Vault Strategic Appoints Ken Kuiper to Advisory Board, Joins Critical Minerals Institute

Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire - May 27, 2026 - Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTC: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) (WKN: A41WE4) ("Vault" or the "Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Ken Kuiper to the Company’s Advisory Board. Mr. Kuiper is the founder of Ellis Park Media Inc.; a GIS and aerial survey company focused on serving the mineral exploration and resource sectors. Mr. Kuiper studied geography and earth sciences at the University of Western Ontario and has gained extensive experience working internationally with mineral exploration companies, resource issuers and organizations, including the United Nations and MAG Silver Corp. (MAG Silver Corp. was acquired for US$2.1 Billion by Pan American Silver on Sept 4 th , 2025) Mr. Kuiper has also acted as a key consultant to several companies that were subsequently acquired, including West Timmins Mining Inc. (Acquired for CAD$319M ), Northern Empire Resources Corp. (Acquired for CAD$150M) , Balmoral Resources Ltd. (Acquired for CAD$110M) and Corvus Gold Inc. (Acquired for US$375M) His experience includes geospatial data analysis, aerial survey coordination, project targeting, resource sector media, and technical support for exploration-stage companies advancing mineral assets across multiple jurisdictions.   Mr. Ken Kuiper commented: “I am excited to join Vault Strategics’ Advisory Board and to work with the Vault team at this important stage in the Company’s growth.

Vault has assembled a compelling portfolio of critical mineral assets, including tungsten and nickel opportunities in North America, at a time when secure domestic and allied supply chains are becoming increasingly important. I look forward to contributing my experience in geospatial analysis, project generation, aerial survey work and resource-sector strategy as the Company continues to evaluate, prioritize and advance its exploration initiatives.” Quinn Field-Dyte, CEO and Director of Vault Strategic, commented: “We are pleased to welcome Ken Kuiper to Vault Strategics’ Advisory Board. Ken brings a strong technical background in GIS, aerial survey work, geospatial interpretation, project generation and resource-sector project support, all of which are highly relevant as Vault continues advancing its growing portfolio of critical mineral assets.

We are also pleased to have the opportunity to work with HMK Mining as we evaluate potential strategic opportunities for certain assets within our U.S. historical mining portfolio, while maintaining our current focus on Vault’s recently acquired Tungsten assets and the Letain Nickel Project.” Mr. Kuiper is a partner at HMK Mining Corp., a North American project generator and provider of mining and exploration services. HMK Mining describes itself as a leading provider of mining and exploration services, founded by three industry professionals with years of experience in geological surveying, project development and regulatory navigation. In connection with Mr. Kuiper’s appointment, the Company also expects to work with HMK Mining to identify and engage potential strategic parties in respect of Vault’s portfolio of U.S. historical mining assets currently under option, which was announced on January 21 st , 2026.

HMK’s mandate is expected to include the identification of potential earn-in partners, project-level strategic investors and other strategic parties that may be interested in advancing certain assets within the optioned U.S. historical critical mineral project portfolio, while Vault continues to focus its internal technical and corporate attention on its recently acquired tungsten assets and the Letain Nickel Project. Critical Mineral Institute Membership Furthermore, the Company is also pleased to announce that it has joined the Critical Minerals Institute (“CMI”) in support of its continued focus on tungsten, nickel and other critical mineral assets across North America. The Critical Minerals Institute is a leading international organization focused on the critical minerals economy and serves as a central hub connecting companies, capital markets, industry leaders and policymakers across the exploration, supply chain and geopolitical landscape.

Membership in CMI provides the Company with access to industry programming, market intelligence, research, advisory resources and critical minerals-focused events, including the organization’s annual Critical Minerals Institute Summit. Vault believes that its membership in CMI complements the Company’s North America-focused critical minerals strategy and provides a platform to remain engaged with stakeholders involved in the development, financing and policy direction of critical mineral supply chains. The appointment of Mr. Kuiper and the Company’s membership in CMI further strengthen Vault’s technical, advisory and industry engagement capabilities as the Company continues to evaluate and advance its portfolio of tungsten, nickel and other strategic mineral opportunities.

In connection with his advisory board appointment, the Company has agreed to issue Mr. Kuiper fifty thousand (50,000) Restricted Share Units (“RSU’s”). The RSUs will vest in twelve (12) months from the date of issuance and will be settled in common shares of the Company. The RSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan.

About Vault Strategic Mining Corp. Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is a North American resource company focused on the acquisition and advancement of strategic and critical mineral projects located in top-tier mining jurisdictions. The Company emphasizes historical and underexplored assets with potential for value creation through modern exploration and disciplined development. Investors and Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the company on its , X.com and subscribe for updates at https://vaultstrategic.com/ .

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: KNOX), OTC Markets (OTCID: KNXFF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: M850). On behalf of the Board: Vault Strategic Mining Corp. "Quinn Field-Dyte" Chief Executive Officer & Director Tel: 604.343.4338 | Email: info@vaultstrategic.com ANY SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "1933 ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.   Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information This release includes forward-looking statements regarding KNOX, and the Letain Project, which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the completion of the acquisition of the Letain Project, and the ability to obtain regulatory approvals, and other factors.

Often, but not always, Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "estimates" or variations of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of each entity. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, including completion of the acquisition of certain tungsten project, may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including the risk that KNOX may not obtain all requisite approvals for the acquisition, including the approval of the TSX.V, risks of the resource industry, failure to obtain any other required regulatory approvals, economic factors, any estimated amounts, timing of the acquisition and requited payments, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth, exploration and development.

Although KNOX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made KNOX undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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