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New Age Metals & MetalQuest Mining To Attend NWOPA 2026 Conference And Host Open House At New Kenora Field Office
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The Companies’ participation in NWOPA 2026 reflects their growing presence in Northwestern Ontario, following the expansion of their regional exploration portfolio through project acquisitions and strategic staking in the Kenora Mining District, the Thunder Bay District, and the Ring of Fire region. The new field office, with costs shared by NAM and MQM, will support these regional initiatives while also serving NAM’s Manitoba Lithium Division, NAM’s flagship River Valley Project near Sudbury, and MQM’s new Gold Division, which currently includes two projects.
Chairman and CEO of NAM and MQM Harry Barr stated, “Our recent expansion across Northwestern Ontario, including the consolidation of projects in the Kenora region and the acquisition of additional projects in the Thunder Bay district and Ring of Fire, has reinforced the strategic importance of establishing a regional field office in Kenora. This new facility is expected to serve as an operational hub for multiple exploration programs and should help improve logistics, reduce mobilization time, and generate cost efficiencies for shareholders. We look forward to attending the NWOPA Showcase, where we hope to meet with local stakeholders, share our exploration plans, and provide an overview of the Companies growing portfolio. We are also pleased to share this facility with MetalQuest Mining Inc. (TSXV: MQM), in which New Age Metals holds an approximate 10% ownership interest, allowing both companies to benefit from shared infrastructure and operating costs. As we advance our projects, we remain committed to responsible exploration and to engaging early and respectfully with local First Nation communities and regional stakeholders.”
This year’s NWOPA Showcase is titled “30 Years of Highlighting the Exploration of Northwest Ontario” and will celebrate three decades of mineral exploration, prospecting, and industry development across the region. The Showcase brings together prospectors, exploration companies, industry professionals, and stakeholders to highlight past successes and future opportunities in Northwestern Ontario’s mineral sector.
Figure 1: Northwestern Ontario Prospectors Association (NWOPA) – organizers of the NWOPA Showcase 2027 conference held on April 8-9th.
The Companies are scheduled to deliver a presentation at the conference and will also host a booth. Management encourages shareholders, local stakeholders, and conference attendees to stop by to meet the team and learn more about New Age Metals & MetalQuest Mining and their growing portfolios of critical metal and precious metal projects.
Kenora Field Office Open House
New Age Metals and MetalQuest Mining will also host a grand opening open house for their newly established Kenora field office and core facility on April 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Shareholders, stakeholders, and interested community members are welcome to attend. Food and refreshments will be provided.
The new Kenora facility is intended to serve as a central base of operations for the Company’s regional exploration activities, including the:
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Kenora Gold and Critical Metals Division (NAM MQM)
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Thunder Bay PGM Projects (NAM MQM)
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Ring of Fire Projects (NAM MQM)
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Manitoba Lithium Division (NAM)
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River Valley PGM Project (NAM)
The facility is expected to provide centralized logistical, administrative, and technical support for both Companies exploration activities across Northwestern Ontario and eastern Manitoba, including:
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office space for geological, technical, and field personnel;
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secure storage for exploration equipment, samples, and records;
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core handling, logging, cutting, and short-term storage capabilities;
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staging and dispatch support for field crews and contractors; and
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coordination of permitting, community engagement, and local service providers.
Kenora is strategically located near many of the Companies active and planned exploration properties and offers access to key transportation routes, supply chains, and support services. Management believes the establishment of a regional operations hub will improve field efficiency, strengthen project coordination, and support cost-effective exploration across multiple assets.
Those interested in attending the open house are encouraged to contact:
Doug Bundy
Email: thechief52@hotmail.com
Figure 2: New Age Metal’s and MetalQuest Mining Kenora-based field operations office and core facility.
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Figure 3: New Age Metal’s and MetalQuest Mining Kenora-based field operations office main entry with field side by sides
Figure 4: New Age Metals and MetalQuest Mining Kenora-based field operations office core cutting room
Figure 5: New Age Metals and MetalQuest Mining Kenora-based field operations board room office
A Strategic Gold Hub
The Kenora Mining District and nearby areas have historically been underexplored but are emerging as an active exploration and development region, supported in part by improved commodity prices and renewed industry and investor interest.
The region offers a compelling combination of:
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Established mining infrastructure and highway access
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Proximity to power, workforce, and service centers
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Favorable permitting environment and community relationships
Recent acquisitions and investments within and adjacent to the district, include:
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Accelerating regional consolidation, highlighted by Coeur Mining’s announced acquisition of New Gold in a ~US$7 billion transaction1
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The Cameron Gold Project acquisition, led by Frank Giustra’s Fiore Group and First Mining Gold Corp., in a transaction valued at approximately CAD $27 million2.
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Growing exploration and development activity by junior, mid-tier, and senior mining companies, reflecting renewed industry interest in the Kenora and nearby districts
The Company notes growing support for mineral exploration at the provincial, regional, and municipal levels, including policies and initiatives intended to encourage responsible resource development and investment.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 6: Regional property map highlighting the Kenora District highlighting New Age Metals recent acquisitions illustrating proximity to Rainy River Mine and Cameron Gold Deposit and nearby towns, cities, infrastructure.
Qualified Person
Troy Gallik, P.Geo. (Member ID 3550), a Practising Registrant and Qualified Person (“QP”) as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Gallik is a geological consultant to New Age Metals Inc. and is not independent of the Company for the purposes of NI 43-101.
The QP has reviewed available assessment files, historical drill logs, geophysical data, government geological data, and publicly available technical reports relevant to the Company’s newly acquired claims. The QP has not completed sufficient work to independently verify all historical information referenced herein, particularly information generated by previous operators. However, the QP considers the historical information to be relevant and reliable for the purposes of identifying and discussing exploration potential.
About NAM
New Age Metals is a junior mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery, exploration, and development of critical green metal projects in North America. The Company has three divisions: a Platinum Group Element division, a Lithium/Rare Metals division, an Antimony-Gold Division as well as an investment in MetalQuest Mining’s (TSXV:MQM | OTC:MQMIF) high purity Lac Otelnuk Iron Project.
The PGM Division includes the 100% owned, multi-million-ounce, district-scale River Valley Project, one of North America’s largest undeveloped Platinum Group Element Projects, situated 100 km by road east of Sudbury, Ontario. In addition to River Valley, NAM owns 100% of the Genesis PGM-Cu-Ni Project in Alaska. Most recent PGM announcement: https://newagemetals.com/new-age-metals-prepares-its-platinum-group-metals-division-to-launch/.
On January 21st 2026, the Company recently expanded its Platinum Group Metals portfolio through the acquisition of the Northern Shield PGM Project in Ontario’s Ring of Fire region, strengthening its exposure to district-scale mafic–ultramafic systems prospective for nickel, copper, and platinum group elements.
On February 11, 2026, the Company also acquired the Platreef PGM Project, a platinum group metals–nickel–copper (PGM–Ni–Cu) exploration property located in northwestern Ontario within the prospective Lac des Iles Igneous Complex. The Complex hosts Canada’s only primary palladium-producing operation, owned and operated by Impala Canada Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Impala Platinum Holdings Limited.
New Age Metals’ Antimony–Gold division is located in Newfoundland and comprises a 20,950-hectare land package across 11 non-contiguous properties. Six of these properties are situated in the St. Alban’s area, along Canstar’s Swanger and Little River mineralized trends. The remaining five properties are strategically positioned along the same regional geological trend as the past-producing Beaver Brook Antimony Mine and are also located near New Found Gold’s Queensway South Gold Project.
Management has completed Phase 1 exploration and has now finished Phase 2 fieldwork. The Phase 2 program successfully delineated multiple gold–antimony (Au–Sb) trends, and the Company is currently planning follow-up exploration while awaiting additional assay results. These results will be used to guide exploration targeting and program planning for 2026 and beyond. Most recent releases: https://newagemetals.com/axiom-exploration-group-initiates-xcite-helicopter-borne-tdem-survey-over-nams-sentinel-antimony-property-newfoundland-nam-monitors-fintech-solutions-to-enhance-market-transparency/
https://newagemetals.com/new-age-metals-samples-high-grade-antimony-gold-silver-and-lead-at-st-albans-newfoundland-and-starts-phase-2-exploration/
The Bonanza Ridge Gold and Critical Metals Project has been significantly expanded with the option agreements for the Lavender Lake and South Gibi Lake properties, adding a combined ~5,216 hectares (~12,889 acres) of prospective ground in the Kenora Gold District of northwestern Ontario. These properties, located about 25 km southeast of Kenora, are strategically positioned along a favourable structural corridor adjacent to NAM’s flagship Bonanza Gold Property, and host known gold and copper occurrences with minimal modern exploration to date. The consolidated portfolio now comprises approximately 8,500 hectares of contiguous land within an emerging gold and critical metals jurisdiction, providing substantial opportunities for follow-up field work, structural modeling, target generation, and future drill campaigns. Recent announcement:https://newagemetals.com/new-age-metals-expands-bonanza-ridge-gold-andcritical-metals-project-strategic-acquisition-oflavender-lake-south-gibi-lake-properties/.
The Company is establishing a Kenora, Ontario based field operations hub to support exploration activities across Northwestern Ontario and Eastern Manitoba. The proposed facility would provide centralized logistical, technical, and administrative support for regional exploration programs and is expected to improve field efficiency and coordination.
The Company’s Lithium Division is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, where the Company is exploring hard rock lithium and various rare elements such as tantalum, rubidium, and cesium. NAM is developing its lithium division in conjunction with its Farm-in/Joint Venture agreement with Mineral Resources Ltd. (“MinRes”), one of the world’s largest lithium producers. A minimum budget to maintain the Projects has been approved by Mineral Resources Ltd for May 2025 to April 2026. Management is currently working on providing Mineral Resources, a go forward exploration program for spring, summer, and fall 2026.
In April 2024, a $1.5M NSERC Alliance grant was awarded to a collaboration led by the University of Manitoba (Drs. Fayek and Camacho), with academic partners from Lakehead University (Dr. Hollings) and industry partners including New Age Metals and Grid Metals. This research is focused on advancing Canada’s critical metals sector, with New Age Metals’ portion targeting its Bird River lithium properties. The 2025 work included core sampling and field visits. The project will likely extend beyond the original 3-year term, due to its delayed start. The parties involved in this grant plan to meet over the next 60 days and will announce our plans for 2026 and beyond.
New Age Metals Inc. is supporting a successful $180K Mitacs research grant, awarded in 2023, through its $90K contribution (already accounted for and paid under the Mineral Resources joint venture). This academic partnership with the University of New Brunswick and the University of British Columbia is focused on understanding the origin and controls of lithium pegmatite mineralization in the Cat Lake–Winnipeg River field. MSc and post-doctoral research programs have recently been completed, and the Company is reviewing the results with the academic institutions to assess how the findings may be incorporated into future exploration programs. This collaboration provides access to scientific expertise and equipment, significantly reducing analysis costs and adding long-term value to the project.
The Company is actively seeking an option/joint venture partner for our and its road-accessible Genesis PGM-Cu-Ni Project in Alaska and results from our Summer/Fall Program are expected by the end of the year. Recent announcement: https://newagemetals.com/new-age-metals-completes-summer-2025-exploration-program-on-the-genesis-pgm-cu-ni-project-alaska/ .
On August 6, 2025, New Age Metals announced an additional investment in a 4th critical metal. NAM currently owns approximately 9.63% and holds warrants that, if exercised with today’s issued and outstanding shares of MQM, would bring NAM to a 14.6% interest in MetalQuest Mining inc.
MetalQuest Mining inc. is developing one of North Americas largest iron projects, where approximately $120 million has been spent on the project. For more information, please visit MetalQuestMining.com . High-purity iron became a critical metal Federally in Canada and in the Provinces of Quebec and Newfoundland and Labrador in 2024. In the summer of 2025, MQM contracted AtkinsRealis, an international engineering company, to complete a GAP Analysis on the Lac Otelnuk Project and its 2015 Feasibility Study. Results are expected in Q1 2026.
MetalQuest Mining Inc. (“MQM”) has expanded its presence in the Ontario Ring of Fire through the acquisition of both the ROF-1 Project and the recently announced Fishhook Polymetallic Project. The Fishhook Project further strengthens MetalQuest’s regional footprint, targeting polymetallic mineralization prospective for base and critical metals.
Management is currently aggressively seeking new mineral acquisition opportunities on an international scale. Our philosophy is to be a project generator with the objective of optioning our projects with major and junior mining companies through to production.
Investors are invited to visit the New Age Metals website at www.newagemetals.com where they can review the company and its corporate activities. Any questions or comments can be directed to info@newagemetals.com or Harry Barr at Hbarr@newagemetals.com or Farid Mammadov at faridm@newagemetals.com or call 613 659 2773.
About MetalQuest Mining
MetalQuest Mining (MQM) owns 100% of Lac Otelnuk and is working to develop one of the largest Iron projects in North America. The Lac Otelnuk Iron Project is located in Quebec’s Labrador Trough and is approximately 165 km by air northwest of the Town of Schefferville, and 1200 km northeast of Montreal by air. The Company has recently acquired a portion of the underlying net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the Project, https://metalquestmining.com/news/metalquest-mining-amends-royalty-on-its-lac-otelnuk-iron-project-in-quebec/.
The Quebec government has transferred 100% of the claims into MQM’s name and management is accumulating a vast amount of technical data as approximately $120 million has been expended on the project to date. Going forward, one of our primary objectives will be to continue to work with Naskapi First Nation of Kawawachikamach with whom we have an Exploration and Pre-Development Agreement as of November 2023.
A Gap Study Analysis was completed as of February 18th, 2026, by AtkinsRéalis, a global engineering leader and lead author of the 2015 feasibility study, provided a clear framework for the Project’s next stage of advancement. Importantly, the review did not identify any issues that would preclude continued advancement of the Project. MetalQuest is advancing Lac Otelnuk through a phased approach focused on technical validation, modernization opportunities, infrastructure and logistics planning, ESG and permitting progress, and updated economic evaluation, with the goal of creating long-term value for shareholders and stakeholders.
On December 3rd, 2025, MetalQuest Mining (MQM) announced the acquisition of the ROF-1 Project, a critical minerals land package in Ontario’s Ring of Fire totaling 1,034 claims (~20,800 hectares, ~52,000 acres). The Ring of Fire is one of Canada’s most important emerging critical minerals districts, supported by growing infrastructure and government attention as the region advances toward potential development. ROF-1 Project is located approximately 10 km from major nearby deposits and has identified exploration potential for VMS-style mineralization and multiple untested target corridors based on historic work and technical review. https://metalquestmining.com/news/metalquest-secures-critical-minerals-project-in-northern-ontarios-ring-of-fire-region/
The previously announced acquisition of the Fishhook Polymetallic Project represents MetalQuest’s second step in building a broader multi-project Ring of Fire strategy, with the Company continuing to review additional opportunities in the region. https://metalquestmining.com/news/metalquest-acquires-a-second-22000-ha-property-in-the-ring-of-fire-northern-ontario-the-fishhook-polymetallic-project/
New Age Metals Inc., a significant shareholder of MetalQuest Mining Inc. with approximately 9.63% undiluted and ~14.6% partially diluted, has recently advanced into the Ring of Fire through the acquisition of new exploration properties, reflecting increasing exploration momentum within the district. New Age Metals’ activities are independent of MetalQuest’s operations.
New Age Metals is focused on the discovery and advancement of platinum group metals and other critical minerals projects in North America and has identified the Ring of Fire as a strategic area for long-term growth. The expansion of its exploration portfolio within this emerging district highlights continued industry interest in early-stage, district-scale opportunities supported by improving infrastructure, government engagement, and regional exploration activity.
With the acquisition of the Fishhook Polymetallic Project in the Ring of Fire, on the January 23rd, 2026 New Age Metals Inc. and MetalQuest Mining Inc. have assembled approximately 62,800 hectares (~155,200 acres), consisting of 3,067 mining claims, subject to a 1.0% NSR with a 0.5% buyback, forming a portfolio of early-stage exploration ground considered prospective for critical minerals. The companies will continue to evaluate further acquisitions in the district.
MetalQuest believes that the alignment of shareholder interest and regional exploration focus further supports the Company’s strategy of disciplined land acquisition and systematic exploration within the Ring of Fire.
MetalQuest Mining also recently acquired the West Cameron Gold Project located in the Kenora Mining District of Northwestern Ontario. The Project is situated along the same regional structural corridor that hosts the Cameron Lake Gold Deposit and is considered prospective for structurally controlled gold mineralization. The Company is currently reviewing historical exploration data and planning follow-up exploration programs designed to advance and evaluate the Project’s discovery potential.
The initial phase of work, planned for Winter/Spring 2026, at the recently acquired Superior Iron Project will comprise systematic ground truthing, detailed geophysical surveys, and comprehensive environmental baseline studies. These programs are designed to enhance the geological model, refine the understanding of mineralized zones, and delineate high-priority drill targets to support the next stage of exploration and project development.
The Company also owns ~1.45 million free trading shares and 2.5 million warrants at a strike price of $0.125 of Canadian Copper (CCI) as of the closing of trading on January 30th, 2026, CCI shares were trading at $0.78.
Two NSR royalties totaling 1% in the Murray Brook PEA Stage Zinc-Polymetallic Deposit, situated in the famous Bathurst Mining District, New Brunswick, Eastern Canada.
Canadian Copper Inc (CCI) must pay MQM a pre-production cash payment of $1 million before the project goes into production and has the right to purchase half of a 0.33% royalty for $1 million dollars.
In the event that CCI purchases half of the 0.33% royalty, MQM will retain 0.82% royalty in perpetuity.
The Company has indicated that it is completing a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) on processing the Murray Brook deposit at the Caribou Processing Complex. Release date is expected in the first half of 2026. CCI recently secured a financing to acquire the Caribou complex. The Caribou Processing Complex is approved and maintains all required operating permits. See CCI’s website for further details.
Investors are invited to visit the MetalQuest Mining website at www.metalquestmining.com where they can review the company and its corporate activities. Any questions or comments can be directed to Harry Barr at Hbarr@mqmining.com by telephone at 613 659 2773.
If you have not done so already, we encourage you to sign up on our website (www.newagemetals.com) to receive our updated news.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
“Harry Barr”
Harry G. Barr
Chairman and CEO of NAM and MQM
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.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as “continue”, “efforts”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “confident”, “intend”, “strategy”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “project”, “goal”, “target”, “prospects”, “optimistic” or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Company’s ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
1 As stated here: Coeur Mining, Inc. (2025). Coeur announces acquisition of New Gold to create a new all-North American senior precious metals producer. Coeur Mining News Release.
2 As stated here: First Mining Gold Corp. (2025, November 20). First Mining announces new partnership to advance Cameron Gold Project.
4 Ontario Geological Survey; Bidwell, G.E., 1990, Bulk Till Sampling Program, Quetico (Reconnaissance) Project.