Company Announcements

An approved Directive 056 and EPEA from the AER are the key permits required from the provincial government authority to construct and operate the central processing facility for the Clearwater Project

CALGARY, Alberta--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 20, 2026-- E3 LITHIUM LTD. (TSXV: ETL) (FSE: OW3) (OTCQX: EEMMF), “E3”, “E3 Lithium” or the “Company,” a leader in Canadian lithium development, has formally submitted an application to the Alberta Energy Regulator (“AER”) in accordance with Directive 056: Energy Development Applications and Schedules (“D56”), for its Clearwater Project’s Central Processing Facility (“CPF”).

“Today E3 reached a major milestone for our flagship Clearwater Project in Alberta, with the submission of the D56 facility licence,” said Chris Doornbos, President and CEO of E3 Lithium. "Paired with the EPEA application previously submitted this past November, we are working closely with our local stakeholders through the permitting process, and we appreciate all the feedback we have received on the submission. At full capacity, this one facility could create hundreds of jobs, both on and off-site, and the construction is estimated to employ thousands of drillers, pipefitters, welders, machinists, professionals, etc., all from Alberta's workforce."

In late 2025, the Company submitted its Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (“EPEA”) application. The Company’s submission of D56 application is submitted in conjunction with the EPEA application, following formal consultation and notification of stakeholders in the area surrounding the CPF initiated in late 2025. These two applications, the Central Process Facility D56 and EPEA, are the critical permits required to build and operate the facility. Additional applications for the wells, pipeline and scheme approval, along with a few others referenced in the Company's corporate presentation, will be applied for through the balance of 2026, and together will give E3 the required provincial government authority to construct and operate the CPF. An approved D56 licence will demonstrate that the CPF meets Alberta’s safety, environmental, and land-use standards, and that E3 Lithium has completed meaningful engagement with stakeholders.

E3 Lithium continues to progress the development of its Clearwater Project, including significant advancements made to its technical, regulatory and commercial plans to date. The Company recently delivered battery-grade lithium carbonate to global partners and off-takers which was made through the Demonstration Program being conducted within E3’s flagship Clearwater Project. The Company has proposed a staged development plan with a capacity of 12,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per year as first stage of production.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chris Doornbos, President, CEO & Chair
E3 Lithium Ltd.

About E3 Lithium

E3 Lithium is a development company with a total of 21.2 million tonnes (Mt) of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) Measured and Indicated¹ as well as 0.3 Mt LCE Inferred mineral resources² in Alberta. The Clearwater Pre-Feasibility Study outlined a 1.13 Mt LCE proven and probable mineral reserve with a pre-tax NPV(8%) of USD 5.2 Billion with a 29.2% IRR and an after-tax NPV(8%) of USD 3.7 Billion with a 24.6% IRR¹.

1: The Clearwater Project NI 43-101 Pre-Feasibility Study, effective June 20, 2024, identified 16.2 Mt LCE (measured and indicated) and is available on the E3 Lithium’s website ( www.e3lithium.ca/technical-reports/ ) and SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ).

2: The mineral resource NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Garrington District Lithium Resource Estimate, effective June 25, 2025, identified 5.0 Mt LCE (measured and indicated) and 0.3 Mt LCE (inferred) and is available on the E3 Lithium’s website ( www.e3lithium.ca/technical-reports/ ) and SEDAR+ ( www.sedarplus.ca ).

Unless otherwise indicated, Kevin Carroll, P. Eng., Chief Development Officer and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information contained on this news release.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements as well as management’s objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as “believe”, “may”, “will”, “plan”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “intend”, “project”, “potential”, “possible” and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions, expectations, estimates and assumptions of management in light of its experience, perception of historical trends, and results of the PFS, but such statements are not guarantees of future performance. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information relating to: approvals for permits and licences; the Company’s expectations regarding the production of lithium carbonate; plans and objectives of management for the Company’s operations of the Demonstration Facility; and the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations. In preparing the forward-looking information in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, that any additional financing needed will be available on reasonable terms; the exchange rates for the U.S. and Canadian currencies will be consistent with the Company’s expectations; that the current exploration, development, environmental and other objectives concerning the Demonstration Facility can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner and that all necessary governmental approvals for the planned activities on the Demonstration Facility will be obtained in a timely manner and on acceptable terms.

All forward-looking information (including future-orientated financial information) is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, the effectiveness and feasibility of emerging lithium extraction technologies which have not yet been tested or proven on a commercial scale or on the Company’s brine, risks related to the availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms and the expected use of proceeds; operations and contractual obligations; changes in estimated mineral reserves or mineral resources; future prices of lithium and other metals; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; the Company’s lack of operating revenues; currency fluctuations; risks related to dependence on key personnel; estimates used in financial statements proving to be incorrect; competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in our recent securities filings available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca). Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and we caution against placing undue reliance thereon. We assume no obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

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E3 Lithium - Investor Relations
investor@e3lithium.ca
587-324-2775

E3 Lithium - Media Inquiries
communications@e3lithium.ca
587-324-2775

Source: E3 LITHIUM LTD.