Volta Drills 7.37% Rare Earth Oxide and 252.7 g/t Gallium Oxide over 1.5m at Springer

New high‑grade rare earth and gallium intercepts at Springer support a planned 2027 resource update that will include gallium separately.

Rhea-AI Summary

Volta Metals (VOLMF) reported new 2026 winter drill results from its Springer rare earth–gallium deposit in Ontario.

Hole SL26-28 returned 214.5 m grading 0.80% TREO and 63.8 g/t Ga₂O₃, including 75.0 m at 1.02% TREO and 76.6 g/t Ga₂O₃, and a peak interval of 7.37% TREO and 252.7 g/t Ga₂O₃ over 1.5 m containing high magnet rare earth oxides. SL26-34 and SL26-36 showed mineralization from near surface over 345 m and 296 m respectively, with continuous gallium and HREO contents up to 8.8% of TREO across 2026 holes.

Springer’s current mineral resource totals 56.6 Mt Indicated at 0.70% TREO and 119.5 Mt Inferred at 0.58% TREO, with gallium not yet included. Assays from remaining drill holes are pending, and an updated mineral resource estimate is targeted for the first quarter of 2027.

Positive

• SL26-28 214.5 m at 0.80% TREO and 63.8 g/t Ga₂O₃ (103.5–318.0 m)
• High-grade zone 1.5 m at 7.37% TREO and 252.7 g/t Ga₂O₃ (SL26-28)
• Broad mineralization SL26-34 mineralized 6.0–351.0 m, averaging 0.41% TREO and 39.5 g/t Ga₂O₃
• Continuous gallium over entire assayed lengths in all three reported holes
• Existing MRE 56.6 Mt Indicated at 0.70% TREO and 119.5 Mt Inferred at 0.58% TREO
• HREO ratios up to 8.8% of TREO across 2026 Springer drill holes

Negative

• Current mineral resources are not mineral reserves and lack demonstrated economic viability
• Gallium is not included in the existing Springer mineral resource estimate
• Assays are pending for part of the 13-hole, 5,452 m 2026 drill program
• True thickness of mineralized intervals is unknown; results are downhole lengths

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HIGHLIGHTS:

• SL26-28 returned 214.5m grading 0.80% total rare earth oxide ("TREO") and 63.8 g/t gallium oxide (103.5m–318.0 m), including
  • 75.0m grading 1.02% TREO and 76.6 g/t gallium oxide (124.5m–199.5m).
• The high-grade within SL26-28 returned
  • 1.63% TREO and 85.5 g/t gallium oxide over 13.5m (279.0m–292.5m),
  • 7.37% TREO and 252.7 g/t gallium oxide over 1.5m (291.0m–292.5m),
  • containing high-grade magnet rare earth elements (neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium):
    • 10,579 g/t neodymium oxide, 3,540 g/t praseodymium oxide, 232 g/t dysprosium oxide and 73 g/t terbium oxide.
• SL26-34 intersected high-grade heavy rare earth mineralization near surface, returning 1.65 m grading 1.15% TREO and 66.8 g/t gallium oxide (7.5m–9.15m), including
  • 220 g/t dysprosium oxide and 43 g/t terbium oxide with heavy rare earth oxides making up 19.5% of TREO.
• Gallium mineralization is present over the entire assayed length of all three holes. Gallium is not included in the current Springer mineral resource estimate.

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 15, 2026) - Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) (FSE: D0W) (OTCQB: VOLMF) ("Volta" or the "Company") announces assay results from drill holes SL26-28, SL26-34 and SL26-36, completed as part of the 2026 winter drill program at its Springer Rare Earth Element - Gallium deposit (the "Property"), near Sturgeon Falls, Ontario, Canada (Figure 1).

"These results confirm two important aspects of Springer. First, gallium mineralization in this part of the deposit is richer than we expected. Second, the deposit remains open for expansion, demonstrating significant growth potential. SL26-28 remained in gallium mineralization at 507 metres, and two additional holes extended mineralization into rock types we had not previously considered prospective, further expanding the geological footprint of the system. With rare earths essential to permanent magnets and gallium increasingly critical to semiconductors and electronics, Springer provides exposure to two strategic mineral groups for which North America remains heavily dependent on foreign supply. Continuing to expand both the scale and grade of this system strengthens the foundation for our upcoming resource update," said Kerem Usenmez, President and CEO of Volta.

DETAILS
The sections below summarize the assay results for SL26-28, SL26-34 and SL26-36 (Figure 1). Assay highlights and collar coordinates are provided in Tables 1 and 2. Assays for the Heavy Rare Earth Oxide percentages of Total Rare Earth Oxide for all holes in the 2026 drill program are given in Table 3.

Figure 1. Plan map showing all drill holes on the Springer Deposit. 2026 drill holes are red.

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Table 1. Selected assay highlights from drill holes SL26-28, SL26-34 and SL26-36, Springer Deposit.

Drill Hole No.	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	TREO (%)*	Ga₂O₃ (g/t)**	% Magnet REO of TREO***
SL26-28	87.00	504.00	417.00	0.566	56.7	23.9
	including
	103.50	318.00	214.50	0.795	63.8	23.7
	including
	124.50	199.50	75.00	1.021	76.6	21.5
	including
	121.50	132.00	10.50	1.600	81.5	21.6
	151.80	181.50	29.70	1.167	82.9	21.0
	208.50	292.50	84.00	0.802	63.8	24.5
	including
	279.00	292.50	13.50	1.632	85.5	25.1
	291.00	292.50	1.50	7.368	252.7	19.6
SL26-34	6.00	351.00	345.00	0.412	39.5	21.4
	7.50	9.15	1.65	1.152	66.8	24.3
	123.00	124.50	1.50	1.226	74.2	21.5
	168.00	169.50	1.50	1.127	57.1	21.7
	159.00	274.50	115.50	0.541	44.0	23.4
	252.00	264.00	12.00	0.520	60.5	21.2
SL26-36	4.00	300.00	296.00	0.361	31.3	24.1
	151.50	232.50	81.00	0.562	32.6	23.4
	221.00	226.50	5.50	1.048	32.4	22.5

 

*TREO (%) = La₂O₃ + CeO₂ + Pr₆O₁₁ + Nd₂O₃ + Sm₂O₃ + Eu₂O₃ + Gd₂O₃ + Tb₄O₇ + Dy₂O₃ + Ho₂O₃ + Er₂O₃ + Tm₂O₃ + Yb₂O₃ + Lu₂O₃ + Y₂O₃ (%).
**Ga₂O₃ (g/t) is calculated from assayed gallium (Ga) ppm using the stoichiometric factor 1.3442.
***% Magnet REO = (Pr₂O₃ + Nd₂O₃ + Tb₂O₃ + Dy₂O₃) / TREO x 100. Pr₆O₁₁ and Tb₄O₇ % are derived from Pr and Tb ppm using stoichiometric conversion factors of 1.2082 and 1.1762, respectively.
True thickness/width of mineralization is unknown; intervals are reported as downhole core lengths.

Table 2. Springer drill hole collar locations. UTM NAD 83, Zone 17.

Drill Hole No.	Easting (m)	Northing (m)	Elevation (m)	Azimuth (°)	Dip (°)	Length (m)
SL26-28	5850809.22	5143657.31	251	270	-45	507
SL26-34	580588.78	5144079.4	248.23	270	-45	351
SL26-36	580671.9	5143552.45	250.16	270	-45	300

 

Azimuth and dip are collar orientations. No downhole directional survey was completed.

SL26-28: Vertical Extent and a Broad High-Grade Envelope
Drill hole SL26-28 returned 417.0m averaging 0.57% TREO and 56.7 g/t Ga₂O₃. This infill drill hole was collared between drill holes SL11-02, SL11-05 and SL12-14 (Figure 2).

The principal mineralized envelope extends from 103.5m to 318.0m, returning 214.5m grading 0.80% TREO and 63.8 g/t Ga₂O₃ within red "syenite" cut by white dolomite carbonatite veins. The interval includes 75.0m grading 1.02% TREO and 76.6 g/t Ga₂O₃ (124.5m–199.5m) (Figure 3).

The highest-grade sample returned 7.37% TREO and 252.7 g/t Ga₂O₃ over 1.5m (291.0m–292.5m), with heavy rare earth oxides ("HREO") representing 19.6% of TREO. The interval contains 10,579 g/t Neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃), 3,540 g/t Praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), 232 g/t Dysprosium oxide (Dy₂O₃) and 73 g/t Terbium oxide (Tb₄O₇). This sample represents the highest HREO content encountered to date at Springer, and occurs within the same syenite-carbonatite vein assemblage hosting the broader mineralized envelope. Importantly, mineralization persists to the base of the assayed hole. Mineralogy/Petrology studies are ongoing to identify the REE-Ga minerals within the Springer Deposit and the implications for exploration targeting.

Figure 2. Cross section for drill hole SL26-28.

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Figure 3. Core photo of SL26-28, boxes 29 and 30, 120.0m-128.2m, showcasing high-grade TREO and Gallium oxide.

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Heavy Rare Earth Enrichment Beyond the Carbonatite-Rich Zone

Drill hole SL26-34 is located in the north part of the Springer deposit, while SL26-36 is located in the south part and SL26-28 is in the central portion (Figure 1). SL26-34 and SL26-36 intersected a host-rock sequence dominated by granitic gneiss and syenite with only minor carbonatite, whereas SL26-28 has more abundant carbonatite veins hosted by red syenite. The heavy rare-earth (HREO) ratio of total rare-earth elements (TREO)* ranges from 4.0 to 8.8 % (Table 3).

Table 3. Summary of HREO % of TREO ratio for 2026 Springer drill holes.

Drill Hole No.	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Depth of Hole (m)	HREO % of TREO*
SL26-27	129.0	393.0	264.0	393	6.1
SL26-28	87.0	504.0	417.0	507	6.0
SL26-29**				420
SL26-30**				351
SL26-31	3.0	402.0	399.0	402	6.4
SL26-32	3.4	426.0	422.6	426	4.0
SL26-33	3.0	402.0	399.0	402	5.3
SL26-34	6.0	351.0	345.0	351	8.8
SL26-35	4.6	693.0	688.4	693	4.8
SL26-36	4.0	300.0	296.0	300	5.5
SL26-37	6.0	420.0	414.0	420	4.4
SL26-38**				357
SL26-39	5.5	423.0	417.5	423	4.9

 

*HREO % = (Eu₂O₃ + Gd₂O₃ + Tb₄O₇ + Dy₂O₃ + Ho₂O₃ + Er₂O₃ + Tm₂O₃ + Yb₂O₃ + Lu₂O₃ + Y₂O₃) %. HREO % of TREO = HREO% / TREO% *100.
** Assays pending.

SL26-34: Near-Surface Dysprosium and Terbium with Continuous Gallium
Drill hole SL26-34 was mineralized from top to bottom, averaging 0.41% TREO and 39.5 g/t Ga₂O₃ from 6.0m to 351m (Figures 4 and 5).

Gallium shows a similar distribution to the HREO distribution, occurring throughout the entire assayed length of all three holes and averaging 39.5 g/t Ga₂O₃ over 345m and 31.3 g/t Ga₂O₃ over 296m in SL26-34. Together, these results extend both the heavy rare earth and gallium mineralized footprint at Springer beyond the light rare earth dominated carbonatite-hosted zones and confirm that gallium mineralization is also hosted within the broader granitic gneiss-syenite sequence, further supporting the deposit-wide distribution of gallium first reported on August 10, 2026.

Heavy rare earth enrichment is strongest near surface. From 7.5m to 9.15m, drill hole SL26-34 returned 1.65m grading 1.15% TREO and 66.8 g/t Ga₂O₃, with 220 g/t Dy₂O₃ and 43 g/t Tb₄O₇, representing 15.3% heavy rare earth oxides of the TREO.

Gallium strengthens with depth in drill hole SL26-34. The most continuous mineralized zone runs from 159.0m to 274.5m, returning 115.5 m grading 0.54% TREO and 44.0 g/t Ga₂O₃ (Figure 4).

Figure 4. Cross section of drill hole SL26-34.

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Figure 5. Core photo of SL26-34, box 1, 6.75 – 9.3 m.

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SL26-36: Gallium and Heavy Rare Earths Over the Full Hole
Drill hole SL26-36 was assayed from 4.0m to 300.0m (296.0m), averaging 0.36% TREO and 31.3 g/t Ga₂O₃, with HREO averaging 5.5% of TREO (Figure 6). As in SL26-34, grade increases with depth, with the upper portion of the hole (4m-157m) averaging 0.30% TREO and the lower portion (157m-300m) averaging 0.42% TREO.

Figure 6. Cross section of drill hole SL26-36.

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Resource Estimate
On February 23, 2026, Volta reported an updated Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") for the Springer deposit, effective December 31, 2025, prepared by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. The MRE comprises 56.6 Mt Indicated at 0.70% TREO (including a near-surface high-grade core of 11.5 Mt at 1.10% TREO) and 119.5 Mt Inferred at 0.58% TREO (including a near-surface high-grade core of 3.0 Mt at 1.16% TREO). Resources are reported within an optimized open pit shell above a C$43/t net metal revenue cut-off. Revenue is driven primarily by praseodymium and neodymium, which together account for approximately 90% of total net metal value. The MRE placed Springer among the top 10 largest REE deposits in North America based on the S&P Global Market Intelligence database (2025). The Company cautions that mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Mineralization remains open in all directions. Gallium is not included in the current MRE and will be reported separately. An NI 43-101 Technical Report supporting the MRE was filed on SEDAR+ on April 9, 2026.

Next Steps and Upcoming Milestones
Assays remain pending for the balance of the 13-hole, 5,452m 2026 winter drill program. Volta will report those results as they are received from the Saskatchewan Research Council ("SRC").

Following receipt of all 2026 assay results, Volta is targeting completion of an updated mineral resource estimate for the Springer deposit in the first quarter of 2027. The estimate will be prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 and CIM Definition Standards.

The Company cautions that the timing of the mineral resource estimate depends on receipt of all outstanding assay results, the completion of supporting metallurgical and analytical work, and the availability of the Company's independent consultants. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

QA/QC Protocol
All drilling was completed by a diamond drill rig producing NQ-size core. Volta implemented a strict QA/QC protocol in processing all rock samples collected from the diamond core obtained from the Springer property. The protocol included inserting reference materials, in this case high-concentration and low-concentration certified rare earth element and gallium standards, blanks, and drill core duplicates, to validate the accuracy and precision of the assay results. All collected rock core samples were cut in half by a rock saw, placed in sturdy plastic bags and zip-tied shut while under the supervision of a professional geologist. The remaining half core was returned to the core box, which is stored on the Property. The samples were shipped from Volta's core shack in Sturgeon Falls to the Saskatchewan Research Council's ("SRC") facility in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, using the Manitoulin Transport freight shipping company.

The drill core samples were analyzed at SRC using Lithium metaborate fusion with subsequent analysis by ICP-MS. SRC holds ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation from the Standards Council of Canada ("SCC"). Syenite standard SY-5 from Natural Resources Canada was inserted by SRC in the sample stream for every 20 drill core samples. Standard SY-5 passed within two standard deviations for rare earth elements (La to Lu) and Ga. All internal standards and duplicates, and all external blanks, standards and core duplicates, passed a Quality Control review by the Qualified Person.

Qualified Person
The technical content of this press release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Julie Selway, P.Geo., VP, Exploration, and Qualified Person ("QP") as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For more information about the Company, please visit Volta's website at www.voltametals.ca.

ABOUT VOLTA METALS LTD.
Volta Metals Ltd. (CSE: VLTA) (FSE: D0W) (OTCQB: VOLMF) is a critical mineral exploration company focused on rare earths, gallium, lithium, cesium, and tantalum. Volta owns, has optioned, and is currently exploring a critical minerals portfolio of rare earth, gallium, lithium, cesium, and tantalum projects in Ontario, one of the world's most prolific and emerging hard-rock critical mineral districts.

Volta is advancing its 4,750-hectare Springer REE Deposit, located on the traditional territory of the Nipissing First Nation in Sturgeon Falls. The Springer Rare Earth Element deposit sits approximately 70 km east of Sudbury, Ontario, with direct access via the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 64. The project benefits from well-developed infrastructure, including paved road access, on-site power lines fed from the Crystal Falls hydroelectric dam, a natural gas pipeline, and Canadian National Railway service, all within 8 km of the deposit.

To learn more about Volta and its Springer and Aki Projects, please visit www.voltametals.ca.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
For further information, contact:
Kerem Usenmez, President & CEO
Tel: 416.919.9060
Email: info@voltametals.ca
Website: www.voltametals.ca

Neither the CSE nor the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to exploration activities, plans, strategies, and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects", "targeting" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the expected timing of assay results from the Saskatchewan Research Council, the Company's stated intention and timing to complete a maiden gallium mineral resource estimate and an updated rare earth mineral resource estimate for the Springer deposit in the third quarter of 2026, statements regarding the potential extent and grade of the gallium and rare earth mineralized envelopes, including the vertical extent demonstrated by SL26-28 and the heavy rare earth enrichment observed in SL26-34 and SL26-36, the geological interpretation of the Springer REE deposit as a vertically extensive carbonatite system, statements regarding gallium market conditions and Chinese export control measures, and the potential for the 2026 drilling program to support future resource estimation. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, the future prices and demand for rare earth elements and gallium, changes to export control or trade measures affecting gallium supply, the absence to date of metallurgical test work demonstrating that gallium can be economically recovered from the Springer mineralization, laboratory results that differ from visual or geological observations, and delays or the inability of the Company to obtain any necessary approvals, permits and authorizations required to carry out its business plans. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, other than as required by law.

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FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What were the key results from drill hole SL26-34 at Springer?

SL26-34 was mineralized from 6.0 m to 351.0 m, averaging 0.41% TREO and 39.5 g/t Ga₂O₃ over 345.0 m. A near-surface interval from 7.5 m to 9.15 m returned 1.65 m grading 1.15% TREO and 66.8 g/t Ga₂O₃, with 220 g/t Dy₂O₃ and 43 g/t Tb₄O₇, representing 15.3% heavy rare earth oxides of TREO. The most continuous deeper zone runs from 159.0 m to 274.5 m, returning 115.5 m at 0.54% TREO and 44.0 g/t Ga₂O₃.

What were the main intercepts from drill hole SL26-36?

SL26-36 was assayed from 4.0 m to 300.0 m (296.0 m) and averaged 0.36% TREO and 31.3 g/t Ga₂O₃, with heavy rare earth oxides averaging 5.5% of TREO. The upper 4–157 m interval averaged 0.30% TREO, while the lower 157–300 m interval averaged 0.42% TREO. A higher-grade interval from 221.0 m to 226.5 m returned 5.5 m at 1.048% TREO and 32.4 g/t Ga₂O₃.

What is the current mineral resource estimate for the Springer deposit?

Effective December 31, 2025, the Springer mineral resource estimate comprises 56.6 Mt Indicated at 0.70% TREO, including a near-surface high-grade core of 11.5 Mt at 1.10% TREO, and 119.5 Mt Inferred at 0.58% TREO, including a near-surface high-grade core of 3.0 Mt at 1.16% TREO. Resources are reported within an optimized open pit shell above a C$43/t net metal revenue cut-off, with revenue driven primarily by praseodymium and neodymium.

What future work is planned at Springer following these 2026 drill results?

Assays are still pending for the remaining holes of the 13-hole, 5,452 m 2026 winter drill program. After all assays are received and supporting metallurgical and analytical work is completed, Volta is targeting an updated mineral resource estimate for the first quarter of 2027, prepared under National Instrument 43-101 and CIM Definition Standards. The company notes that timing depends on assay receipt and consultant availability.

How were QA/QC procedures handled for the Springer drill samples?

Volta used NQ-size diamond drill core and applied a QA/QC protocol that included inserting certified high- and low-concentration rare earth and gallium standards, blanks, and core duplicates. Core was cut in half under professional geological supervision, with half sampled and half retained on site. Samples were shipped to the Saskatchewan Research Council in Saskatoon and analyzed by lithium metaborate fusion followed by ICP-MS. SRC holds ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditation, inserted syenite standard SY-5 every 20 samples, and all internal and external controls passed quality control review by the Qualified Person.