Survey Results
North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. Reports Positive
Preliminary Soil-Gas Radon Survey Results at Blanchette and Bardy; Phase 2
Planned with Rapid Follow-Up Portable Bedrock Drilling Program
Vancouver, British Columbia – January 8th, 2026 – North America Niobium and Critical Minerals
Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is
pleased to provide an update on its Phase 1 soil-gas radon survey completed by RadonEx on the Company’s
Blanchette and Bardy properties in Québec, located approximately 40 km northwest of the Municipality of La
Tuque. Preliminary results are positive, with multiple anomalous zones (“radon hot spots”) observed that are
spatially associated with the RE E mineral prospects Blanchette-1, Blanchette-2 and Bardy, and that may
suggest additional target areas are consistent with extensions of REE-bearing pegmatitic granitic dykes.
Highlights
• Multiple preliminary anomalous zones appear spatially associated with Blanchette-1, Blanchette-2 and
Bardy REE prospects.
• A preliminary WNW–ESE radon trend interpreted at Bardy is considered consistent with regional dyke
orientations reported by Québec government geologists (MRNF SIGEOM database).
• NIOB is integrating near-real-time radon targeting with a rapid follow-up backpack drilling program,
enabling the Company to act quickly on newly identified anomalous areas.
• NIOB plans a Phase 2 expansion of the radon soil gas survey in Q1 2026, increasing coverage to
additional areas of the Blanchette, Bardy and Seigneurie properties (grid sizing and spacing under
review).
Preliminary survey observations and interpretation
The Phase 1 soil-gas radon survey was completed by RadonEx from December 16–18, 2025 on the Company’s
Blanchette and Bardy properties, comprising one 250 m x 250 m grid at Bardy with 68 sampling points
(anomalous responses defined as >0.19 pCi/m²/s) and two 200 m x 200 m grids at Blanchette with 72 sampling
points (anomalous responses defined as >0.15 pCi/m²/s), each based on RadonEx thresholds. NIOB’s
preliminary interpretation is that several radon anomalies occur in proximity to known REE prospects on both
properties, and that the distribution of these “hot spots” may suggest extensions of pegmatitic granitic dykes
beyond currently mapped or prospected areas (Figures 1 and 2). The identification of pegmatitic dyke
extensions is significant, as these units are known to locally host or control REE and niobium mineralization
on the properties . At Bardy, the Company interprets a WNW –ESE trend in the anomalous pattern. The
Company notes that local access features (including a road) may have influenced signal continuity in places;
however, several anomalous responses were observed near the road corridor. A broader survey footprint and
expanded coverage may help resolve the trend and potential southwest extension at Bardy.
The Company emphasizes that these results are preliminary and qualitative at this stage. Radon anomalies are
being used as a targeting tool to help focus follow-up work, particularly in areas with overburden, and do not
confirm mineralization.
Figure 1: Blanchette soil radon gas anomalies. The anomalous points provided by RadonEx indicate the hotspots (red points) designed
to be backpack drill tested this Q1 2026. Phase 2 will include the extension of this grid survey.
Figure 2: Bardy soil radon gas anomalies. Dashed black line is the interpreted WNW-ESE extension of the REE -bearing granitic
pegmatite.
Real-time targeting and rapid follow-up sampling program
To maximize its de-risking strategy, NIOB is pairing the radon survey’s rapid turnaround (with data processed
and reviewed on a daily basis) with the addition of an extra prospecting team to follow up anomalous zones
soon after they are identified.
Figure 3: Radon Flux Monitor used on December 17th, 2025.
This follow-up work will include a low impact non-hydraulic portable backpack drilling service. The method
is designed to drill through 20m of overburden or more, where present, and recover approximately 2–3 m of
bedrock core for geological logging and sampling. The team is expected to collect approximately 3-5 samples
on average per day, depending on overburden conditions. Samples will be reviewed by a Quebec registered
P.Geo prior to selecting the most prospective pegmatite or carbonatite samples for rush analysis.
NIOB believes that combining daily/near-daily radon targeting with rapid follow-up sampling can help the
Company prioritize the most prospective areas for upcoming diamond drilling programs, rather than broadly
sampling the entire property package.
Phase 2 plan
Based on the spatial association observed between preliminary radon anomalies and known prospects, and the
interpreted WNW–ESE trend at Bardy, NIOB intends to advance to a Phase 2 radon survey expansion in Q1
2026, extending coverage to additional areas on the Blanchette and Bardy properties. Final grid design,
including spacing, remains under discussion.
The planned backpack drilling and sampling activity is considered low -impact and is being conducted as a
prospecting activity, the equipment doesn’t involve hydraulic force, which does not require an ATI permit in
Québec.
“By combining near-real-time radon targeting with low -impact, portable backpack drilling, we can rapidly
recover bedrock core samples directly from the strongest radon ‘hot spots’ - focusing our work where anomalies
occur instead of broadly sampling across the entire property,” said Murray Nye, Chief Executive Officer of
North American Niobium. “Overburden is often under 10m for easy access; this method can drill 20m+ if
needed. Similar bedrock/basal till-style approaches have been used successfully by other groups, including
Kenorland, on a property-scale basis in Québec - this is one of the best ways to de-risk an exploration project
and generate quality drill targets.”
Figure 4: Drone aerial photograph of the Bardy REE prospect, illustrating multiple granitic pegmatite dykes ranging from
approximately 1 to 3 m in width.
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:IOR
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.
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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; (iii) the anticipated benefits of the Acquisition, including the expansion
of the Company’s exploration portfolio, increased exposure to critical mineral targets, and the potential to
enhance long-term shareholder value; and (iv) 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 required regulatory approvals will be obtained in
a timely manner, that financing will be available on reasonable terms, and 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+ (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