Surge intersects 291 ppm Rb, 125 ppm Cs at Nevada North

West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - July 8, 2026) - Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the " Company " or " Surge ") is pleased to announce that Nevada North Lithium, LLC ("NNL"), the joint venture formed by Surge and Evolution Mining Limited ("Evolution"), has received final analytical reruns for all 2022 and 2023 drill holes on the Nevada North Lithium Project. The results confirm geochemical continuity of the high-value critical metals Cesium (Cs) and Rubidium (Rb) across the entire deposit footprint. Consequently, Surge has engaged its independent resource consultants at RESPEC to calculate and integrate these results into the geological models underpinning the Project's upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).

The presence of Cesium and Rubidium was not included in the recently published lithium-only MRE. Key Highlights: Cross-Project Grades: Standardized multi-element assays from the 2022 and 2023 core reruns match the trends identified in 2024 and 2025, establishing a Project-wide critical minerals database. Value Concentration in Primary Mine Horizons: Within the Cu2 and Cu3 clay layers-which are anticipated to represent most of the material extracted under the current mine plan-geochemical modeling demonstrates positive average grades depending on the chosen lithium cut-off threshold: At a 2,000-ppm Li Cut-off, geochemical modeling demonstrates highly concentrated averages of 125 ppm Cesium (Cs) and 291 ppm Rubidium (Rb).

At a 1,250-ppm Li Cut-off, uniform, Project-wide averages of 120 ppm Cesium (Cs) and 277 ppm Rubidium (Rb) are observed. Kemetco Refining and Deportment Studies Underway: The Company has expanded its metallurgical test work scope with Kemetco Research Inc. ("Kemetco") to map the precise deportment and extraction pathways of these specialty metals. Advanced testing is actively evaluating the potential to recover Cesium and Rubidium as high-value co-products or by-products alongside the primary lithium carbonate flowsheet.

Mr. Greg Reimer, President, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Surge, commented, " These results demonstrate that high-grade cesium and rubidium are geochemically bound to our highest-grade lithium zones. We are now working with RESPEC to integrate these Cesium and Rubidium results into the upcoming PFS." Figure 1. Scatter Plot of positive relationship between Li and Cs.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/304337_70e3c18734197873_001full.jpg Figure 2. Scatter Plot of positive relationship between Li and Rb. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/304337_70e3c18734197873_002full.jpg Technical Discussion and Trend Analysis The standardization of the Project-wide assay database shows that trace elements move predictably with lithium mineralization across the primary clay horizons.

This tight linear relationship is clearly illustrated in the Project scatter plots: Cesium Relationship: The Li (ppm): Cs (ppm) scatter plot (Figure 1) shows a clean, linear ascent with cesium tightly tracking lithium and reaching peaks over 300 ppm Cs in the highest-grade horizons. Rubidium Relationship: The Li (ppm): Rb (ppm) scatter plot (Figure 2) mirrors this rigid geochemical discipline, where rubidium concentrations predictably scale from baseline levels up over 600 ppm in our highest-grade lithium zones (>8,000 ppm Li). By securing this strong data alignment from the earliest phases of drilling, Surge has the geological inputs required to generate a comprehensive multi-element block model.

In collaboration with the Company's independent QP engineering groups these trends will be utilized to run trade-off and optimization studies evaluating potential by-product or co-product credit values. Drill samples from the 2022 and 2023 program were originally analysed using aqua regia digestion followed by Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ALS method ME-ICP41) which does not report Cs and Rb. Stored pulps from horizons of interest were re-analysed via aqua regia digestion followed by Mass Spectrometry (ME-MS41) at ALS Global.

ALS is a recognized tier-one analytical laboratory and the same lab used for the earlier programs. The Company is also granting a total of 6,950,000 stock options, exercisable for a period of five years, at an exercise price of $0.70 a share to certain directors, officers and consultants. Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101 Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, Geological Advisor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc. Surge Battery Metals Inc., a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The Project focuses on development of high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering battery electric storage and electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and a listing on the OTCQX Market in the USA, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration.

About Evolution Mining Limited Evolution Mining is a leading, globally relevant gold miner. Evolution operates six mines, comprising five wholly-owned mines - Cowal in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada, and an 80% share in Northparkes in New South Wales. About Nevada North Lithium, LLC Nevada North Lithium, LLC, jointly owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc (70.54%) and Evolution Mining Limited (29.46%), owns the Nevada North Lithium Project southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County.

The first three rounds of drilling at the Project identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a known width of greater than 1,500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. As disclosed in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), completed jointly by M3 Engineering & Technology Corp. and Independent Mining Consultants (see the Company's news release dated July 24, 2025 for further information regarding the PEA), the Nevada North Lithium Project reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE.

The Project now has a pit-constrained Measured & Indicated Resource containing an estimated 10.51 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 3007 ppm Li at a 1,250-ppm cutoff. On behalf of the Board of Directors "Greg Reimer" Greg Reimer, Director, President & CEO Contact Information Email: info@surgebatterymetals.com Phone: 604-662-8184 Website: surgebatterymetals.com Keep up-to-date with Surge Battery Metals: Twitter , Facebook , LinkedIn , Instagram and YouTube . Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for lithium related products, changes in exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in the United States or any other jurisdiction and other factors or information.

The Company's current plans, expectations, and intentions with respect to development of its business and of its Nevada properties may be impacted by economic uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market conditions (including US government subsidies or incentives) on its ability to secure further financing or funding of its Nevada properties. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon several assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water-related risks) and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations . To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/304337 Newsfile Corp. July 8, 2026 - 4:00 AM PDT News by QuoteMedia www.quotemedia.com