Midland, In Partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, Intersects New Lithium and Cesium Bearing Pegmatites During the 2025 Drilling Program on the Galinée Project

8 January 2026

Montreal, January 8, 2026.Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD), in partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”),is pleased to announce the results of the 2025 drilling campaign for lithium on the Galinée project. The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometres east of the Adina lithium deposit held by Winsome Resources (“Winsome”) and is subject to an option agreement signed with RTEC in June 2023 (see press release by Midland dated June 14, 2023) and amended in April 2024 (see press release by Midland dated April 23, 2024).

Highlights:

  • A total of twenty-three (23) additional drill holes completed in 2025:
    • 1.14% Li2O over 30.59 metres, including 1.77% Li2O over 18.39 metres (TLIB0051);
    • 0.53% Li2O over 22.90 metres, including 1.09% Li2O over 6.10 metres (TLIB0044);
    • 1.08% Li2O over 17.10 metres (TLIB0034);
  • Identification of new cesium mineralization in 2024-2025 drill holes:
    • 9.15% Cs2O over 6.40 metres (TLIB0006);
    • 1.89% Cs2O over 12.10 metres (TLIB0044);
  • Identification of new gold mineralization:
    • 8.8 g/t Au over 1.03 metres (TLIB0049);
    • 3.3 g/t Au over 0.68 metres (TLIB0049);
  • High resolution (low level) drone magnetics covering the project is completed;
  • RTEC paid the remaining option agreement cash payments for a total of $487,500.

Galinée 2025 Drilling Program

The 2025 drilling program on Galinée consisted of fourteen (14) diamond drill holes and nine (9) reverse circulation (“RC”) drill holes totalling 4,105.09 metres, out of which 1,078.60 metres were RC drilling. All assay results have been received and the best lithium results are summarized in the table below.

HoleID From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Li2O (%)
TLIB0030 27.643.916.30.73
TLIB0034 47.664.717.11.08
TLIB0044 25.948.822.90.53
Including25.929.03.11.26
Including32.038.16.11.09
TLIB0051 46.9177.530.61.14
Including46.9165.318.41.77

* Composite intervals with pegmatites greater than 10 metres and 0.40% Li2O% cut-off grade

Evaluation of the 2024-2025 drilling analytical results have identified several new cesium mineralized intervals. Best results are summarized in the table below.

HoleID From (m)To (m)Interval (m)Cs2O (%)
TLIB0006 188.6195.06.49.15
TLIB0015 46.850.73.91.37
TLIB0030 34.843.99.10.52
TLIB0044 38.150.312.21.89

* Composite intervals with pegmatites greater than 3 metres and 0.30% Cs2O% cut-off grade

The objectives of the 2025 drilling campaign were to follow up on 2024 intersections that were mainly outside the core of the main Iceberg area and which remained open and required further testing, and also conduct step-outs throughout the property to test structural targets. A high-resolution magnetic drone survey was completed on the project and the data used for targeting. The drilling campaign mainly focused on four target areas relative to the Iceberg Showing, such as northeast, south, southeast, and finally to the far west of the Galinée project. Drill results from holes TLIB0030, TLIB0034, TLIB0044 and TLIB0051 suggest the presence of laterally extensive west-east lithium pegmatites south of the Iceberg Showing. Best results returned core length interval composites of 1.14% Li2O over 30.6 metres, including 1.77% Li2O over 18.4 metres in hole TLIB0051. Hole TLIB0024 returned 1.08% Li2O over 17.1 metres. The newly identified cesium mineralization returned four (4) intervals with a maximum of 9.15% Cs2O over 6.4 metres in hole TLIB0006.

Hole TLIB0049 did not intersect pegmatites, but is the first hole to traverse the amphibolite-paragneiss contact south of the project. This contact is sheared and silicified with quartz veining and returned 8.8 g/t Au over 1.03 metres and 3.3 g/t Au over 0.68 metres. A similar contact was observed at surface at the Elsa Showing (3.26 g/t Au over 2.4 metres) located 1.90 kilometres west-northwest of TLIB0049 (see press release by Midland dated May 23, 2019).

HoleIDEasting (m)Northing (m)Azimuth (°)Dip (°)Depth (m)Core SizeType
TLIB0029677559591010314-90117.353¼”RC
TLIB0030677032590917830-60201.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0031677796591002118-90146.303¼”RC
TLIB0032677306590984724-70249.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0033678104590969927-90146.303¼”RC
TLIB0034677360590916821-70177.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0035678534590975420-90118.873¼”RC
TLIB0036677711590966742-7046.39HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0037677711590966741-75300.45HQDiamond drilling
TLIB003867390759092315-90120.403¼”RC
TLIB003967386759091196-90121.533¼”RC
TLIB0040678146590921130-60267.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0041675828590983314-90111.253¼”RC
TLIB0042677159590906630-60216.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB004367573359090126-90112.783¼”RC
TLIB004467469859090756-9083.823¼”RC
TLIB004567564859091096-60183.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00466773115908964318-60240.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00476761575908731318-60213.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00486796865907842338-60207.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00496803495908372228-60210.65HQDiamond drilling
TLIB005068048759085288-60252.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB005167439959090718-70264.00HQDiamond drilling

* TLIB0001-TLIB0028 in the press release by Midland dated December 19, 2024
* Coordinates in UTM zone 18, NAD83

Geological and structural observations suggest that two distinct styles of lithium mineralization occur on the Galinée project. The first style, in the Iceberg area, consists of 10 to 20 metres-thick stacked spodumene pegmatite system that is shallow dipping and oblique to the regional shear by about 30 degrees. The second style, south of Iceberg, generally consists of less than 10 metres-thick lithium pegmatites that are laterally extensive and oriented west-east, parallel to the regional shear. Both types of pegmatites are likely linked to a same intrusive event, but differ in their emplacement conditions. The laterally extensive pegmatites along the shear zone were emplaced during periods of high strain and limited dilation potential, resulting in thinner pegmatites. In the Iceberg area, transpression-related deformation created the appropriate dilational environment for tension gashes to form probably due to large blocks of granodiorite surrounding amphibolite. This local shearing and tension gashes, oblique to the main shear zone, could have emplaced the Iceberg stacked pegmatite system.

The Iceberg spodumene pegmatite bodies remain open along strike and to depth and more drilling will be necessary to more precisely determine their geometry and extension. Early metallurgical tests on select core sections using LIBS scanning to identify and quantitatively determine grain size and the lithium mineralogy is ongoing.

Galinée 2024 Drilling Program

The 2024 drilling program on Galinée consisted of twenty-one (21) diamond drill holes and seven (7) RC drill holes totalling 6,284.86 metres, out of which 819.92 metres were RC drilling. The objectives were to test the 2023 Iceberg Showing area with diamond drilling while using reverse circulation drilling to test conceptual, prospecting and geophysical targets. The drilling campaign mainly focused on the Iceberg showing and also the White Stripes, Surge, Snow Fox and White Lightning showings (see press release by Midland dated October 24, 2024). Surface geological mapping combined with drilling has identified a series of at least seven (7), meter to decametre scale, spodumene pegmatite bodies. Drill results from holes TLIB0014, TLIB0018, TLIB0022, TLIB0023, and TLIB0026 suggest extension of the Iceberg showing to the east, while hole TLIB0020, furthermore, suggests extensions towards the west. The highlight result thus far returned core length interval composites of 1.38% Li2O over 37.86 metres, including 1.88% Li2O over 21.35 metres, in hole TLIB0007. Hole TLIB0026 returned 1.03% Li2O over 32.87 metres and hole TLIB0018 returned up to 1.46% Li2O over 27.34 metres (see press release by Midland dated December 19, 2024). Correlations in sections suggest that the spodumene pegmatite bodies dip shallowly, typically less than 30 degrees, and are often observed as stacked sets in the drill holes.

About the Galinée Project

The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometres due east of the Adina deposit (consolidated mineral resources of 61.4 Mt at 1.14% Li2O Indicated and 16.5 Mt at 1.19% Li2O Inferred, see press release by Winsome dated May 28, 2024) held by Winsome. This deposit is located at the contact between amphibolites of the Trieste Formation to the south and felsic intrusives to the north and is marked by a major structure that likely controlled the emplacement of pegmatites at Adina. The same highly favourable contact zone is present on the property over more than 7 kilometres, and the Iceberg lithium showing was discovered along this contact (see press release by Midland dated September 19, 2023).

About the Option Agreement

RTEC notified Midland its intent to exclude the Mythril East, Corvette, Chisaayuu, Moria, Shire, Warp, Sulu, Picard and Wookie projects from the option agreement, thus returning these projects 100% to Midland. RTEC also paid the remaining option agreement cash payments for a total of $487,500.

Quality Control

RTEC sampling protocols include the insertion of blanks, duplicates, and standards as such: Internal blanks were inserted at the beginning of every drill hole, or sample batch, and were inserted every 30 samples throughout. Field duplicates of ¼ cut drill cores were also inserted every 30 samples (with the parent sample immediately preceding). At least 1 CRM standard was inserted within every intersected pegmatite interval. CRM materials used included OREAS 750, OREAS 751, OREAS 753 and OREAS 999 for mineralized samples; OREAS 520 and OREAS 524 for unmineralized materials. All samples were prepared by ALS Laboratories in Thunder Bay using a preparation package whereby the entire sample is crushed to 70% less than 2-millimetre mesh size using a Boyd crusher and splitter combination. A one-kilogram split of crushed material is pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns mesh size. ALS internally sends all pulps to ALS Geochemistry in Vancouver for analysis.

Pegmatite materials were analyzed by a multi-method analytical package: (1) ME-MS61L four acid digest and ICP-MS multicollector multi-element analysis, (2) ME-ICP06 lithium borate fusion whole rock analysis, and (3) ME-MS81 lithium borate fusion trace element analysis.  All samples reporting >4500 ppm Li are reported by both a dilution method from the four-acid digest ME-MS61L and reanalyzed by Li-ICP82b sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES determination.

Cautionary Statements

The true thickness of mineralized intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available.

RC drilling can statistically return higher grades because of physical and mechanical processes involved in this type of drilling.

Lithium mineralization occurring at the deposits mentioned in this press release is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be intersected on projects held by Midland and mentioned in this press release.

About Midland

Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold and critical metals. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as RTEC, BHP Canada Inc., Centerra Gold Inc., Barrick Gold Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd, Probe Gold Inc., Electric Elements Mining Corp., SOQUEM Inc., Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund, and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up Midland’s portfolio and generate shareholder value.

Qualified Person and Chief Geologist Jean-François Larivière, P. Geo, Ph. D, prepared, reviewed and approvedthis press release and verified the Galinée project data as Midland’s qualified person (QP) within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

For further information, please consult Midland’s website or contact:

Gino Roger, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: 450 420-5977
Fax: 450 420-5978
Email: info@midlandexploration.com
Website: https://www.midlandexploration.com/

Neither 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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements relating to the Corporation’s expectations regarding the conclusion of additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties, and other estimates and statements that describe Midland’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Midland or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, without limitation, changes in general economic conditions and conditions in the financial markets, changes in demand and prices for minerals, failure to obtain the requisite permits and approvals from government bodies and third parties, regulatory and governmental policy changes (laws and policies) and those risks set out in Midland’s public documents, including in each management discussion and analysis, filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com. Although Midland believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Midland disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Documents

© Midland exploration 2022
Powered by TMR Communications : referencing and creation of websites.

Projets

Abitibi
Baie James
Grenville
Nunavik

Projects

Abitibi
James Bay
Grenville
Nunavik

MARIO MASSON, P. GEO.

V.P. Exploration

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Mario Masson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the Université de Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, Mario worked several years has a geologist at Nipadex and Muscocho. In 1990, he started working for Noranda Exploration in Matagami has a Project Geologist and was a part of the team that found the Orchan West and Bell Allars deposits. He was also involved in the discovery of the Perseverance deposit in the Matagami Mining Camp in 2000. After this discovery, Mario and his team win the PDAC Bill Dennis Award in 2001. From 2002 to 2007, he was in charge of the exploration activities in the Noranda Mining Camp has a Senior Geologist for Noranda Inc – Falconbridge ltée – Xstrata Copper. In addition, he was also involved in the discovery of the West Ansil deposit in the Noranda Mining Camp in 2005, which allowed the Falconbridge ltée exploration team to win the Prospector of the Year award at the QMEA. Since January 2008, he is a part of Midland Exploration team as VP Exploration.

Gino Roger, ing.

President,CEO, Director

Since November 1, 2006, Gino Roger has been President and CEO of Midland Exploration Inc. In 1990, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Laval University in Geological Engineering. . From May 1990 to October 2006, Mr. Roger was a senior and regional project geologist for Xstrata, Falconbridge and Noranda. He actively participated in the generation, acquisition and negotiation of a number of projects and the discovery of base metal deposits. He mainly worked in Quebec, Ontario, BC-Yukon and Sweden on different metallogenic projects and environments: gold, VMS, Sedex, MVT and IOCG. He and his team received the prestigious QMEA prospector of the year award in 2005 for the discovery of the West-Ansil deposit. Mr. Roger is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. He acted as an administrator of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) for more than 28 years and is still an administrator of CONSOREM.

Jean-Pierre Janson

Chairman of the Board

Since 2019, Jean-Pierre Janson has been a consultant for Richardson Wealth Limited. From 2005 to 2019, he was Senior Director, National Wealth Management, at Richardson GMP Limited. He has also been a director and Chairman of the Board of Midland Exploration Inc. since 2005. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Janson has served as Managing Director at CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services (Quebec) Inc. (Eastern Canada) and held executive positions at Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. and Midland Walwyn Inc. He has also been a director of Tri Origin Exploration Ltd. since May 2004 and a trustee of BTB Real Investment Trust since September 2007. In addition, he is a director of SIDEX s.e.c. and Harfang Exploration. In over 30 years in the financial services industry, he has built a reputation of trust and respect.

RENÉ BRANCHAUD

Secretary and Director

René Branchaud holds an LLB from Université Laval obtained in 1982. He has been a lawyer since 1983 and is a partner of the law firm Lavery, de Billy L.L.P. He has a vast experience as secretary and director of mining corporations.

INGRID MARTIN

Chief Financial Officer

Ingrid Martin holds a Bachelor in Business Management from the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC), in Montréal, Quebec. She is a member of the Order of Chartered professional accountants of Quebec since 1990 and possesses a vast experience as consultant for public companies. She acts, also, as Chief Financial Officer of Vior Inc. Mrs. Martin is devoting 40% of her time to Midland Exploration.

PAUL ARCHER

Director

Paul Archer has a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering and a Master’s degree in Earth Science. He has more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry, particularly in exploration for gold and base metals in Archean terrains. He developed his expertise working with various companies, including Shell Minerals, Noranda Exploration, Northgate Explorations, Westminer Canada and SOQUEM, where he was Regional Manager for Northern Quebec. On May 1, 1996, Mr. Archer joined Virginia Mines as Vice-President of Exploration and Acquisitions and Director. Mr. Archer was actively involved in the discovery and development of the Eleonore project, from the preliminary field campaign through to the sale of the deposit to Goldcorp. In November 2014, he joined Osisko’s management team following the Osisko/Virginia merger. He was elected President of the Quebec Prospectors Association in 1996 and 1997. Over the years, Mr. Archer has received, on behalf of Virginia, several prestigious prizes, including the Bill Dennis Award from the PDAC in 2006 for the discovery of the Eleonore deposit.

ANNIE DUTIL

Director

Annie Dutil is a member of the Quebec CPA Order and is Nomad’s corporate controller. Ms. Dutil brings over 15 years of extensive mining knowledge, specifically in the areas of public accounting, compliance with financial information obligations and regulatory matters. Prior to joining Nomad, Ms. Dutil has held a number of positions at PwC, including a role as director where she has led the Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services group in Montréal. In her current and previous roles, she has assisted several companies in their capital markets activities, including initial public offerings, financings, cross-border transactions and complex accounting and regulatory matters. Ms. Dutil is the co-founder of the Montreal chapter of Women in Mining and is involved in many community and philanthropic activities, currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Factry, the School of the Creative Sciences, and Théâtre de la Banquette Arrière.

Jean des Rivières

Director

Mr. Jean des Rivières holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal and a Master’s degree of Science in Geology from École Polytechnique de Montréal affiliated to the University of Montreal. He has over 35 years of diversified experience in the exploration and mining industries while working in more than 50 countries touching base and precious metals. He most recently held the position of global Vice President Metals Exploration at BHP and previously held managerial and technical positions at Rio Algom, BHP, and Noranda. With BHP, Mr des Rivières chaired the Inclusion and Diversity committee of the Americas. After a successful career, he recently joined the board of directors of First Majestic Silver Corp., Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd., and Midland Exploration Inc.

JEAN-FRANÇOIS LARIVIÈRE, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Jean-François holds a PhD from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in Mineral resources, specialist in zinc-bearing mineralization with an expertise in metallogeny of metalliferous deposits.

RICHARD ST-CYR, P. GEO.

Project geologist

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec, British Colombia and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since 2012, Richard holds a Bachelor degree in Resources Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, he was a Project Geologist for Services Technominex – Aurizon Mines, Sirios and Unigold on several gold exploration projects. Between 1997 and 2006, he worked has a Project Geologist (5 years) and Technical Director (4 years) for the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund. At the beginning of his career, Richard worked as a Prospector for SOQUEM, Virginia Gold / Barrick Gold on gold projects in James Bay and Northern Quebec. He was also involved in the exploration of the Eskay Creek discovery in British Colombia.

LOUIS-PHILIPPE RICHARD, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 10 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Louis-Philippe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Université Laval. Prior to joining the team, he worked 4 years for Nemaska Exploration / Monarch Resources / Nemaska Lithium in the Nemiscau area where he managed and participated exploration campaigns for lithium, gold and base metals. He also participated in the development of the Whabouchi lithium project.

Romain Deflin, P.Geo.

Project Geologist

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration, Romain Deflin holds a degree in geological engineering from l’ENSG (École National Supérieure de Géologie in Nancy) and a master degree in Mineral Resource Exploration from Université de Lorraine. He completed a 4 months internship with Midland before joining the team permanently in 2019.

Philippe Allard, Geo. M.Sc.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Québec, Canadian Arctic, and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since May 2019, Philippe holds a Bachelor degree in Geology and a master in Earth Sciences from UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal). Before joining Midland’s team, Philippe worked as an Exploration Geologist for Goldcorp, Ressources Sirios, Unigold and the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund (NMEF). At the beginning of his career, he also worked as an assistant geologist and a geologist for Virginia Gold Mines, Cambiex, Miramar Mining, Noranda Exploration, SOQUEM and Services Miniers du Nord on gold and base metals projects, mainly in James Bay. Moreover, he was at the origin of the discovery by prospection of the Cheechoo deposit in James Bay in 2010.

SYLVAIN TRÉPANIER, P.GEO.

Geologist Consultant

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and research in Quebec.

Sylvain Trépanier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, a Master’s degree in Earth Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Université du Québec à Montréal. Sylvain began his career for Noranda in 1995 and worked on various projects in Quebec until 2001. From 2004 to 2012, he worked has a research geologist at CONSOREM. During his years working at CONSOREM, he has carried out numerous research projects applied to mineral exploration and has developed expertise recognized in Quebec in various fields related to exploration: lake-bottom, streams and tills sediments geochemistry, alterations lithogeochemistry, statistical data processing and potential mineral evaluation by artificial intelligence. He is the author of several scientific articles, research reports and public presentations. He designed and developed the Lithomodeleur software for geochemistry treatment, which is now widely used in Quebec by exploration companies, governments and universities. From 2012 to 2016, he worked for Virginia Mines and Osisko Gold Royalties as a Senior Research Geologist and was involved in most of the company’s projects in James Bay and the Labrador Trough. He is co-recipient of the QMEA Jean-Descarreaux Award in 2011 with the CONSOREM team. Mr. Trépanier joined Midland in November 2016 as a VP Exploration James-Bay/Northern Quebec.