Quantum Critical Metals Secures U.S. Defense Consortium Membership DIBC Membership Marks Strategic Milestone for Quantum
PO Box 31880
Steveston Village, BC, V7E 0B5, Canada
tel: 604.428.2900
www.quantumcriticalmetals.com
Quantum Critical Metals Secures U.S. Defense Consortium Membership
DIBC Membership Marks Strategic Milestone for Quantum
Vancouver, BC – March 20, 2026 – Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP | OTCQB: ATOXF | FSE:
86A1) (“Quantum” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that is has been accepted into the United
States Defence Industrial Base Consortium (“ DIBC”), marking another strategic milestone for the
Company.
DIBC’s mission is to support a resilient U.S. supply chain and workforce capable of responding to national
security needs without reliance on foreign sources. The consortium provides funding opportunities for
small and non -traditional businesses to work with the U .S. government, while also offering access to
research, prototyping, and teaming opportunities. DIBC also fosters collaboration among government,
industry and academia to help strengthen the defense industrial base. Through this network, members
can pursue rapid research ini tiatives, commercial defense solutions, and innovation driven partnerships.
More information on DIBC can be found on their website: Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC)
Marcy Kiesman, CEO of Quantum stated, “Acceptance into the DIBC is important for Quantum Critical
Minerals as it creates potential access to non-dilutive funding and strategic collaboration opportunities.
The United States Department of Defen se has repeatedly highlighted the supply shortage of critical
minerals, and Quantum aims to help address this deficit by building a pilot plant to demonstrate the
recovery of critical metals from muscovite mica. Our team has been working to validate a novel ore type
and refining method to meet the demands of a changing world, and we are excited to have achieved this
important milestone in this process.”
In 2025, Quantum introduced muscovite mica as a source mineral for gallium and rubidium, an approach
that remains relatively new within the mining sector. Muscovite has traditionally been used for industrial
applications and is commonly treated as a waste product of lithium pegmatite min ing. In late 2025,
Quantum produced a muscovite concentrate from drill core and used it to complete bench scale
metallurgical testing. The concentrate was refined, yielding recoveries of 93% gallium and 55% rubidium
from mineral into solution.
The Company is now planning a pilot scale program and is collaborating with multiple industry and
academic partners to address the critical supply chain vulnerabilities for several strategic metals.
The NMX East project offers several strategic advantages, including its location in Québec, initial refining
recovery rates of 93%, and the growing shortage of critical minerals across Western supply chains. These
factors create a meaningful opportunity for potential access to non-dilutive funding through partnerships
and strategic agreements. Accelerating the development of the NMX East project has become a key
component of Quantum’s 2026 objectives. As a result, the Company is actively pursuing grants and other
funding opportunities to support the pilot project, which is expected to be undertaken in Québec.
Strategic alignment with the U.S. defense interests could also help to accelerate development timelines
for NMX East through funding and contracting arrangements.
PO Box 31880
Steveston Village, BC, V7E 0B5, Canada
tel: 604.428.2900
www.quantumcriticalmetals.com
Quantum believes it represents a unique opportunity in the critical minerals sector for several reasons:
• Strong timing and strategic alignment with government and mining industry priorities
• Technological advancement through sourcing critical metals from new ore types
• Exposure to critical metals markets with multi billion-dollar growth potential
• Scarcity of vertically integrated junior explorers
• Growing security and defense priorities driving demand for critical infrastructure and supply chains
About Quantum Critical Metals Corp.
Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP) (OTCQB: ATOXF) (FSE: 86A1) is a Canadian mineral
exploration company focused on advancing critical metals projects that power next -generation
technologies. With a growing portfolio of promising assets— including the NMX East Gallium -Rubidium-
Cesium Project in Québec, the Discovery Gallium -Rubidium-Cesium and polymetallic project in Qu ébec,
the Babine South Silver Project in British Columbia, and the newly acquired Prophecy Germanium-Gallium-
Zinc Project in British Columbia, among others, the Company is strategically positioned to support the
West’s transition to a secure and sustainable critical metals supply.
To stay updated on Quantum’s latest developments, sign up for our mailing list and visit
www.quantumcriticalmetals.com and www.sedarplus.com.
Marcy Kiesman, CEO
Telephone: 604.428.2900 or 604.339.2243
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.quantumcriticalmetals.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking information or statements” within the meaning of applicable
securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the upcoming work
programs, potential funding, potential partnerships and other statements relating to the business, financial
and technical prospects of the Company. All statements in this news release, other than statements of
historical facts that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forwa rd-
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statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future
performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
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