Vault Strategic Mining Engages Rangefront for Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine Exploration

Vancouver, British Columbia — May 15, 2026 — Leads & Copy —Vault Strategic Mining Corp. (TSXV: KNOX) (OTC: KNXFF) (FSE: M850) (WKN:A41WE4) has engaged Rangefront Mining Services to conduct its initial exploration program at the Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, part of the Gray Eagle Project in the Bishop Mining District, Inyo County, California.

The field program will revisit historical mine areas, verify accessible historical workings and surface exposures, collect geological and sampling data, and identify priority targets for future drill testing. The program aims to assess the historical mine setting and develop targets to potentially expand the historical tungsten resource described in records.

Quinn Field-Dyte, CEO of Vault Strategic Mining Corp., said Rangefront’s engagement is an important step in advancing the Mirage-Mariposa historical tungsten mine. He noted the increasing recognition of tungsten as a strategic critical mineral and the importance of revisiting historically productive mineral districts.

Field-Dyte added that Mirage-Mariposa’s documented historical tungsten resource provides a foundation for renewed evaluation, and the program will place experienced geologists on-site to collect modern data and generate priority drill targets.

Rangefront's field program will focus on modern geological evaluation of the Mirage-Mariposa tungsten system. The scope includes:

• Detailed mapping of the intrusive-carbonate contact and skarn zoning, including garnet, epidote, and scheelite-bearing zones.
• Underground and surface verification of historical zones, including accessible workings and mine dumps.
• Channel sampling across tactite and adjacent structures, with QA/QC procedures.
• Portable ultraviolet work to evaluate scheelite distribution and continuity.
• Structural measurements to constrain mineralized controls, plunge, and potential extensions.
• Development of high priority drill targets, including coordinates, sections, and conceptual collar locations.

Upon completion, Rangefront is expected to provide Vault with field data, mapping files, relevant datasets, and a technical summary of activities and conclusions. Vault expects the results to assist in ranking priority target areas for future confirmation and expansion drilling.

The Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine is part of the Gray Eagle Project, which includes 33 contiguous unpatented lode claims totaling about 681.8 acres, located approximately 10 kilometers east of Bishop, California, within the White Mountains.

The project area hosts multiple mineralized prospects developed along a granite-limestone contact, a geological environment associated with tungsten skarn mineralization and hydrothermal precious-metal vein systems. Historical records describe replacement-style and disseminated mineralization, contact metasomatic processes, intense wallrock alteration, and carbonate-silicate alteration. Reported minerals and materials include scheelite, garnet, epidote, quartz, and argentite.

Vault previously announced its agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Historical Mirage-Mariposa Tungsten Mine, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance or approval.

Rangefront Mining Services is a Nevada-based geological consulting firm offering project management, data analysis, field services, and NI 43-101 compliant reporting.

The U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Mineral Resource Data System record for the Mirage-Mariposa Mine describes historical resources of approximately 21,000 indicated tons and 34,400 inferred tons of subeconomic resources, with an average grade of 0.15% tungsten trioxide.

The historical resource estimate predates National Instrument 43-101 and was not prepared in accordance with NI 43-101. The historical categories used in the estimate should not be assumed to be directly comparable to current NI 43-101 mineral resource categories. Vault has not independently verified the historical resource estimate, and the Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. Vault is not treating the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve.

Additional work would be required before any historical estimate could be verified or classified as a current mineral resource. There is no assurance that any portion of the historical estimate will be confirmed.

Historical information has been reviewed against available records but has not been independently verified to current NI 43-101 standards and should be considered historical in nature and supportive for exploration targeting only. The Company cautions that historical results, historical production, historical resource estimates, or historical mine development may not be indicative of the presence of current mineral resources or reserves.

Vault Strategic also announced it has entered into a marketing services agreement with Capitaliz Marketing Inc. to provide investor awareness and digital marketing services in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange policies.

Capitaliz will assist Vault with investor awareness initiatives, including digital advertising, content development, and coordination with third-party publishers and content creators. The services are intended to increase general awareness of Vault and its activities.

The Company has entered into a one-month investor awareness agreement with Capitaliz Marketing Inc. with an initial budget of $50,000 and may approve additional allocations up to $200,000, subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. is focused on the acquisition and advancement of strategic and critical mineral projects located in top-tier mining jurisdictions. The Company emphasizes historical and underexplored assets.

Vault Strategic Mining Corp. trades on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: KNOX), OTC Markets (OTCID: KNXFF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: M850).

Mr. William Feyerabend, CPG, an independent Consulting Geologist and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the disclosure in this news release for consistency with NI 43-101 reporting requirements.

Source: Vault Strategic Mining