Ares Strategic Mining Announces Completion of Major Processing Plant Infrastructure Milestones

Conveyor Belt System and Electrical MCC Network Completed as Lost Sheep Processing Facility Moves Closer to Commissioning

Vancouver, B.C., 11^th May 2026 – Ares Strategic Mining Inc. (CSE: ARS) (OTCQX: ARSMF) (FRA: N8I1) is pleased to announce the successful completion of two of the most critical infrastructure components at its Lost Sheep Fluorspar Processing Facility in Utah: the installation of the plant’s conveyor belt system and the completion of the facility’s electrical and Motor Control Center (“MCC”) systems.

These milestones represent a major step forward in the Company’s transition from mine development into fully integrated processing operations and significantly advance the plant toward commissioning and production readiness.

Critical Systems Now Installed

The newly completed infrastructure includes:

• Full installation of the plant’s primary material handling and conveyor belt systems

• Completion of the facility-wide electrical distribution network

• Installation and integration of the plant’s Motor Control Center (MCC) systems

• Energization-ready infrastructure to support crushers, screens, flotation circuits, pumps, and processing equipment

The conveyor network forms the operational backbone of the processing facility, enabling the continuous and automated movement of ore between crushing, sorting, and processing stages. Meanwhile, the MCC and electrical systems provide centralized power distribution, process control, equipment protection, and operational automation throughout the plant.

MCC / Electrical Control Systems

James Walker, President and CEO of Ares Strategic Mining, commented: “The completion of the conveyor and MCC systems is one of the most important construction milestones we have achieved to date. These are not cosmetic additions — they are the central nervous system of the processing facility. Without these systems, industrial-scale processing cannot occur. Their completion marks a huge leap toward operational readiness and future production.”

A Transformational Milestone Toward Production

The completion of these systems substantially de-risks the project and positions Ares to accelerate final mechanical installations and commissioning activities.

The MCC infrastructure is particularly significant because it:

• Controls and distributes power across the entire plant

• Enables synchronized operation of processing equipment

• Supports future automation and scalability

• Provides industrial-grade operational reliability and safety

Likewise, the conveyor system enables:

• Continuous ore flow throughout the facility

• Efficient material handling and throughput

• Reduced operating downtime and labor requirements

• Consistent feed rates for optimized processing performance

“You cannot operate a modern processing facility without these systems,” Walker added. “This is foundational infrastructure — the kind of progress that transforms a construction project into an operating industrial facility.”

Plant Construction Progress Overview

Building America’s Domestic Fluorspar Supply Chain

Ares continues advancing toward becoming the leading domestic supplier of acidspar in the United States. Fluorspar is designated a critical mineral by the U.S. government and is essential for:

• Semiconductor manufacturing

• Fluorochemicals

• Nuclear fuel processing

• Steel and aluminum production

• Defense and aerospace applications

With mining operations underway, ore stockpiling ongoing, and plant infrastructure nearing completion, the Company is rapidly positioning itself for initial processing and future deliveries into domestic and international markets.

About Ares Strategic Mining

Ares Strategic Mining Inc. is the only domestic fluorspar producer in the United States and is developing a vertically integrated critical minerals platform through its Lost Sheep Mine and processing facilities in Utah.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

James Walker

President & CEO