VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 30, 2026 – EMP Metals Corp. (CSE: EMPS) (OTCQB: EMPPF) (FSE: 9ST) (“EMP Metals” or the “Company“) is pleased to announce that it has secured the necessary permits from the Saskatchewan Ministry of Energy and Resources and the Water Security Agency for the re-entry and testing of a brackish water well near the Project Aurora Demonstration Plant site in the Viewfield area of southeastern Saskatchewan (see press release from January 29, 2026).

Since receiving approval for its required permits, groundwork and site preparation activities are already in progress. A service drill rig is currently being mobilized to the site and scheduled to start work next week.

Paul Schubach, COO of EMP Metals, said, “We appreciate the Saskatchewan government, agencies and municipalities for their quick permitting timelines and strong support for responsible development of the province’s natural resources. We can’t overstate how important the province’s streamlined permit approval process is—it lets us rapidly move forward with starting re-entry operations for a brackish water source at our Project Aurora Demonstration Plant. We look forward to sharing more details as the work program gets underway.”

The Company is also pleased to announce that its common shares have started trading on the Tradegate Exchange (“Tradegate”) in Germany, one of Europe’s most liquid, retail-focused trading platforms. EMP Metals joined Tradegate to provide greater access and visibility for European and international investors. The Company’s listing is available under the following ISIN: CA26871G1054 | WKN: A3C8EG | Symbol: 9ST.

The Tradegate listing complements EMP Metals’ existing listings on the Canadian Securities Exchange (EMPS), the OTCQB in the United States (EMPPF) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (9ST).

The Project Aurora Demonstration Plant will create, test, and optimize a wellhead-connected, continuous-flow, modular Hub and Spoke lithium extraction and refining model. The on-site program seeks to achieve performance gains and cost savings while reducing risks for future investments. Project Aurora—a joint effort between EMP Metals and Saltworks Technologies Inc. (“Saltworks”)—focuses on lowering costs, simplifying processes, and using the best available, most cost-effective, and innovative technology. As part of the collaboration’s launch, Saltworks will develop full-scale plant designs and cost estimates for a 3,000+ tonne-per-year modular, repeatable commercial refinery for EMP Metals, using data and insights from the demonstration plant project.

About EMP Metals
EMP is a Canada-based lithium exploration and development company specializing in large-scale resources through direct lithium extraction (DLE). EMP currently owns over 205,000 net acres (83,000 hectares) of Subsurface Dispositions and strategic wellbores in Southern Saskatchewan.

Forward-Looking Statements
Information in this news release includes forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of the date of this release. These statements reflect management’s current estimates, beliefs, intentions, and expectations—but they are not guarantees of future results. EMP Metals warns that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and actual performance could be impacted by several material factors, many outside the company’s control. These factors include risks and uncertainties related to EMP Metals’ limited operating history, ability to secure enough funding for exploration and development on its mineral properties, obtaining required permits for its activities, and compliance with environmental and government regulations. As a result, actual and future events, conditions, and outcomes may differ significantly from the estimates, beliefs, intentions, or expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking information. Unless required by applicable securities laws, EMP Metals has no obligation to publicly update or revise this forward-looking information.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved or disapproved the information in this release and does not take responsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.

SOURCE EMP Metals Corp.