Press Release - The Northern Miner

(via TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia – TheNewswire - May 25th, 2026 - Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTC: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) (WKN: A41WE4) ("Vault" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that planning has commenced for its maiden exploration program at the War Bond Tungsten Project (“War Bond”) which includes the Historical War Bond Tungsten Mine, Historical Tactite Tungsten Mine and Historical Thursday Tungsten Mine located in Nevada, USA. An exploration team is expected to be deployed to the project commencing the week of June 1st, 2026.

Nevada was ranked as the number one mining jurisdiction in the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies released on February 26th, 2026.1

Figure 1. Likely tungsten-related skarn or tactite-style mineralization observed at War Bond

“War Bond represents an exciting opportunity for Vault to begin applying modern exploration methods to a historical tungsten district in Nevada,” said Quinn Field-Dyte, Chief Executive Officer of Vault Strategic Mining Corp. “We are excited to get exploration underway across the War Bond, Tactite and Thursday historical tungsten mine areas. Nevada is a premier mining jurisdiction with a long mining history, established infrastructure and a supportive exploration environment. Our immediate objective is to verify and consolidate the historical information, complete field validation work and advance the project toward disciplined drill target generation.”

Maiden Exploration Program

The proposed field program, which the Company is fully funded to execute on, will focus on modern geological evaluation of the historical War Bond tungsten system. The proposed scope includes:

Detailed mapping of the intrusive-carbonate contact and skarn zoning, including garnet, epidote, and scheelite-bearing zones;
Underground and surface verification of historical zones, including accessible workings and mine dumps;
Channel sampling across tactite and adjacent structures, with appropriate QA/QC procedures;
Portable ultraviolet work to evaluate scheelite distribution and continuity;
Structural measurements to help constrain mineralized controls, plunge, and potential extensions; and
Development of high priority drill targets, including coordinates, sections, and conceptual collar locations.

Historical War Bond Tungsten Mine

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Figure 2. Lidar Survey at War Bond Historical Tungsten Mine

The War Bond claim package consists of 20 unpatented lode mining claims, covering approximately 400 acres, located in Delaware Mining District of western Nevada. The land package includes the historical War Bond Tungsten Mine, the Tactite and Thursday historical tungsten workings, and the Alex Eske historical tungsten mine area.

The War Bond Tungsten Project includes the historical War Bond, Tactite and Thursday tungsten mine areas in western Nevada. Available online historical records appear to treat War Bond, Tactite, Thursday, Old Discovery and Knight Claims as related or overlapping property names within the same broader tungsten occurrence area, rather than as fully separate modern projects. Western Mining History's MRDS-derived War Bond Mine record identifies War Bond Mine as a tungsten mine in Douglas County, Nevada, and lists Tactite and Thursday, Old Discovery and Knight Claims as secondary names.2

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Figure 3. Historical War Bond, Tactite and Thursday Tungsten Mines Claim Map

A separate MRDS-derived War Bond Tungsten Mine record identifies Tactite & Thursday, Old Discovery Claim, Knight Claims, Tungsten Valley Claim, Yellow Problem Claim and Margret Claim as related secondary names. That record also identifies Carson Tungsten Co. as owner, with an information year of 1952, and lists the operation category as past producer.3

Historical descriptions indicate that tungsten mineralization in the area is associated with scheelite-bearing tactite or skarn developed near granite-limestone contacts. The Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology publication Mineral Resources of Douglas, Ormsby, and Washoe Counties describes the Tactite Thursday claim as located about 15 miles southeast of Carson City in Section 9, T. 14 N., R. 21 E., and states that scheelite occurs in a small tactite area near a granite-limestone contact.4

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Figure 4. Likely tungsten-related skarn or tactite-style mineralization observed at War Bond

The MRDS-derived Tactite Thursday record describes the occurrence as a W skarn with scheelite as mineral and epidote, garnet, quartz and calcite as gangue minerals. The same record reports two principal mineralized areas, including a west zone with scheelite in narrow widths up to 0.3% WO3 and an east zone where scheelite is reported in small shoots with values ranging from 0.25% to 0.45% WO3 over widths of 4 to 8 feet.5

Historical assay and laboratory records in the Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Digital Library file titled Preliminary Examination of Tactite and Thursday Group include selected and dump sample results from 1942 and 1943. The file reports a selected sample from the upper location hole on Tactite Claim No. 1 at 14.40% WO3, two additional 1942 samples reporting 0.8% WO3 and 0.9% WO3, and a 1943 University of Nevada State Analytical Mining Laboratory report describing metamorphosed rock with garnet and traces of scheelite reporting tungsten trioxide of 0.35%.6

Historical production-related references are limited but relevant for exploration context. The War Bond Mine MRDS-derived record lists production for 1953, a time period of 1952 to 1953, and a reported grade description of approximately 0.3% to 0.45% WO3. The Tactite Thursday MRDS-derived record further states that a 250-ton test lot of material averaging 0.3% WO3 was mined from the Old Discovery East Pit.7

Based on these historical records, the project represents a historically explored tungsten skarn system with documented scheelite-bearing tactite mineralization, historical surface workings, historical sampling and limited historical mining or test-lot production.

Historical Information and Exploration Context

The mineral properties comprising the Company’s portfolio have been the subject of extensive historical exploration, development work, and, in several cases, past production. The historical exploration results, sampling, drilling and other technical information referenced herein were completed prior to the adoption of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and do not comply with current NI 43-101 requirements. As a result, such historical information should not be relied upon. While this historical information is non-compliant, it is considered highly relevant for exploration targeting, geological interpretation, and the design of modern exploration and evaluation programs.

Management believes that the existence of extensive historical work and past production creates a compelling foundation for modern exploration, particularly when reassessed using contemporary geological models, exploration technologies, metallurgical processes, and prevailing commodity prices. However, readers are cautioned that historical results, resources, or economic conclusions cannot be verified or confirmed at this time.

In order to define current mineral resources, assess metallurgy, and evaluate economic viability, the Company will be required to complete confirmation drilling, modern metallurgical studies, updated technical evaluations, and NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimates and feasibility or economic studies. There is no assurance that historical results will be confirmed or that any project will advance to economic viability.

The Company cautions that the acquisition of the War Bond Project remains subject to approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). There can be no assurance that TSXV approval will be obtained.

About Vault Strategic Mining Corp.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is a North American resource company focused on the acquisition and advancement of strategic and critical mineral projects located in top-tier mining jurisdictions. The Company emphasizes historical and underexplored assets with potential for value creation through modern exploration and disciplined development. Investors and Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the company on its Linkedin, 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).

Data Verification

Historical information referenced in this release has been reviewed against available reports; however, such data cannot be independently verified to current NI 43-101 standards and quality control procedures and are therefore considered supportive for exploration guidance only. The Company cautions that past results or production from properties in proximity to The Company may not necessarily be indicative of mineralization on the Company’s properties.

Qualified Person

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

Tel: 604.343.4338 | Email: info@vaultstrategic.com

ANY SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE "1933 ACT") AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES OR TO A U.S. PERSON IN THE ABSENCE OF SUCH REGISTRATION OR AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE 1933 ACT.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This release includes forward-looking statements regarding KNOX and the War Bond Project, which may include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the proposed exploration program at the War Bond Project, the expected deployment of a field team, the completion of the acquisition of the War Bond Project, the ability to obtain TSXV approval for the acquisition, and other factors. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "is expected", "expects", "scheduled", "intends", "contemplates", "anticipates", "believes", "proposes", "estimates" or 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. Such statements are based on the current expectations of the management of the Company. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed in this release, including the proposed exploration program and completion of the acquisition of the War Bond Project, may not occur by certain specified dates or at all and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting the Company, including the risk that KNOX may not obtain all requisite approvals for the acquisition, including the approval of the TSXV, risks of the resource industry, failure to obtain any other required regulatory approvals, economic factors, any estimated amounts, timing of the acquisition and required payments, the equity markets generally and risks associated with growth, exploration and development. Although KNOX has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed. Except as required by applicable securities laws, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and KNOX undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

1 Fraser Institute, "Annual Survey of Mining Companies, 2025," February 26, 2026, accessed May 22, 2026, https://www.fraserinstitute.org/studies/annual-survey-mining-companies-2025. The Fraser Institute national news release states that Nevada was the top-ranked jurisdiction worldwide for mining investment in the 2025 survey.

2 Western Mining History, "War Bond Mine," MRDS-derived record, accessed May 11, 2026, https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10014364/. The record identifies War Bond Mine as a tungsten mine in Douglas County, Nevada and lists Tactite and Thursday, Old Discovery and Knight Claims as secondary names.

3 Western Mining History, "War Bond Tungsten Mine," MRDS-derived record, accessed May 11, 2026, https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10149480/. The record lists Tactite & Thursday, Old Discovery Claim, Knight Claims, Tungsten Valley Claim, Yellow Problem Claim and Margret Claim as secondary names, identifies Carson Tungsten Co. as owner with an information year of 1952, and lists the operation category as past producer.

4 T.D. Overton, "Mineral Resources of Douglas, Ormsby, and Washoe Counties," Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Bulletin 46 / University of Nevada Bulletin, v. 41, no. 9, 1947, p. 42, accessed May 11, 2026, https://epubs.nsla.nv.gov/statepubs/epubs/196337.pdf. The publication describes the Tactite Thursday claim location and notes scheelite in a small tactite area near a granite-limestone contact.

5 Western Mining History, "Tactite Thursday," MRDS-derived record, accessed May 11, 2026, https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10043777/. The record identifies the deposit model as W skarn, lists scheelite as material mineral, and includes historical comments on mineralized zones and reported WO3 values.

6 Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Digital Library, "Preliminary Examination of Tactite and Thursday Group," Mining District Files, ID 13900011, Smith, R.M., 1943, Carson City, Delaware Mining District, Thursday Group, property report and assay report, accessed May 11, 2026, https://collections.nbmg.unr.edu/pages/view.php?ref=7433. The uploaded Tactite Thursday PDF contains the same historical laboratory pages reporting 1942 and 1943 sample values.

7 Western Mining History, "War Bond Mine," MRDS-derived record, accessed May 11, 2026, https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10014364/; Western Mining History, "Tactite Thursday," MRDS-derived record, accessed May 11, 2026, https://westernmininghistory.com/mine-detail/10043777/. The War Bond Mine record lists production year 1953, time period 1952 to 1953 and a grade description of 0.3% to 0.45% WO3. The Tactite Thursday record states that a 250-ton test lot averaging 0.3% WO3 was mined from the Old Discovery East Pit.