Vault Strategic Mining to Begin Exploration at Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine

Vancouver, British Columbia — May 18, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTC: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) is set to begin its maiden exploration program at the Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, part of the Gray Eagle Project in California.

Rangefront Mining Services has been contracted to revisit historical mine areas, verify accessible historical workings and surface exposures, gather geological and sampling data, and pinpoint priority targets for future drill testing. The goal is to evaluate the historical mine setting and identify targets to potentially expand the historical tungsten resource detailed in past records.

Quinn Field-Dyte, CEO of Vault Strategic Mining Corp., emphasized the importance of Rangefront's involvement in advancing the Mirage-Mariposa historical tungsten mine. He noted the increasing recognition of tungsten as a critical mineral and the focus on domestic and allied critical mineral supply chains.

The initial field program will include:

• Detailed mapping of the intrusive-carbonate contact and skarn zoning.
• Verification of historical zones.
• Channel sampling across tactite and adjacent structures.
• Portable ultraviolet work to evaluate scheelite distribution and continuity.
• Structural measurements to help constrain mineralized controls.
• Development of high priority drill targets.

Rangefront will provide Vault with field data, mapping files, datasets, and a technical summary upon completion. Vault anticipates that this information will aid in prioritizing target areas for confirmation and expansion drilling.

The Gray Eagle Project, which includes the Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, consists of 33 contiguous unpatented lode claims totaling approximately 681.8 acres, situated about 10 kilometers east of Bishop, California, within the White Mountains. The area features mineralized prospects along a granite-limestone contact, an environment conducive to tungsten skarn mineralization and hydrothermal precious-metal vein systems.

Historical records describe replacement-style and disseminated mineralization, contact metasomatic processes, intense wallrock alteration, and carbonate-silicate alteration, with reported minerals including scheelite, garnet, epidote, quartz, and argentite.

Vault previously announced its agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, pending TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

Rangefront Mining Services, a Nevada-based geological consulting firm, offers project management, data analysis, field services, and NI 43-101 compliant reporting.

Historical data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) indicates resources of approximately 21,000 indicated tons and 34,400 inferred tons of subeconomic resources at the Mirage-Mariposa Mine, with an average grade of 0.15% tungsten trioxide. This estimate predates NI 43-101 standards and has not been independently verified by Vault. Further work is required to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource.

Vault Strategic also announced a marketing services agreement with Capitaliz Marketing Inc. for investor awareness and digital marketing, with an initial budget of $50,000.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. focuses on acquiring and advancing strategic and critical mineral projects in North America. The company trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: KNOX), OTC Markets (OTCID: KNXFF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: M850).

Mr. William Feyerabend, CPG, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this release.

Source: Vault Strategic Mining