Alaska Energy Metals hits positive metallurgical results at Nikolai Nickel project

HIGHLIGHTS Recent locked cycle flotation test shows strong recoveries of nickel (49.4%), copper (50.5%) and cobalt (21.0%) in a bulk flotation concentrate, also with strong platinum-group-element and gold recoveries: platinum (49.1%), palladium (43.1%) and gold (43.9%) Recent open cycle flotation tests indicate potential for increased metal recovery and concentrate grade Follow-up locked cycle tests using further refinements are in progress and results anticipated in early August Concentrate samples obtained in the locked cycle tests will be sent to Lifezone Metals for hydrometallurgical refining amenability testing Internal economic analysis to be completed and as warranted plans for an independent Preliminary Economic Analysis will be made CEO: "If successful, hydrometallurgical refining would allow us to produce [nickel and multiple other critical and strategic] metals on site in Alaska for the American technology and industrial market and the US defense industrial base." VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / July 16, 2026 / Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSXV:AEMC)(OTCQB:AKEMF) ("AEMC" or the "Company") is pleased to report positive results from locked cycle testing ("LCT") of drill core from the 2023-2024 exploration campaigns for the Core Eureka Zone ("CEZ2"), Eureka Deposit, at its 100% owned Nikolai Project, Alaska. The mineral processing work was completed by the SGS Laboratories in Quebec, Canada. The results represent a significant advancement in the company's primary asset and clarifies the development path for the Nikolai deposit.

AEMC CEO Gregory Beischer commented : " Metal recovery rates are the primary input to an economic analysis. We now know the metals present in the Nikolai deposit are recoverable at robust rates. Therefore, we can complete our internal economic analysis and upon successful completion, commission a Preliminary Economic Assessment.

With metallurgical recoveries now proven, Nikolai is emerging as a significant source of nickel, copper and cobalt, producible in the USA. Going forward, we will evaluate the amenability of further refining produced concentrates with hydrometallurgical processes. If successful, hydromet would allow us to produce metals on site in Alaska for the American technology and industrial market and the US defense industrial base.

Nikolai potentially provides a domestic solution for the country's near-total reliance on foreign imports for nickel and can contribute to domestic metal supply chain security for multiple critical and strategic metals. RESULTS Locked cycle test one (LCT-1) successfully achieved metal recoveries of 49.4% nickel, 50.5% copper, 21.0% cobalt, 49.1% platinum, 43.1% palladium, and 43.9% gold. The flotation concentrate grade was 7.22% nickel, 4.01% copper, 0.30% cobalt, 2.33 g/t platinum, 4.10 g/t palladium and 0.78 g/t gold.

Concentrate grades for other elements were 8.17% MgO, 18.6% sulfur and 39.6% iron. A total of 506 grams of concentrate, or 1.68% of the total weight processed, was recovered during the locked cycle test (Table 1). De-sliming was found to be unnecessary, which represents a significant cost savings in the flow sheet.

Table 1 . LCT-1 Bulk Flotation Concentrate Metal Recoveries and Grades FUTURE METALLURGICAL TEST WORK Recent Open Cycle Tests (OCT), using various reagents, indicate the potential to further improve metal recoveries and concentrate grade. Based on these OCT results, further LCT are being completed.

It is anticipated the results of this test work will be published in August 2026. The concentrates produced by the two LCT will be sent to Lifezone Metals for hydrometallurgical amenability testing. On-site hydrometallurgical refining would eliminate the need to ship concentrate to an existing smelter (there are none in the US), increase metal payability, serving to improve project economics, but balanced against increased capital costs.

Importantly, this could allow production of refined nickel and other critical and strategic metals in Alaska for American industrial markets and the US Department of War. Additionally, future metallurgical work will also focus on the magnetic concentrate to see if a saleable iron - chrome product can be realized. In all, the nickel-dominant Nikolai Project hosts six U.S. Government-listed Critical Minerals.

STUDY OBJECTIVES AND SAMPLE SELECTION The main objective of this metallurgical study was to examine the potential of flotation for recovering valuable minerals into a marketable concentrate. To accomplish this objective, composite samples were subjected to feed characterization, grindability, flotation, and magnetic separation testing. The data collected was to be sufficiently rigorous to include in potential future preliminary economic studies.

Drill core samples were used to create modeled mineralized domains of composite samples of the Core Eureka Zone 2 "CEZ2" that represent the average grade of the 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate of the Eureka Deposit. Feed grade for the CEZ2 LCT assayed 0.26% nickel, 0.13% copper, 0.03% cobalt, 0.16 g/t palladium, 0.08 g/t platinum, and 0.03 g/t gold. LOCKED CYCLE TESTING - CEZ2 Open cycle variability and optimization testing was used to develop a flow sheet which consists of simple grinding, flotation and magnetic separation processes.

A flotation concentrate, and a magnetic concentrate are produced. Nickel, copper, and cobalt sulfides report to the flotation concentrate. A significant amount of the precious metals - platinum, palladium and gold also partition with the sulfides.

Iron and chromium oxides report to the magnetic concentrate. Challenges have included: 1) grain size, 2) depressing iron sulfide flotation to increase concentrate grade, 3) separating nickel from copper sulfide, and 4) recovering awaruite to the flotation concentrate. Optimization testing revealed desliming was not necessary on the Nikolai mineralization.

Final open circuit optimization testing resulted in a rougher plus scavenger concentrate (1 st - 3 rd cleaners) recoveries of 47.7% nickel, 50.5% copper, and 20.9% cobalt. Based on these open cycle results, a LCT was completed on the CEZ2 mineralization to determine recoveries and concentrate grades in a closed, steady state system. The flow sheet illustrated below was followed for the locked cycle test (Figure 1): Figure 1.

LCT Flowsheet for CEZ2 QUALIFIED PERSON Gregory Beischer, the Company's President & CEO, is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release. For additional information, visit: https://alaskaenergymetals.com/ ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALS Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (AEMC) is an Alaska-based corporation with offices in Anchorage and Vancouver working to sustainably deliver the critical materials needed for U.S. national security and a bright energy future, all while generating superior returns for shareholders. AEMC is focused on delineating and developing the large-scale, bulk tonnage, polymetallic Nikolai Project and related Eureka deposit containing nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold.

Located in Interior Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, its flagship project, Nikolai, is well-situated to become a significant domestic source of strategic metals for North America. In January 2026, AEMC's Nikolai Project was accepted for Fast-41 Transparency Dashboard listing to streamline federal permitting for overland access and man camp placement for the next phase of Eureka deposit drilling. AEMC also holds a secondary project in western Quebec; the Angliers - Belleterre project.

Today, material sourcing demands excellence in environmental performance, technological innovation, carbon mitigation and the responsible management of human and financial capital. AEMC works every day to earn and maintain the respect and confidence of the public and believes that environmental, social and governance performance is measured by action and led from the top. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD "Gregory Beischer" Gregory Beischer, President & CEO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gregory A. Beischer, President & CEO Toll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local: 604-609-7149 Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation), including but not limited to: further metallurgical including hydrometallurgical testing, the marketability of concentrates produced at the Nikolai project, and follow-on economic analysis.

These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements do not guarantee future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include but are not limited to uncertainty relating to the estimation of mineral resources, regulatory actions, market prices, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made.

Except as required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements. 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 press release.

SOURCE: Alaska Energy Metals Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire ACCESS Newswire July 16, 2026 - 4:00 AM PDT News by QuoteMedia www.quotemedia.com