LEADING EDGE MATERIALS CLOSES FIRST TRANCHE OF C$ 6,000,000 PRIVATE PLACEMENT WITH BINDING STANDBY SUBSCRIPTION AND COMMITMENT OF CORNERSTONE SHAREHOLDER

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LEADING EDGE MATERIALS CLOSES FIRST TRANCHE OF C$ 6,000,000 PRIVATE PLACEMENT WITH BINDING STANDBY SUBSCRIPTION AND COMMITMENT OF CORNERSTONE SHAREHOLDER

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NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS RESTRICTION MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF U.S. SECURITIES LAWS. THIS PRESS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER, OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER, TO BUY OR SUBSCRIBE FOR ANY SECURITIES IN LEADING EDGE MATERIALS IN ANY JURISDICTION.

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Vancouver, August 18, 2026, Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“Leading Edge Materials” or the “Company”) (TSXV: LEM) (Nasdaq First North: LEMSE) (OTCQB: LEMIF) announces that the Company has closed a first tranche of the private placement announced previously on July 12, 2026, issuing 16,032,000 common shares at a price of $0.25/share for gross proceeds of CAD$4,008,000. The Company’s cornerstone shareholder, Mr Eric Krafft, has agreed to subscribe for any Units not otherwise purchased by investors under the private placement

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The common shares were issued as part of a unit (“Unit”) private placement. Each Unit will consist of one (1) common share (each, a “Common Share”) in the capital of the Company and one (1) Common Share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (a “Warrant Share”) at a price of C$0.40 per Warrant Share until the date which is two (2) years from the closing date of the Private Placement (the “Closing Date”).

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Leading Edge Materials intends to use the net proceeds to advance the Company’s projects in Sweden and Romania, as well as for general working capital and corporate purposes. In particular, following the recent award of a 25-year mining lease for the Norra Kärr Heavy Rare Earth Elements Project, proceeds will support Pre-Feasibility Study workstreams and environmental permitting for that project, alongside studies related to a possible restart of the Woxna Graphite mine and processing plant. The Company continues to seek alternative capital for its Romanian exploration activities, with on-the-groundwork focused on further definition of the most promising polymetallic targets.

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A finder’s fee of 6% was paid to arm’s length third party on a portion of the Private Placement. The Private Placement is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

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The securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to applicable statutory resale restrictions, including a hold period expiring on December 19, 2026, pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws.

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The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any United States state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable United States state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.