Vault Strategic Mining Corp. Advances War Bond Tungsten Project with High-Resolution UAV Magnetic Survey

Vancouver, British Columbia — July 13, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTC: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) (WKN: A41WE4) is advancing plans for a high-resolution UAV-based airborne magnetic survey at its War Bond Tungsten Project in Nevada, USA. This project encompasses the Historical War Bond Tungsten Mine, Historical Tactite Tungsten Mine, and Historical Thursday Tungsten Mine.

Nevada was recognized as the number one mining jurisdiction globally in the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies released on February 26th, 2026. The proposed Drone-Mag survey is scheduled to be executed by Pioneer Exploration Consultants Ltd., a firm specializing in UAV-based geophysical surveying. The survey will involve collecting approximately 70 line-kilometres of airborne magnetic data along tightly spaced 25-metre flight lines and 250-metre perpendicular tie lines, ensuring high-density geophysical coverage over the target area.

Vault intends to leverage the survey results to refine its geological interpretation, identify structural trends, and delineate magnetic features potentially associated with tungsten-bearing systems and historical mine workings. The company views this geophysical program as a crucial step in transitioning from historical mine-scale observations and surface exploration to a systematic drill targeting model.

"War Bond represents a compelling historical tungsten project in one of the world’s top mining jurisdictions, and our objective is to move aggressively but methodically toward drill-ready targets," stated Quinn Field-Dyte, Chief Executive Officer of Vault Strategic Mining Corp. "This planned Drone-Mag survey is designed to give us a higher-resolution subsurface dataset that can be integrated with mapping, sampling, historical workings and structural interpretation. The goal is clear: delineate priority targets and build a disciplined drill program."

The survey will employ a UAV-based magnetic system, including a Blacksquare Hercules drone platform, a GEM Systems GSMP-35U potassium vapour magnetometer, and GEM Systems GSM-19 Overhauser base stations. This methodology is designed for high-quality magnetic data collection while ensuring safe, efficient, and terrain-following flight operations.

Publicly available LiDAR data will be utilized to generate digital elevation and surface models, supporting accurate terrain following and obstacle avoidance. Upon completion, deliverables are expected to include a survey logistics report, total field map, first vertical derivative map, analytical signal map, and a processed, micro-levelled magnetic database. The company anticipates evaluating the Drone-Mag data alongside current and historical exploration information to define targets for follow-up work, which may include ground truthing, mapping, sampling, and drill planning. Vault cautions that geophysical anomalies do not necessarily indicate mineralization, and all targets will require subsequent exploration and geological verification.

The War Bond claim package comprises 20 unpatented lode mining claims, covering approximately 400 acres in the Delaware Mining District of western Nevada. The land package includes the historical War Bond Tungsten Mine, the Tactite and Thursday historical tungsten workings, and a historical tungsten mine area. Historical records suggest that War Bond, Tactite, Thursday, Old Discovery, and Knight Claims may refer to related or overlapping property names within the same broader tungsten occurrence area. A Western Mining History MRDS-derived record identifies the War Bond Mine as a tungsten mine in Douglas County, Nevada, listing Tactite and Thursday, Old Discovery, and Knight Claims as secondary names.

Another MRDS-derived record for the War Bond Tungsten Mine identifies Tactite & Thursday, Old Discovery Claim, Knight Claims, Tungsten Valley Claim, Yellow Problem Claim, and Margret Claim as related secondary names. This record indicates Carson Tungsten Co. as owner in 1952 and categorizes the operation as a past producer.

Historical descriptions indicate that tungsten mineralization in the area is linked to scheelite-bearing tactite or skarn developed near granite-limestone contacts. A Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology publication describes the Tactite Thursday claim, located southeast of Carson City, noting scheelite occurrence in a small tactite area near a granite-limestone contact. The MRDS-derived Tactite Thursday record describes the deposit model as W skarn, with scheelite as the mineral and epidote, garnet, quartz, and calcite as gangue minerals. It reports two main mineralized areas: a west zone with scheelite in narrow widths up to 0.3% WO3, and an east zone where scheelite is found in small shoots with values ranging from 0.25% to 0.45% WO3 over widths of 4 to 8 feet.

Historical assay and laboratory records from 1942 and 1943 include selected and dump sample results. One report shows a selected sample from the upper location hole on Tactite Claim No. 1 at 14.40% WO3, with two additional samples from 1942 reporting 0.8% and 0.9% WO3. A 1943 University of Nevada State Analytical Mining Laboratory report described metamorphosed rock with garnet and traces of scheelite, yielding tungsten trioxide of 0.35%.

Limited historical production references exist. The War Bond Mine MRDS-derived record lists production for 1953 and a time period of 1952 to 1953, with a reported grade of approximately 0.3% to 0.45% WO3. The Tactite Thursday MRDS-derived record states that a 250-ton test lot averaging 0.3% WO3 was mined from the Old Discovery East Pit. Based on these records, the project is considered a historically explored tungsten skarn system with documented scheelite-bearing tactite mineralization, historical surface workings, sampling, and limited historical mining or test-lot production.

The mineral properties have undergone extensive historical exploration and development, with several instances of past production. However, the referenced historical exploration results, sampling, and technical information predate National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and do not meet current requirements, thus should not be relied upon without verification. While non-compliant, this historical information is considered relevant for exploration targeting, geological interpretation, and designing modern exploration programs. Management believes the historical work and past production provide a foundation for modern exploration using contemporary models, technologies, metallurgical processes, and commodity prices. Readers are cautioned that historical results, resources, or economic conclusions cannot be presently verified. Confirmation drilling, modern metallurgical studies, updated technical evaluations, and NI 43-101 compliant resource estimates and feasibility or economic studies will be required to define current mineral resources and assess economic viability. There is no assurance that historical results will be confirmed or that any project will advance to economic viability.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is a North American resource company focused on acquiring and advancing strategic and critical mineral projects in top-tier mining jurisdictions, emphasizing historical and underexplored assets with potential for value creation through modern exploration and disciplined development. Investors and stakeholders can follow the company on its LinkedIn and X.com, and subscribe for updates at https://vaultstrategic.com/. Vault Strategic Mining Corp. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: KNOX), OTC Markets (OTCID: KNXFF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: M850).

Historical information referenced has been reviewed against available reports but cannot be independently verified to current NI 43-101 standards and quality control procedures and is therefore considered supportive for exploration guidance only. The Company cautions that past results or production from nearby properties may not necessarily be indicative of mineralization on its own properties.

Mr. William Feyerabend, CPG, an independent Consulting Geologist and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the disclosure in this news release for consistency with NI 43-101 reporting requirements.

On behalf of the Board:

Vault Strategic Mining Corp.

"Quinn Field-Dyte"

Chief Executive Officer & Director

Source: Vault Strategic Mining Corp.