Lithium Chile Receives US $5 Million Deposit Toward Sale of Salar de Arizaro Project, Argentina

(TheNewswire)

TSXVenture Exchange: LITH

OTC-QB: LTMCF

CALGARY, ALBERTA – TheNewswire - February 18, 2026 -Lithium Chile Inc. (“LithiumChile” or the “Company”) ispleased to announce that it has received a US $5,000,000 deposit fromChina Union Holdings Limited (“CUH”) in connection with the previouslyannounced sale of its Arizaro project through the disposition of theCompany’s Argentinian subsidiary, Argentum Lithium S.A. (the“Transaction”).

The deposit has been received in satisfaction of one ofthe closing conditions under the Transaction and is being held intrust, subject to the terms of the definitive share purchase agreement(the “DefinitiveAgreement”), until the remaining closingconditions are satisfied. Upon satisfaction of such conditions, thedeposit will be released in accordance with the Transactionterms.

Steve Cochrane, President of Lithium Chile, commented:“The receipt of thisdeposit reflects China Union Holdings’ clear commitment tocompleting the Transaction. Work across regulatory, technical andclosing matters continues to progress as planned, with both partiesmoving efficiently toward satisfying the remaining conditions. We areencouraged by the pace of progress and remain focused on movingefficiently toward completing the transaction by mid-year, subject tocustomary approvals.”

The Company is currently advancing procedural stepsrequired to complete the Transaction, including the preparation anddistribution of an information circular to shareholders in connectionwith the required shareholder meeting. As stipulated in the DefinitieAgreement, closing is scheduled for June 2026. The Transaction remainssubject to customary closing conditions, including regulatoryapprovals under applicable foreign investment and securitieslaws.

CHILEAN DEVELOPMENTS

Lithium Chile also notes the upcoming installation ofthe new government in Chile on March 1, 2026. The Company isencouraged by indications that the new administration intends toprioritize regulatory efficiency, investment certainty, andresponsible resource development. Having successfully obtained aSpecial Lithium Operating Contract (CEOL) for its Coipasa project in2025, Lithium Chile has demonstrated its ability to advance projectswithin Chile’s regulatory framework. Anticipated policy reforms andstreamlined permitting processes are expected to further support thetimely advancement and development of the Company’s Chilean lithiumportfolio. The Company continues to engage constructively withrelevant authorities and will monitor developments closely as thesereforms are implemented.

ABOUT LITHIUM CHILE

Lithium Chile Inc. is an exploration company with aportfolio of 11 properties spanning 106,136 hectares in Chile and29,245 hectares on the Salar de Arizaro in Argentina. The Company hassuccessfully advanced its Arizaro project with the completion of NI43-101 compliant Resource Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment andPrefeasibility Study which are all accessible on SedarPlus.ca underLithium Chile’s profile.

Lithium Chile’s common shares are listed on the TSX-Vunder the symbol “LITH” and on the OTCQB under the symbol“LTMCF”.

To find out more about Lithium Chile, pleasecontact:

Steven Cochrane, President and CEO via email:steve@lithiumchile.ca  

Or

Michelle DeCecco, COO via email:michelle@lithiumchile.ca or phone: 587-393-1990.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATIONSERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSXVENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACYOF THIS RELEASE.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS AND RISKFACTORS:

This news release may contain certain forward-lookinginformation and forward-looking statements within the meaning ofapplicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). Generally, forward-looking statements can beidentified using forward-looking terminology such as"expected", "anticipated", "aims to","plans to" or "intends to" or variations of suchwords and phrases or statements that certain actions, events orresults "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in thisnews release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding:the timing and completion of the Transaction; the satisfaction orwaiver of closing conditions, including completion of pre-closingsteps; the receipt of all necessary governmental, regulatory and stockexchange approvals, acceptances and clearances (including TSXVacceptance) and any required shareholder approvals; the anticipatedrelease and application of escrowed funds; the expected timing ofclosing; the intended date of the Special Meeting; the Company'sability to realize the anticipated transaction value; the Company’splans, including potential SIB and continued advancement of itsChilean portfolio.

Such forward-looking statements are based on variousassumptions and factors that may prove to be incorrect, including, butnot limited to, factors and assumptions with respect to: the abilityof the parties to satisfy the conditions to closing in a timelymanner; the completion of the pre-closing acquisition of additionalequity in ARLI and the carve-out of the Arizaro 4 property and certainwater rights; the timing and receipt of required approvals,acceptances and clearances, including TSXV acceptance, any requiredapprovals and clearances from applicable governments, regulators andbodies in Canada, the People’s Republic of China, Argentina andother relevant jurisdictions, and any required shareholder approvals;the absence of legal or regulatory impediments; the continued validityand enforceability of the underlying mining concessions and waterrights; the accuracy of title opinions and due diligence; thePurchaser's ability to obtain necessary financing and regulatoryclearances; the stability of the legal and regulatory framework inArgentina; the absence of material adverse changes affecting theArizaro Project or ARLI; the accuracy of management’s estimates andexpectations; general business and economic conditions; commodityprices; geopolitical stability between relevant jurisdictions; foreignexchange rates; and the timing and terms of the escrow and depositarrangements.

Although the Company believes that the assumptions andfactors on which such forward-looking statements are based arereasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-lookingstatements because the Company can give no assurance that they willprove to be correct or that any of the events anticipated by suchforward-looking statements will transpire or occur, or if any of themdo so, what benefits the Company will derive therefrom. Actual resultsmay vary from those currently anticipated due to a number of factorsand risks including, but not limited to: the risk that the Transactionwill not be completed on the terms or timing currently contemplated,or at all; the risk that required approvals, acceptances or clearances(including governmental approvals, TSXV acceptance and any requiredshareholder approvals) are not obtained, are delayed or are obtainedsubject to conditions;  the risk that requiredregulatory or governmental approvals, acceptances and clearances,including from Argentinian, Canadian, Chinese or other authorities,may not be obtained, may be delayed, or may be obtained subject toconditions or undertakings that materially alter the terms oranticipated benefits of the Transaction; the possibility thatministries or regulators, in connection with the ownership or transferof critical mineral interests, may prohibit the Transaction or imposerestrictions, additional conditions, or new regulatory requirements;the risk that changing governmental policies or geopoliticalconsiderations relating to critical minerals, foreign investment, or national security may adversely impact the completion or terms of theTransaction; risks related to foreign investment review processes andpotential national security assessments in multiple jurisdictions; therisk of trade restrictions or other measures affecting cross-bordertransactions between Canadian, Chinese, and Argentine entities; therisk of legal proceedings, disputes, or challenges to the Transactionby third parties, regulatory bodies, or other stakeholders;risks related to the validity, enforceability and scopeof mining concessions and water rights underlying the Arizaro Project;the risk of title defects, encumbrances or third-party claimsaffecting the project assets; risks related to environmentalliabilities, permits and compliance obligations; the Purchaser'sability to secure necessary financing to complete the Transaction;counterparty credit risk and the Purchaser's financial capacity;risks related to escrow arrangements and the potential forfeiture ordelayed release of deposits; the inability to complete pre-closingsteps in the manner and on the timelines contemplated; changes inlaws, regulations, policies or enforcement priorities; political andregulatory risks in the jurisdictions in which the Company operates;legal proceedings; counterparty and escrow risks; currency exchangefluctuations; operational risks inherent in mineral exploration anddevelopment; commodity price volatility; and general business,economic, competitive, market and geopolitical conditions.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing risk factorsare not exhaustive. Undue reliance should not be placed onforward-looking statements because Lithium Chile can give no assurancethat they will prove to be correct or that any of the eventsanticipated by forward-looking statements will transpire or occur, orif any of them do, what benefits Lithium Chile will derive therefrom.Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Companyor that the Company currently believes to be immaterial may alsoadversely affect the Company. Theforward-looking statements included in this news release are made asof the date of this news release and LithiumChile does not undertake to update any forward-looking statementsherein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Allforward-looking statements contained in this news release areexpressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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