Critical One Energy completes preliminary metallurgical study at Howells Lake

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - July 27, 2026) - Critical One Energy Inc. (CSE: CRTL) (OTCQB: MMTLF) (FSE: 4EF) (" Critical One " or the " Company ") is pleased to announce positive results from a preliminary metallurgical study at its flagship Howells Lake Antimony-Gold Project ("Howells Lake Project"), located in the Thunder Bay Mining Division and approximately 120 kilometres west of the Ring of Fire access corridor in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The study, completed by Blue Coast Research Ltd. in Parksville, British Columbia, found that the antimony (Sb) in the samples is hosted mainly in stibnite (Sb₂S₃) and that the principal antimony minerals were highly liberated after grinding. These are encouraging early indications for future concentration, recovery, and concentrate-quality testwork.

"Initial testing shows that the antimony at Howells Lake is high quality. There is no arsenic, no mercury, and none of the elements that usually make it difficult and expensive to process," said Duane Parnham, Founder, Executive Chairman and CEO of Critical One. Parnham added, "This kind of clean antimony-bearing material opens up optionality when selecting refinery or offtake partners.

Every round of drilling and testwork so far has confirmed that we have high-grade antimony and has given us a lot of confidence to keep pushing this project forward." Metallurgical Sampling Highlights: Four selected samples from drill hole HWL-2026-006 ("Hole 6"), previously reported in the May 15, 2026 press release, contained between 10.9% and 97.1% stibnite (Sb₂S₃) by modal abundance, demonstrating significant stibnite content across the samples tested. Berthierite (FeSb₂S₄) was identified in three of the four samples ranging from 0.8% to 7.9% modal abundance, together with trace chalcostibite (CuSbS₂), providing additional antimony-bearing mineral content. No arsenic or mercury-bearing minerals or other deleterious materials were identified.

Stibnite liberation ranged from 92.8% to 99.1%, while berthierite liberation ranged from 84.9% to 89.7%, indicating that the principal antimony minerals were largely free from surrounding mineral phases after grinding. Preliminary results indicate that the antimony-bearing minerals in the selected samples may be amenable to concentration by flotation, supporting follow-up metallurgical testwork. Tables 1 and 2 summarize four Hole 6 samples selected to represent mineralization ranging from massive stibnite to vein- and wall-rock-hosted semi-massive stibnite, with grades from 1.41% to 70.7% Sb.

After being ground to a target size of 106 micrometres (µm), the samples were analyzed using TIMA™ (Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer), an SEM-based automated mineralogy method used to identify the antimony-bearing minerals and assess their association with other mineral phases. The study provides the mineralogical information needed to design the next phase of metallurgical work. Follow-up testing will assess flotation response, antimony recovery, concentrate quality and variability across a broader range of Howells Lake mineralization, helping define potential processing options as the project advances.

Table 1. Modal mineralogy (%) of stibnite-bearing samples from Howells Lake. Assays listed were reported on May 15, 2026 .

Table 2. Mass % of antimony-bearing mineral phases. Table 3.

Mineral liberation of stibnite categorized by volume % of stibnite per grain after grinding to a target size of 106 µm. Table 4. Mineral liberation of berthierite categorized by volume % of berthierite per grain after grinding to a target size of 106 µm.

Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Matthew Trenkler, P. Geo., Chief Geological Officer of Critical One Energy Inc., a "Qualified Person," as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Critical One Energy Inc. Critical One Energy Inc. is a Canadian critical minerals and upstream energy company focused on metals essential to energy, technology and national defence supply chains. The Company is advancing the Howells Lake Antimony-Gold Project, which provides Critical One with direct exposure to antimony, a critical metal of increasing strategic importance to Western nations, as well as meaningful gold exploration potential across the property.

Backed by seasoned management expertise, Critical One is positioned to advance high-value mineral projects aligned with the rising demand for secure critical minerals supply. The Company also holds uranium and copper assets in Namibia, providing additional exposure to critical minerals and energy metals. Additional information about Critical One Energy Inc. can be found at criticaloneenergy.com and on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca .

For further information, please contact: Duane Parnham Executive Chairman & CEO Critical One Energy Inc. +1 (416) 489-0092 ir@criticaloneenergy.com Media inquiries: Adam Bello Manager, Media & Analyst Relations Primoris Group Inc. +1 (416) 489-0092 media@primorisgroup.com Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor CIRO accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information.

In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "likely", "should", "would", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "potential", "proposed", "estimate", "believe" or the negative of these terms, or other similar words, expressions, and grammatical variations thereof, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" happen, or by discussions of strategy. Forward-looking information contained in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements relating to the Company's business strategy and objectives. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief is based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis.

Such assumptions include, without limitation, that: the Company will have the resources required in order to conduct its business as currently operated. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, risks relating to the mining industry in general, and other risks as described in the Company's continuous disclosure record on SEDAR+.

Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and are based on the beliefs, estimates, expectations, and opinions of management on such date. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required under applicable securities law.

Readers are cautioned to consider these and other factors, uncertainties, and potential events carefully and not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/306542 Newsfile Corp. July 27, 2026 - 4:20 AM PDT News by QuoteMedia www.quotemedia.com