Stardust Metal Outlines 2026 Priorities Along the Cadillac Break

Highlights

• Maiden drill program to test McGarry's newly defined large-scale geophysical target.

• Tailings characterization program on the Kerr-Addison tailings to assess grade, tonnage, and recoveries in order to publish a mineral resource estimate.

• Kerr Deep drill program targeting the interpreted potential down-plunge extension of the neighbouring Kerr-Addison deposit.

• Update Mineral Resource Estimates for McGarry and Omega, incorporating data revalidation and more current gold price assumptions.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 19, 2026) - Stardust Metal Corp.(CSE: ZIGY) ("Stardust" or the "Company") is pleased to outline its 2026 priorities across its cornerstone assets, the McGarry Project, the Omega Project, and the Kirkland West Project. All are strategically located on the Cadillac Break in Kirkland Lake, Ontario alongside Barrick, Agnico Eagle, Pan American and Pierre Lassonde's Gold Candle. The Cadillac Break is an active consolidation corridor most recently demonstrated by Gold Candle's acquisition of Fokus Mining Corp. The Company's plan targets near-term resource growth, district-scale discovery upside, and strategic optionality as consolidation accelerates across the Abitibi corridor.

Stardust Metal on the Cadillac Break - Figure 1

"Stardust has a compelling opportunity to define a new discovery along the Cadillac Break through our planned maiden drill program targeting a newly identified geophysical anomaly at McGarry. In parallel, we are advancing near-term catalysts by updating mineral resource estimates at McGarry and Omega, progressing Kerr Deep, and systematically evaluating the Kerr-Addison tailings opportunity. With accelerating regional momentum and growing market focus on the camp, we believe Stardust is well positioned to capitalize on an improving development backdrop, said Stephen Stewart, Chairman of Stardust Metal.

McGarry Project Priorities

The recently optioned McGarry Project ("McGarry") sits directly along strike from the historic Kerr-Addison mine, and hosts a historical measured and indicated mineral resource of 447,000 tonnes at 8.57 g/t Au (123,000 ounces) and an inferred mineral resource of 157,000 tonnes at 5.83 g/t Au (30,000 ounces)^[1] defined in the immediate vicinity of the underground mining infrastructure of the historic Armistice Mine. The property has an existing headframe and shaft down to 700 metres.

1. Systematic Drill Program on the Newly Identified Geophysical Anomaly

Stardust completed a combined magnetotellurics ("MT") and deep Induced Polarization (DCIP) survey (see November 27, 2025 news release), which identified an untested MT anomaly from ~250 metres to >1,000 metres deep. The MT survey outlined a potentially large, deep conductive feature beneath the sedimentary cover, thought to be caused by the same mafic-ultramafic rocks found on the adjacent Kerr Property. The overlying sediments are trapped in a wedge bounded by the Larder Lake-Cadillac Fault to the north and the Armistice cross-fault to the east. These outcropping rocks are mineralized on the Kerr Addison property and have the potential to be the next discovery on the Cadillac Break^[2]. In preparation for a systematic drill program in the second half of the year and following up on the MT anomaly, the Company plans to complete an ANT survey which will inform geometry of the sedimentary basin and depth of the MT anomaly, resulting in focused areas of interest for drilling.

2. Kerr-Addison Tailings: Large-Scale Evaluation Program

McGarry hosts a major tailings complex resulting from the historic Kerr-Addison operation ("Kerr Addison Tailings"), which produced 11 million ounces at 9 g/t gold^[3]. The Kerr Addison Tailings covers ~73 hectares, or >10% of McGarry's property area and potentially represents over 1Mt per vertical metre^[4]. Stardust will initiate a tailings drilling program to evaluate 1) tonnage; 2) vertical grade distribution and 3) metallurgical parameters, including recoveries. This drilling campaign is meant to deliver an initial mineral resource estimate that will determine future development options.

3. Resource Growth at Kerr Deep Zone

The Kerr Deep Zone ("Kerr Deep") is located under the past producing Armistice Mine and is excluded from McGarry's historical resource estimate. It is interpreted as a potential down-plunge extension of the Kerr-Addison system and has been intersected in several deep drill holes on the McGarry Property. Table 1 below summarizes the more significant drill intersections at Kerr Deep and Figure 2 shows the longitudinal section for Kerr Deep with highlighted drill intersections.

Table 1) Historical drill intersections from the Kerr Deep Zone^[5]

Stardust plans on compiling and validating the extensive McGarry 1,265 drillhole database and incorporate the Kerr Deep drill holes into an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE"). The MRE will also incorporate current gold pricing for additional potential upside, as current gold prices are over three times higher than when the historical resource was compiled ^[6]. As part of this approach the Company is currently planning a deep drilling campaign on Kerr Deep with the objective to bring the zone to an inferred resource category.

Kerr Deep Longitudinal Section - Figure 2

Omega Project Priority: Modernizing the MRE

The Omega Project ("Omega") is located <10km west of McGarry, adjacent to Pan American Silver's Larder Project near the town of Larder Lake, Ontario. Like McGarry, Omega is a past producer, having historically produced ~217,000 ounces at an average grade of 5.4 g/t gold between 1921-1929 and 1936-1947^[7]. Omega encompasses a material portion of the Cadillac Break, hosting an indicated resource of 4.95 million tonnes at 1.39 g/t gold (219,800 ounces) and an inferred resource of 4.69 million tonnes at 2.42 g/t gold (365,400 ounces).

Stardust will continue recompiling Omega's extensive drilling data with the objective of reinterpreting the geology of the historic mine for a potential resource expansion. Furthermore, Stardust will look to incorporate current gold price assumptions, which is more than four times the gold price in 2013^[8] when Omega's MRE was compiled. In addition, known mineralized areas south of the Omega Zone will be evaluated for potential to define additional mineral resources.

Kirkland West Project

The Kirkland West Project ("Kirkland West") covers approximately 3,400 hectares and is contiguous with Agnico Eagle's Macassa Mine property. Recent high-grade drilling west of the Amikougami Fault supports the interpretation that the Macassa gold system may extend westward onto Stardust's Kirkland West land package.

2021-2022 Drill Highlights

• BAL21-024 intersected visible gold at 922.81-923.31 metres, returning 86.2 g/t Au (metallic screen), and additional mineralization at 1,079.15-1,080.12 metres grading 5.65 g/t Au. Both intervals are interpreted to be associated with the Larder Lake-Cadillac Fault Zone and/or the Amalgamated Fault.

• BAL22-025 intersected 1.09 g/t Au from 716-717 metres, approximately 150 metres above the high-grade interval in BAL21-024.

• BAL21-021 returned 1.13 g/t Au over 3.0 metres from 225-228 metres, approximately 100 metres east of BAL21-024.

Stardust intends to evaluate disciplined, value-accretive paths to advance Kirkland West, including strategic partnership opportunities to accelerate technical work and assess mineralization potential, scale, and continuity.

About Stardust Metal

Stardust is a gold exploration company with assets on the world class Cadillac Break and adjacent to Agnico Eagle, Barrick, Pan American and Gold Candle. Its main assets include the McGarry and Omega projects, both of which are currently updating their historical mineral resource estimates in addition to its Kirkland West project. McGarry also contains the largest tailings deposit in the Kirkland Lake region.

QP Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo and géo., Director of Stardust Metal Corp., a Qualified Person, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects." For the exploration undertaken by Stardust, all assay batches are accompanied by rigorous Quality Assurance procedures, including the insertion of standards and blanks.

Disclosure Regarding Historical Resources

The Qualified Person has not done sufficient work to upgrade the McGarry Resource ("Historical Resource") as current. To upgrade or verify the Historical Resource as current, the Company will need to complete a thorough review, analysis and resampling of the historical information and drill data as discussed above, along with the incorporation of exploration work and results subsequent to the publication of the historical McGarry technical report, Additionally, a full review of the economic parameters utilized to determine Reasonable Prospects of Eventual Economic Extraction would be required in order to produce a current mineral resource for the Project. Any future mineral resource will need to evaluate the open pit and/or underground potential taking into consideration the current cost and pricing conditions and constraints, along with continuity of resource blocks.

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Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Stardust assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Stardust. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by Stardust with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under Stardust profile atwww.sedar.com.

________________________
¹ Source: 2011 Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared for Armistice Resources dated September 30, 2011.
² Cautionary Statement: Stardust cautions readers that historical production or current mineral resources at Kerr Addison are not necessarily indicative of mineralization at McGarry.
³ Refer to Gold Candle's Corporate Presentation dated September 2025 on goldcandle.com.
Cautionary Statement: Stardust cautions readers that historical production or current mineral resources at Kerr Addison are not necessarily indicative of mineralization at McGarry or Kerr Addison Tailings.
⁴ Assumed density 1.55 grams per cubic centimeter. True thicknesses are estimated to be approximately 70% of core lengths.
⁵ Source: Carmichael, S.J., 2004. Report on the Armistice Resources Ltd, Virginiatown Gold Project, Ontario.
⁶ Average gold price in 2011: $1,531/oz. Gold Price (spot) as of February 17, 2026: $4,884/oz.
⁷ Refer to Omega Property Technical Report prepared by AMC Consultants, effective date May 10, 2013.
⁸ Average gold price in 2013: $1,204.50/oz. Gold Price (spot) as of February 17, 2026: $4,884/oz.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/284400

Source: Stardust Metal Corp.

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