Critical Elements Lithium Corporation announced that, on January 9, 2023, following the positive recommendation by the Environmental and Social Impact Review Committee (the ‘COMEX'), the Québec Minister of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (the ‘Minister') has authorized Hydro-Québec's connection and powerline relocation project, subject to certain conditions. This is another significant step forward for the Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project (‘Rose' or the ‘Project'). For the Project to go forward, Hydro-Québec will have to relocate a segment of the Eastmain-1-Nemiscau line (which currently crosses the future mine site on a distance of 4.1 km), construct a 315/25-kV transformer substation, and connect the mine to the Eastmain-1-Nemiscau powerline.

Hydro-Québec derives over 94% of its electricity from hydropower with almost all of the remainder generated from renewable sources. Critical Elements is fortunate to be situated in Québec for several reasons including access to one of the cleanest electricity grids globally. With the favourable decision of the Federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change rendered in August 2021, the approval by the Québec Minister of Natural Resources and Forests of the rehabilitation and restoration plan concerning the Project in May 2022, the receipt of the Certificate of Authorization pursuant to section 164 of Québec's Environment Quality Act from the Minister in November 2022, and the Minister authorizing Hydro-Québec's connection and powerline relocation project in January 2023, the Corporation is getting a step closer making a final investment decision for the Project.