Surge Battery Metals Engages Kemetco Engaged for Advanced Pre-feasibility Metallurgical Testing at the Nevada North Lithium Project

April 1, 2026 – West Vancouver, BC; Surge Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Surge”) (TSXV: NILI, OTC: NILIF, FRA: DJ5C) is pleased to announce that Nevada North Lithium LLC (“NNL”), the joint venture formed by Surge and Evolution Mining Limited (“Evolution”), has commenced an advanced metallurgical optimization program with Kemetco Research Inc. ("Kemetco") to support the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Company’s flagship, high-grade Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) located in Elko County, Nevada.

This comprehensive testing program utilizes a Master Composite sample—representing the first 10 years of mine life—designed in direct collaboration with Fluor Corporation ("Fluor"), the lead engineering firm for the PFS. The primary objective is to validate and optimize the specific Process Design Criteria (PDC) and Heat and Mass Balance (HMB) models currently being engineered by Fluor.

Strategic Continuity and Engineering Alignment

Kemetco’s familiarity with the NNLP mineralization and hydrometallurgy flow sheets qualify them as the premier choice for this phase of de-risking. Having successfully executed the foundational metallurgical testing for the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), Kemetco provides necessary continuity. Their historical data and hands-on experience with the NNLP claystone ensure that this optimization phase will be executed efficiently, bridging the gap between bench-scale data and Fluor’s commercial-scale plant design.

Key Technical Highlights of the PFS Test Program:

• Flowsheet Optimization: Comprehensive testing across the entire proposed flowsheet, including, sulfuric acid leaching, neutralization, and Counter-Current Decantation (CCD).

• Impurity Removal & ZLD Integration: Advanced testing of the impurity removal circuits to validate reagent consumption (such as lime and soda ash) and the simulation of the Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) circuit, a critical component of Surge's water conservation strategy.

• Product Validation: Precipitation and crystallization testing to confirm the efficient production of high-purity lithium carbonate.

• Byproduct Evaluation (Cesium & Rubidium): The program will strictly monitor the deportment of Cesium (Cs) and Rubidium (Rb) throughout the leaching and purification phases to assess the economic viability of recovering these high-value specialty metals as project by-products.

Mr. Greg Reimer, President & Chief Executive Officer and Director of Surge, commented, "We are very pleased to be working with Kemetco again. By pairing their intimate understanding of our Nevada North deposit with Fluor’s commercial engineering capabilities, we are combining the necessary expertise to complete the test work and lock in our optimized flowsheet. This will support our fully funded joint ventured Pre-Feasibility Study."

Qualified Person:

Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, Geological Advisor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.

About Surge Battery Metals Inc.

Surge Battery Metals Inc., a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The project focuses on development of high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering battery electric storage and electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and a listing on the OTCQX Market in the USA, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration.

About Evolution Mining Limited

Evolution Mining is a leading, globally relevant gold miner. Evolution operates six mines, comprising five wholly-owned mines – Cowal in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland, Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada, and an 80% share in Northparkes in New South Wales.

About Nevada North Lithium LLC

Nevada North Lithium LLC, jointly owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc (72.5%) and Evolution Mining Limited (27.5%), owns the Nevada North Lithium Project southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County. The first three rounds of drilling at the project identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a known width of greater than 1,500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. As disclosed in the Company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), completed jointly by M3 Engineering & Technology Corp. and Independent Mining Consultants (see the Company’s news release dated July 24, 2025 for further information respecting the PEA), the Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 11.24 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 3010 ppm Li at a 1,250-ppm cutoff. The PEA reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

“Greg Reimer”

Greg Reimer,
Director, President & CEO