MARKET WIRE NEWS

Copper Quest Announces Securities for Debt Settlement

MWN-AI** Summary

Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) announced a significant move on February 12, 2026, by entering a securities-for-debt settlement agreement with a professional advisor, to settle $113,405.28 in debt. Under the terms of the agreement, the company will issue 872,348 units, each priced at $0.13. Each unit consists of one common share and a share purchase warrant, which can be converted into an additional share at an exercise price of $0.165, due for expiry two years from the issuance date. However, the expiry may be accelerated if the share price exceeds $0.50 for 10 consecutive trading days, allowing the company to shorten the warrant's expiry to 30 days post-announcement.

The transaction is subject to approval by the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) and will adhere to a holding period of four months plus one day, in compliance with CSE policies.

Copper Quest holds diverse projects across 45,000 hectares in premier mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. Notable assets include the Alpine Gold Mine in British Columbia, with an inferred historical resource of approximately 142,000 ounces of gold, the Stars Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Property with promising drill results, and the Kitimat Copper-Gold Property, known for its robust infrastructure.

The company’s strategic focus is on enhancing shareholder value through exploration and responsible development of its mineral assets. Additional projects include the Nekash Copper-Gold Project in Idaho and the Thane Project in Northern British Columbia. CEO Brian Thurston indicates that Copper Quest is well-positioned to capitalize on market opportunities within the critical minerals sector.

For more information, visit Copper Quest's website at www.copper.quest.

MWN-AI** Analysis

Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX) has made a strategic move to settle approximately $113,405.28 in debt through a securities-for-debt agreement, issuing 872,348 units at $0.13 per unit. Each unit comprises one common share and one share purchase warrant, the latter convertible into additional shares at $0.165, expiring two years after issuance. This initiative not only addresses immediate financial obligations but also signals a proactive management approach amidst an evolving market landscape.

The issuance at $0.13, while a discount from market rates, provides a compelling proposition for investors keen on upside potential, especially given the attractive exercise price of the warrants. The ability to accelerate the expiry of the warrants to 30 days upon reaching a certain trading threshold introduces an element of urgency and potential liquidity, fostering additional interest in the company from both current and prospective stakeholders.

Moreover, Copper Quest holds a diverse portfolio of projects located within key mineral jurisdictions in North America, which enhances the company’s long-term viability. The historical inferred resource at the Alpine Gold Mine and promising drill results from the Stars Property suggest that copper and gold exploration in these areas could yield substantial returns on investment.

For investors contemplating involvement with Copper Quest, it's essential to assess the company's capacity to convert its exploration potential into tangible production. The company's focus on responsible development and exploration throughout its mining assets indicates a committed approach to shareholder value maximization.

However, potential investors should remain vigilant regarding market conditions, regulatory changes, and exploration risks. Given the inherent volatility in the mining sector, a cautious investment strategy that considers both short-term trading opportunities from warrant activity and long-term fundamentals of the company’s assets would be prudent.

**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.

Source: GlobeNewswire

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) (“Copper Quest” or the “Company”) announces that it has entered into a securities for debt settlement agreement dated February 11, 2026 (the “Agreement”) with a professional advisor of the Company.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has agreed to settle debt in the amount of $113,405.28 through the issuance of 872,348 units (each, a “Unit”) at a deemed price of $0.13 per Unit, whereby each Unit shall be comprised of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (each a “Share”) and one (1) Share purchase warrant (each whole, being a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will be convertible into an additional Share (a “Warrant Share”) at an exercise price of $0.165 per Warrant Share and will expire on the date that is two (2) years following the date of issuance (the “Expiry Date”). The Expiry Date shall be subject to acceleration should the closing price of the Shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (or any such other stock exchange in Canada as the Shares may trade at the applicable time) equal or exceed $0.50 for ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time from the date which is 4 months following their date of issue, the Company may accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 calendar days following the date a news release is issued by the Company announcing the accelerated expiry date of the Warrants.

The Agreement and the issuance of the securities thereunder are subject to the approval of the CSE. The securities will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day pursuant to CSE policies and applicable securities laws.

About Copper Quest

The company's land holdings comprise 7 projects that span over 45,000 hectares in great mining jurisdictions of Canada and the USA. Copper Quest is committed to building shareholder value through acquisitions, discovery-driven exploration, and responsible development of its North American critical mineral portfolio of assets. The Company’s common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol “CQX”. For more information on Copper Quest, please visit the Company’s website at www.copper.quest.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the past-producing Alpine Gold Mine located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the City of Nelson British Columbia, spanning 4,611.49 hectares with a 2018 National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects historical inferred resource of 268,000 tonnes, estimated using a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t Au and an average grade of 16.52 g/t Au, that represents an inferred resource of 142,000 oz of gold (McCuaig & Giroux, 2018)*. Apart from the Alpine Mine itself the property hosts 4 other less explored significant vein systems including the past-producing King Solomon vein workings, the Black Prince and the Cold Blow veins system, and the Gold Crown vein system. *The Company has not yet completed sufficient work to verify the 2018 historic inferred resource results.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Stars Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Property, spanning 9,693 hectares in central British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt with Tana Zone discovery drill intersection highlights of 0.466% Cu over 195.07m* in drill hole DD18SS004 from 23.47m, 0.200% Cu over 396.67m* in drill hole DD18SS010 from 29.37m, and 0.205% Cu over 207.27m* in drill hole DD18SS015 from 163.98m. This highly prospective, approximately 5 X 2.5 kilometer annular magnetic anomaly is interpreted to represent an altered monzonite intrusion and surrounding hornfels.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Kitimat Copper-Gold Property, spanning 2,954 hectares within the Skeena Mining Division of northwestern British Columbia located northwest of the deep-water port community of Kitimat, British Columbia. The property benefits from exceptional infrastructure, being within 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail, and 6 km of high-voltage hydroelectric transmission lines. Exploration on the Kitimat property dates to the late 1960s, with the most significant historical work conducted by Decade Resources Ltd. (2010), which completed 16 diamond drill holes totaling 4,437.5 meters in the Jeannette Cu-Au Zone, and drill intersection highlights of 1.03 g/t Au, 0.54% Cu over 117.07 m in Hole J-7 from 1.52 m, 1.00 g/t Au, 0.55% Cu over 103.65m in Hole J-1 from 9.15 m, 0.80 g/t Au, 0.45% Cu over 107.01m in Hole J-2 from 6.10 m, and 0.41 g/t Au, 0.33% Cu over 112.20m in Hole J-8 from 11.89 m.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Nekash Copper-Gold Project, a porphyry exploration opportunity located in Lemhi County, Idaho, USA, along the prolific Idaho-Montana porphyry copper belt that hosts world-class systems such as Butte and CUMO. The project is fully road-accessible via maintained U.S. highways and forest service roads and consists of 70 unpatented federal lode claims covering 585 hectares.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the road accessible Stellar Property, spanning 5,389-hectares in British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt contiguous to the Stars Property.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Thane Project located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern British Columbia spanning over 20,658 hectares with 10 priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization potential.

Copper Quest has an earn-in option of up to 80% and joint-venture agreement on the road accessible Rip Porphyry Copper-Molybdenum Project, spanning 4,700-hectares located in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt in central British Columbia.

On behalf of the Board of Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Brian Thurston, P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: 778-949-1829

For further information contact:
Investor Relations
[email protected]

https://x.com/CSECQX
https://ca.linkedin.com/company/copper-quest

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, future operations and activities of Copper Quest, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “potential”, “possible”, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results “will”, “may”, “could”, or “should” occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.


FAQ**

What are the potential impacts on Copper Quest Exploration Inc. after settling debt through securities for debt agreement with the professional advisor similar to the strategy employed by IMC International Mining Corp (IMIMF)?

Settling debt through a securities-for-debt agreement may improve Copper Quest Exploration Inc.'s liquidity and balance sheet, potentially enhancing investor confidence and enabling more capital for exploration, similar to the positive effects seen with IMC International Mining Corp.

How does the structure of Copper Quest's recent debt settlement agreement compare to previous financing strategies utilized by firms like IMC International Mining Corp (IMIMF)?

Copper Quest's recent debt settlement agreement features more favorable terms and flexibility compared to the traditional equity-dilutive financing strategies previously employed by firms like IMC International Mining Corp, which often relied on issuing new shares for capital.

In light of the securities for debt arrangement made by Copper Quest, how might this influence investor sentiment compared to the performance trends of IMC International Mining Corp (IMIMF)?

The securities for debt arrangement by Copper Quest may foster cautious investor sentiment, especially if perceived as a sign of financial distress, contrasting with IMC International Mining Corp's performance trends that could indicate stability or growth, influencing investment decisions.

How does the exploration strategy of Copper Quest, including its past-producing mine interests, align with the operational approaches taken by IMC International Mining Corp (IMIMF)?

Copper Quest's exploration strategy, focusing on past-producing mine interests, aligns with IMC International Mining Corp's operational approach by leveraging historical data and resource potential to maximize exploration efficiency and enhance value creation in mineral development.

**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about IMC International Mining Corp (OTC: IMIMF).

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