NIOB Retains Advisory Firm to Help Foster Respectful and Constructive Relationship with Atikamekw Stakeholders Transfert Environment et Société will support community engagement for Blanchette, Bardy, and Sabot properties
NIOB Retains Advisory Firm to Help Foster Respectful and Constructive
Relationship with Atikamekw Stakeholders
Transfert Environment et Société will support community engagement for Blanchette,
Bardy, and Sabot properties
Vancouver, British Columbia – April 16, 2026 – North American Niobium and Critical Minerals
Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (FSE: KS82.F) is building on its engagement with local
stakeholders during the permitting process by implementing a structured and proactive approach to
stakeholder relations.
It intends to build on the collaborative approach established during meetings with Indigenous and other local
stakeholders, as part of the Company’s applications for Authorizations for Impact-Causing Exploration Work
(ATI) at its Québec properties. North American Niobium has retained Transfert Environnement et Société to
support these efforts in the province, particularly for its Blanchette, Bardy, Sabot, and Miskam properties. All
are located approximately 45 kilometers northwest of La Tuque.
“Building respectful and transparent relationships with First Nations communities is fundamental to how we
approach exploration in Québec,” said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer of North American Niobium.
“We recognize the importance of respecting the territory and maintaining open dialogue with communities
such as Wemotaci, and we believe responsible exploration can coexist with community priorities when
engagement is approached thoughtfully. We also understand that economic opportunities and employment are
important considerations for many communities. By working with Transfert, we aim to strengthen timely
communications and engagement processes in a way that supports respectful operations and helps our drilling
activities proceed smoothly through the year, where possible.”
NIOB has received ATI authorizations for Bardy and Blanchette, as well as Seigneurie. The Company has
chosen to go beyond the required minimum for community engagement given the strong discovery potential
of the La Tuque area, and believes Transfert’s expertise and experience will be an asset as it develops a
more pro-active approach to community relations.
TRANSFERT AND ITS ROLE
Transfert is a Québec-based advisory firm with experience supporting resource and infrastructure projects. It
has experience working with Indigenous communities and local stakeholders in Québec, as well as an
understanding of social, environmental, and regulatory considerations that can accompany resource
development activities. Its past clients include Nemaska Lithium, among others.
Transfert has been retained under a cash consulting agreement, and is expected to:
• Establish and facilitate open-door meetings and dialogue opportunities with community stakeholders
• Support stakeholder communications and engagement planning, including improved outreach pathways to
members potentially affected by exploration and other activities
• Provide guidance on community relations best practices in Québec
• Assist with other stakeholder engagement matters as exploration activities progress.
NORTH AMERICAN NIOBIUM’S APPROACH TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Company’s evolving approach:
• recognizes that maintaining constructive and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities and
other stakeholders in areas where exploration activities may occur is critical.
• understands that communities are often engaged with multiple stakeholders and projects, including activities
related to hydroelectric development, wind energy, forestry, and other industrial sectors. As a result, the
capacity to maintain timely communications with all stakeholders can be constrained.
• acknowledges that community councils play a central role in communicating information to community
members. Due to competing priorities and existing demands on their time, the council may not always be
able to ensure timely communications with all members regarding external project activity. Because the
Company does not have direct access to community member contact information, it cannot independently
ensure comprehensive outreach.
• considers timely communications to be important, including in connection with ATI-related processes, and
to support its objective of continuing drilling and exploration activities throughout the year, while
maintaining respectful engagement and minimizing disruption.
The Company expects to plan additional meetings with First Nations representatives and other community
members will be planned in the coming days and weeks as part of its ongoing engagement efforts.
These meetings are intended to support clear communication and help ensure that planned exploration and
drilling activities are conducted responsibly and run smoothly, with attention to community interests and
operational considerations.
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 acquired
land package in Québec’s Grenville Province. The Québec 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
+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 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 accidents;
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+.
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.