Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - January 19, 2026) - Visionary Copper and Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: VCG) (OTCQB: VCGMF) ("Visionary" or "the Company") is pleased to provide its annual letter to shareholders from President and CEO, Max Porterfield:

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

As I write to you, our team is on the ground and a drill is being mobilized to kickstart the first phase of exploration at our gold, copper, zinc and silver rich Pt. Leamington deposit in Newfoundland. Now, more than ever, I am grateful for your support as we kickstart our exploration campaign to expand the already significant mineral resource at Pt. Leamington.

Visionary strategically acquired Pt. Leamington in 2016 at the bottom of the last metals cycle and published an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate in 2021. At the time, the Company had recently made the high-grade copper rich Rainbow discovery in Manitoba which now hosts an NI 43-101 resource estimate, in addition to environmental baseline studies, engineering work and is also pending an Advanced Exploration Permit ("AEP"), a key milestone achievement during 2025.

With the strong move in critical and precious metals prices, which have since strengthened even more, Visionary refocused its exploration efforts last year to expand and further define the mineral resource base at Pt. Leamington, which includes:

• A pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 2.0 Moz silver, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 1.5 Mlb lead);
• A pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 6.2 Moz silver, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 7.0 Mlb lead); and
• An out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 1.4 Moz Ag, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 2.6 Mlb lead).
  
  (see news release dated October 25, 2021)

To support its next phase of growth, the Company has assembled a technical team with a diverse skillset aimed at expanding the current mineral resource estimate and refining the Pt. Leamington economic recovery potential, leading to the next phases of development. The Visionary technical team has identified a series of high-priority exploration targets with an emphasis on near-surface copper-, zinc-, gold-, and silver-rich zones. Preliminary testing of these targets will be done in the exploration drilling campaign scheduled to commence imminently.

Results from the first phase of exploration drilling will guide an aggressive follow-up campaign designed to delineate new mineralized zones, increase the confidence level of the existing resource estimate through targeted drilling and test the deposit's growth potential at depth.

On the mineral processing front, Visionary has retrieved samples from historic drill cores for mineralogical testing to improve understanding of metal distribution within the deposit. In addition, the Company has planned a two-phased metallurgical program to be undertaken this year, which will define recovery processes and provide valuable data for future engineering studies.

The planned collective work over the next several months will advance the Pt. Leamington deposit to the stage where the Company will be well positioned to update the NI 43-101 resource estimate and commence preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA).

In Manitoba, Visionary continues to advance its high-grade copper Rainbow and Pine Bay deposits and remains on track to receive approval for its Advanced Exploration Permit. The Company is planning to conduct supplemental environmental assessment work and community engagement activities in preparation for applying for an Environment Act License, which allows for construction and production.

As the industry shines on the global stage, Visionary's portfolio of polymetallic deposits, rich in critical and precious metals, located within proximity to infrastructure and access to key international markets is ideally positioned for the current environment. While there will certainly be volatility ahead, gold and copper will continue to shine for the years ahead. The already significant move in gold will continue to primarily be underpinned by central bank buying and fear, driven by inflation and unease over global geopolitical conflicts. Meanwhile copper's continued strong demand will further be strengthened by stockpiling while declining grades globally coupled with persistent issues with production will provide for a very tight market.

Sincerely,

"Max Porterfield"

President and CEO

Visionary Copper and Gold Mines Inc.

Qualified Person

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Aaryn Hutchins, P. Geo, a qualified person under NI 43-101. Ms. Hutchins is a consultant of the Company and is independent of the Company.

About Visionary Copper and Gold Mines Inc.

Visionary Copper and Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: VCG) (OTCQB: VCGMF) is advancing its portfolio of base and precious metals rich deposits located in established Canadian mining jurisdictions. The focus of the portfolio is highlighted by the 100% owned Point Leamington Deposit in Newfoundland, located in one of the richest VMS and Gold Districts in Canada. The Company prepared a pit constrained Indicated Mineral Resource of 5.0 Mt grading 2.5 g/t AuEq for 402 koz AuEq (145.7 koz gold, 60.0 Mlb copper, 153.5 Mlb zinc, 2.0 Moz silver, 1.5 Mlb lead), a pit constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 13.7 Mt grading 2.24 g/t AuEq for 986.5 koz AuEq (354.8 koz gold, 110.2 Mlb copper, 527.3 Mlb zinc, 6.2 Moz silver, 7.0 Mlb lead) and an out-of-pit Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.7 Mt grading 3.06 g/t AuEq for 168.5 koz AuEq (65.4 koz gold, 13.3 Mlb copper, 102.9 Mlb zinc, 1.4 Moz Ag, 2.6 Mlb lead) (see news release dated October 25, 2021). Additionally, the Company is permitting the Rainbow deposit at its rich VMS Pine Bay Project located near existing infrastructure in the Flin Flon Mining District. The Company prepared an indicated mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 3.44 Mt grading 3.59% CuEq for 272.4 Mlb CuEq (238.3 Mlb Cu, 56.9 Mlb Zn, 37.6 koz Au, 692.8 koz Ag, 2.3 Mlb Pb), an inferred mineral resource on the Rainbow deposit of 1.28 Mt grading 2.95% CuEq containing 83.4 Mlb CuEq (72.1 Mlb Cu, 19.5 Mlb Zn, 11.1 koz Au, 222.2 Koz Ag, 0.8 Mlb Pb) and an inferred mineral resource at the Pine Bay deposit of 1.0 Mt grading 2.62% Cu containing 58.1 Mlb Cu (see news release dated July 10, 2023). Additionally, the portfolio includes the Nash Creek Project located in the VMS rich Bathurst Mining District of New Brunswick. A 2018 PEA generates a strong economic return with a pre-tax IRR of 34.1% (25.2% post-tax) and NPV8% of $230 million ($128 million post-tax) at $1.25 Zinc (see news release dated May 14, 2018).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to future expenditures. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, among others, completing the private placement financing, the ability to complete the proposed drill program and the timing and amount of expenditures. Except as required under applicable securities laws, Visionary does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/280795