Saturday, September 26, 2026
MiningNewsTerminal
Saturday, September 26, 2026 Admin

CRE.V ·

Critical Elements’ 10,000-METER Summer Drill Program at Rose WEST Continues to Deliver Positive Results

Exploration Programs

1

PRESS RELEASE

CRITICAL ELEMENTS’ 10,000-METER SUMMER DRILL PROGRAM AT ROSE WEST

CONTINUES TO DELIVER POSITIVE RESULTS

August 24th, 2026 - MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC – Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX -V: CRE) (US

OTCQX: CRECF) (FSE: F12) ( “Critical Elements ” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to provide assay

results and an update on its Phase 2 Summer 2026 exploration program, including 10,000 meters of

systematic drilling around the 100% owned Rose West Discovery (“Rose West”), located in Eeyou Istchee,

Québec.

The program targets the expansion of the mineralized footprint to a potential of approximately 1,250 x 2,000

m and aims to expand the lateral continuity of at least two more mineralized pegmatite bodies within the

system. Thus far, drilling has covered the immediate eastern extension of the Main Target, and the program

is now focussed on exploration drilling along the northern boundary of the defined mineralized zones.

Highlights

• The Phase 2 Summer 2026 drill program continues to deliver positive results demonstrating the

successful expansion of the Rose West mineralized footprint by adding an additional 300 x 300 m

bloc expanding the lateral footprint of Pegmatite 5, 3 and 2, with thicknesses that continue to range

from 10 to 30 m.

• Pegmatite 5 is now also delivering substantial and laterally continuous intersections in the northern

portion of the Main Target Area, part of a stacked and generally flat lying system. This generally

flat orientation allows for rapid expansion with relatively short surface drill holes.

• The geological model continues to prove to be highly effective and predictive.

• All assay results have been received for the 11 holes previously drilled.

• An additional 7 holes were drilled since then and are being prepared for assaying.

Assay results were received for holes RW-26-36, RW-26-37, RW-26-54, RW-26-55, RW-26-56A and RW-

26-57, and returned some significant lithium and tantalum composite assays, as highlighted below:

• 2.05% Li2O and 221 ppm Ta2O5 over 7.70 m, through Pegmatite 5, in hole RW-26-36

• 1.46% Li2O and 176 ppm Ta 2O5 over 23.35 m (including 2.12% Li2O and 147 ppm Ta 2O5 over

6.00 m), through Pegmatite 3, in hole RW-26-36 and

• 1.32% Li2O and 157 ppm Ta2O5 over 13.25 m, through Pegmatite 5, in hole RW-26-37

• 0.94% Li2O and 258 ppm Ta 2O5 over 22.40 m (including 1.34% Li2O and 193 ppm Ta 2O5 over

13.50 m), through Pegmatite 3, in hole RW-26-37

• 1.08% Li2O and 154 ppm Ta 2O5 over 18.70 m (including 2.15% Li2O and 142 ppm Ta 2O5 over

6.00 m), through Pegmatite 5, in hole RW-26-57.

* Core length; the true thickness is between 80 to 95% of the core length.

Located approximately 10 km to the west of the Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project ("Rose"), Rose West is a

near surface lithium -rich pegmatite bearing zone, initially intercepted by drilling over a 450 m x 370 m

footprint area in the winter of 2024 , now covering an overall footprint of 1,250 m x 800 m , (see Press

Release dated August 12, 2026 ), a six-fold increase in surface expression. The lithium -rich pegmatites

typically range from 10 to 40 m in thickness and together display a sub-horizontal stacked geometry. Recent

2

drilling has identified three new spodumene-bearing pegmatitic bodies within the target area. The Phase 2

Summer 2026 drill program is designed to further expand this mineralized footprint, and to better define the

geometry and extent of the three new mineralized pegmatites intersected during the Winter 2026

Campaign.

The Summer 2026 drill program is designed to reach three specific goals:

1. Expand laterally all around the existing mineralized footprint;

2. Infill drilling along Line C, to confirm grade and thickness continuity of the intersected pegmatites ;

3. Follow up on both newly discovered mineralized pegmatites (Pegmatites 6 and 7) below the current

extent of mineralization.

Figure 1: Location map of drillholes from the Winter 2024 and Winter 2026 campaigns and proposed

Summer 2026 drillholes.

To date, 18 holes were drilled in the NE corner of the Main Target Area for a total of approximately 3,000

meters. Figure 1 above shows the location of these holes, which are designed to intersect all three principal

pegmatites, i.e., Pegmatite 5 (new), 3 (Main), and Pegmatite 2. All assay results have been received for

the 11 holes previously drilled. The location of the seven recently drilled holes is also presented.

Table 1 below presents the collar coordinates, the planned length and the orientation of each of the holes

drilled to date. Recently drilled holes are highlighted in grey.

3

Drillhole Grid UTM NAD 83 ZN18 Length Azimuth Dip

Position Easting Northing (m) (°) (°)

RW-26-35A G-14 411,629 5,764,025 171 245 -72

RW-26-36 G-15 411,711 5,764,082 207 245 -72

RW-26-37 G-16 411,793 5,764,140 204 245 -72

RW-26-51 G-17 411,874 5,764,197 192 245 -72

RW-26-52 G-18 411,956 5,764,254 189 245 -72

RW-26-53 H-18 411,899 5,764,336 195 245 -72

RW-26-54 H-17 411,817 5,764,278 201 245 -72

RW-26-55 H-16 411,735 5,764,222 201 245 -72

RW-26-56A H-15 411,653 5,764,164 195 245 -72

RW-26-57 I-15 411,596 5,764,246 90 245 -72

RW-26-58 I-16 411,678 5,764,303 201 245 -72

RW-26-59 I-17 411,760 5,764,361 114 245 -72

RW-26-60 K-14 411,457 5,764,271 105 245 -72

RW-26-61 K-15 411,539 5,764,328 174 245 -72

RW-26-62 K-16 411,621 5,764,385 117 245 -72

RW-26-63 K-17 411,702 5,764,443 147 245 -72

RW-26-64 N-16 411,506 5,764,549 261 245 -72

RW-26-65 N-15 411,424 5,764,492 135 245 -72

Table 1 – 2026 Summer drillhole locations and summary descriptions.

The following Table 2 presents the composite assay results received to date . New and updated results

presented in the current press release are highlighted in grey.

Drillhole From To Length Li2O Ta2O5 Zone

(m) (m) (m) (%) (ppm)

RW-26-35A 86.95 90.50 3.55 0.61 291 5

including 89.00 90.50 1.50 1.27 231 5

104.55 131.90 27.35 1.89 161 3

including 105.00 115.50 10.50 2.70 222 3

including 120.00 129.00 9.00 1.84 115 3

152.40 161.50 9.10 0.67 265 2

including 154.10 155.55 1.45 2.89 120 2

RW-26-36 87.45 95.15 7.70 2.05 221 5

123.80 147.15 23.35 1.46 176 3

including 124.50 130.50 6.00 2.12 147 3

RW-26-37 99.90 113.15 13.25 1.32 157 5

139.30 161.70 22.40 0.94 258 3

including 144.00 157.50 13.50 1.34 193 3

189.35 195.30 5.95 1.06 87 2

RW-26-51 97.30 103.75 6.45 1.23 227 5

including 98.50 102.50 4.00 1.64 179 5

132.00 148.85 16.85 1.58 118 3

including 136.50 145.20 8.70 1.89 130 3

RW-26-52 112.40 121.20 8.80 0.24 248 5

129.10 148.50 19.40 1.00 88 3

including 129.10 135.80 6.70 1.11 176 3

including 139.50 143.50 4.00 1.43 83 3

4

RW-26-53 115.00 126.00 11.00 N.S N.S 3

RW-26-54 108.60 128.10 19.50 0.48 220 3

including 114.00 118.50 4.50 1.12 156 3

RW-26-55 140.10 148.20 8.10 0.59 211 3

including 144.00 147.00 3.00 1.25 111 3

RW-26-56A 95.80 110.60 14.80 0.53 119 3

including 102.00 110.60 8.60 0.86 149 3

122.10 137.60 15.50 0.63 221 3 (?)

including 124.70 129.00 4.30 1.65 254 3 (?)

RW-26-57 45.00 63.70 18.70 1.08 154 5 (?)

Including 48.00 54.00 6.00 2.15 142 5

RW-26-58 57.05 71.10 14.05 1.33 145 5

including 60.00 69.00 9.00 1.81 122 5

* Core length; the true thickness is between 80 to 95% of the core length.

** - N.S. : No Spodumene.

Table 2 – Assay results from the Summer 2026 drill campaign.

The following Table 3 presents the intervals of spodumene-rich pegmatites intersected along the other

holes drilled during this current campaign.

Drillhole From To Length Li2O Ta2O5

(m) (m) (m) (%) (ppm)

RW-26-59 84.15 99.20 15.05 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-60 45.80 61.90 16.10 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-61 59.65 64.80 5.15 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-62 72.45 81.60 9.15 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-63 88.30 92.55 4.25 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-64 69.60 72.80 3.20 P.R. P.R.

RW-26-65 59.30 63.20 3.90 P.R. P.R.

* P.R.: Pending Results.

Table 3 – Spodumene-rich pegmatite intervals from the Summer 2026 drill campaign.

As previously discussed, the stacked nature of the mineralized system allows for the intersection of multiple

pegmatite bodies within a given drillhole (Table 2 ). While keeping the same “grid -based” systematic

approach, not all drillholes are anticipated to intersect each pegmatite. Figures 2 to 4 present plan views

of the individual pegmatite zones as defined in the Winter 2026 program, as well as the nature of each

intersection through the given zone.

Figure 2 is a horizontal plan view on which the projection of Pegmatite 5 is presented. All holes that were

drilled on Line G successfully intersected Pegmatite 5. Holes RW-26-58 and RW-26-57 appear to have

intersected an offset equivalent of Pegmatite 5; Hole RW-26-57 has returned 1.08% Li2O and 154 ppm

Ta2O5 over 18.70 m (including 2.15% Li2O and 145 ppm Ta2O5 over 6.00 m).

Figure 3 presents the Pegmatite 3 plan view projection. Most of the holes intersected the Main pegmatite ,

confirming its continuity across Lines G and H. However, a major fault has also been intersected in holes

RW-26-53 and RW-26-55, likely explaining the absence of Pegmatite 3 on Line I in holes RW-26-57 and

RW-26-58. As expected , Holes RW-26-36 and RW-26-37 returned Li2O above 1.00% over thickness es

from 23.35 m and 22.40 m respectively, consistent with similar thickness es encountered throughout the

Pegmatite 3 body.

Figure 4 presents the Pegmatite 2 longitudinal view. Pegmatite 2 is confirmed to be present towards the

central core of the mineralized area and , as predicted by our 3D model, it appears to get cut -off or merge

into Pegmatite 3 towards the north. As a result, Pegmatite 2 was only intersected in holes RW-26-35A and

RW-26-37. Hole RW-26-37 returned 1.06% Li2O and 87 ppm Ta2O5 over 5.95 m.

5

Figure 2: Pegmatite 5 projection Plan Map – Zone outline and targeted extensions.

6

Figure 3: Pegmatite 3 projection Plan Map – Zone outline and targeted extensions.

7

Figure 4: Pegmatite 2 projection Plan Map – Zone outline and targeted extensions.

Quality assurance/quality control

Quality assurance and quality control procedures have been implemented to ensure best practices in

sampling and analysis of the drill core samples. Standards, duplicate and blanks were regularly inserted

into the sample stream. The drill core samples were delivered, in secure tagged bags, to the ALS Minerals

laboratory facility in Val-d’Or, Québec. The samples are weighed and identified prior to sample preparation.

The samples are crushed to 70% minus 2 mm, then separated and pulverized to 85% passing 75 μm . All

samples are analyzed using sodium peroxide fusion ME -MS-89L, with full analysis for 52 elements. Value

over 25,000 ppm Li were re -assays using Li -ICP-82b and value over 2,500 ppm Ta 2O5 were re-assays

using Ta-XRF10.

Qualified Person

Kenneth Williamson, Géo, M.Sc. Director of Exploration at Critical Elements , is the Qualified Person that

has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release on behalf of the Corporation.

About Critical Elements Lithium Corporation

Critical Elements aspires to become a large, responsible supplier of lithium to the flourishing electric vehicle

and energy storage system industries. To this end, Critical Elements is advancing the wholly -owned, high-

purity Rose Lithium-Tantalum project in Québec, the Corporation’s first lithium project to be advanced within

a land portfolio of over 1,0 16 km2. On August 29, 2023, the Corporation announced results of a new

Feasibility Study on Rose for the production of spodumene concentrate. The after-tax internal rate of return

for the Project is estimated at 65.7%, with an estimated after -tax net present val ue of US$2.2B at an 8%

discount rate. In the Corporation’s view, Québec is strategically well-positioned for US and EU markets and

boasts good infrastructure including a low-cost, low-carbon power grid featuring 94% hydroelectricity. The

8

project has received approval from the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change on the

recommendation of the Joint Assessment Committee, comprised of representatives from the Impact

Assessment Agency of Canada and the Cree Nation Government, received the Certificate of Authorization

under the Environment Quality Act from the Québec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate

Change, Wildlife and Parks, and the project mining lease from the Québec Minister of Natural Resources

and Forests under the Québec Mining Act.

For further information, please contact:

Jean-Sébastien Lavallée, P. Géo.

Chief Executive Officer

819-354-5146

[email protected]

www.cecorp.ca

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is described in the policies of

the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary statement concerning forward-looking statements

This news release contains “forward -looking information” within the meaning of Canadian Securities

legislation. Generally, forward -looking information can be identified by the use of forward -looking

terminology such as “scheduled”, “anticipates”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “scheduled”,

“targeted”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events

or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forwa rd-looking

information contained herein include, without limitation, statements relating to the anticipated receipt of the

final assay results from the 2026 drilling program on the Corporation’s Rose West property, the results and

completion of the 2026 exploration drilling program and its related objectives. Forward-looking information

is based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable at the time such statements are made.

There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future

events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not

place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Although Critical Elements has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to

differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause

results not to be as anticipated, estimat ed or intended. Factors that may cause actual results to differ

materially from expected results described in forward -looking information include, but are not limited to:

delays in obtaining final assay results from the laboratory facility, the final and c omplete results of the

Corporation’s 2026 exploration drilling program on the Corporation’s Rose West property not delivering the

anticipated results and the effects on the Corporation’s stated objectives, as well as those risk factors set

out in the Corpo ration’s Management Discussion and Analysis for its most recent quarter ended May 31,

2026 and other disclosure documents available under the Corporation’s SEDAR+ profile. Forward -looking

information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and Critical Elements disclaims

any obligation to update any forward -looking information, whether as a result of new information, future

events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release. Although the

Corporation has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially

from those contained in the forward -looking information or implied by forward -looking information, there

may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers

should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Corporation undertakes

no obligation to update or reissue forward -looking information as a result of new information or events

except as required by applicable securities law