Trilogy Metals Announces Expanded Management Team at Ambler Metals Joint Venture to Advance Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects in Alaska
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News Release
Trilogy Metals Announces Expanded Management Team at
Ambler Metals Joint Venture to Advance Upper Kobuk Mineral
Projects in Alaska
February 23, 2026 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American / TSX: TMQ)
(“Trilogy Metals” , “Trilogy” or the “Company”) announced today key management appointments at
its 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited (“ South32”) – Ambler Metals LLC (“Ambler Metals”) –
which is advancing exploration and development of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects (“ UKMP”) in
northwestern Alaska’s Ambler Mining District.
Tony Giardini, President and CEO of Trilogy, commented: “Michael Galicki and Cole Schaeffer bring
exactly the expertise we need to advance the UKMP . Michael’s proven success managing complex
exploration programs in high-logistics North American environment s positions us perfectly for this
year’s drilling season as we work to expand our resource base and test high-priority targets.
“Cole brings invaluable experience from both Alaska Native Corporations and Teck Resources
Limited’s Red Dog Mine, one of the world’s largest zinc operations. His deep understanding of
community engagement and operational requirements in Alaska’s Arctic wi ll be critical as we
advance both the Arctic and Bornite deposits. Together, Michael and Cole strengthen our ability to
unlock the full value of this world-class mining district.
“These appointments position Ambler Metals to deliver on critical near-term milestones. Jenna Tan
brings the financial and commercial rigor we need as we advance toward an investment decision on
the Arctic Project. Her experience leading South32’s Hermosa project through feasibility and
development gives us proven expertise in managing major mining ventures in the United States.
“Ron Rimelman’s 40 years of mine permitting experience, including his leadership on the Donlin Gold
project and work throughout Alaska, will be invaluable as we navigate the FAST-41 expedited federal
permitting process. Together, Jenna and Ron provide the institutional knowledge and technical
expertise needed to transform Ambler Metals from explorer to developer and position this venture as
a premier domestic source of critical minerals. ”
Michael Galicki has been appointed Vice President, Exploration, of Ambler Metals. He has more
than 15 years of experience advancing mineral exploration programs across North America, focused
on base and critical metals. Prior to joining Ambler Metals, Mr. Galicki held leadership roles with
South32, where he led exploration operations, s trategy and field execution across multiple
jurisdictions, including remote, helicopter ‑supported exploration programs. He has also held
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exploration and geoscience leadership roles with Galore Creek Mining Corporation Joint Venture and
Hunter Dickinson. Mr. Galicki holds a Master of Science in Economic Geology from Simon Fraser
University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geology from Laurentian University. He is a
registered Professional Geoscientist (P .Geo.) in British Columbia.
Cole Schaeffer has been appointed Vice President, Human Resources, Community and
Partnerships, of Ambler Metals. He has more than 25 years of leadership experience in mining,
corporate management, government contracting and rural housing development in Alaska. Prior to
joining Ambler Metals, he served as Manager of Human Resources at Teck Alaska, overseeing
recruitment, training and development, and counseling services for approximately 800 employees.
He also led Indigenous shareholder development initiativ es and managed multimillion ‑dollar
budgets and complex workforce programs at Teck. Mr. Schaeffer previously served as President and
CEO of the Kikiktagruk Inupiat Corporation and Executive Vice President of Tikigaq Corporation.
Jenna Tan has been appointed Vice President, Finance, of Ambler Metals. She has experience
across major mining and resources companies in the United States and Australia in commercial
strategy, corporate development and financial oversight. Her previous roles at South32 include
Director of Finance for the Hermosa project in A rizona and Manager of Strategy and Performance,
where she led investment evaluations, federal grant reporting, corporate planning and joint venture
due diligence. Earlier in her career, she held senior finance, strategy and operational roles at Vale,
Platinum Blasting Services, Peabody, BHP Mitsubishi Alliance and Ernst & Young. Ms. Tan holds a
Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne, is a CPA and is a Graduate of the Australian
Institute of Company Directors.
Ron Rimelman has been appointed Senior Director, Permitting, of Ambler Metals. He has more
than 40 years of experience in environmental review of natural resource projects throughout North
America. Most recently, he served as Vice President of Environment, Health and Safety, and
Sustainability for NOVAGOLD Resources where he oversaw the National Environmental Policy Act
(“NEPA”) review, and federal and state permitting for the Donlin Gold project. In this role, he was also
involved in environmental planning for the Ambler Mining District from 2011 to 2013 before it was
divested from NOVAGOLD. While in consulting, he co -led the third -party Environmental Impact
Statement (“EIS”) for expansion of the Red Dog Mine in Alaska. Mr. Rimelman also directed two NEPA
reviews and Clean Water Act permitting of the Kensington Mine in Alaska, as well as assisting in the
EIS for the tailings expansion at the Greens Creek Mine in Alaska. More broadly, his mine permitting
experience extends to projects in Nevada, Idaho, Arizon a, Colorado, New Mexico, Montana,
Michigan, British Columbia, and Australia. Mr. Rimelman is a past President of the American
Exploration and Mining Association, and has chaired its Environmental Committee for nine years;
this work has involved significant national advocacy for advancing US critical mineral mining. He has
a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
About Trilogy Metals
Trilogy Metals Inc. is a metal exploration and development company that holds a 50 percent interest
in Ambler Metals LLC, which has a 100 percent interest in the UKMP in northwestern Alaska. On
December 19, 2019, South32, a globally diversified mining and metals company, exercised its option
to form a 50/50 joint venture with Trilogy. The UKMP is located within the Ambler Mining District,
which is one of the richest an d most prospective copper -dominant districts in the world. It hosts
world-class polymetallic volcanogenic massive sulphide (“VMS”) deposits that contain copper, zinc,
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lead, gold, and silver and carbonate replacement deposits that host high -grade copper and cobalt
mineralization. Exploration efforts have been focused on two deposits in the Ambler Mining District
– the Arctic VMS deposit and the Bornite carbonate replacement deposit. Both deposits are located
within a land package that spans approximately 190,929 hectares. Ambler Metals has an agreement
with NANA Regional Corporation, Inc., an Alaska Native Corporat ion that provides a framework for
the exploration and pote ntial development of the Ambler Mining District in cooperation with local
communities. Trilogy’s vision is to develop the Ambler Mining District into a premier North American
copper producer while protecting and respecting subsistence livelihoods.
Company Contact
Matthew Keevil
Vice President, Investor Relations and Business Development
Phone: +1 604 638 8088
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”
(collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United
States securities legislation, including the United States Pr ivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, including, without
limitation, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of recent management appointments; the
anticipated timing of permitting, feasibility study and planned activities at the UKMP; the anticipated
investment decision on the Arctic Project; and perceived merit of the properties are forward-looking
statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as
“expects” , “anticipates” , “believes” , “intends” , “estimates” , “potential” , “possible” , and similar
expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will” , “may” , “could” , or “should” occur
or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could
differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important facto rs that could cause
actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the uncertainties
involving the outcome of pending litigation, success of exploration activities, permitting timelines,
requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks,
prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services, uncertainties involved in the
interpretation of drilling results and geological tests, unexpected cost increases and other risks and
uncertainties disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November
30, 2025 filed with Canadian securities regulatory authorities and with the United States Securities
and Exchange Commission and in other Company reports and documents filed with applicable
securities regulatory authorities from time to time. The Company’s forward -looking statements
reflect the beliefs, opinions, and projections on the date the statements are made. The Company
assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or beliefs, opinions, projections, or
other factors, should they change, except as required by law.