QIMC Begins Diamond Drilling at West Advocate, Entering Subsurface Phase in Nova Scotia Hydrogen Program

Québec Innovative Materials Corp. has commenced diamond drilling at its West Advocate natural hydrogen project in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia, marking the transition from multi-season surface exploration to direct subsurface testing. Maritime Drilling mobilized to site with drilling starting on February 17, targeting structurally controlled fault and fracture systems interpreted as advective pathways for hydrogen migration and accumulation.

The program is designed to validate coherent soil-gas hydrogen and radon–thoron anomalies identified through high-density sampling campaigns, integrated with structural mapping and basin-margin fault interpretation. These datasets have been used to define priority drill targets within the Cumberland Basin, representing the first direct test of QIMC’s structurally focused exploration model in the region.

“With the drill now turning at West Advocate, we entered the subsurface testing phase… following systematic surface data collection, structural interpretation, and permitting,” said CEO John Karagiannidis, who is on site for the start of operations. The drilling marks the execution stage of the company’s staged workflow, converting geochemical anomalies into geological confirmation.

West Advocate forms part of QIMC’s broader Nova Scotia hydrogen portfolio, where multiple target zones have been advanced through a repeatable exploration methodology. The company’s approach emphasizes clustered anomalies at structural intersections, aiming to identify fault-controlled systems that can be replicated across the district.

The start of drilling represents a key operational inflection point, shifting the program from surface-scale prospectivity toward subsurface validation and data acquisition. Results from the campaign are expected to inform follow-up drilling and ongoing development across the Cumberland Basin as QIMC advances a scalable North American hydrogen platform.

Full press release is attached below:

Montreal, Québec — February 18, 2026 — Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC; OTCQB: QIMCF; FSE: 7FJ) (“QIMC” or the “Company”) announces that diamond drilling operations commenced on February 17, 2026, at its West Advocate natural clean hydrogen project in Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. Maritime Drilling Inc. has mobilized to site and drilling is actively underway as part of the Company’s planned subsurface testing program.

The initiation of drilling represents the execution phase of QIMC’s structured exploration strategy in the Cumberland Basin, transitioning from multi-season surface geochemical surveys and structural interpretation to direct subsurface evaluation of high-priority fault-controlled targets.

The upcoming drill program is designed to intersect fault and fracture systems interpreted to act as advective pathways for migration and accumulation.

John Karagiannidis, Chief Executive Officer of QIMC, physically present on the drilling site commented: “With the drill now turning at West Advocate, we entered the subsurface testing phase on February 17, 2026, of our Nova Scotia hydrogen program. Following systematic surface data collection, structural interpretation, and permitting, we are now executing on clearly defined structural targets within the Cumberland Basin. Our focus remains disciplined operational execution as we advance this next stage of development.”

Mobilization of the drill rig marks the operational execution phase of QIMC’s Nova Scotia program.

 Strategic Importance of West Advocate

West Advocate forms part of QIMC’s expanding Cumberland Basin portfolio in Nova Scotia, where multi-season soil-gas surveys have identified coherent and repeatable anomalies interpreted to be structurally controlled.

The Company’s integrated exploration and development work to date has included:

• High-density soil-gas hydrogen, radon/thoron sampling;
• Structural and fault interpretation;
• Surface geological mapping;
• Basin-margin structural analysis;
• Target refinement based on anomaly clustering and structural intersections.

 Advancing a Scalable and Repeatable Platform

West Advocate is part of QIMC’s broader Nova Scotia and North American execution strategy, where multiple target zones have been advanced through staged exploration and development. The Company continues to apply a structured, repeatable exploration methodology aimed at identifying structurally controlled systems.

The commencement of drilling represents a critical inflection point in converting surface geochemical anomalies into subsurface geological confirmation.

 About Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC)

Québec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC; OTCQB: QIMCF; FSE: 7FJ) is a mining exploration and development company dedicated to unlocking the potential of North America’s abundant natural resources. With properties in Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Minnesota (USA), QIMC specializes in the exploration of white (natural) hydrogen and high-grade silica assets.

QIMC is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovation, with the objective of supporting clean energy solutions for the AI-driven and carbon-neutral economy.

For More Information, Please Contact:

QUEBEC INNOVATIVE MATERIALS CORP.
John Karagiannidis
President & Chief Executive Officer
Email: info@qimaterials.com
Tel: +1 514-726-7058

Regulatory Disclaimer

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release and has neither approved nor disapproved its contents.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this press release and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “intends,” “estimates,” “projects,” “potential,” and similar expressions, or by statements that events or conditions “will,” “may,” “could,” or “should” occur.

Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is reasonable as of the date of this press release, such information is subject to change and no assurance can be given that future results will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.