Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 21, 2026) - Valkea Resources Corp. (TSXV: OZ) (OTCQB: OZBKF) (FSE: 4A7) (the "Company" or "Valkea") is pleased to announce a series of strategic appointments that further strengthen the Company's leadership, technical depth, and capital markets expertise. Valkea has appointed Thomas Credland as President, Marc Turcotte as Director, and Dr. Charlotte Seabrook as Technical Advisor, effective immediately, as the Company advances its portfolio of high-quality gold exploration assets in Finland's Central Lapland Gold Belt.

"We welcome these appointments as they meaningfully strengthen our team at a pivotal stage for the Company," said Chris Donaldson, Founder and Executive Chair. "During Thomas' tenure at Rupert Resources, the company's market capitalization increased from approximately C$4 million to more than C$1.2 billion, delivering a share price appreciation of over 40 times, and, together with the appointment of Charlie Seabrook, brings a demonstrated record of discovery and value creation in Finland. The Board also welcomes Marc Turcotte who joins us after being a key driver of MAG Silver's growth and ultimate sale of the company last year for ~C$3B. Attracting industry leaders of this calibre underscores the quality and compelling potential of Valkea's asset portfolio."

Thomas Credland, President of Valkea commented, "Valkea Resources is a unique opportunity to advance a mineral exploration business focussed solely on the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt in Northern Finland. Valkea's land holding of almost 400km2 comprising five core properties provides strong foundations to add to the existing prospect pipeline and adopt the same disciplined, systematic methodology that led to the discovery of Ikkari and several other gold occurrences in the region over the last six years. I am delighted to be joined in this endeavour by Dr. Charlie Seabrook, one of the driving forces credited with the discovery of Ikkari. Valkea looks forward to updating the market with a detailed update and appraisal of its properties, further technical team appointments and work plan intended to make the next generation of significant mineral discoveries in Northern Finland."

Thomas Credland - President

A geologist by background, Mr. Credland joined Valkea Resources as President in January 2026. Previously at Rupert Resources, in his role as Head of Corporate Development, Mr. Credland was involved in the original identification and acquisition of the core property package in Northern Finland and also the implementation of strategy, equity financings and work programmes that led to the discovery and ongoing resource development of the 4Moz Ikkari Gold Project. Mr. Credland has over 25 years experience in mining having started his career as a gold geologist in Western Australia before working as a mining analyst for Wood Mackenzie and in mining institutional equity sales for Canaccord Genuity in London before moving to corporate executive roles. Thomas holds a BSc Geology (Hons) degree from the University of Edinburgh and an MSc in Mineral Project Appraisal from Imperial College, London.

Marc Turcotte - Director

Mr. Turcotte is a mining development and exploration executive with over 20 years of experience in corporate development, capital markets, and strategic transactions within the mining sector. Most recently, he served as Chief Development Officer of MAG Silver Corp., where he played a key role over more than a decade in advancing the Company's project portfolio and corporate strategy, culminating in MAG Silver's US$2.1 billion acquisition by Pan American Silver. Prior to joining MAG Silver, Mr. Turcotte held senior roles with Hecla Mining Company and Aurizon Mines Ltd., gaining broad experience across exploration, development, and corporate transactions. Mr. Turcotte holds a Bachelor of Science in Resource Economics (Honours) from the University of British Columbia and a Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business.

Dr. Charlotte Seabrook - Technical Advisor

Charlotte ("Charlie) Seabrook, MAIG, RPGeo. Dr. Seabrook commenced as an advisor to Valkea Resources in January 2026. Previously Dr. Seabrook acted for Rupert Resources as Group Exploration Manager and is credited with assembling the team and implementing the systematic geoscience-led approach that resulted in the discovery of Rupert Resources 4Moz Ikkari Project in Northern Finland in March 2020. Prior to this, Dr. Seabrook was District Geologist for Newcrest in West Africa where her team discovered Fortuna Mining's +1Moz Seguela mine in Cote D'Ivoire. Dr. Seabrook has over 25 years experience in geology and exploration having completed her PhD at the University of Witwatersrand. She also holds an MSc Mineral Resources from the University of Wales (Cardiff). Dr. Seabrook is recognised as a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is based in Europe.

About Valkea Resources

Valkea Resources at the forefront of gold exploration in Finland's highly prospective Central Lapland Greenstone Belt (CLGB). With an extensive portfolio of high-potential projects, including the flagship Paana project, Valkea Resources is committed to discovering and advancing significant gold deposits in one of the world's emerging gold districts.

On behalf of the Board,

"Chris Donaldson"

Founder & Executive Chairman

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.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information relating to the future operations of the Company and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements in this news release include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's exploration plans.

Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analyses and opinions of management made in light of its experience and its perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may prove to be incorrect. Management believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things: the Company's ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the timely receipt of required approvals; the price of metals; and the Company's ability to obtain financing as and when required and on reasonable terms. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and other factors include but are not limited to: the Company's early stage of development; the fluctuation of the price of metals; the availability of additional funding as and when required; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; the timing and ability to maintain and, where necessary, obtain necessary permits and licenses; the uncertainty in geologic, hydrological, metallurgical and geotechnical studies and opinions; infrastructure risks, including access to water and power; environmental risks and hazards; risks associated with negative operating cash flow; and risks associated with dilution. For a further discussion of risks relevant to the Company, see the Company's other public disclosure documents.

Although management has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There is 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 forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as, and to the extent required by, applicable securities laws.

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