VANCOUVER, British Columbia – Q2 Metals Corp., a mineral exploration company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol QTWO, has made a significant leadership announcement. The company has appointed current board member Keith Phillips to the position of Executive Chair of the Board of Directors, effective immediately. This strategic move comes as Q2 Metals prepares for a crucial year of development at its flagship Cisco Lithium Project located in Quebec.
Keith Phillips Brings Extensive Lithium and Financial Expertise
Mr. Phillips originally joined the Q2 Metals board in October 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience from the lithium sector and Wall Street. His most notable achievement was serving as Chief Executive Officer of Piedmont Lithium from its founding in 2017 until its merger with Sayona Mining in 2025. Under his guidance, Piedmont Lithium transformed from a small exploration company with a single project into a major global lithium producer.
The company achieved a remarkable peak market capitalization exceeding $1.0 billion during his tenure. Piedmont Lithium developed significant assets across Canada, Ghana, and the United States, while also establishing vital commercial partnerships with industry giants Tesla and LG Chem. The successor company, Elevra Lithium, now stands as North America's leading hard-rock lithium producer.
Prior to his work in the lithium industry, Mr. Phillips built an impressive 30-year career on Wall Street. During this time, he managed strategic and financing transactions with a combined value surpassing $100 billion, giving him unique insight into capital markets and corporate finance.
Company Leadership Expresses Confidence in New Role
Alicia Milne, President and CEO of Q2 Metals, expressed enthusiasm about Phillips taking on this expanded role. "We were very pleased to have Keith join the Company last fall and I am looking forward to having him more involved as we continue to advance the Cisco Lithium Project," Milne stated. She emphasized that 2026 represents a pivotal year for the company, with several important milestones on the horizon.
Q2 Metals anticipates publishing its inaugural inferred Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cisco Project in March 2026. Following this, the company plans to transition from early-stage discovery work to focus on advanced exploration, engineering studies, permitting processes, and community engagement initiatives. Milne believes Phillips' extensive experience will provide substantial benefits to the Q2 Metals team as they navigate this important growth phase.
Phillips' Perspective on the Cisco Lithium Project
In his new capacity as Executive Chairman, Keith Phillips shared his assessment of Q2 Metals and the Cisco Project. "I've been highly impressed with the team at Q2 during my few months on the Board," Phillips remarked. "It's clear that Cisco is an exceptional asset, with world-class scale and grade and an advantageous location within the mining-friendly province of Quebec."
Phillips indicated that by taking on a more active leadership role, he hopes to bring additional value to the company, particularly in the areas of investor relations and strategic positioning. His background in both lithium production and high-level finance positions him uniquely to guide Q2 Metals through its next development stages.
Cisco Lithium Project Progress and Winter Drilling Program
The Cisco Lithium Project has resumed drilling operations for the winter season, with a primary focus on continued infill drilling of the main mineralized zone. This drilling data will contribute to a Preliminary Economic Assessment targeted for completion in late 2026. The company may also incorporate exploration drilling into the program to test areas outside the main mineralized zone.
As of December 31, 2025, Q2 Metals has completed a total of 74 drill holes at the Cisco Project, representing 31,961 metres of drilling. Assay results remain pending for seven holes drilled during the final quarter of 2025, which will be reported once received and reviewed by company geologists. All holes drilled through the end of 2025 will be incorporated into the inaugural inferred Mineral Resource Estimate scheduled for March release.
Upcoming Investor Events and Technical Oversight
Q2 Metals has scheduled participation in several important industry events throughout early 2026. The company will present virtually at the OTC Markets Precious Metals & Critical Minerals Investor Conference on February 12, 2026. In March, Q2 Metals will have a physical presence at two significant gatherings: the Prospectors & Developers Association Convention Investors Exchange in Toronto from March 1-4, and the 121 Mining Event in Hong Kong from March 11-12.
All technical information in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, who serves as a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101 standards. Mr. McCallum is a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and a member in good standing with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. He currently holds the positions of Director and Vice President of Exploration for Q2 Metals Corp.
