Fitzroy Minerals Announces OTCQX Graduation and Strategic U.S. Market Expansion

Vancouver, British Columbia — on February 2, 2026, Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (“Fitzroy” or the “Company”), a growing mineral exploration and development company, confirmed that its common shares have met the rigorous qualifications required to trade on the OTCQX® Best Market in the United States. This move elevates Fitzroy from its previous placement on the OTCQB® Venture Market and marks a significant milestone in the Company’s growth strategy, designed to bolster its visibility and accessibility among U.S. investors and stakeholders.

Understanding the OTCQX Market and Its Importance

The OTCQX Market represents the highest tier of the U.S. over-the-counter (OTC) market system managed by OTC Markets Group Inc., which oversees regulated trading for approximately 12,000 U.S. and international securities. Qualifying for OTCQX status requires companies to meet stringent financial standards, maintain high levels of corporate governance, and demonstrate consistent compliance with securities laws — all components that underscore a company’s credibility and readiness for broader investor engagement.

Unlike the OTCQB Market — often considered a developmental or early-stage platform — OTCQX involves enhanced disclosure requirements and stricter regulatory expectations that promote investor confidence. Achieving OTCQX status opens up important advantages for public companies, especially those seeking deeper engagement with U.S. institutional and retail investors. It also typically facilitates more active trading liquidity and more efficient price discovery.

The Significance of Fitzroy’s OTCQX Upgrade

For Fitzroy Minerals, graduating to the OTCQX Best Market represents a strategic milestone in its corporate journey. The upgrade signifies not only compliance with higher listing standards but also a stronger endorsement of Fitzroy’s operational and financial transparency. Under the new designation, the Company’s U.S. trading symbol will be FTZFF, allowing investors to access real-time Level 2 quotes, comprehensive financial disclosures, and easier trading avenues.

This transition to OTCQX is aimed at improving visibility and building investor confidence, which in turn can enhance trading liquidity — a crucial factor for smaller or emerging companies in capital markets. Better liquidity often means tighter bid-ask spreads, more robust investor engagement, and potentially greater interest from institutional portfolios that monitor OTCQX-listed equities.

Leadership Commentary: A Milestone for Growth

Campbell Smyth, Chairman of Fitzroy Minerals, issued a formal statement emphasizing the strategic value of this marketplace graduation. He highlighted that qualifying for OTCQX underscores the Company’s dedication to long-term shareholder value, responsible governance, and increased accessibility to the U.S. investing community.

According to Smyth, the OTCQX listing not only increases Fitzroy’s trading profile in the United States, but also aligns with the Company’s broader objective of expanding its international footprint as it pursues multiple high-potential mineral exploration projects across the Americas.

Expanding U.S. Investor Access and Transparency

One of the key benefits of an OTCQX listing is the commitment to transparency. Companies on OTCQX must make current financial statements, corporate updates, and disclosure materials readily available to the public and to investors — usually through leading financial platforms and OTC Markets’ own online system. This includes real-time Level 2 quotes, which provide more detailed insights into pricing and market depth than standard Level 1 quotes.

Enhancing transparency is particularly meaningful for junior exploration companies like Fitzroy Minerals, whose investor base often includes sophisticated retail investors, resource sector analysts, and institutional firms that emphasize data accessibility when evaluating potential investments.

Overview of Fitzroy’s Project Portfolio

Fitzroy Minerals is focused on identifying, exploring, and advancing mineral assets across the Americas with significant growth potential. Its portfolio includes multiple projects at varying stages of development, each positioned in resource-rich regions that have long attracted mining investment.

1. Buen Retiro Copper Project (Chile)

Located near Copiapó in Chile, the Buen Retiro Copper Project is one of Fitzroy’s flagship assets. Copper is a critical industrial metal with strong long-term demand driven by global electrification trends, renewable energy infrastructure, and automotive electrification. Fitzroy’s work at Buen Retiro focuses on defining and expanding copper mineralization zones with favorable geological characteristics and economic potential.

2. Caballos Copper and Polimet Projects (Valparaiso, Chile)

The Caballos Copper Project and the Polimet Gold-Copper-Silver Project are located in Chile’s Valparaiso region — another mining district known for its geological richness. These projects encompass multiple commodities, including copper, gold, and silver, providing Fitzroy with diversified exposure to base and precious metals markets.

3. Taquetren Gold Project (Argentina)

In Argentina’s Rio Negro province, the Taquetren Gold Project adds precious metal exposure to Fitzroy’s asset mix. Gold remains a cornerstone asset class for investors seeking a hedge against geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility, making projects like Taquetren strategically valuable from a portfolio perspective.

4. Cariboo Project (British Columbia, Canada)

The Cariboo Project, situated in Fitzroy’s home country of Canada, represents an additional base for exploration in a region with a long history of mining activity. Projects in Canada benefit from well-established mining jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks that support responsible resource development.

Long-Term Strategic Implications

Fitzroy’s OTCQX graduation can be viewed not only as a market milestone, but also as a strategic enabler for the Company’s future. By raising its profile in the United States, Fitzroy positions itself for potential future capital raises, partnerships, and broader investor recognition. These benefits are especially relevant in the resource sector, where access to funding and investor confidence can directly support exploration campaigns and project advancement.

Moreover, the U.S. market remains one of the largest and most liquid capital markets in the world, with a significant investor base focused on global resource opportunities. Listed exposure in that market can attract a wider range of analysts, institutional portfolios, and international fund managers who may not typically engage with securities traded exclusively on Canadian exchanges or lower OTC tiers.

About OTC Markets Group and U.S. Trading Tiers

OTC Markets Group Inc. operates a tiered system of markets designed to provide progressively higher levels of financial disclosure and regulatory compliance: OTCQX, OTCQB, and OTC Pink. Among these, OTCQX represents the most rigorous standards and is designed for established, investor-focused U.S. and international companies.

Companies trading on OTCQX do not need to be listed on a major U.S. exchange like NYSE or NASDAQ, but they must maintain robust financial reporting, transparent disclosure practices, and strong corporate governance. These obligations demonstrate operational maturity, which can make OTCQX listed stocks more attractive to certain investor segments.

What This Means for Shareholders

Existing shareholders of Fitzroy Minerals may see several benefits from the OTCQX listing, including improved market visibility, potentially increased trading liquidity, and broader accessibility for U.S. investors. Over time, these factors could contribute to greater market engagement and potentially more stable pricing dynamics.

It is important to note that while an OTCQX listing itself does not guarantee future share price increases or financial performance, it does signify adherence to higher public company standards — which in the resource sector can strengthen investor perception and confidence.

Investor Resources and Access Points

Investors looking for financial documents, real-time quotes, and company updates can visit the official OTC Markets website and search for the Fitzroy Minerals trading symbol FTZFF. This platform provides access to current corporate filings, disclosure documents, and detailed data feeds that support investment research.

Forward-Looking Perspective

Fitzroy Minerals’ graduation to OTCQX is likely only one part of a broader strategic roadmap. As the Company continues to advance its exploration projects, enhance technical understanding, and pursue value creation, its presence on the U.S. trading landscape may play an increasingly pivotal role. Bolstered investor access, transparent reporting, and improved visibility can all contribute to Fitzroy’s growth trajectory — especially as it targets key milestones in project development and resource evaluation.

In the coming months and years, markets will be watching how Fitzroy leverages this expanded platform, continues project developments, and engages with investors on both sides of the border. This period may define a new chapter in the Company’s evolution as it strives to add value for shareholders and unlock the full potential of its diversified asset portfolio.

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