ATI Update for Seigneurie Project
North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. Submits ATI Application
for Seigneurie Project in Québec, Advancing Path to Diamond Drilling
Vancouver, British Columbia – February 12th, 2026 – 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 Seigneurie Project (the
“Project”), located in the Municipality of Longue -Rive, Québec. The Company has submitted its initial
application for an Authorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (the “ATI”) 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 Seigneurie Project (Longue-Rive, 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 Innus of Essipit, the Municipality of Longue-Rive, and local
private landowners.
• The Company has received comments relating to potential access and other logistical considerations
(including suggested trail routes for drill rig access), which it will consider as it advances planning.
• Based on the Company’s current understanding of the process, the MRNF review may take
approximately 3 months, however timing is difficult to estimate given the number of stakeholder
groups identified (eight (8) in total) and the iterative nature of the ATI process.
• Even if an ATI is granted, the Company will still be required to finalize any necessary private access
and land-use agreements (where applicable) to access private property, and to continue working toward
long-term social acceptance through ongoing engagement, including alignment with the expectations
and protocols of the Innu community of Essipit.
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 Seigneurie Project. 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 addressed.
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.
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 Seigneurie and any future projects in the province. The Company has
identified eight (8) 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.
“Establishing constructive, positive relationships with stakeholders is now a requirement under Québec’s ATI
permitting framework, and it takes time,” said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer of North American
Niobium. “We believe this is the new reality in Québec and one that is driving meaningful, positive change for
the mining industry. Our experience to date has been that people were glad to be consulted, and many, if not
all, want to see responsible projects succeed when they are approached with transparency and respect.”
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
Seigneurie, remains subject to receipt of required approvals, including the ATI, and to ongoing planning and
stakeholder engagement.
Other Corporate Updates
North American Niobium also announces that Kelvin Lee has resigned as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate
Secretary and Director, and the Company thanks Mr. Lee for his contributions and service, with Steven Nguyen
appointed as his successor as Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Director, effective immediately.
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 acquir ed
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: [email protected]
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 a re 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 accident s; 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 inform ation 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 r esult 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