Drilling Permit Bardy-Blanchette
NIOB Authorized to Drill at Two More Québec Projects
Fully permitted for diamond drilling on niobium and rare earth targets at Seigneurie,
Bardy and Blanchette
Vancouver, British Columbia – April 9, 2026 – North American Niobium and Critical Minerals
Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: KS82.F) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“NIOB” or the Company) can launch maiden
diamond drill programs at Bardy and Blanchette, after receiving an Authorization for Impact -Causing
Exploration Work (ATI) for each project. Granted by Québec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des
Forêts (MRNF), the ATI authorizes the Company to proceed with diamond drilling targeting niobium and
rare earth element mineralization at the 100% owned projects located approximately 45 km northwest of
La Tuque in the Mauricie region.
“We are now authorized to drill at three of our 100% owned projects in Québec: Bardy, Blanchette, and
Seigneurie,” said Murray Nye, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. “ The Bardy and Blanchette
projects host high-grade rare earth and niobium mineralization in granitic pegmatites that have never been
tested by drilling. We look forward to building on the strong collaborative relationship we have established
with the Atikamekw community at Wemotaci as we advance toward our first drill program at these
projects.”
Highlights
• ATI drilling permit granted by Québec’s MRNF for the Bardy and Blanchette projects is valid for two
years and clears the path for diamond drilling.
• Located in the Mauricie region of Québec, the Bardy and Blanchette projects are 100% owned by North
American Niobium and part of the Company’s 36,882 -hectare district-scale land package in Québec’s
Grenville Province.
• NIOB met with the Atikamekw First Nation Council at Wemotaci and local family chief members whose
traditional territory includes the project area as part of ATI permitting framework
• Government sampling at Blanchette validated by the Company returned up to 2.70% total rare earth
elements (TREE) including 4,090 ppm neodymium, hosted in granitic pegmatite have never drill tested.
Québec ATI
The ATI permit authorizes NIOB to conduct diamond drilling and build access trails at the 100%-owned
Bardy and Blanchette projects. The permit was granted on March 24, 2026 and is valid for two years, through
to March 23, 2028.
Before granting an ATI, the Québec government requires companies to engage with local stakeholders and
Indigenous communities. NIOB completed discussions with the Atikamekw First Nation Council at
Wemotaci and local family chief members whose traditional territory includes the project area. The
Company has taken a collaborative approach to working on Atikamekw territory, recognizing the importance
of building long-term partnerships grounded in mutual respect and transparency. Among the items discussed
were logistical considerations, potential access routes, and opportunities for community involvement in
upcoming field programs.
The Company intends to use the ATI to advance its exploration strategy and initiate the first diamond drill
program targeting niobium and rare earth mineralization at the Bardy and Blanchette projects.
Geological Context and Exploration Target
The Bardy and Blanchette projects are located within the Grenville geological province, a region known for
hosting rare earth element and critical mineral occurrences. The project area contains REE- and niobium-
bearing granitic pegmatites identified through government geological mapping and sampling programs.
Government geologists collected outcrop samples from both the Blanchette and Bardy showings that
returned significant rare earth and niobium values. At Blanchette, sample 16- GC-1051E returned 26,967
ppm (2.70%) total rare earth elements including 4,090 ppm neodymium (Nd), hosted in a one-metre-wide
granitic pegmatite dyke cutting graphite paragneiss, with disseminated allanite and rare earth carbonates. At
Bardy, sample 16-AM-122D returned 6,848 ppm (0.68%) total rare earth elements including 1,150 ppm Nd,
hosted in a pegmatite dike (0.2–4 m wide) cutting gabbronorite, with disseminated allanite.
These showings have never been tested by diamond drilling. The upcoming drill program will be designed
to test the subsurface extent, continuity, and grade of the REE- and niobium-bearing pegmatite systems at
depth and along strike.
Grant of RSUs
The Company also announces that, pursuant to its Stock Option and RSU plans, it has granted a total of
320,000 restricted share units (“RSUs”) to an Advisory Consultant, subject to applicable regulatory approval
Canadian Security Exchange approval. Each RSU entitles the recipient to receive one Share common share
of the Company upon vesting. The RSUs will vest nine months from the date of grant.
Marketing Agreement
The Company announces that it has entered into a marketing services agreement (the “Marketing
Agreement”) with The New Beverley Group (“New Beverly”), for a period of three months commencing
April 10, 2026, paying $100,000 to New Beverly as compensation. N ew Beverly has a business address
located at 621 – 550 West Broadway, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 0E9 and its principal Justin Kuhn can be
contacted at +1 (905) 993-1271 or [email protected]. New Beverly and Mr. Kuhn are arm’s length
from the Company.
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.
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 Columbi a’s Omineca Mining Division and a district -scale
land package covering 29,936 hectares in Quebec’s Grenville Province. The Quebec properties host rare
earth element, niobium, and nickel -copper 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
+1 (647) 984-4204
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 prospec tivity
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 inheren t 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
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.
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.