Critical Elements drills 10,000 meters at Rose West

MONTRÉAL, QC / ACCESS Newswire / August 12, 2026 / Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX-V:CRE)(US OTCQX:CRECF)(FSE:F12) (" Critical Elements " or the " Corporation " ) is pleased to provide assay results and an update on its Phase 2 Summer 2026 exploration program, including 10,000 meters of systematic drilling around the 100% owned Rose West Discovery (" Rose West "), located in Eeyou Istchee, Québec.

The Corporation has deployed two drill rigs to optimize the duration of the program. The drilling strategy is straightforward: based on our current geological model and interpretation, apply a 100 m grid approach to grow the known mineralized volume from its current boundary outward. The program targets the expansion of the mineralized footprint to a potential of approximately 1,250 x 2,000 m and aims to expand the lateral continuity of at least two (2) more mineralized pegmatite bodies within the system.

Highlights

The Phase 2 Summer 2026 drill program continues to deliver positive results demonstrating the successful expansion of the Rose West mineralized footprint by adding up an additional 300 x 300 m bloc expanding the lateral footprint of Pegmatite 5, 3 and 2, with thicknesses that continue to range from 10 to 30 m.

Pegmatite 5 is now also delivering substantial and laterally continuous intersections in the northern portion of the Main Target Area, part of a stacked and generally flat lying system.

The geological model continues to prove to be highly effective and predictive.

A total of 11 holes were drilled and prepared for assaying while the forest fire situation evolved towards a safe return to site.

Assay results were received for holes RW-26-35A, RW-26-51, RW-26-52 and RW-26-58 , and returned some significant lithium and tantalum composite assays, as highlighted below:

1.89% Li 2 O and 161 ppm Ta 2 O 5 over 27.35 m (including 2.70% Li 2 O and 2