Vault Strategic Announces Assays Pending From Phase 1 Exploration At War Bond, Nevada

(via TheNewswire)

Vancouver, British Columbia - July 17, 2026 – TheNewswire - Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTCID: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) (WKN: A41WE4) ("Vault" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that assay results are pending for 42 rock and soil samples collected during the Company's Phase 1 exploration program at the War Bond Tungsten Project ("War Bond") in western Nevada. War Bond encompasses the historical War Bond, Tactite and Thursday tungsten mine areas.

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Figure 1. War Bond, Thursday and Tactite project areas. View the project video here.

Nevada was ranked the world's top mining jurisdiction in the Fraser Institute's Annual Survey of Mining Companies, released on February 26, 2026.1

A total of 42 rock and soil samples were submitted to ALS Geochemistry in Reno, Nevada, for analysis of a broad suite of conventional and strategic metals and key indicator elements. The assay results will be evaluated alongside data from the previously announced drone-borne magnetic survey and will form part of the technical foundation for the maiden NI 43-101 technical report being prepared by veteran geologist William "Bill" Feyerabend and Amazona Enterprises, as announced by the Company on July 15, 2026.

Quinn Field-Dyte, Chief Executive Officer of Vault Strategic Mining Corp., stated, "The completion of our Phase 1 field program and submission of 42 samples mark an important step in advancing War Bond. The assay results, together with the drone-borne magnetic survey data, will be incorporated into the maiden NI 43-101 technical report being prepared by Bill Feyerabend and Amazona Enterprises. This work is expected to strengthen our geological understanding, refine exploration priorities including drill targeting and provide clear recommendations for the project's next phase of advancement. With the United States and its allies increasingly focused on securing domestic supplies of critical minerals, we believe War Bond's historical tungsten production, strategic location in Nevada and modern exploration potential make it a timely and compelling project for Vault."

Strategic Importance of War Bond Amid Global Supply Chain Risks

War Bond's strategic relevance is reinforced by escalating geopolitical tensions, uncertainty affecting global shipping routes and continued restrictions on critical mineral exports. As the United States, Canada and allied nations work to strengthen secure domestic supply chains, tungsten remains an essential defense and industrial metal due to its exceptional hardness, density and heat resistance. Tungsten is classified as a critical mineral by both the United States and Canada and is used in:

• Armor-piercing ammunition and kinetic energy penetrators; 

• Missile guidance and weapons systems; 

• Aerospace and aviation components; 

• High-performance cutting and machining tools; 

• Semiconductor manufacturing equipment; and 

• Energy infrastructure and advanced industrial technologies. 

Figure 2. Likely tungsten-related skarn or tactite-style mineralization observed at War Bond

Located within one of Nevada's historic tungsten mining districts, War Bond encompasses the historical War Bond, Tactite and Thursday mine areas, which collectively form part of a historically productive tungsten camp. Vault is applying modern exploration techniques to evaluate known mineralization and identify additional targets across the property. With long-term demand supported by defense spending, infrastructure investment, electrification, advanced manufacturing and artificial intelligence-related industrial growth, the Company believes War Bond is well positioned within the broader effort to develop a secure North American tungsten supply chain.

War Bond Tungsten Project: Historical Context

Click Image To View Full Size Figure 3. LiDAR survey of the historical War Bond Tungsten Mine

The War Bond claim package comprises 20 unpatented lode mining claims covering approximately 400 acres in the Delaware Mining District of western Nevada. The property encompasses the historical War Bond Mine and the Tactite and Thursday tungsten workings.

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 use War Bond, Tactite, Thursday, Old Discovery and Knight Claims as related or overlapping names within a broader tungsten occurrence rather than as distinct modern projects. Western Mining History's MRDS-derived War Bond Mine record identifies War Bond as a tungsten mine in Douglas County, Nevada, and lists Tactite and Thursday, Old Discovery and Knight Claims as secondary names.2

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

Historical descriptions associate tungsten mineralization in the area 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 being located approximately 15 miles southeast of Carson City in Section 9, T. 14 N., R. 21 E., and reports scheelite 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 tungsten skarn with scheelite mineralization and epidote, garnet, quartz and calcite gangue. The record identifies two principal mineralized areas: a west zone with narrow scheelite-bearing widths reporting up to 0.3% WO3 and an east zone with small scheelite shoots reporting values of 0.25% to 0.45% WO3 over widths of 4 to 8 feet.5

Historical assay and laboratory records contained 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. Reported results include a selected sample from the upper location hole on Tactite Claim No. 1 grading 14.40% WO3, two additional 1942 samples grading 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 grading 0.35% tungsten trioxide.6

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

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

Historical Information and Exploration Context

The properties comprising the Company's portfolio have been subject to historical exploration, development work and, in several cases, past production. The historical exploration results, sampling, drilling and other technical information referenced in this release predate National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and do not comply with current NI 43-101 requirements. Accordingly, this information should not be relied upon as current or verified technical disclosure. Management nevertheless considers it relevant to exploration targeting, geological interpretation and the design of modern exploration and evaluation programs.

Management believes the historical work and past production provide a useful foundation for modern exploration when reassessed using contemporary geological models, exploration technologies, metallurgical processes and prevailing commodity prices. Readers are cautioned, however, that the historical results, resource estimates and economic conclusions referenced herein have not been verified or confirmed.

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

About Vault Strategic Mining Corp.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is a North American resource company focused on acquiring and advancing strategic and critical mineral projects in top-tier mining jurisdictions. The Company targets historical and underexplored assets with the potential for value creation through modern exploration and disciplined development. Investors and stakeholders are encouraged to follow the Company on LinkedIn, X 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, it has not been independently verified under current NI 43-101 standards or modern quality assurance and quality control procedures and is therefore considered supportive for exploration guidance only. The Company cautions that past results or production from nearby properties are not necessarily 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 scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.

On behalf of the Board:

Vault Strategic Mining Corp.

"Quinn Field-Dyte"

Chief Executive Officer and 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 news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws concerning Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (“Vault” or the “Company”) and the War Bond Tungsten Project. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s Phase 2 exploration planning at the War Bond Tungsten Project; the submission of samples for laboratory analysis; the timing and receipt of analytical results; the interpretation of Phase 1 reconnaissance and sampling work; potential future field validation, mapping, sampling, target refinement and drill target generation; the Company’s ability to complete additional exploration work; and the Company’s future plans, objectives and expectations. Forward-looking information is often, but not always, identified by words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “proposes”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “might”, “will”, “potential”, “target”, “advance”, “prepare” and similar expressions, or statements that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, might or will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on the current expectations, estimates, assumptions and projections of management as of the date of this news release. Such information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks inherent in mineral exploration and development; uncertainty regarding the interpretation of exploration results; delays in receiving laboratory results; the possibility that future exploration may not confirm historical information, identify mineralization or generate drill targets; changes in exploration plans or budgets; the availability of personnel, contractors and equipment; permitting and regulatory risks; commodity price volatility; market conditions; financing risks; title and property risks; environmental risks; general economic conditions; and other risks associated with the resource industry. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable, no assurance can be given that such assumptions or expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any date subsequent to the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, 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.

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