Rock Tech Launches Its First Field Program at Victory Lithium Project in Northwest Ontario

• Rock Tech's first exploration field program at the Victory Project, about 45 km east of Kenora, Ontario.
• Crews are advancing exploration at the two known lithium occurrences and exploring a 6-kilometre corridor of potential strike extensions that may be part of a much more extensive lithium-bearing system.
• The Project lies along the Trans-Canada Highway, with rail, electrical transmission, and a natural gas pipeline nearby.
• First results from the program are expected in early 2027, ahead of a planned first drill program later that year.

TORONTO, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ -- Rock Tech Lithium Inc. (TSXV: RCK) (OTCQX: RCKTF) (FWB: RJIB) (WKN: A1XF0V) ("Rock Tech" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the start of its first exploration program at the Victory Project ("Victory Project" or the "Project"), a 9,875-hectare lithium property in Northwestern Ontario.

The first exploration field program marks a pivotal step in unlocking the potentially significant scale of the Project. With two large, highly prospective pegmatites situated approximately 6 kilometres apart, the program is designed to evaluate potential strike extensions and investigate the intervening corridor for further lithium mineralization. This work will help determine whether the two occurrences form part of a more extensive lithium-bearing system, with the potential for a substantially larger mineralized footprint and a significant lithium resource.

Throughout October, a team of geologists and field technicians will advance exploration at the Project's two known lithium occurrences, search for new occurrences, and identify priority targets for drilling in 2027. The findings will also help assess the Project's potential to become an additional source of Ontario lithium for Rock Tech's proposed lithium conversion plant in Red Rock, Ontario (the "Red Rock Converter").

Rock Tech secured an option to acquire 100% of the Project in June 2026. The Project lies along the Trans-Canada Highway, with rail, electrical transmission, and a natural gas pipeline nearby – providing access to key infrastructure that many early-stage lithium properties in Canada lack.

"Four months after signing the option, our geologists and prospectors are on the ground at Victory," said Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO of Rock Tech. "What we see is encouraging: high grades at surface, plenty of unexplored ground and the Trans-Canada-Highway and rail line right next door. This program will provide Rock Tech with independently verified data and drill-ready targets for 2027, while minimizing upfront acquisition costs through an option structure that ties most of the consideration to project results."

"Victory's geological characteristics and proximity to infrastructure make it a compelling fit for Rock Tech's integrated lithium supply chain model," adds Cameron Andrews, General Manager Canada of Rock Tech. "The two known lithium occurrences and kilometres of largely untested ground between them indicate potential for significant scale that we are now beginning to assess. This program is a first step toward developing Victory as an additional source of Ontario lithium for our proposed Red Rock Converter and an important part of strengthening the province's growing lithium supply chain."

Two surface pegmatites, neither ever drilled

The Victory Project currently hosts two lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, Last Resort Pegmatite and Bounty Pegmatite. Pegmatites are coarse-grained rocks that can contain lithium-bearing minerals such as spodumene. Both pegmatites are exposed at surface, with historical samples returning up to 5.11% lithium oxide (Li₂O). Neither pegmatite has ever been drilled. The 6-kilometre corridor between them has seen little systematic exploration and is a priority area for new discoveries. Alongside sampling and geological mapping, crews are conducting a high-resolution survey of the property to map outcrops, geological structures and pegmatite trends.

Victory Project's Role in an Integrated Lithium Supply Chain

The Victory Project represents another important building block in Rock Tech's strategy to establish an integrated lithium supply chain in Ontario, from mine to battery-grade material.

With the proposed Red Rock Converter located near the Georgia Lake Project, the Victory Project - approximately five hours by road from Rock Tech's planned converter - offers the potential to contribute additional lithium feedstock to this emerging regional ecosystem.

This is just the beginning. The Red Rock Converter is intended to support the development of third-party spodumene projects in Ontario and across Canada, providing a local processing solution for their material and helping unlock the potential of a broader domestic lithium supply chain. The Victory Project is therefore part of Rock Tech's wider strategy to consolidate its position in Ontario, while building a platform for further growth across Canada and beyond.

Qualified Person and Technical Disclosure 

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Cameron Andrews, P.Eng., a "qualified person" as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The historical results referenced (up to 5.11% Li₂O at the Last Resort pegmatite and up to 3.48% Li₂O at the Bounty pegmatite) are from selective grab samples, are not necessarily representative of mineralization on the Project and have not been fully verified by the Company. 

The Victory Project is an early-stage exploration property with no mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate, and there is no assurance that further exploration will define one. Information on the Georgia Lake project is not necessarily indicative of mineralization at the Victory Project. The Red Rock feed requirement is an approximate figure based on an assumed concentrate grade of 5.75% Li₂O and a conversion recovery of approximately 86% and is not a production estimate for the Victory Project. 

Rock Tech Lithium Inc. announces that it has engaged Apaton Finance GmbH ("Apaton") of Ellernstrasse 34, 30175 Hanover, Germany, to provide investor relations and promotional services, effective October 22, 2026, for a targeted term of approximately 12 months. The services include the preparation and dissemination of English and German language articles through Apaton's own channels and third-party financial news platforms in Germany and North America, participation in online investor events and interviews, and ongoing market and media monitoring. The Company will pay Apaton a total fee of €80,000, plus applicable taxes, in four equal quarterly instalments of €20,000. Apaton will not receive any securities of the Company as compensation. Apaton is at arm's length to the Company. Apaton´s Managing Director directly holds 661,600 common shares of the Company and 230,800 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable to acquire one common share at a price of $0.90 until August 21, 2029.  To the Company's knowledge, neither Apaton nor any of its other principals holds securities of the Company. The engagement is subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. 

On behalf of the Company,
Mirco Wojnarowicz
CEO

About Rock Tech Lithium

Rock Tech is enabling the battery age by making the battery industries in Europe and North America more independent and competitive. The Company's goal is to ensure the supply of high-quality, locally produced lithium – supporting a resilient, sustainable, and transparent value chain from mine to battery-grade material.

Rock Tech relies on responsible sourcing, state-of-the-art and proven technologies, and a clear focus on circular economy principles. The Company's lithium converter projects in Guben, Germany (24,000 tonnes LHM per year) and Ontario, Canada ("approximately 30,000 tonnes per annum of lithium salts") form the foundation for a stable and regional supply to the battery and automotive industries. The Guben converter has been recognized as a Strategic Project under the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.

The raw materials for Rock Tech's converter projects are intended to be sourced exclusively from verifiably ESG-compliant suppliers. In Canada, Rock Tech relies, among other sources, on its wholly-owned Georgia Lake Project, which is intended to provide a stable and sustainable supply for the North American market and is being developed in close partnership with local Indigenous communities. By integrating recycled materials, the Company aims to close the local battery loop.

With its facilities, Rock Tech intends to contribute to battery-grade material sovereignty and the achievement of climate targets. The company works in partnership with industry, policymakers, and community groups, and is committed to open communication and the highest environmental standards. With its facilities, Rock Tech makes a central contribution to battery-grade material sovereignty and the achievement of climate targets. The company works in partnership with industry, policymakers, and community groups, and is committed to open communication and the highest environmental standards.

CAUTIONARY NOTE CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws and are referred to herein as "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address events, results, outcomes or developments that the Company expects to occur are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "predicts", "believes", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "projects", "forecasts", "may", "will", "should", "would", "could" or negative versions thereof and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company's planned October 2026 exploration program at the Victory Project, including the timing, scope and objectives of such program; the potential extension of the known Bounty and Last Resort pegmatite occurrences; the identification of additional spodumene-bearing pegmatite occurrences and exploration targets; the planned 2027 drilling campaign; Rock Tech's opinions, beliefs and expectations regarding the exploration potential of the Victory Project; and the Company's business strategy, development and exploration opportunities and projects.

The forward-looking information in this news release is based on several key assumptions and material factors. Such assumptions that the Company's planned exploration activities at the Victory Project will proceed as currently anticipated, that required permits, approvals and authorizations will be obtained on a timely basis, that personnel, contractors and equipment will be available as required, and that market conditions for lithium will remain favorable. Forward-looking statements by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements, including general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the risk that planned exploration activities may be delayed, modified or not completed as expected; the risk that exploration activities may not confirm historical exploration results or geological interpretations; changes in project plans; permitting, regulatory, environmental and Indigenous consultation risks; risks relating to financing, contractor performance and availability of labour and equipment; fluctuations in lithium prices and market demand; ; and risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+. No assurances can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, and the Company cautions the reader not to place undue reliance upon any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

SOURCE Rock Tech Lithium Inc.

For further information:  Claudia Wedemann, Senior Director, External Affairs & Communications,  [email protected], [phone], Rock Tech Lithium Inc., 2700-40 Temperance Street, Toronto ON M5H 0B4 CAN.