Aztec Drills 48.6m of 133.1 gpt AgEq from Surface at Tombstone Project, Arizona and Expands Drill Program by 3,500mDrillhole TR25-26 intersected 48.6 meters averaging 133.1 gpt AgEq (58.93 gpt Ag and 1.06 gpt Au) from surfaceTR25-24 intersected 152.4m averaging 19.81 gpt Ag and 0.236 gpt Au from surfaceDrillhole TR25-25 intersected five mineralized zones totaling 121.6 meters along its 252.3 meter length, including 48.6 meters averaging 6.79 gpt Ag and 0.106 gpt AuDrilling program has been expanded by 3,500 meters as results continue to demonstrate the oxidized Ag-Au mineralization has broad continuity to depth, to the east and west42 holes have now been drilled in the expanded 2025-2026 drill program with 12 RC holes pending release as the campaign continuesCore hole TC25-04 continues to be drilled to depth, targeting the southern NSAMT (natural source audio-frequency magneto-telluric) target VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / January 15, 2026 / Aztec Minerals Corp. (TSXV:AZT)(OTCQB:AZZTF) ("Aztec" or the "Company") announces it has received the results from an additional nine RC drill holes from its reverse circulation ("RC") portion of the 2025 drilling program at the Tombstone Property in Southeastern Arizona. The 2025-2026 drilling program has now completed 42 RC drill holes and one core hole. The results from 9 RC holes drilled in the historic Contention Mine Area of the Contention Target are announced herein.Highlights from the RC drilling reported from the western, central and northern sides of the main Contention Target include:RC drill hole TR25-26 was collared as a northerly offset to TR25-17 in the center of the northern Contention mine area:Intersected 48.6 meters of 133.1 gpt AgEq (58.93 gpt Ag, 1.06 gpt Au) from surfaceTR25-24 was collared in the central portion of the Contention area and was a long, continuous intersection of oxidized mineralization:152.4 meters averaging 36.32 gpt AgEq (0.236 gpt Au, 19.81 gpt Ag), from the collar including 10.6 meters of 212.35 gpt AgEq (81.41 gpt Ag, 1.871 gpt Au) and 4.6 meters of 176.57 gpt AgEq (92.8 gpt Ag, 1.197 gpt Au)Drill hole TR25-25 was collared on the western side of the northern main Contention area and tested easterly and to depth in the target areaFive zones of Ag-Au mineralization were intersected totaling 121.6 m in its 252.3 meter length including 48.6 m of 14.19 gpt AgEq (6.79 gpt Ag, 0.106 gpt Au)Over 48% of the drillhole's length was composed of mineralized intersections.Eight of the nine RC drillholes intersected Ag-Au mineralization and expanded the target area extent to the west, east and to depth. The majority of the intercepts show broad continuity of mineralization. All reported intersection lengths are apparent widths of mineralization, not true widths, which can range at the property from 30% to 100% of apparent widths. Figure 1. Cross section of RC drill hole TR25-26 showing Ag and Au assay results.Drilling Program ExpansionThe Company also announced that the Tombstone Property JV Management Committee met recently and approved an expansion of the drill program from 8,500 meters to 12,000 meters. The expanded program comprises of 9,500 meters of RC and a minimum of 2,500 meters of core drilling.Core Drilling UpdateThe core drilling portion of the program in 2026 continues to advance the drill hole TC25-04 targeting the large, southern AMT target. Currently it is at 444.5 m depth with the top of the AMT target estimated to be a further 80 m below. Sporadic intersections of hydrothermal breccias and "B-type" porphyry veinlets have been observed. The RC precollar portion of 91 meters from this drill hole have been shipped to the analytical laboratory for geochemical analysis.The core rig is continuing to test to depth the previously identified southern AMT target under the Bisbee formation in the thick Paleozoic carbonate formations below. Aztec has previously identified several large, strong, conductive bodies, underneath the historic gold-silver district through NSAMT (natural-source audio-frequency magneto-telluric surveys) anomalies1.Tombstone 2025-2026 Drilling Plan Completed and Pending Figure 2. Plan map showing drill hole collars and traces from the 2025-2026 drill campaign at the Tombstone Property, southeastern Arizona.The continued, successful drilling of the Contention pit area was supported by Aztec's 3D geologic and underground working model that was constructed to assist in targeting potential expansion of the Contention system. The overall Contention system has yet to be defined and marks the confluence of other mineralized zones including the Westside Anticline.Detailed Drillhole Summary Highlights (see Table 1 & 2 below):Hole TR25-18 - Was collared in the central portion of the Westside area to test notable veining structures and prospects. It was drilled easterly and to a depth of 182.4 meters. It intersected a 9.1m zone of 65.81 gpt AgEq (0.245 gpt Au, 48.47 gpt Ag). The drillhole leaves the mineralization open