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L.A. County sues Roblox, alleges platform makes it easy for adults to target children

February 21, 2026 Business 4 Mins Read

Los Angeles County filed a civil lawsuit against Roblox, alleging that the platform markets itself as a gaming experience for children but has created a ‘largely unsupervised online world’ that allows adults to mingle with minors with very little oversight.

The lawsuit says that Roblox’s architecture makes it easy for adults to masquerade as children in order to target them.

‘Beneath the bright animation and cheerful branding lies an environment in which child predators can readily locate, contact, and interact with minors through Roblox-enabled features and defaults, and where age-inappropriate sexual content and sexually themed interactions and experiences can be assessed and disseminated through Roblox’s functionality and tools, leaving minors to navigate dangers they do not and cannot understand,’ the lawsuit says.

The suit was filed on Thursday and asks that Roblox be ordered to pay a civil penalty of up to $2,500 for each violation of the Unfair Competition and False Advertising laws. It also asks that Roblox cover the county’s legal fees.

Roblox said in a statement that it disputes the county’s claims ‘and will defend against it vigorously.’

‘Roblox is built with safety at its core, and we continue to evolve and strengthen our protections every day,’ a company spokesperson said. ‘We have advanced safeguards that monitor our platform for harmful content and communications, and users cannot send or receive images via chat, avoiding one of the most prevalent opportunities for misuse seen elsewhere online.’

The company said safety remains a top priority and takes ‘swift action against anyone found to violate our safety rules.’

The lawsuit, however, accuses Roblox of failing to implement safety measures, including age verification, default communications restrictions and effective reporting mechanisms.

‘These fixes are obvious, easy, and long overdue,’ it says.

The county said in its suit that it has had to ‘expend, divert and increase resources to address rising rates of child sexual exploitation, trafficking, abuse and mental health trauma.’

‘By taking actions that increase the costs of law enforcement, child protective services, victim services, mental health counseling, and other public services, Roblox has diverted taxpayer dollars away from other critical public programs and services,’ the suit alleges.

Roblox said in its statement that as of January, it requires all users to undergo a facial age check to use the chat feature, and that chat users are placed into age groups.

Parents are given control over whether their child can access the chat feature, can block specific users and games, and can set screen time limits. The company also said it does not allow users to send images or videos via chat.

‘There is no finish line when it comes to protecting kids, and while no system can be perfect, our commitment to safety never ends,’ Roblox said.

Since its launch in 2006, Roblox has grown to become a massive global success. It has 144.5 million daily active users with over 35 billion engagement hours, its website states.

According to its most recent shareholder letter for Quarter 4, revenue grew 36% year-over-year to $4.9 billion and generated $1.8. billion in operating cash flow in fiscal 2025.

This was due to the addition of about 60 million daily active users from Quarter 4 of 2024 to Quarter 4 of 2025, the letter says.

Over the years, the gaming platform has been at the center of several lawsuits, including one filed last year where a California woman alleged that her teenage son was groomed and coerced to send explicit images on Roblox and Discord. The suit was filed after the boy took his own life in April 2024.

Attorneys for the mother said the boy was targeted by “an adult sex predator” who posed as a child on Roblox. The lawsuit alleged that the conversation between the boy and the man escalated to include “sexual topics and explicit exchanges.” The man eventually encouraged the boy to move the conversation to Discord, demanded that the boy share explicit videos and images, and then threatened to post them, the lawsuit alleged.

Both companies said at the time that it does not comment on legal matters. The case is still pending.

Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill also sued the platform last year, alleging that it was “the perfect place for pedophiles” due to its failure to implement strong safety protocols. Roblox denied her claims and said it was committed to working with the prosecutor’s office to keep children safe.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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1911 Gold Announces US$30 Million Credit Facility with Auramet International

February 20, 2026 Investing 11 Mins Read

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

1911 Gold Corporation (‘1911 Gold’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: AUMB,OTC:AUMBF) (OTCQX: AUMBF) (FRA: 2KY) is pleased to announce that the Company has entered into a loan agreement (the ‘Loan Agreement’) with Auramet International, Inc. (‘Auramet’), providing for a US$30 million secured credit facility (the ‘Credit Facility’). It is anticipated that the proceeds from the Credit Facility will be used to advance critical operational milestones at the True North Gold Project, specifically providing the capital required to purchase essential mining equipment, underground development at the True North mine, and the installation of the new crushing circuit at the mill.

Shaun Heinrichs, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, stated ‘We are very pleased to secure this credit facility with Auramet, a group that has a long and successful history with the True North Gold Project and a deep understanding of its potential. This US$30 million facility provides the necessary funding to advance the restart plan outlined in our recently released PEA, which showcased a high-return, low-capital-intensity path back to production. By securing this financing, we remain well-capitalized to achieve our key operational milestones at Rice Lake as we position 1911 Gold for a restart in 2027.’

Pursuant to the Loan Agreement, US$15 million of the Credit Facility (the ‘Tranche 1 Amount‘) will be made available on the Closing Date (as defined below) and, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, the remaining US$15 million of the Credit Facility (the ‘Tranche 2 Amount‘) will be made available during the period commencing on the date that is 90 days following the Closing Date and ending on the date that is 180 days following the Closing Date. The outstanding principal amount under the Credit Facility will accrue interest at a rate of 12% per annum calculated and payable monthly in arrears on the last business day of each calendar month; provided, however, that no interest shall accrue on the Tranche 1 Amount for a period of six months following the Closing Date. The Tranche 1 Amount shall be amortized and repaid to Auramet in 12 equal monthly instalments of US$1.25 million commencing on the date that is 13 months following the Closing Date and ending on the date that is 24 months following the Closing Date (the ‘Maturity Date‘). The Tranche 2 Amount shall be repaid to Auramet on the Maturity Date.

The obligations under the Loan Agreement and the Offtake Agreement (as defined below) are secured by a first-ranking security interest on all personal property of the Company and a continuing collateral mortgage against the Company’s True North Gold Project and Rice Lake exploration properties. The Loan Agreement includes terms and conditions customary for a transaction of this nature, including certain specified positive and negative covenants and mandatory prepayment terms.

The closing of the advance of the Tranche 1 Amount is anticipated to occur prior to the end of February (the ‘Closing Date‘) and is subject to customary conditions, including the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (the ‘TSXV‘).

In consideration for the arrangement of the Credit Facility, on the Closing Date, the Company will pay Auramet an arrangement fee of US$1,050,000, representing 3.5% of the aggregate principal amount of the Credit Facility, which fee is payable, at the option of the Company, in cash or by the issuance of 1,369,600 common shares in the capital of the Company (‘Common Shares‘) at a deemed price of C$1.05 per Common Share.

In consideration for the lending of the Tranche 1 Amount, on the Closing Date, the Company will pay Auramet a drawdown fee of US$375,000, representing 2.5% of the Tranche 1 Amount, which fee is payable, at the option of the Company, in cash or by the issuance of 489,142 Common Shares at a deemed price of C$1.05 per Common Share, and will issue to Auramet 4,500,000 common share purchase warrants of the Company (the ‘Tranche 1 Warrants‘), with each Tranche 1 Warrant exercisable to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price equal to C$1.07 per Common Share, representing a 10% premium to the 5-day volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSXV for the five consecutive trading days ending on (and including) the date of the Loan Agreement, with such Tranche 1 Warrants expiring on the Maturity Date, subject to acceleration.

In consideration for the lending of the Tranche 2 Amount, on the date of drawdown of the Tranche 2 Amount, the Company will pay Auramet a further drawdown fee of US$375,000, representing 2.5% of the Tranche 2 Amount, which fee is payable, at the option of the Company, in either cash or in Common Shares by issuing such number of Common Shares equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (i) the amount of the drawdown fee converted to Canadian dollars based on the Bank of Canada daily exchange rate on the business day prior to the date of drawdown of the Tranche 2 Amount, by (ii) the greater of (A) the closing price of the Common Shares on the TSXV on the trading day immediately prior to the date of drawdown of the Tranche 2 Amount, and (B) the lowest price permitted by the TSXV, and will issue to Auramet an additional 4,500,000 common share purchase warrants of the Company (the ‘Tranche 2 Warrants‘ and, together with the Tranche 1 Warrants, the ‘Warrants‘), with each Tranche 2 Warrant exercisable to purchase one Common Share at an exercise price equal to the greater of (i) a 10% premium to the 5-day volume-weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSXV for the five consecutive trading days ending on (and including) the trading day immediately prior to the date of drawdown of the Tranche 2 Amount, and (ii) the lowest price permitted by the TSXV.

The Common Shares and the Warrants issuable pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Common Shares underlying the Warrants will be subject to a four-month statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws.

The Common Shares and the Warrants issuable pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the Common Shares underlying the Warrants have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with the requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

In connection with the Credit Facility, the Company also entered into an offtake agreement (the ‘Offtake Agreement‘) with Auramet, pursuant to which the Company will sell to Auramet 100% of gold produced from its True North Gold Project and its Rice Lake exploration properties until the date that is the later of (i) the date which is 36 months following the Closing Date, and (ii) the date on which full repayment of the Credit Facility has been made.

About Auramet

Auramet is a private company established in 2004 by seasoned professionals who have assembled a global team of industry specialists with over 400 years combined industry experience. It is one of the largest physical precious metals merchants in the world and has provided over $1.5 billion in term financing facilities to date. Auramet offers a full range of services including physical metals trading, metals merchant banking (including direct lending), and project finance advisory services to all participants in the precious metals supply chain.

About 1911 Gold Corporation

1911 Gold is an advanced gold explorer and developer focused on its 100%-owned True North Gold Project in the Archean Rice Lake Greenstone Belt in Manitoba, Canada. The Company controls a large, highly prospective ~62,000-hectare land package with numerous past-producing gold operations within trucking distance of the fully built and permitted True North mine and mill complex. 1911 Gold is positioning itself to restart operations in 2027 and offers a unique, near-term production story with significant exploration upside. The strategy is to build a district-scale gold mining operation around a centralized, and readily expandable infrastructure to support a socially and environmentally responsible, long-term mining operation with little development risk and a growing mineral resource base.

1911 Gold’s True North complex and the exploration land package are located within and among the First Nation communities of the Hollow Water First Nation and the Black River First Nation. 1911 Gold looks forward to maintaining open, cooperative, and respectful communications with all of our local communities and stakeholders to foster mutually beneficial working relationships.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shaun Heinrichs
President and CEO

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘). Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as ‘plans’, ‘expects’ or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, or ‘believes’, or that describe a ‘goal’, or variations of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved.

All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including, but not limited to, statements about the structure and terms of the Credit Facility, the Loan Agreement and the Offtake Agreement, the use of proceeds of the Credit Facility, the timing and ability of the Company to close the advance of the Tranche 1 Amount on the terms announced or at all, the timing and ability of the Company to satisfy the conditions precedent in respect of the Credit Facility, including the receipt of necessary regulatory approvals, and the Company’s objectives, goals and future plans and strategies, are forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. All of the Company’s forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions listed below. Although the Company believes that these assumptions are reasonable, this list is not exhaustive of factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, predictions, projections, forecasts, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the Company’s inability to close the Credit Facility, including the advance of the Tranche 1 Amount, on the terms described in this news release or on other terms acceptable to the Company, the Company’s inability to satisfy the conditions precedent in respect of the Credit Facility, the Company’s inability to receive necessary regulatory approvals in respect of the Credit Facility, and the Company’s inability to repay the Credit Facility or comply with the covenants set out in the Loan Agreement.

Although 1911 Gold 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 not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are given as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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.

SOURCE 1911 Gold Corporation

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/February2026/20/c6523.html

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

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Crypto Market Update: CME Shifts Crypto Futures to 24/7 Trading

February 20, 2026 Investing 3 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Friday (February 20) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$67,850.72, up by 1.2 percent over the last 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, February 20, 2026.

Chart via TradingView

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$1,959.77, up by 0.6 percent over the last 24 hours.

Altcoin price update

XRP (XRP) was priced at US$1.42, trading flat over 24 hours.

Solana (SOL) was trading at US$83.59, down by 3.1 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

CME moves crypto derivatives to 24/7 schedule

CME Group will begin offering round-the-clock trading for its cryptocurrency futures and options on CME Globex starting May 29, 2026, pending regulatory approval.

The decision follows a record US$3 trillion in notional crypto derivatives volume in 2025. Year-to-date in 2026, crypto derivatives average daily volume has climbed 46 percent year over year to 407,200 contracts, while futures ADV is up 47 percent. Average daily open interest currently stands at 335,400 contracts.

By eliminating weekend closures, CME allows traders to hedge in real time as crypto markets move, reducing the price gap risk that builds when traditional markets are shut.

Bitcoin ETFs extend five-week outflow streak

Spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds logged another US$165.8 million in net redemptions on February 19, stretching a five-week outflow streak to nearly US$4 billion.

Weekly withdrawals since mid-January have ranged from US$318 million to US$1.49 billion, raising questions about whether institutional demand is cooling.

Despite the steady redemptions, Bitcoin edged up 1.4 percent over the past day to roughly US$67,800, lifting the broader crypto market cap to around US$2.4 trillion.

Solana meme coin PUNCH surges after exchange listing

A Solana-based meme coin known as PUNCH has surged sharply after securing a listing on a major exchange, briefly jumping more than 80 percent in a single session and posting eye-catching weekly gains.

The token’s market capitalization climbed past US$30 million as it ranked among CoinGecko’s top gainers.

The coin draws branding from a viral story about a rescued baby long-tailed macaque named Punch, which gained traction across social media.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Steadright Critical Minerals: Advancing High-grade Mineral Assets in Morocco

February 20, 2026 Investing 2 Mins Read

Steadright Critical Minerals (CSE:SCM) is a Canadian-listed exploration and development company focused on unlocking value from Morocco’s mineral-rich terrain. It prioritizes assets with past production, strong geological datasets, and defined development pathways, aiming to shorten timelines, lower risk, and balance near-term cash flow with longer-term discovery upside.

Its core assets include the fully permitted, past-producing Goundafa polymetallic mine, the Copper Valley copper-lead-silver project in a proven mining district, and the TitanBeach heavy mineral sands project along Morocco’s Atlantic coast. A recent letter of intent with SilverLine Mining SARL could further strengthen the portfolio by adding a licensed, silver-focused asset, reinforcing Steadright’s strategy of acquiring high-quality, permitted projects.

Operating in Morocco—a jurisdiction known for modern mining legislation, strong infrastructure, and competitive fiscal incentives—Steadright benefits from a supportive mining environment. The company is led by an experienced management team with decades of global mining, exploration, and capital markets expertise, positioning it to advance its projects efficiently.

Company Highlights

Near-Term Production: The historic Goundafa Polymetallic mine is fully permitted with a legacy of high-grade zinc, lead, copper, silver, and gold production, Goundafa offers near-term, non-dilutive cash flow from historic stockpile sales under a binding processing agreement.
Diversified Portfolio: Fully permitted Goundafa Polymetallic mine (PbZn-Cu-Ag-Au), the Copper Valley CopperLead-Silver Project, SilverLine Mining Sarl (LOI) and the TitanBeach Heavy Mineral Sands
Strategic Moroccan Operations: Operating in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with modern legislation, strong infrastructure, and significant fiscal incentives including corporate tax exemptions.
Experienced Leadership: Management and technical teams bring decades of international mining, exploration, and capital markets experience.

This Steadright Critical Minerals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Steadright Critical Minerals (CSE:SCM) to receive an Investor Presentation

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AI Still Has Legs, but Valuation Risk is Back in Focus

February 20, 2026 Investing 6 Mins Read

The tech rally that powered markets through 2025 is being tested in 2026.

In early February, a broad tech selloff hit markets, fueled by various elements, including aggressive artificial intelligence (AI) capital spending guidance from hyperscalers, as well as the rapid release of new AI models, which sparked disruption concerns within the software sector. This powerful combination forced investors to separate durable AI leaders from stocks whose gains were driven mainly by sentiment and stretched valuations.

Technology benchmarks saw significant losses. From December 31, 2025, to its February 5 year‑to‑date low, the S&P Technology Index (INDEXSP:SP500-45) dropped by nearly 7 percent. Software-focused measures were hit especially hard; the iShares Expanded Tech-Software Sector ETF (BATS:IGV) declined by almost 25 percent.

Meanwhile, semiconductor‑focused peers like the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) remained up more than 5 percent over the same stretch. The divergence underscored how quickly a broad AI theme can split into clear winners and laggards depending on where revenues and profits are actually showing up.

Indexes have since returned some of their losses, but investors with a multi‑year horizon need portfolio construction that can withstand the volatile nature of a sentiment-sensitive sector like tech. In this kind of environment, the challenge becomes building exposure to long‑term AI growth without drifting into a concentrated valuation risk trade.

James Learmonth serves as co-chief investment officer at Harvest ETFs and oversees strategies including the Harvest Tech Achievers Growth & Income ETF (TSX:HTA). Over the same period, it declined only by about 7 percent, underscoring the difference between a diversified, income‑oriented structure and a pure software basket.

Why did tech stocks sell off in early February?

After piling into AI‑linked software and services names on strong cloud and AI‑related revenue growth, the technology sector underwent a steep correction from its October 2025 high. The decline followed earnings reports that included guidance pointing to sustained, capital‑intensive buildouts and longer payback periods.

After hyperscalers signaled aggressive 2026 infrastructure spending, market participants began to question return‑on‑investment timelines, even as fundamentals largely held up.

Companies with less certain paths to monetization saw their share prices decrease rapidly, while those showing profitable AI‑driven growth and measurable returns on invested capital were hit less hard. Disruption‑driven headlines, such as the launch of Anthropic’s Claude Cowork tools and new AI assistants aimed at legal and accounting workflows, added to the perception that many software business models are at risk, even if long‑term AI adoption remains intact.

The move exposed the limits of a purely thematic AI basket approach; in this environment, a passive, set‑and‑forget AI allocation can quickly morph from a growth‑oriented bet into a concentrated valuation risk trade, which is where active managers like Learmonth are trying to draw a sharper line between structural growth and speculation.

For Harvest ETFs, that line starts with business quality rather than a story about AI.

“Obviously it’s a rapidly evolving landscape across AI right now,” he said. “I think having competitive moats in place is paramount for companies maintaining their leadership position over time. From a valuation perspective, we like to look at P/E with that growth multiplier peg applied to us, so you have that growth lens applied to the valuation.”

Several lenses help distinguish structural winners from speculative names.

Learmonth pointed to growing margins, return on equity and return on invested capital as key markers that AI‑driven capex is actually creating value, rather than just inflating a headline growth story.

“You want to make sure companies are actually growing profitably, and not just generating revenue for the sake of generating revenue, but not able to pass that through in terms of bottom‑line growth as well. I think return on equity and return on invested capital, along those same lines, are key metrics to look at too,’ he noted.

Companies with clear, recurring AI‑related revenue streams, such as infrastructure or enabling hardware, tend to fare better than those whose AI exposure is largely driven by narrative.

“We have for a long time argued that the hardware and semiconductor side of the business is where we want to be (more heavily focused) right now, because it is seeing the revenue and profit generation directly from the infrastructure investment. That being said, particularly with the severity of the declines that we’ve seen in the software side over the past few weeks, I think (some opportunities) might be starting to spring up there,’ said Learmonth.

“We have reduced our software exposure a little bit over the past few quarters, but we are still maintaining some software exposure in those companies where we think they have competitive moats, whether that’s specialized areas like tax preparation and accounting, things like that,’ the expert elaborated.

Following the earlier correction, which Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives says may have been an overreaction, AI‑sensitive stocks are now trading at more reasonable multiples than at their October 2025 peak.

For the S&P 500 Software & Services group, the average forward P/E multiple has fallen from about 32.6 times to 22.7 times expected profits, even though analysts still forecast double‑digit revenue and earnings growth, plus net margins close to 30 percent. That average hides a wide gap between names that still trade on premium “AI story” multiples and others that have rerated much more sharply, which is where stock picking becomes critical.

In a recent note, Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) spotlighted Atlassian (NASDAQ:TEAM), Shopify (NYSE:SHOP) and Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ:PANW) as some of the most compelling software opportunities for investors looking to buy the dip.

Investor takeaway

Against this backdrop, the focus is shifting from “how much AI” to “how AI is structured.’

For investors who want to stay exposed to AI‑driven tech, but are wary of sharp, headline‑driven swings, vehicles like the Harvest Tech Achievers Growth & Income ETF could offer a middle ground by combining active stock selection in structural winners with a covered‑call overlay.

“That’s how we generate enhanced yields — by selling calls on our long equity positions to generate option premiums, which we then pay as distributions on a fixed monthly basis,” explained Learmonth.

“That sale of options can help to mitigate some of the month‑to‑month volatility across the fund, with the tradeoff being some foregone upside in a strong bull market.”

As the AI trend evolves, success will likely favor those who view AI as a long-term, multi-year structural shift rather than a short-term theme. Winners will employ active management, prioritize income and utilize a disciplined structure to separate signal from noise.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Drilling preparation commenced at Roy on the Sunbeam Property

February 19, 2026 Investing 6 Mins Read

First Class Metals PLC (‘First Class Metals’ ‘FCM’ or the ‘Company’) the UK listed company focused on the discovery of economic metal deposits across its exploration properties in Ontario, Canada, is pleased to provide an update on preparations for the forthcoming drill programme at the Roy structure on the Sunbeam Property. Drill mobilisation has now been completed.

Highlights

1,000m drill contract with provision for additional 500m signed with Forage PL (‘Forage’) drilling
Drill preparation commenced on the Roy structure at the Sunbeam property
First four drill collars have been marked.
Drill rig and supporting equipment on site
Drilling will focus on the Roy area of the Sunbeam property
Drilling will seek to prove depth continuity in the area of and along strike of the 18.8g/t gold (Au) channel sample from the stripping
Emerald Geological Services (‘EGS’) will supervise drill preparation, the day-to-day drilling as well as core logging and sampling

Marc J. Sale CEO First Class Metals Commented:

‘The mobilisation of the drill rig to Roy and the anticipation of drilling starting this weekend marks an important step forward in advancing the Sunbeam Property. Forage has recently completed a programme in the district and brings both local experience and a strong operational reputation.

The rapid progression from planning to mobilisation at Sunbeam demonstrates that FCM is a company focused on delivery. Having recently completed drilling at North Hemlo and now positioning to commence at Sunbeam, we are advancing our exploration strategy in a disciplined and systematic manner.

The Roy trend represents a robust mineralised structure of district scale in a geological environment know to host significant resources.’

Figure 1 showing the stripped area at Roy which returned 18.8g/t Au and will be the focus of the drilling.

Qualified Person

The technical disclosures contained in this announcement have been drafted in line with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum standards and guidelines and approved by Marc J. Sale, who has more than 30 years in the gold exploration industry and is considered a Qualified Person owing to his status as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy.

For Further Information:

Engage with us by asking questions, watching video summaries, and seeing what other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor hub here:

www.firstclassmetalsplc.com

For further information, please contact:

James Knowles, Executive Chair
Email: JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07488 362641

Marc J Sale, CEO
Email: MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07711 093532

Novum Securities Limited (Financial Adviser)
David Coffman
Website: www.novumsecurities.com
Tel: (0)20 7399 9400

Axis Capital Markets (Broker)
Lewis Jones
Website: Axcap247.com
Tel: (0)203 026 0449

First Class Metals PLC – Background

First Class Metals listed on the LSE in July 2022 and is focused on metals exploration in Ontario, Canada which has a robust and thriving junior mineral exploration sector. In particular, the Hemlo ‘camp’ near Marathon, Ontario is a proven world class address for gold exploration, featuring the Hemlo gold deposit operated by Barrick Mining (>23M oz gold produced), with the past producing Geco and Winston Lake base metal deposits also situated in the region.

FCM currently holds 100% ownership of seven claim blocks covering over 250km² in northwest Ontario. A further three blocks are under option and cover an additional 30km².FCM is focussed on exploring for gold but has base metals and critical metals mineralisation. FCM is maintaining a joint venture with GT Resources on the West Pickle Lake Property a drill-proven ultra-high-grade Ni-Cu project.

The flagship properties, North Hemlo and Sunbeam, are gold focussed. North Hemlo has a significant discovery in the Dead Otter trend which is a discontinuous 3.5km gold anomalous trend with a 19.6g/t Au peak grab sample. This sampling being the highest known assay from a grab sample ever recorded on the North Limb of Hemlo.

In October 2022 FCM completed the option to purchase the historical high-grade past-producing Sunbeam gold mine near Atikokan, Ontario, ~15 km southeast of Agnico Eagle’s Hammond Reef gold deposit (3.3 Moz of open pit probable gold reserves).

FCM acquired the Zigzag Project near Armstrong, Ontario in March 2023. The property features Li-Ta-bearing pegmatites in the same belt as Green Technology Metals’ Seymour Lake Project, which contains a Mineral Resource estimate of 9.9 Mt @ 1.04% Li2O. Zigzag was successfully drilled prior to Christmas 2023 and results have now been released.

The Kerrs Gold property, acquired under option by First Class Metals in April 2024, is located in northeastern Ontario within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, one of the world’s most prolific gold-producing regions. The project holds a historical inferred resource of approximately 386,000 ounces of gold, underscoring its potential as a meaningful addition to FCM’s expanding gold portfolio. Kerrs Gold complements the Company’s exploration strategy and provides exposure to a well-established mining district. FCM is currently reviewing plans to advance the project and further unlock its value.

The significant potential of the properties for precious, base and battery metals relates to ‘nearology’, since all properties lie in the same districts as known deposits (Hemlo, Hammond Reef, Seymour Lake), and either contain known showings, geochemical or geophysical anomalies, or favourable structures along strike from known showings (e.g. the Esa project, with an inferred Hemlo-style shear along strike from known gold occurrences).

For further information see the Company’s presentation on the web site:

www.firstclassmetalsplc.com

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements which are based on the Company’s expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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THE Mining Investment Event Announces 2026 Issuers and Welcomes New and Returning Partners

February 19, 2026 Investing 7 Mins Read

Special Participation	Government of Quebec
Platinum Partners	Agnico Eagle, GLENCORE Canada, National Bank Capital Markets, Ventum Capital Markets
Gold Partners	Altitude Capital Partners, Invest Yukon, Maxit Capital, PearTree, The Money Channel NYC,
Silver Partners	Atrium Research, CSE, Crux Investor, Caur Technologies, IAMGOLD Corporation, Government of Newfoundland & Labrador, OR Royalties, Red Cloud Securities, STIFEL, TMX
Copper Partners	Apaton Finance, Brooks & Nelson, Cassels, Centre des Congress de Quebec, INFOR Financial, La Caisse, MNP LLP, Mercury Group, Outside The Box Capital, VRIFY
Media Partners	BTV, CEO.CA, Canadian Mining Magazine, GBR, KITCO News, Mining Discovery, Mining IR, Mining Hub, Newsfile, Podcast Minier, The Northern Miner, The Prospector, Resource World, VID Media

THE Mining Investment Event (‘THE Event’), Canada’s Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference, is pleased to announce participating issuers and new and returning Partners for 2026.

‘We are excited to share that THE Event has confirmed 130 issuers and over 50 Partners for 2026. We are pleased to welcome new partners: Altitude Capital Partners, Maxit Capital, The Money Channel NYC, Ventum Capital, IAMGOLD Corporation, Apaton Finance, MNP LLP as well as all of the partners who have supported us from the beginning. Recently, we updated our sponsorship terminology to better reflect our business model and to emphasize that we value our Partners as long-term investors as we continue to build this distinctive, Canadian independent global investor platform together. We thank the international mining companies, governments, and the investment community for their continued support,’ stated Joanne Jobin, CEO & Founder of THE Event.

‘THE Event is celebrated for its dedication to diversity and inclusion, exemplified by its distinctive Student Partnership Program and THE SheCo Initiative. This year, we are pleased to share that THE SheCo Initiative, in collaboration with Vior Inc., will donate proceeds from THE Event to Moisson Rive-Sud, a food bank in Quebec that assists those vulnerable to food insecurity. I’m also pleased to announce that our Student Partnership Program for 2026, supported by Glencore Canada, IAMGOLD Corporation, and OR Royalties, is now complete,’ Jobin added.

‘We are one of the Founding Partners of International Mining Week, scheduled for June 1 to 5, alongside The International Trade and Forfaiting Association (ITFA) and The Québec Mining Association (QMA). Both the QMA and ITFA will host their events alongside THE Event, which will focus on one-on-one investor meetings. This collaboration brings together international mining firms, related companies, supply chain experts, investors, and government representatives in a single location. Information on IMW Partners, plenary sessions, and events is available at: www.themininginvestmentevent.com.’

THE Mining Investment Event – Participating Companies *1×1’s only ^^ExplorCo Lounge #Coreshack Participant ~Industry Invitee/Corp. Dev.
1911 Gold Mining TSX-V: AUMB	Domestic Metals Corp* TSX-V: DMCU	Lotus Gold Corporation* Private	Saudi Gold Refinery Co.* Private
Abcourt Mines Inc.# TSX-V: ABI; OTCQB: ABMBF	*Dryden Gold Corp. #** TSX-V: DRY; OCTQB: DRYGF	Loyalist Exploration Limited* CSE:PNGC	Scorpio Gold Corporation* TSX-V: SGN; OTCQB: SRCRF
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited TSX: AEM; NYSE: AEM	Dynasty Gold Corp* TSX-V: DYG	Maple Gold Mines Ltd. # TSX:-V: MGM; OTCQX: MGMLF	Scottie Resources Corp TSX-V: SCOT; OTCQB: SCTSF
Alamos Gold Inc.~ TSX: AGI; NYSE: AGI	Element 29 Resources Inc.* TSX-V: ECU; OTCQB: EMTRF	McFarlane Lake Mining Ltd* CSE: MLM: OTCQB: MLMLF	Search Minerals ~ TSX-V: SMY
Alkane Resources Limited TSX: ALK; ASX: ALK	*Emperor Metals Inc.#** CSE: AUOZ; OTCQB: EMAUF	Midland Exploration Inc.* TSX-V: MD	*Selkirk Copper Mines Inc.#** TSX-V: SCMI
Andean Precious Metals TSX: APM	Equity Metals Corporation* TSX-V: EQTY; OTCQB: EQMEF	Minaurum Gold Inc.* TSX.V: MGG; OTCQX: MMRGF	Silver One Resources Inc. TSX-V: SVE, OTCQX: SLVRF
Argenta Silver Corp.* TSX-V: AGAG; OTCQB: AGAGF	ES Gold Corp CSE: ESAU	Minera Alamos Inc., TSX-V: MAI; OTCQX: MAIFF	Silver X Mining Corp.* TSX-V: AGX: OTCQB: AGXPF
Argo Gold Inc. ~ TSX-V: ARQ: OTCQB: ARBTF	Exploits Discovery Corp.* CSE: NFLD; OTCQB: NFLDF	Mineros S.A. TSX: MSA	Sirios Resources Inc.* TSX-V: SOI; OTCQB: SIREF
Arizona Gold & Silver Inc.* TSX-V: AZS; OTCQB: AZASF	Falcon Copper Corp. Private	Mithril Silver and Gold Limited TSX-V: MSG; ASX:MTH	Spanish Mountain Gold# TSX-V: SPA: OTCQB: SPAZF
Arizona Metals* TSX: AMC; OTCQX: AZMCF	Firefly Metals Ltd. TSX: FFM; ASX: FFM	New Age Metals Inc.* TSX-V: NAM; OTCQB: NMTLF	Standard Uranium Limited* TSX-V: STND; OTCQB: STTDF
Astra Exploration Inc* TSX-V: ASTR; OTCQB: ATEPF	First Mining Gold Corp. # TSX: FF; OTCQX: FFMGF	New Found Gold Corp. TSX:V-NFG; NYSE-A: NFG	STLLR Gold Inc. TSX: STLR; OTCQX: STLRF
Atha Energy Corp TSX-V: SASK; OTCQB: SASKF	First Phosphate Corp.~ CSE: PHOS: OTCQB: FRSPF	Nexgold Mining Corp. TSX-V: NEXG	Summit Royalty* Private
Atlas Salt Inc.* TSX-V: ATLAS; OTCQX: SALQF	Formation Metals Inc.* CSE: FOMO; OTCQB: FOMTF	Nicola Mining Inc. TSX-V: NIM; OTCQB: HUSIF	Sun Summit Minerals Corp.* TSX-V: SMN; OTCQB: SMREF
Auriginal Mining Corp* TSX-V: AUME	FPX Nickel Corp. TSX-V: FPX; OTCQB: FPOCF	North Atlantic Titanium Corp#^^ CSE: NATO	Surge Copper Corp* TSX-V: SURG; OTCQB: SRGXF
Aurion Resources Ltd. TSX-V: AU; OTCQX: AIRRF	GEOMEGA Resources Inc. TSX-V: GMA; OTCQB: GOMRF	NorthIsle Copper & Gold Inc. TSX-V: NCX	Talisker Resources Ltd.~ TSX: TSK; OTCQB: TSKFF
Avanti Gold Corp * CSE: AGC	Glencore Canada LSE: GLEN; JSE: GLN	Nuvau Minerals Corp.* TSX-V: NMC	Trident Resources Corp.* TSX-V: ROCK; OTCQB: TRDTF
Azimut Exploration Inc. TSX-V: AZM; OTCQX: AZMTF	Golden Cariboo Resources^^ CSE: GCC	Onyx Gold Corp. TSX-V: ONYX; OTCQX: ONXGF	Troilus Gold Corp. TSX: TLG; OTCQX: CHXMF
Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. CSE: BLLG; OTCQB: BLAGF	Greenlight Metals Inc.* TSX-V:GRL	OR Royalties Inc. TSX: OR; NYSE: OR	Tronic Metals * Private
Bonterra Resources Inc.* TSX-V: BTR; OTCQX: BONXF	Guanajuato Silver Company* TSX-V: GSVR; OTCQX: GSVRF	Orvana Minerals Corp. TSX: ORV	Uranium X Discovery Corp.^^ CSE: STMN
Brixton Metals Corporation* TSX-V: BBB; OTCQB: BBBXF	Gunnison Copper Corp.* TSX: GCU; OTCQB:GCUMF	Osisko Development Corp. TSX-V: ODV; NYSE: ODV	US Gold Corp. NASDAQ: USAU
Brunswick Exploration* TSX: BRW	Heliostar Metals Ltd. TSX-V: HSTR; OTCQX: HSTXF	Outcrop Silver Corporation # TSX:VOCG; OTCQX: OCGSF	Valkea Resources Corp. TSX-V: OZ
Cartier Resources Inc.* TSX-V: ECR	Hi View Resources Inc* CSE: HVW	Panther Metals PLC* LSE: PALM.	Vanadiumcorp Resource Inc.^^ TSX-V: VRB; OTCQB: VRBFF
Cascadia Minerals Ltd. TSX-V: CAM; OTCQB: CAMNF	IAMGOLD Corp. TSX: IMG; NYSE: IAG	Pelangio Exploration Inc.* TSX-V: PX	Vior Inc. TSX-V: VIO; OTCQB: VIORF
Cassiar Gold Corp* TSX-V: GLDC, OTCQX: CGLCF	Integra Resources Corp. TSX-V: ITR; NYSE: ITRG	Peloton Minerals Corporation* CSE: PMC; OTCQB: PMCCF	Vizsla Silver Corp. TSX-V: VZLA; NYSE: VZLA
Centerra Gold Inc. ~ TSX: CG ; NYSE: CGAU	Juno Corp.* Private	*Perseverance Metals Inc.#** TSX-V: PMI	Volta Metals Ltd.* CSE: VLTA
Cerrado Gold Inc. TSX-V:CERT; OTC: CRDOF	*Kirkland Lake Discoveries#** TSX-V: KLDC	PMET Resources Inc TSX: PMET; ASX: PMT; OTCQX: PMETF	Wallbridge Mining Company TSX: WM; OTCQB: WLBMF
Cerro De Pasco Resources TSX-V: CDPR	Kuya Silver Corp. CSE: KUYA; OTCQB: KUYAF	Power Metallic TSX-V: PNPN	Westdome Gold Mines Ltd* TSX:WDO; OTCQX: WDOFF
Collective Mining Ltd. TSX: CNL; NYSE: CNL	Lahontan Gold Corp.* TSX.V: LG; OTCQB: LGCXF	Q2 Metals Corp. TSX-V:QTWO; OTCQB:QUEXF	White Gold Corp.* TSX-V:WGO; OTCQX: WHGOF
Commerce Resources Corp.* TSX-V: CCE; OTC:CMRZF	Latin Metals Inc* TSX-V: LMS; OTCQB: LMSQF	Radisson Mining Resources TSX-V: RDS; OTCQB: RMRDF	Winshear Gold Corp ^^ TSX-V: WINS
CUPANI Metals Corporation* CSE: CUPA	Lavras Gold corp TSX-V: LGC; OTCQX:LGCFF	Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.* TSX-V: RSM OTCQB: RSGOF	XAU Resources Inc. ~ TSX-V: GIG
Cygnus Metals Limited TSX-V: CYG; OTCQB: CYGGF	Leviathan Metals Corp.* TSX-V: LVX: OTCQB: LVXF	RPX Gold Inc.* TSX-V: RPX; OTCQB: RDEXF	XXIX Metal Corp.* TSX-V: XXIX; OTCQB; LW0
Dolly Varden Silver Corp TSX-V: DV; OTCQX: DOLLF	Li-FT Power Ltd.* TSX-V: LIFT; OTCQX: LIFFF	San Cristóbal Mining Private	Yukon Metals Corp. CSE: YMC: OTCQB: YMMCF

International Mining Week – June 1-5, 2026
THE Mining Investment Event – June 2-4, 2026
THE Event is by invitation only – Interested investors & issuers, please go here:
https://www.themininginvestmentevent.com/register or contact Jennifer Choi, jchoi@irinc.ca

THE Mining Investment Event—Canada’s Only Tier 1 Global Mining Investment Conference^© is held annually in Québec City, Canada. It is independently owned and partnered to facilitate privately arranged meetings among mining companies, international investors, and various mining and government authorities. The conference provides a platform to hear from some of the most influential thought leaders in the sector. THE Event is committed to promoting diversity, equality, and sustainability in the mining industry through education and innovation, supported by its unique Student Partnership Program and THE SHE-Co Initiative.

THE Event is a founding member of International Mining Week (‘IMW’), also taking place in Quebec City. IMW promotes other industry-focused conferences and activities that unite global mining companies, related businesses, supply chain experts, investors, and government officials in one location for discussions and collaborative meetings across the industry.

Joanne Jobin
CEO & Founder
IR.INC & VID Media
jjobin@irinc.ca

Jennifer Choi
Vice President, Operations
IR.INC & VID Media
jchoi@irinc.ca

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284375

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Selta Project – Exploration Update

February 19, 2026 Investing 10 Mins Read

First Development Resources plc (AIM: FDR), the UK-based, Australia-focused exploration company with mineral interests in Western Australia and the Northern Territory, is pleased to provide results and interpretation from the December 2025 stream sediment sampling programme completed at its Selta Project (‘Selta’ or the ‘Project’) located in the Aileron Province of Australia’s Northern Territory.

The programme was undertaken across the West Nintabrinna and Ingallan rare-earth element (‘REE’) target areas and was designed as a low-cost, first-pass exercise to refine previously identified anomalism and define priority areas for focused follow-up exploration.

HIGHLIGHTS

Highest assay of 2,103 ppm total rare-earth elements + yttrium (‘TREE+Y’) returned at West Nintabrinna, with coherent multi-sample anomalism confirming a fertile intrusive system. Encouraging TREE+Y results (up to 385 ppm) also returned from Ingallan.
Target areas significantly refined: West Nintabrinna from c.75km² to c.5km² (‘Tourmaline’) and Ingallan reduced from approximately 90km² to c.8.5km² (‘Peake Bore’), materially improving targeting precision.
Geochemical signatures indicate localised granite fractionation and enrichment consistent with potential pegmatite-hosted lithium (Li) and REE mineralisation.
Discrete intrusive features at West Nintabrinna and distinct 1.8km strike pale outcrop identified at Ingallan define clear follow-up mapping and drill-target pathways.
Gradient Array Induced Polarisation (‘GAIP’) survey at Lander West gold target c.50% complete. Survey temporarily paused due to inclement weather conditions affecting access.

Tristan Pottas, Chief Executive Officer of FDR, commented:

‘The December stream sediment programme has delivered a strong outcome and materially advanced our understanding of the REE potential at Selta.

Importantly, we have reduced broad conceptual targets to clearly defined priority zones at both West Nintabrinna and Ingallan. The 2,103 ppm TREE+Y result at West Nintabrinna is particularly encouraging and supports our interpretation of a fertile intrusive system capable of hosting rare-earth mineralisation.

This low-cost programme has significantly improved our targeting efficiency and provides a clear and systematic pathway for the next phase of REE exploration at Selta.’

DECEMBER 2025 STREAM SEDIMENT SAMPLING PROGRAMME

The field programme, completed over one week in December 2025, comprised systematic stream sediment sampling and reconnaissance geological observations across the two priority Li and REE target areas (Figure 1) previously identified from historical data review and announced 19 November 2025:

Selta Project – REE Exploration Update – 07:00:04 19 Nov 2025 – FDR News article | London Stock Exchange

Stream sediment sampling provides an effective regional screening tool by characterising upstream catchment geology and metalliferous signatures. The primary objectives of the programme were to:

Validate historical geochemical anomalies;
Increase sampling density;
Identify discrete anomalous catchments;
Refine target areas for follow-up exploration.

Samples were analysed using ALS Globals Lithium borate fusion (ME-MS81) method, this method was selected to maximise the recovery of resistive heavy minerals commonly associated with REE and lithium-caesium-tantalum (‘LCT’) style pegmatite systems. With statistical analysis applied to identify fractionated trends within the collected samples, to allow for the systematic evaluation of the West Nintabrinna and Ingallan target areas.

Figure 1: Location of stream sediment samples from sample locations within the West Nintabrinna and Ingallan target areas.

West Nintabrinna delivered the strongest geochemical results of the programme, with TREE+Y values of up to 2,103 ppm (Figures 2 and 3), representing the highest results recorded in this phase of exploration. In total 21 samples were collected.

Three strongly anomalous samples define a coherent central catchment now referred to as the ‘Tourmaline target area’, draining the core of the outcrop. Geochemical patterns indicate an evolved felsic intrusive signature consistent with fertile magmatic systems capable of hosting REE-bearing pegmatites.

Airborne imagery highlights multiple discrete pale-weathering outcrops within the anomalous zone, which may correspond to small intrusive or pegmatitic bodies contributing to the observed enrichment.

The programme has reduced the effective West Nintabrinna exploration footprint from approximately 75km² to approximately 5km², materially improving targeting precision and cost efficiency for follow-up work.

Figure 2: Extent of the Tourmaline target area and enriched streams on the West Nintabrinna target area.

Figure 3: Image of the sample location WN011, which recorded up to 2,103 ppm TREE+Y values.

INGALLAN STREAM SEDIMENT RESULTS

Results from the 20 stream sediment samples collected at the Ingallan Target Area show that REE enrichment is localised rather than evenly distributed across the mapped granite and metasedimentary rocks.

TREE+Y values of up to 385 ppm were returned within a central zone now defined as the ‘Peake Bore Target’ (Figure 4). Geochemical patterns indicate:

Localised granite fractionation;
Enrichment in incompatible elements;
Heavy mineral assemblages consistent with evolved intrusive phases.

Drainage basin analysis has reduced the effective exploration footprint from approximately 90km² to around 8.5 km², focusing exploration on the Peake Bore target as a high-priority area for potential LCT- and REE-bearing pegmatite mineralisation.

Within the Peake Bore target, a north-northeast-trending pale-weathering outcrop of approximately 1.8 km strike and 10 to 30 metre width has been identified from airborne imagery and field observations. A further c.1 km east-west-trending pale outcrop, along with additional pale-weathering exposures associated with elevated geochemistry, has also been recognised. These features represent key hard-rock targets for follow-up mapping and rock-chip sampling.

Although the area remains largely untested, its proximity to two large granitic intrusions provides a favourable geological setting for the formation of pegmatite-hosted REE mineralisation. The current programme did not evaluate ionic clay REE potential in the western part of Ingallan, which remains untested.

Figure 4: Extent of the Peake Bore Target area, enriched streams and target outcrops on the Ingallan target area.

GEOLOGICAL CONTEXT

The Selta Project lies within the Aileron Province of the Arunta Region in Australia’s Northern Territory, a Proterozoic terrane known for hosting evolved granitic systems associated with tin (Sn), tungsten (W), uranium (U) and rare-metal mineralisation.

Rare-earth elements, commonly reported together with yttrium as TREE+Y due to its similar chemical behaviour and occurrence in the same mineral systems, are typically enriched during the late stages of granite crystallisation. Where this fractionation becomes localised, it can form discrete intrusive or pegmatitic bodies capable of hosting concentrated REE mineralisation.

The stream sediment results at both West Nintabrinna and Ingallan show geochemical signatures consistent with this type of evolved, fractionated system. Importantly, the anomalism is spatially restricted rather than broadly dispersed, suggesting defined source areas rather than background enrichment.

In this regional geological setting, the presence of localised REE enrichment, elevated incompatible element signatures and coherent anomalous catchments is considered encouraging and supports further targeted exploration.

NEXT STEPS

The results of the December programme have refined and prioritised exploration targets at Selta.

The Company intends to:

Undertake detailed geological mapping across Peake Bore and the Tourmaline refined target areas;
Conduct systematic rock-chip sampling of identified outcrops;
Complete additional targeted geochemical work where appropriate;
Evaluate high-resolution geophysics to assist in drill target definition;
Progress toward potential drilling, subject to results.

REE exploration remains central to the Company’s strategy at Selta, alongside the ongoing geophysical work on the Lander West gold target area.

GAIP SURVEY UPDATE

The GAIP survey at the Lander West gold target commenced in early January 2026 and is designed to complement the previously completed high-resolution aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys. The programme aims to enhance the Company’s understanding of subsurface geology and structural architecture across the target area, supporting the refinement of potential drill targets.

Adverse weather conditions currently affecting Central Australia have resulted in a temporary pause to field operations. The survey is approximately 50% complete will resume once conditions permit.

Chief Executive Officer Tristan Pottas is expected to visit site in early March, and the Company will provide a further update in due course.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information contained in this disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Mr Nicholas O’Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM QMR, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a qualified geologist and acts as the Qualified Person under the AIM Rules – Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O’Reilly is a principal consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which has been retained by First Development Resources plc to provide technical support.

GLOSSARY

Term	Definition
Fertile intrusive system	An igneous intrusion whose chemistry indicates it has evolved sufficiently during crystallisation to concentrate rare or economically important elements.
Geochemical signature	The characteristic pattern and relative abundance of elements within a rock or sediment sample that reflects its source geology and mineral potential.
Granite fractionation	The progressive chemical evolution of a granite magma during cooling, which can concentrate rare and incompatible elements into late-stage phases.
Incompatible elements	Elements that preferentially remain in the molten portion of a magma during crystallisation, leading to enrichment in late-stage intrusive phases.
LCT style pegmatite	A lithium-caesium-tantalum enriched pegmatite formed from highly evolved granitic melts and commonly associated with rare-metal mineralisation.
Pegmatite	A very coarse-grained igneous rock, typically formed during the final stages of magma crystallisation, which can host concentrated rare metals and minerals.
Rare-earth element	A group of 17 metallic elements, including the lanthanides plus yttrium and scandium, commonly used in high-technology and critical energy applications.
REE bearing pegmatite	A pegmatite containing minerals enriched in rare-earth elements, typically formed from highly fractionated granitic systems.
Stream sediment sampling	An exploration technique that analyses sediments collected from drainage channels to detect geochemical signals from upstream bedrock.
Total rare-earth elements (TREE)	The combined concentration of all rare-earth elements in a sample, typically expressed in parts per million (ppm) or as a percentage of rare-earth oxides, used to indicate the overall level of rare-earth enrichment.
Yttrium (Y)	A critical metal that behaves chemically like the heavy rare-earth elements and is commonly reported alongside them (TREE+Y) because it occurs in the same minerals and geological systems.

For further information visit www.firstdevelopmentresources.com or contact the following:

First Development Resources plc

Tristan Pottas (CEO)

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3778 1397

Beaumont Cornish Limited

Nominated Adviser

Roland Cornish / Asia Szusciak

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396

SI Capital Limited

Broker

Nick Emerson

Tel: +44 (0) 1483 413 500

Beaumont Cornish Limited (‘Beaumont Cornish’) is the Company’s Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish’s responsibilities as the Company’s Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

ABOUT FIRST DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES

First Development Resources’ assets comprise eight granted tenements covering a total area of 2,314.4km². Five of the tenements, comprising three prospective copper-gold projects, are located in Western Australia (WA) while the remaining three tenements, comprising a rare-earth element (REE), uranium, lithium and gold project, are located in the Australian’s Northern Territory. All tenements are wholly owned by FDR. The assets are a mixture of drill ready and earlier stage exploration.

The WA Projects include the Company’s Wallal Project as well as Ripon Hills and Braeside West Projects situated in the Paterson Province, which is widely regarded as one of the most productive regions in Australia for the discovery of world-class gold-copper deposits, and which is home to several world-class mines and more recent discoveries.

The Selta Project in the Northern Territory is located in an area considered highly prospective for uranium and rare-earth element mineralisation along with base and precious metal mineralisation. Numerous companies are actively exploring within the region.

Beyond the existing portfolio, FDR is actively looking to expand its portfolio through the acquisition of early-stage exploration projects in Australia.

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Silverco Announces Closing of Its $62.5 Million “Bought Deal” Offering

February 19, 2026 Investing 8 Mins Read

Silverco Mining Ltd. (TSXV: SICO,OTC:QTZCF) (‘Silverco’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced ‘bought deal’ offering (the ‘Offering’) with Velocity Capital Partners (‘Velocity’) as sole bookrunner and Desjardins Securities Inc. (together with Velocity, the ‘Lead Underwriters’), as co-lead underwriters, on their own behalf and on behalf of a syndicate of underwriters which included ATB Capital Markets Corp., Canaccord Genuity Corp., National Bank Financial Inc. and Raymond James Ltd. (collectively, with the Lead Underwriters, the ‘Underwriters’), for aggregate gross proceeds of $62,500,000.

Eric Sprott, a current insider of Silverco, participated in the Offering with a lead order of $10,000,000.

Pursuant to the Offering, the Company issued, on a ‘bought deal’ basis, (i) 4,000,000 common shares of the Company (the ‘Offered Shares‘) at a price of $12.50 (the ‘Issue Price‘) per Offered Share, for aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $50,000,000, and (ii) 1,000,000 units of the Company (the ‘Units‘ and together with the Offered Shares, the ‘Offered Securities‘) at the Issue Price per Unit, for additional aggregate gross proceeds to the Company of $12,500,000.

Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company and one-quarter of one warrant, with each whole warrant being exercisable for one common share of the Company at an exercise price of $18.00 per share for a period of 18 months from the date hereof.

Mark Ayranto, President and CEO, commented: ‘This $62.5 million financing provides the financial strength to match our operational ambitions. Between the pending acquisition of Nuevo Silver and the upcoming restart at Cusi, Silverco is undergoing a fundamental transformation. We are moving into 2026 with a robust balance sheet and a clear path to becoming a significant silver producer.’

The Offered Securities were offered in each of the Provinces and Territories of Canada (other than Québec) as to: (i) the Offered Shares in reliance on the ‘listed issuer financing exemption’ from the prospectus requirements available under National Instrument 45-106 − Prospectus Exemptions (‘NI 45-106‘), as modified by Coordinated Blanket Order 45-935 − Exemptions from Certain Conditions of the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the ‘Listed Issuer Financing Exemption‘); and (ii) the Units in reliance on other exemptions from the prospectus requirements available under NI 45-106 other than the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption (the ‘Private Placement Exemption‘).

The Offered Securities were also offered on a private placement basis in such offshore jurisdictions as mutually agreed between the Company and Velocity, and in the United States pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘), as amended. Any Offered Securities offered in the United States are characterized as ‘restricted securities’ under the U.S. Securities Act.

The net proceeds of the Offering will be used by the Company for exploration, evaluation and restart work on the Cusi Project, general and administrative expenditures and working capital.

In consideration for their services, the Company paid to the Underwriters a cash fee equal to 5% of the gross proceeds of the Offering, other than in connection with a subscription settled directly with the Company for which no commission was paid.

The Offered Shares issued pursuant to the Listed Issuer Financing Exemption are not subject to resale restrictions pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws. The Units and the underlying securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement Exemption are subject to a hold period of four months and one day from the date hereof in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. The Offering remains subject to the final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange (‘TSXV‘).

Insiders of the Company subscribed for a total of 98,000 Offered Shares and 800,000 Units, for aggregate gross proceeds of $11,225,000. The participation by each insider in the Offering constitutes a ‘related party transaction’, within the meaning of TSXV Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (‘MI 61-101’). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, in respect of the related party participation in the Offering, as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).There is an amended and restated offering document related to the Offering that can be accessed on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Silverco’s issuer profile and on the Company’s website at www.silvercomining.com.

The Offered Securities have not been registered and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Silverco Mining Ltd.

The Company owns a 100% interest in the 11,665-hectare Cusi Project located in Chihuahua State, Mexico (the ‘Cusi Property‘). It lies within the prolific Sierra Madre Occidental gold-silver belt. There is an existing 1,200 ton per day mill with tailings capacity at the Cusi Property.

The Cusi Property is a past-producing underground silver-lead-zinc-gold project approximately 135 kilometres west of Chihuahua City. The Cusi Property boasts excellent infrastructure, including paved highway access and connection to the national power grid.

The Cusi Property hosts multiple historical Ag-Au-Pb-Zn producing mines each developed along multiple vein structures. The Cusi Property hosts several significant exploration targets, including the extension of a newly identified downthrown mineralized geological block and additional potential through claim consolidation.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Mark Ayranto, President & CEO
Email: mayranto@silvercomining.com
Phone: 778-888-4010

For further information, please contact:
Investor Relations & Communications
Email: info@silvercomining.com
www.silvercomining.com

Cautionary Statement and Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions, geological theories, and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about any information herein that is not a historical fact may be ‘forward-looking statements.’ Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (which may, but not always, include phrases such as ‘anticipates’, ‘plans’, ‘scheduled’, ‘believed’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’ or ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken to occur or be achieved) including statements regarding the Company’s plans with respect to the Company’s projects and the timing related thereto, the merits of the Company’s projects, the Company’s objectives, plans and strategies, the use of proceeds of the Offering and other matters are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements and are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Such factors include, among others, with respect to the use of proceeds, the availability of drills and personnel, weather, the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, risks relating to the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and the timing of the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; risks relating to property interests; risks related to access to the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration, including the fact that any particular phase of exploration may be unsuccessful; the availability of contractors; geo-political risks; the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental risks; political risks; and community and non-governmental actions, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Silverco’s issuer profile. Further to this, geological similarities or characteristics are not guarantees or certainties of successful exploration. Neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. When considering this forward-looking information, readers should keep in mind the risk factors and other cautionary statements in the Company’s disclosure documents filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulatory authorities on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Silverco’s issuer profile. The risk factors and other factors noted in the disclosure documents could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those described in any forward-looking information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange 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.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284514

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Winston Tailings: Traxys Letter of Interest Signed

February 19, 2026 Investing 5 Mins Read

Panther Metals PLC (LSE: PALM), an exploration company focused on mineral projects in Canada, is pleased to announce that it has signed a letter of interest (‘LOI’) with Traxys Europe SA, a division of Traxys Group (‘Traxys’), a global commodity trading and marketing market leader.

The non-binding LOI concerns Panther’s Winston Tailings Project and is a formal recognition of an ongoing engagement between both parties as Panther progresses work to declare a Mineral Resource estimate, as part of series of ongoing workstreams to quantify, evaluate and permit the contained high-grade gold (Au), gallium (Ga), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), indium (In) and cobalt (Co) and other recoverable minerals located within the historic Winston Lake Mine tailings storage facility near Schrieber, Ontario, Canada.

About Traxys

Traxys is a physical commodity trader and merchant in the metals and natural resources sectors. Its sourcing, logistics, financing and marketing services are conducted by over 550 employees in over 20 offices worldwide, and its annual turnover is in excess of US$8 billion. Traxys designs for its supplier and customer base custom-made supply chain solutions. The group is active in the non-ferrous metals, ferro-alloys, minerals, industrial raw minerals, and energy industries, as well as green transition metals.

Traxys is committed to the highest internationally recognised principles for responsible business conduct, and to ensuring that its operations are equitable, sustainable, and transparent.

Traxys premises its practices on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards that enable Traxys to set a leading example for the responsible sourcing and trading of metals and minerals. To learn more about Traxys, go to: www.traxys.com.

Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer commented:

‘We are extremely pleased to be in discussions with Traxys at this important stage in the development of the Winston Lake Tailings Project.

As a globally recognised leader in the financing and marketing of metal concentrates, Traxys brings an opportunity for a powerful combination of commercial expertise and the potential to deliver structured financial support aligned with future offtake.

We believe the LOI with Traxys represents a strong third-party endorsement of the Project’s technical and economic potential.

The involvement of Traxys with their global scale and capability, potentially offers the capacity to significantly strengthen Panther’s pathway, while providing a clear signal of confidence to our shareholders and the wider market as we advance the Winston Tailings Project towards production.‘

For further information, please contact:

Panther Metals PLC: Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer:	+44 (0)1462 429 743 +44 (0)7971 957 685
Brokers:
Optiva Securities Limited Christian Dennis Mick McNamara	+44 (0)20 3137 1902
Hybridan LLP Claire Louise Noyce	+44 (0)20 3764 2341
SI Capital Limited Nick Emerson	+44 (0)1438 416 500

Obonga Project – Advancing a High-Impact VMS and Critical Minerals District

Panther Metals’ Obonga Project in Ontario continues to demonstrate strong potential as a district-scale exploration opportunity targeting base and critical minerals. Since acquiring the Obonga Greenstone Belt in July 2021, the Company has advanced multiple high-priority targets including Wishbone, Awkward, Survey, Ottertooth, and Silver Rim.

On 9 February 2026 Panther announced plans for an approximately 2,000-metre diamond drilling program at the Wishbone Prospect, following the grant of an Exploration Permit in June 2024 valid through 2027. Previous work confirmed compelling VMS-style mineralisation, including 27.3m of massive sulphide and 51m of sulphide-dominated mineralisation across multiple lenses, supported by high-grade copper anomalies in lake sediments.

In July 2024, Panther secured an Exploration Permit for Awkward West, enabling up to 31 drill holes. Historic drilling returned 27.2m at 2.25% TGC, with zones exceeding 5% TGC, alongside indications of nickel, copper, and platinum group elements, aligning with the Company’s critical minerals strategy.

High-resolution magnetic and electromagnetic surveys continue to refine drill targeting across Obonga. Survey and Ottertooth remain highly prospective, hosting multiple untested geophysical anomalies and historic massive sulphide intercepts.

Winston Project – Tailings Evaluation and MRE Pathway

Panther Metals’ Winston Project represents a near-term, development-focused opportunity centred on the evaluation of historic mine tailings and has been the subject of prior technical and commercial assessment involving Extrakt.

Current work is focused on tailings sampling, metallurgical testing, and data validation to define metal content, recoverability, and support the preparation of a Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE). This approach provides a clear value-creation pathway with lower geological risk than greenfield exploration and aligns with modern reprocessing and critical mineral’s themes.

Dotted Lake Project – Hemlo-Adjacent Polymetallic Opportunity

Panther Metals’ Dotted Lake Project, acquired in July 2020, is located approximately 16km from Barrick Gold’s Hemlo Mine, within a well-established mining region.

Early exploration identified multiple gold and base metal anomalies, with initial drilling confirming gold mineralisation. In early 2025, follow-up drilling materially advanced the project, confirming nickel and magnesium mineralisation within an ultramafic intrusion and identifying a VMS-style system, significantly expanding the project’s polymetallic potential.

The program refined structural controls, extended mineralisation, and identified multiple new drill targets, positioning Dotted Lake as a high-upside, multi-commodity exploration asset.

Commercial Strategy – Focused Value Creation

Panther Metals is focused on disciplined, discovery-driven value creation through efficient capital deployment and technical execution. With Obonga delivering high-impact exploration, Winston providing a resource-focused development pathway, and Dotted Lake offering polymetallic upside, the Company maintains a balanced portfolio aligned with favourable commodity market conditions.

The Company’s strategy is to advance high-quality assets along the most efficient technical pathway, delivering tangible milestones that underpin long-term shareholder value.

Source

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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