Verde Expands Minas Americas Magnet-Rich Ionic Clay Discovery Beyond 3.5 km²; MAV_AD_0028 Returns 10 m at 0.84% TREO

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, March 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Verde AgriTech Ltd. (TSX: NPK | OTCQX: VNPKF) (“Verde” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce additional assay results from 17 auger holes at its Minas Americas Global Alliance rare earths project (“Minas Americas” or the “Project”) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new results extend the same discovery model Verde has been building since October: shallow ionic-clay mineralization carrying an NdPr-led magnet basket with meaningful Dy/Tb support, now confirmed in additional multi-metre zones as the drill-confirmed footprint expands beyond 3.5 km².

“From the first surface results through ionic-adsorption confirmation and the PT-34 breakthrough, Minas Americas has been telling one coherent discovery story,” said Cristiano Veloso, Founder and CEO of Verde. “This batch strengthens that same story in the ways that matter most: a stronger flagship interval in MAV_AD_0028, a second 5 m proof interval in MAV_AD_0035, additional corroboration in MAV_AD_0042 and MAV_AD_0044, and open-ended continuity in MAV_AD_0029. We are seeing shallow thickness, repeatable internal enrichment, strong NdPr and meaningful Dy/Tb inside a growing footprint – exactly the combination we want as we advance toward a 3D model, representative metallurgical composites and, ultimately, a maiden resource.”

At this stage, the key variables are clear: shallow position, repeatable multi-metre enrichment, magnet-basket quality and growing scale. This release advances all four without changing the geological model that Verde has been reporting since the Project was first disclosed.

Highlights

• Flagship interval: MAV_AD_0028 returned 10 m from surface (0-10 m) averaging 8,439 ppm TREO (0.84% TREO) and 1,965 ppm MREO, including 5 m (3-8 m) averaging 11,032 ppm TREO (1.10% TREO) and 2,717 ppm MREO, with 2,634 ppm NdPr oxides, approximately 66.8 ppm Dy₂O₃ and approximately 15.8 ppm Tb₄O₇.
• Second proof interval plus corroboration: MAV_AD_0035 returned 5 m (6-11 m) averaging 8,273 ppm TREO and 2,013 ppm MREO; MAV_AD_0044 added 8 m (8-16 m) averaging 6,172 ppm TREO, including 5 m (11-16 m) averaging 6,724 ppm TREO; and MAV_AD_0042 returned 2 m (11-13 m) averaging 8,404 ppm TREO and 2,117 ppm MREO.
• Open-ended continuity: MAV_AD_0029 returned 16 m from surface (0-16 m) averaging 2,869 ppm TREO and 541 ppm MREO, including 8 m (8-16 m) averaging 4,650 ppm TREO and 923 ppm MREO, and ended in mineralization.
• Repeatability is strengthening: five of the 17 newly reported holes contain continuous runs of at least 0.40% TREO over 3 m or more, and three of those contain continuous runs of at least 0.60% TREO over 3 m or more.
• Magnet-basket quality remains a defining strength: in the strongest new multi-metre intervals, MREO accounts for roughly 22%-25% of TREO, while Y₂O₃ exceeds 100 ppm over approximately 26 m across five of the 17 new holes.
• Scale continues to grow: the drill-confirmed footprint now exceeds 3.5 km² within a mapped and surface-sampled geological unit exceeding 15 km², and drilling is ongoing across eight additional targets.

Table 1: Selected Magnet-Basket and Continuity Intervals

Why This Batch Matters

The geological model at Minas Americas is not changing; it is strengthening. The same signature already established at surface and in earlier PT-34 drilling – shallow position, an NdPr-rich magnet basket, persistent Dy/Tb and laterally continuous clay mineralization – is now repeating across a larger footprint.

What matters most in this batch is not one more isolated assay. It is that the Project now has a stronger flagship interval, a second 5 m proof interval, additional corroboration in separate holes and local continuity beyond current end-of-hole. That combination makes the discovery more defensible technically and more meaningful economically.

In the best new multi-metre intervals, magnet rare earth oxides account for roughly 22%-25% of TREO. NdPr remains the core of the basket, while Dy/Tb strengthen within the higher-grade windows. Together, grade, thickness, basket quality and continuity are all moving in the same direction.

Figure 1: Drill hole plan map showing distribution of high-grade intercepts in the resource potential area.

Dy/Tb Context: High-Coercivity Magnet Metals Continue to Stand Out

In the 5 m enrichment interval in MAV_AD_0028 (3-8 m), Dy₂O₃ averages approximately 66.8 ppm and Tb₄O₇ approximately 15.8 ppm, for a combined approximately 82 ppm Dy₂O₃ + Tb₄O₇ alongside 2,634 ppm NdPr oxides. Figure 2 places that interval in context against selected published Brazilian ionic clay projects. The comparison is provided for context only; drill intercepts are not directly comparable to resource averages because of differences in sampling, compositing, cut-off grades, domaining and reporting frameworks, and Verde has not independently verified those public disclosures.

Figure 2: Dy₂O₃ + Tb₄O₇ (ppm) comparison – MAV_AD_0028 (5 m enrichment interval) vs selected published Brazilian ionic clay projects (resource context).

TECHNICAL COMMENTARY

What the New Holes Are Showing

In ionic adsorption clay systems, the important technical question is whether the better magnet-basket chemistry strengthens within the same shallow domains that carry the best NdPr values. The new drilling continues to answer that question positively.

MAV_AD_0028 provides the clearest near-surface enrichment profile in this batch, and MAV_AD_0035 confirms a second 5 m zone of the same style. MAV_AD_0042 and MAV_AD_0044 add corroboration elsewhere in the system, while MAV_AD_0029 shows that mineralization remains open locally at depth.

The higher-grade internal zones are metres thick and nested within broader shallow mineralized profiles rather than appearing as narrow isolated spikes. That geometry is supportive of both 3D modelling and the selection of representative composites for metallurgical testing.

Taken together, the new holes suggest the Project is evolving the right way technically: not by changing the discovery model, but by repeating it.

Yttrium: Strategic Heavy-REE Support Repeats in the New Data

Yttrium (“Y”) is not included in MREO and should not be confused with the Project’s core magnet basket. In ionic adsorption clay systems, however, it remains relevant as broader heavy-REE support and as potential future optionality, subject to metallurgical behavior.

Across the 17 new holes, Y₂O₃ exceeds 100 ppm over approximately 26 m across five holes – MAV_AD_0028, MAV_AD_0029, MAV_AD_0035, MAV_AD_0042 and MAV_AD_0044. In the flagship hole MAV_AD_0028, the 5 m enrichment interval (3-8 m) averages approximately 196 ppm Y₂O₃, with Y₂O₃ remaining above 100 ppm from surface to 9 m.

The same pattern repeats in MAV_AD_0035, MAV_AD_0042 and MAV_AD_0044, showing that the strongest magnet-basket zones are also carrying broader heavy-REE support.

Previously reported hole MAV_AD_0002 remains the high-water mark at 606 ppm Y₂O₃ over 9.0-10.0 m, alongside Dy₂O₃ 86 ppm and Tb₄O₇ 17 ppm. Taken together, the old and new data suggest yttrium is part of the Project’s broader heavy-REE profile, while any future contribution to product value will depend on metallurgical behavior.

Scale and Next Steps

PT-34 remains the Project’s initial drilling anchor, with significant intercepts spanning approximately 1.7 km based on the maximum collar-to-collar distance among holes returning continuous mineralization of at least 0.40% TREO over at least 3 m. The current batch extends that same signature beyond the original anchor area.

Across Minas Americas, the drill-confirmed footprint now exceeds 3.5 km² within a mapped and surface-sampled geological unit exceeding 15 km². Drilling remains underway across eight additional targets, suggesting the area drilled to date may still represent only a portion of the broader system.

Next work will focus on integrating the new results into the 3D geological model, selecting representative composite intervals for metallurgical testing, and continuing step-out drilling across additional targets.

TECHNICAL NOTES

• Intervals are downhole lengths. Drillholes are vertical; based on the current geological model of a gently undulating mineralized horizon, downhole lengths are interpreted to represent approximate true thickness.
• Selected composite intervals shown in Table 1 are length-weighted composites of contiguous assayed intervals chosen to illustrate either higher-grade magnet-basket zones or longer continuity intervals. Assay grades are reported as head grades in parts per million (ppm). 10,000 ppm = 1.0%. Rounding may result in minor differences.
• This news release reports exploration results which are preliminary in nature and do not constitute an estimate of mineral resources or mineral reserves.
  • Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) refers to the sum of the oxides of rare earth elements.
  • Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides (MREO) refers to the sum of the oxides of the primary magnet rare earth elements: Pr₆O₁₁ + Nd₂O₃ + Tb₄O₇ + Dy₂O₃.
  • NdPr oxides refer to the sum of neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) and praseodymium oxide (Pr₆O₁₁).

QUALIFIED PERSON

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Leonardo Deringer Fraga, P.Geo, Vice President of Exploration, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43 101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. EGBC License No. 61611.

QA/QC

Analyses were performed by SGS Geosol (Vespasiano, Brazil) using lithium-borate fusion with ICP-MS/OES (IMS95A/ICP95A method). The Company’s quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program includes the regular insertion of blanks, certified reference materials, and duplicates into the sample stream. Analytical results are reviewed for accuracy and precision prior to disclosure.

ABOUT VERDE AGRITECH

Verde AgriTech is a specialty multi-nutrient potassium fertilizer innovator and producer, dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture through the development and commercialization of low-carbon fertilizer products. The Company is leveraging its long-established operational platform in Minas Gerais, Brazil—including people, infrastructure, laboratory capability, and permitting experience—to advance both its core fertilizer business and the exploration of critical minerals opportunities within its long-held mineral rights.

FORWARD‑LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s exploration programs, the potential scale and continuity of mineralization, the advancement of metallurgical testwork, the development of a 3D geological model, and the timing and outcome of future exploration, technical studies, and resource estimation. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and assumptions, including assumptions regarding the continuation of exploration activities, the availability of capital, the reliability of sampling and analytical procedures, and the timely receipt of assay results, and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, risks related to exploration results, geological complexity, sampling and analytical variability, metallurgical performance, commodity prices, access to capital, regulatory approvals, and other factors described in Verde’s public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Verde does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement except as required by law.

For additional information please contact:

Cristiano Veloso, Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email: [email protected]

www.verde.ag | www.investor.verde.ag

APPENDIX

Results Minas Americas Global Alliance Project — Drill Hole Collar Information and Full Assay Results

Notes: Assays are reported as head grades in parts per million (“ppm”). MREO includes Nd, Pr, Dy and Tb oxides. TREO includes all rare earth oxides. All holes are vertical (90°). Based on current interpretation of a gently undulating mineralized horizon, the reported intervals are interpreted to represent approximate true thickness. Coordinates are reported in SIRGAS 2000 / UTM Zone 23S.

Table 2: Drill hole collar information (PT-34 auger drilling reported to date)

*EOH = end of hole.

Table 3: Full drilling results for PT-34 auger holes (all assayed intervals)