Northisle Announces Exploration and Geology Team Transition Plan

VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. (TSX-V: NCX, OTCQX: NTCPF) (“Northisle” or the “Company”) announces that it is transitioning its exploration and geology teams to better support the Company’s dual focus on exploration and project development. Following Dr. Pablo Mejia Herrera’s decision to leave his role as Vice President, Exploration to pursue a new business opportunity, effective October 11, 2026, Northisle’s Chairman, Alex Davidson, is now overseeing the Company’s exploration activities, with a particular focus on advancing the Company’s generative exploration strategy. Dr. Mejia has worked closely with the Company during this transition to ensure a seamless handoff of technical data and exploration plans. The Company is well advanced in its search for a Vice President, Geology, who will take ownership of the overall technical geology function, and support both the development and exploration of the North Island Project.

Alex Davidson, Chairman, stated “I am excited to work more closely with the exploration team, particularly when we are just beginning to define and execute a strategy for the larger North Island district. I look forward to working with Dr. John Thompson, Technical Advisor, and our highly capable exploration team in Port Hardy, led by Pat Hamilton, to realize the potential of our mineral district with a comprehensive regional exploration program.”

Sam Lee, President & CEO, commented “I am delighted to have Alex step into a leading role for our generative exploration strategy. I can think of no better person to lead the Company’s exploration strategy as we set out to further demonstrate the scale and quality of the North Island mineral district.

I would also like to express my thanks to Pablo Mejia for his leadership, expertise, and contributions to the Company. He successfully led the growth of our exploration operations over the past two years, which culminated in a significant increase in our Mineral Resource Estimate released last quarter. His knowledge and experience have been invaluable, and we wish him well in his new venture.”

Exploration and Development Milestones

The Company continues to advance the North Island Project, with multiple near-term development and exploration catalysts including:

• COMPLETED – C$115 million financing to advance the North Island Project
• COMPLETED – Drilling results at Northwest Expo, extending strike and defining higher-grade zones
• COMPLETED – Commence extension drilling in Northwest Corridor
• COMPLETED – Initiate early engagement on mine waste storage area (ahead of schedule)
• COMPLETED – Drilling results at Red Dog, confirming additional higher-grade mineralization extending below the previous resource envelope
• COMPLETED – Integrated resource update for the North Island Project
• Q4 2026 – Announce results from ongoing drilling and regional exploration activity
• Q4 2026 – File Initial Project Description
• Q4 2026 – Commence BC Hydro System Impact Study
• Q1 2027 – Announce North Island Project PFS results
• Ongoing – Metallurgical test work (results to be included in North Island Project PFS)
• Ongoing – Continue positive engagement with indigenous rightsholders and local stakeholders

Upcoming Investor Events

The Company will be attending several investor events, including:

• Gentile Mining Investor Conference: October 19
• LME Week 2026: October 19-23
• Canadian Critical Minerals Opportunity Forum: November 5
• RBC Bringing the Diggers Downunder: November 11-12
• Swiss Mining Institute Conference: November 18-19
• CIBC Western Institutional Investor Conference: January 20-22
• Vancouver Resource Investment Conference: January 24-25
• AME Roundup: January 25-28
• TD Cowen Global Mining Conference: January 26-28

About Northisle

Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is a Vancouver-based company whose vision is to become Canada’s leading sustainable mineral resource company for the future. Northisle, through its 100% owned subsidiary North Island Mining Corp., owns the North Island Project, which is one of the most promising copper and gold porphyry projects in Canada. The North Island Project is located near Port Hardy, British Columbia on a more than 34,000-hectare block of mineral titles 100% owned by Northisle on a belt stretching 50 kilometres northwest from the now closed Island Copper Mine operated by BHP Billiton. Since 2021, the Company has discovered two significant deposits, expanded resources, demonstrated the potential of the North Island Project, and is now focused on the development of this compelling project while exploring within this highly prospective land package.

Northisle respectfully acknowledges that our North Island Project is located within the territories of Quatsino First Nation, Kwakiutl First Nation, and Tlatlasikwala First Nation. We are committed to collaborating with First Nations to build authentic, mutually beneficial relationships.

For more information on Northisle please visit the Company’s website at www.northisle.ca.

Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Information

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities law. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to: plans and expectations regarding future project development and exploration; the timing, completion and results of the Company’s planned activities; the Company’s search for a new Vice President, Geology; and, the Company’s plans for advancement of the North Island Project. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, the Company’s ability to implement its business strategies; risks associated with mineral exploration and production; risks associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; stakeholder engagement; marketing and transportation costs; loss of markets; volatility of commodity prices; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; industry and government regulation; changes in legislation, income tax and regulatory matters; competition; currency and interest rate fluctuations; and, other risks. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive.

Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions, or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release represent the expectations of management of Northisle as of the date of this news release, and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Northisle does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities 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 news release.