NorthWest Announces 2026 Drilling Underway at Kwanika

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A key priority is the Western Zone, where we are targeting higher-grade mineralization to improve our confidence in the existing underground mineral resource and further support bulk underground mining methods. Our improved geological understanding suggests historical drilling of the northern extension of the mineralized system was poorly oriented, representing a significant opportunity to improve both the continuity and potential extension of the open pit mineral resources at Kwanika. We are already considering extending open pit drilling by an additional 400 meters next year. We also believe the recently reported palladium results will further enhance our understanding of the project’s structural controls, correlations, and metal zonation that would further de-risk the geological interpretations supporting mineral resources.”

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2026 Drill Program Details

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At Kwanika, two drill rigs are targeting deep holes in the Western Zone, progressing from east to west locations, while a third rig is focused on shallow holes in the Pit Zone, progressing from south to north. The Company has laid out 14 holes totalling 8,600 metres in the Western Zone and 27 holes totalling 5,675 metres in the Pit Zone, which totals 14,275 metres, however, given current drill constraints we are only expecting to drill up to 10,000 metres during the 2026 season assuming we can extend it beyond July. A drill collar location map showing the planned holes in the context of the geology model is provided in Figure 1.

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Figure 1: Plan View of 2026 Drill Hole Locations

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The Company will provide additional updates on the drill program as results become available over the coming months.

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Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified, and approved by Geoff Chinn, P.Geo., VP Business Development and Exploration for NorthWest, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects.

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About NorthWest:

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NorthWest is a copper-gold exploration and development company with a pipeline of advanced and early-stage projects in British Columbia, including Kwanika-Stardust, Lorraine-Top Cat and East Niv. With a robust portfolio in an established mining jurisdiction, NorthWest is well positioned to participate fully in strengthening global copper and gold markets. The Company is committed to responsible mineral exploration, working collaboratively with First Nations to help ensure future development incorporates stewardship best practices and respects traditional land use. Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.northwestcopper.ca.

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On Behalf of NorthWest
“Paul Olmsted”
CEO, NorthWest Copper

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For further information, please contact: 
416-457-3333
[email protected]  

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Neither the TSXV 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.

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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information 

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This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, to statements with respect to; plans and intentions of the Company; proposed exploration and development of NorthWest’s exploration property interests; the Company’s ability to finance future operations; mine plans; magnitude or quality of mineral deposits; the development, operational and economic results of current and future potential economic studies; adding the Lorraine resource to the Kwanika-Stardust Project; the Company’s short-term and long-term goals; geological interpretations; the estimation of Mineral Resources; anticipated advancement of mineral properties or programs; future exploration prospects; the completion and timing of technical reports; future growth potential of NorthWest; and future development plans.