Metalero Mining Corp . Poised FOR Transformational Growth IN 2026 with Advanced Exploration and Strategic Acquisitions

METALERO MINING CORP . POISED FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL GROWTH IN 2026 WITH

ADVANCED EXPLORATION AND STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS

EDMONTON, AB –January 21, 2026 – Metalero Mining Corp. (TSXV: MLO; OTCPK: CRTTF)

("Metalero" or the "Company") is pleased to outline its strategic vision and anticipated

milestones for 2026, building upon the significant foundational achievements of 2025. The

Company remains steadfast in its strategy of acquiring and systematically exploring hig h-

quality copper and gold assets in stable jurisdictions, with a continued focus on disciplined

project advancement, respectful Indigenous engagement, methodical exploration, prudent

capital management, and targeted market outreach.

Rob L’Heureux, President & CEO of Metalero Mining, commented “The last year has been an

exciting one for MLO as we have continued to reshape the company and shift the focus while

being efficient with our capital and executing two field programs at our flagship Benson

Project. These field programs yielded excellent results strengthening our belief in Benson

and providing a great exploration platform for the year ahead. We will continue to

aggressively tell the MLO story and anticipate exciting news on various fronts early in 2026.

We can’t wait to be able to speak to shareholders, new and old, in the coming months. ”

Property Advancement and First Nations Engagement

The strategic optioning of the Benson Project in central British Columbia in early 2025

established a critical asset that is expected to be a primary focus for advanced exploration

in 2026. The Benson Project, now encompassing 173 km² following a 7 km² expansion, is

located approximately 15 kilometres east of Quesnel within the prolific Quesnel Trough, a

region renowned as one of Canada’s most important copper -gold belts. The property

benefits from excellent road access, facilitating low-cost, year-round exploration potential,

and its proximity to both historic and operating mines, including Mt Polley, which shares

similar geological and structural characteristics.

While historical exploration at Benson was limited, primarily focusing on gold skarn-style

targets in the late 1980s and early 1990s, recent artificial intelligence (AI) work completed by

Geoscience BC (2022– 2023) identified several high -priority copper-gold targets within the

Q u e s n e l T r o u g h . F i v e o f t h e s e A I-generated targets—Bollos, Pinnacle, Cantin, Chiaz, and

Sundberg—are located within the Benson Project, providing a strong technical basis for

modern exploration in 2026.

Equally important to advancing the Benson Project is the Company's commitment to

building strong, respectful relationships with the Lhtako Dene Nation. Through an

experienced First Nations consultant with long-standing relationships in the area, Metalero

conducted multiple meetings with Chief and Council in 2025, including in-person

presentations and open dialogue, as well as a territory tour. The Lhtako Dene Nation

possesses extensive experience with mineral development through nearby projects, such as

Osisko Development’s Cariboo Gold Project, and Metalero values their ongoing engagement

and input as the Company responsibly advances its exploration plans for 2026.

Exploration Programs and Anticipated 2026 Results

The comprehensive field programs conducted at Benson in 2025 are anticipated to yield

significant results in early 2026, which will directly inform and guide the Company's

ambitious exploration plans for the upcoming year. These programs included initial s oil

sampling over the Cantin target and ground geophysical surveys (magnetics and VLF-EM) at

Sundberg during the late -spring, followed by expanded infill and step -out soil sampling at

Cantin, as well as first -pass reconnaissance soil sampling over the Sundberg and Chiaz

targets in the late-fall.

Cantin remains the most advanced target on the property, with approximately 30 historical

drill holes dating back to the late 1980s. While historical drilling returned encouraging gold

intersections, limited copper assaying (<10% of the drill core ) was conducted at the time.

Metalero’s modern soil sampling in 2025 significantly expanded and strengthened these

historical anomalies, outlining broad, open-ended gold and copper-in-soil trends.

At Sundberg, 2025 exploration focused on refining the AI-identified dual-lobed target through

ground geophysics and soil sampling. This target extends over approximately 5 kilometres

and exhibits a strong magnetic signature, with VLF -EM surveying aimed at identifying

potential conductive zones associated with mineralization. The Chiaz target, which had no

prior historical sampling, was tested with two reconnaissance soil lines across a 3.5 -

kilometre magnetic anomaly.

The Company expects to release the full results from its 2025 exploration programs early in

Q1 2026, including soil sampling data from Cantin, Sundberg, and Chiaz, as well as

geophysical results from Sundberg. These critical data will guide further exploration and the

refinement of drill targets for a potential 2026 drill program at Benson. The new claim staked

in 2025, increasing the Benson land package to 173 km², is currently under review through

British Columbia’s Mineral Claim Consultation Framework.

Financings and Capital Discipline

The successful completion of two oversubscribed financings in 2025, raising approximately

$1.23 million in total (comprising a $919,501 hard -dollar financing and an oversubscribed

$308,679.83 flow -through financing), has strategically strengthened Metalero ’s financial

position. This capital infusion provides robust support for its planned 2026 exploration and

growth initiatives. Metalero continues to operate with a strong emphasis on capital

discipline, ensuring that the majority of funds raised are directed toward exploration while

maintaining a tight share structure. This approach strategically positions the Company for

future financings and potential asset acquisitions in 2026.

Outlook for 2026

Metalero Mining Corp. anticipates a productive year ahead, with a continued focus on

advancing its key exploration projects. For 2026, the Company's strategic objectives include

the initiation of a targeted drill program at its flagship Benson Project, aim ed at further

delineating known mineralization and identifying new high-priority targets. Concurrently,

Metalero will continue to evaluate potential strategic partnerships and acquisition

opportunities that align with its growth objectives and enhance shar eholder value. The

Company remains committed to responsible exploration and sustainable development

practices across all its operations.

About Metalero Mining Corp.

Metalero Mining Corp. is a Canadian-based junior exploration company (TSXV: MLO; OTCPK:

C R T T F ) f o c u s e d o n c o p p e r a n d g o l d p r o j e c t s i n N o r t h A m e r i c a . I t s 1 7 3 s q u a r e k i l o m e t e r ,

road-accessible Benson Project in central British Columbia serves as Metalero's fl agship

and is host to five prospects containing gold and copper within porphyry-related mineralized

systems. Metalero is part of the Metals Group of Companies, managed by exploration

professionals who stand for technical excellence, robust project selecti on, and strong

corporate governance, with a proven ability to identify and capitalize on investment

opportunities and deliver shareholder returns.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert

L'Heureux, M.Sc., P .Geol., President and CEO of Metalero Mining Corp., who is a "Qualified

Person" as defined by National Instrument 43 -101 – Standards of Disclosure fo r Mineral

Projects.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Rob L'Heureux"

Rob L'Heureux,

Chief Executive Officer and President

For further information, please contact:

Rob L'Heureux

Chief Executive Officer and President

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: +1.780.916.5482

Website: www.metalsgroup.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may contain certain "forward -looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities

legislation. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future

plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated

condition or result to occur. Forward -looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes" ,

"anticipates" , "expects" , "estimates" , "may" , "could" , "would" , "will" , or "plan" . Since forward-looking statements

are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent

risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators. 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 statements. Any forward -looking statement speaks only as of the date of this news release

and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation

to update any forward -looking statement, whether as a result of new information, futu re events or results or

otherwise. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because the Company can

give no assurance that they will prove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by forward -looking

statements will transpire or occur, or if any of them do, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. All

forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary

statement.

NEITHER THE 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.