MetalQuest Mining Advances West Cameron Gold Project

Vancouver, BC — March 12, 2026 — Leads & Copy — MetalQuest Mining Inc. (TSX.V: MQM; OTCQB: MQMIF) has completed its technical due diligence review of the West Cameron Gold Project and provided formal notice to proceed under the option agreement with Gallik Explorations Inc. to acquire 100% interest in the Project.

The West Cameron Gold Project is located in the Kenora Mining District of northwestern Ontario. Gallik Explorations Inc. is a wholly owned company of Mr. Troy Gallik.

According to Chairman and CEO Harry Barr, completing due diligence and proceeding with the West Cameron Gold Project marks an important step as MetalQuest adds a new gold exploration division. Barr also stated that the Kenora Mining District remains an underexplored but prospective region, and West Cameron gives MetalQuest an opportunity to advance a structurally favorable project with good access and infrastructure. He added that the company's focus will be on disciplined exploration aimed at building long-term value for shareholders.

MetalQuest Mining Inc. will host an open house on April 11, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at its newly established Kenora, Ontario field operations office and core facility. The facility will also be shared with New Age Metals Inc., which currently holds approximately 10% of MetalQuest’s outstanding shares. Shareholders and interested parties are welcome to attend the open house, with food and refreshments provided. Those interested in attending are encouraged to contact Doug Bundy at thechief52@hotmail.com

The West Cameron Gold Project, which spans approximately 1,700 hectares, is located approximately 10 km south of the town of Sioux Narrows and 60 km south of the city of Kenora. The project benefits from year-round road access and established regional infrastructure.

The project is adjacent to First Mining Gold Corp.’s Cameron Gold Project, recently acquired by Frank Giustra’s Fiore Group.

Gold mineralization is hosted in shear zones, quartz-carbonate veining, altered felsic intrusions, and structurally deformed rock units. The interpreted regional Cameron Lake fault trend extends across the property.

MetalQuest is currently finalizing its 2026 exploration program, which is expected to include geological mapping, sampling, geophysical surveys, and targeted drilling to validate and expand known mineralization. Upon notice to proceed with the Agreement, the Company plans to engage with local First Nations communities and intends to pursue opportunities for collaborative and respectful partnerships.

The Kenora Mining District is emerging as an active exploration and development region, supported by improved commodity prices and renewed industry and investor interest. Recent acquisitions and investments within and adjacent to the district include Coeur Mining’s announced acquisition of New Gold in a ~US$7 billion transaction and the Cameron Lake Gold Project acquisition, led by Frank Giustra’s Fiore Group and First Mining Gold Corp., in a transaction valued at approximately CAD $27 million.

The West Cameron Gold Project is adjacent to the Cameron Lake claim group. The Cameron Lake Deposit hosts pit-constrained Measured and Indicated mineral resources of approximately 3.5 million tonnes grading 2.45 g/t Au, containing approximately 274,000 ounces of gold, and pit-constrained Inferred mineral resources of approximately 0.035 million tonnes grading 2.45 g/t Au, containing approximately 3,000 ounces of gold. In addition, the deposit hosts underground Measured and Indicated mineral resources of approximately 2.0 million tonnes grading 2.90 g/t Au, containing approximately 190,000 ounces of gold, and underground Inferred mineral resources of approximately 6.5 million tonnes grading 2.54 g/t Au, containing approximately 530,000 ounces of gold.

Historical surface sampling results on the West Cameron Project are reported in Ontario Ministry of Mines assessment filings, including the 2004 Geological Mapping and Sampling Report on the Cameron Lake Property (Cunniah Lake Inc.; Clark Exploration Inc.) and the 2014 Flint Lake Prospecting and Target Evaluation Report (Metals Creek Resources Corp.). These reports document grab samples returning values of up to 9.18 g/t Au from sheared mafic volcanic rocks, as well as grab samples returning values of up to 1.9 g/t Au from the New Porphyry intrusive target.

MetalQuest Mining Inc. may earn a 100% interest in the West Cameron Gold Project, subject to a 2% Net Smelter Return (“NSR”), by making a series of cash payments and share issuances. MetalQuest has the ability to terminate the agreement any time after the first year’s commitments have been completed. Any share payments that become issuable under the terms of the agreement will be based on a 10-day trading average prior to the date of issuance, subject to a minimum deemed issue price of $0.2475 per share. There are no finder’s fees payable in connection with this transaction.

The transaction and any securities issued in connection with the agreement are subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and a four-month plus one day hold period in accordance with applicable Securities Laws.

Troy Gallik, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

MetalQuest Mining (MQM) owns 100% of Lac Otelnuk and is working to develop one of the largest Iron projects in North America. 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.

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.

Investors are invited to visit the MetalQuest Mining website at www.metalquestmining.com.

Source: MetalQuest Mining Inc.