs about future events, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally, but not always, identified by the use of words and phrases such as “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential,” “opportunity,” “strategy,” “target,” “forecast” and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions or results “will,” “would,” “may,” “could,” or “should” occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to: (i) statements regarding the Properties and their mineral prospectivity; (ii) the Company’s planned exploration, development and evaluation activities on the Properties; and (iii) the potential for the Grenville Province to host significant rare earth element, niobium, nickel-copper or other critical mineral deposits. Such forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current plans, intentions, expectations and beliefs and are subject to certain assumptions, including, without limitation, assumptions that exploration results will continue to support the prospectivity of the Properties.

Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance or outcomes and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to: the timing and receipt of required regulatory approvals; changes in commodity prices and market conditions; the availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms; general economic, business and political conditions; risks inherent in mineral exploration and development, including operational risks, geological uncertainties, environmental risks and accidents; changes in government regulation or policy; and the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development. Additional information regarding risks and uncertainties faced by the Company is available in the Company’s public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca).

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, and undue reliance should not be placed on them. The forward-looking statements contained in this release are made as of the date hereof and are based on information currently available and management’s beliefs, estimates, expectations and opinions at that time. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”). Clyde McMillan, P.Geo., a consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release