Spark Reports Initial Rare Earth & Gallium Assays from Arapaima RC Program
VANCOUVER, BC, February 10, 2026 – Spark Energy Minerals Inc. (CSE: SPRK) (OTC: SPARF) (Frankfurt: 8PC) ("Spark" or the "Company") reports the first assay results from holes ARA-RC-001 through ARA-RC-003 of its maiden five-hole reverse circulation ("RC") program at the Arapaima Project in Brazil’s Lithium Valley. The table below summarizes the NI 43-101 disclosure for each highlighted interval, including Hole ID, from/to, interval, oxide grade, and associated gallium assays. Assays for holes ARA-RC-004 and ARA-RC-005 remain pending and will be reported once received.
“These initial drill results demonstrate the presence of thick, near-surface rare earth and gallium mineralization at Arapaima and support our exploration model,” said Dr. Fernando Tallarico, Chief Executive Officer of Spark Energy Minerals. “As maiden, first-pass discovery holes, the results are highly encouraging and support continued drilling to evaluate the lateral extent and potential scale of the mineralized system.”
Highlights
Hole ARA-RC-003 intersects 78 m grading 2,430 ppm TREO from 16 m, including 10 m at 4,522 ppm TREO from 50 m and 2 m at 6,682 ppm TREO from 70 m, with a continuous 94 m zone grading 63 g/t Ga₂O₃ from surface.
Hole ARA-RC-001 returns 28 m grading 2,031 ppm TREO from 30 m, including higher-grade lenses such as 2 m at 4,741 ppm TREO from 46 m and 6 m at 2,663 ppm TREO from 48 m, plus a 58 m Ga zone at 52 g/t Ga₂O₃ from surface.
Hole ARA-RC-002 provides a 16 m interval grading 1,353 ppm TREO from 26 m, hosting 2 m at 2,244 ppm TREO from 30 m and 2 m at 2,075 ppm TREO from 38 m, alongside a 44 m Ga interval from surface (0 m) that grades 47 g/t Ga₂O₃.
TREO and MREO are calculated by summing the oxide concentrations listed in Table 1 (Nd₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁, Dy₂O₃, Tb₄O₇, etc.). The individual oxides are presented in full in Table 1 so readers can see the composition of each basket; the TREO/MREO numbers are provided for transparency and do not represent mineral resource estimates. Reported drill intercepts represent downhole lengths, as the true widths of the mineralized zones are not yet known.
Geological Interpretation
The mineralization occurs within thick, clay-rich weathering profiles consistent with an ionic-adsorption clay (IAC)-style system. RC drilling encountered gallium-rich saprolite from surface with magnet rare-earth-bearing zones at depth, supporting the interpretation of a vertically developed mineralized profile that may extend laterally across the project area. Modeling will continue as assays for ARA-RC-004 and ARA-RC-005 arrive to provide additional context on the lateral extension.
Drill Hole Disclosure Table
Table 1: See Appendix A (oxide composition spreadsheet) for the full oxide inputs used to calculate the TREO/MREO totals and the gallium-oxide values reported here.
Notes
• Total Rare Earth Oxides (“TREO”) is defined as the sum of the following oxides: CeO₂, Dy₂O₃, Er₂O₃, Eu₂O₃, Gd₂O₃, Ho₂O₃, La₂O₃, Lu₂O₃, Nd₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁, Sm₂O₃, Tb₄O₇, Tm₂O₃ and Y₂O₃.
• Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (“MREO”) are defined as the combined oxides of Nd₂O₃, Pr₆O₁₁, Dy₂O₃ and Tb₄O₇, expressed as a percentage of TREO.
• TREO and MREO values are calculated using standard stoichiometric conversion factors from the analytical oxide results.
• TREO and MREO values reported represent total in-situ RC drilling sample content and no metallurgical recovery factors have been applied.
• A cut-off grade of 500 ppm TREO and 50 g/t Ga₂O₃ was used in calculating the highlighted drill intercepts.
• Reported drill intercepts represent downhole lengths, and the true widths of mineralization have not yet been determined.
All samples were collected in two-metre intervals, quartered with a Jones splitter, and approximately 2 kg submitted to SGS Geosol Ltda. (ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified) for analysis. QA/QC protocols included one blank per batch, certified reference materials every 15 samples, and duplicates every 20 samples. Collars, azimuths, and depth details are documented in Spark’s internal assay database and will be appended to the subsequent technical disclosure release once assay results are ready.
QA/QC and Laboratory Procedures
Samples were collected at 2-metre intervals using reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling and were quartered using a Jones splitter at the drill site. Approximately 2 kg of material from each interval was placed in sealed sample bags and transported under chain-of-custody procedures to the SGS Geosol Ltda. laboratory facility in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brazil, an independent laboratory accredited to ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 standards.
Sample preparation at SGS Geosol consisted of crushing the entire sample to 75% passing <3 mm, followed by pulverizing a 250 g split to 95% passing <150 mesh (preparation code PRP70J_A2-PA). Prepared pulps were analyzed using sodium peroxide fusion followed by ICP-MS/OES multi-element analysis (analytical code ICM90A) for 56 elements, including the full rare-earth element suite, lithium, and gallium.
The Company implemented a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program that included the insertion of blank samples at the start of each sample batch, certified reference materials inserted approximately every 15 samples, and duplicate samples inserted approximately every 20 samples. The QA/QC program is designed to monitor analytical accuracy and precision and to ensure the reliability of assay results.
Regional Setting and Pipeline
The Arapaima Project sits within Brazil’s expanding Lithium Valley in northern Minas Gerais, a region recognized for lithium, gallium, and rare-earth potential. Spark controls approximately 91,900 hectares of contiguous tenure, providing optionality to expand the mineralized footprint and to follow up on four additional drill-ready lithium pegmatite targets as part of a multi-staged exploration effort.
Corporate Updates
The Warrant Incentive Program continues through February 22, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. (Pacific). Eligible warrants can be exercised at $0.05, and each exercised warrant generates an Incentive Warrant exercisable at $0.06 for one year. The Company is advancing targeted marketing initiatives with Pinnacle Capital Markets Ltd. and bullVestor as part of a broader investor-awareness plan.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information disclosed in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Jonathan Victor Hill, BSc (Hons), FAusIMM, VP Exploration and Director, and Dr. Fernando Tallarico, P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, each of whom is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Hill is a Director of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. and is not independent of the Company. Dr. Tallarico is the Chief Executive Officer of Spark Energy Minerals Inc. and is likewise not independent of the Company.
About Spark Energy Minerals Inc.
Spark Energy Minerals Inc. is a Canadian company advancing the exploration and development of critical minerals essential to the clean-energy transition. The Company's primary focus is Brazil, where it controls a significant land position within the country's emerging Lithium Valley – a region recognized for its lithium, gallium, and rare-earth potential. Spark's flagship Arapaima Project spans approximately 91,900 hectares and hosts multiple targets for lithium and gallium-REE mineralization. Through systematic exploration, Spark aims to help strengthen the secure and sustainable supply of minerals that power electrification, renewable energy, and modern technologies. The Company is committed to responsible exploration practices and supporting Brazil's development of a transparent, sustainable critical minerals supply chain.
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Spark Energy Minerals Inc.
Attn: Dr. Fernando Tallarico, Chief Executive Officer
Email: connect@sparkminerals.co | Tel: +1-877-272-9226 Website: www.sparkminerals.co
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking information”) within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and similar Canadian legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding the interpretation of exploration results, the potential significance, continuity, extent, and grade of mineralization encountered, the identification and potential implications of an ionic-adsorption clay (“IAC”)–style system, the potential for future exploration and drilling programs, the advancement of the Arapaima Project, the evaluation of additional targets within the Company’s land package, the availability of financing, and the Company’s future plans, objectives, and strategies.
Forward-looking information is generally identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “could,” “expect,” “intend,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” “anticipates,” or similar expressions, or statements that certain events or conditions “may,” “could,” or “will” occur. Such statements are based on the Company’s current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs, including assumptions regarding geological interpretations, exploration results, continuity of mineralization, metallurgical characteristics, market conditions, access to capital, and regulatory approvals.
Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information due to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, geological uncertainty, the inherently preliminary nature of exploration results, the selective nature of rock, soil, and drill samples, the possibility that future exploration results may not be consistent with expectations, changes in market conditions, availability of financing, and risks associated with mineral exploration and development. There can be no assurance that any exploration program will result in a mineral discovery or that any mineralization identified will ultimately be developed into a commercially viable deposit.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable securities laws.
