Vancouver, British Columbia, Feb. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surge Copper Corp. (TSXV: SURG) (OTCQB: SRGXF) (Frankfurt: G6D2) (“Surge” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the British Columbia government’s acceptance of the Berg Project into the Critical Minerals Office (“CMO”). The Berg Project aligns with both national critical minerals objectives and the recently announced Western Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy, positioning the project within provincial and federal priorities to strengthen sec ...

Core Viewpoint - Surge Copper Corp. has increased the size of its non-brokered private placement to $20 million, reflecting strong demand and support from both existing and new investors [1][3]. Offering Details - The Offering will consist of 40 million units priced at $0.50 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of $20 million [2]. - The Offering is expected to close on or about February 26, 2026, and may be completed in one or more tranches, subject to regulatory approvals [5]. Use of Proceeds - Net proceeds from the Offering will be utilized to advance mineral exploration and development projects, including the Berg and Ootsa projects, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes [4]. Strategic Investor Participation - A strategic investor has the right to participate in the Offering to maintain its ownership interest, subject to regulatory limits, with gross proceeds assuming full exercise of this right [3]. Company Overview - Surge Copper Corp. is advancing the Berg Project, which hosts a large-scale copper-molybdenum-silver deposit, and is also working on the Ootsa Property, positioning itself as a contributor to Canada's critical minerals strategy [8][9].

Core Viewpoint - Surge Copper Corp. is initiating a non-brokered private placement of 30 million units at a price of $0.50 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of $15 million to support its mineral exploration and development projects [1][5]. Group 1: Offering Details - Each unit consists of one common share and one non-transferable common share purchase warrant, with the warrant allowing the purchase of an additional common share at an exercise price of $1.00 for three years [2]. - The warrants include an acceleration provision, allowing the company to shorten the expiry date if the common shares trade at a volume-weighted average price of $1.50 or greater for 20 consecutive trading days [3]. - The offering is expected to close around February 26, 2026, and may be completed in multiple tranches, subject to regulatory approvals [6]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the offering will be allocated to advancing mineral exploration and development projects, including the Berg and Ootsa projects, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes [5]. Group 3: Strategic Investor Participation - A strategic investor has the right to participate in the offering to maintain its ownership interest, with the gross proceeds assuming full exercise of this right, subject to regulatory approvals [4]. - Any warrants issued to the strategic investor will have restrictions to prevent ownership from exceeding 19.9% of the outstanding common shares [4]. Group 4: Company Overview - Surge Copper Corp. is focused on advancing the Berg Project, which hosts a significant copper-molybdenum-silver deposit, and is progressing towards a Pre-Feasibility Study to define its development potential [8][9]. - The company also controls a large mineral claim package that includes multiple advanced porphyry deposits, positioning it as a contributor to Canada's critical minerals strategy [10].

Core Insights - SurgePays, Inc. has announced that its prepaid wireless brand, LinkUp Mobile, has surpassed 100,000 ongoing active subscriber lines, marking a significant operational milestone for the company [1][2][4] Group 1: Company Overview - SurgePays, Inc. operates as a wireless and fintech technology company focused on providing essential mobile and financial services to subprime and underserved consumers [5] - The company utilizes a nationwide ecosystem that includes its own wireless brands and a proprietary point of sale platform, facilitating SIM activations, top-ups, and financial transactions [5] Group 2: LinkUp Mobile's Growth - Surpassing 100,000 subscriber lines reflects the successful execution of SurgePays' channel-driven growth strategy, which is based on master distributor partnerships and in-store activations [2][4] - LinkUp Mobile operates as a prepaid mobile virtual network operator, serving customers who purchase prepaid services directly through retail locations and distributor partners, differentiating it from government-subsidized offerings [3] Group 3: Future Outlook - The achievement of 100,000 active subscriber lines is seen as a foundation for future growth, with expectations of scaling more efficiently through established distribution channels [4] - The company aims to reach breakeven and profitability in 2026 by building LinkUp Mobile through controlled relationships and aligned partners [5][6]

Core Viewpoint - SurgePays, Inc. successfully closed a public offering of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share, raising approximately $2.5 million in gross proceeds before expenses [1][2]. Company Overview - SurgePays, Inc. is a wireless and fintech technology company focused on providing essential mobile and financial services to subprime and underserved consumers [5]. - The company operates a nationwide ecosystem that includes its own wireless brands and a proprietary point of sale platform, facilitating SIM activations, top-ups, financial transactions, and other digital services for prepaid and underbanked customers [5]. Future Growth Strategy - SurgePays is advancing into data-driven marketing and digital partnerships to monetize verified consumer engagement, aiming to create recurring, high-margin revenue streams [6]. - The company aspires to become a leading digital marketplace and data intelligence platform for the one-third of America that relies on prepaid and subprime financial services [6].

Core Viewpoint - SurgePays, Inc. has announced a public offering of 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a price of $1.25 per share, aiming for gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million before expenses [1] Company Overview - SurgePays, Inc. is a wireless and fintech technology company focused on providing essential mobile and financial services to subprime and underserved consumers [6] - The company operates a nationwide ecosystem that includes its own wireless brands and a proprietary point of sale platform, facilitating SIM activations, top-ups, financial transactions, and other digital services for prepaid and underbanked customers [6] Offering Details - The public offering consists of 2,000,000 shares priced at $1.25 each, with an option for underwriters to purchase an additional 300,000 shares [1] - The offering is expected to close on January 22, 2026, pending customary closing conditions [1] - R.F. Lafferty & Co., Inc. is the sole book-running manager for this offering [2] Future Growth Strategy - SurgePays is advancing into data-driven marketing and digital partnerships to monetize verified consumer engagement, aiming to create recurring, high-margin revenue streams [7] - The company aspires to become a leading digital marketplace and data intelligence platform for the one-third of America that relies on prepaid and subprime financial services [7]

Core Viewpoint - SurgePays, Inc. has initiated an underwritten public offering of its common stock and/or pre-funded warrants, aimed at enhancing its financial position and expanding access to mobile and financial services for subprime and underserved consumers [1][2]. Company Overview - SurgePays, Inc. is a wireless and fintech technology company focused on providing essential mobile and financial services to subprime and underserved consumers [6]. - The company operates a nationwide ecosystem that includes its own wireless brands and a proprietary point of sale platform, facilitating SIM activations, top-ups, financial transactions, and other digital services for prepaid and underbanked customers [6]. Business Strategy - SurgePays is advancing into data-driven marketing and digital partnerships to monetize verified consumer engagement, which is expected to create recurring, high-margin revenue streams [7]. - The company aims to become a leading digital marketplace and data intelligence platform serving the one-third of America that relies on prepaid and subprime financial services [7].

Core Insights - Alpha Modus Financial Services and SurgePays have signed a Letter of Intent to form a commercial integration and distribution partnership aimed at enhancing financial access for subprime and underserved consumers across the U.S. [1] - The partnership seeks to leverage SurgePays' extensive retail network to create a significant distribution channel for financial services [3][5] Industry Context - Over 100 million Americans visit convenience stores and small merchants monthly for essential services, many of whom are underserved and rely on prepaid mobile services or cash transactions [2] - SurgePays targets the underbanked population, which represents a substantial market opportunity for financial services [12] Partnership Objectives - The collaboration will integrate Alpha Modus' upcoming digital wallet, "Alpha Cash," allowing users to cash checks, pay bills, transfer funds, and purchase prepaid cards [4] - SurgePays aims to pre-load Alpha Cash on 3,000 new devices daily, enhancing customer engagement and financial inclusion [5] Strategic Implementation - The partnership will focus on integrating Alpha Cash as the primary financial services partner within SurgePays' retail assets, enhancing monetization and customer acquisition strategies [6] - SurgePays will utilize its existing platforms to promote Alpha Cash, aiming to improve unit economics and accelerate customer growth [6] Technical Integration - The LOI outlines plans for integrating SurgePays' Top-Up and benefits-enrollment platforms with Alpha Cash, as well as deploying SurgePays' ClearLine POS technology across the AMFS merchant network [7][9] - This integration is expected to create new pathways for financial empowerment and retailer growth [9] Future Steps - Both companies will work towards definitive agreements covering technical integration, pricing, revenue-sharing models, and pilot deployments with select AMFS merchants [9]

Group 1: Appointment of Jennifer Anthony - Surge Copper Corp. has appointed Jennifer Anthony as Vice President, Environment & Regulatory Affairs, effective January 12, 2026, to lead the company's environmental assessment and permitting strategy [1] - Ms. Anthony has over 20 years of senior leadership experience in British Columbia's public sector, with expertise in environmental assessment, regulatory permitting, and Indigenous engagement [2] - CEO Leif Nilsson emphasized that Ms. Anthony's experience and ability to navigate complex regulatory environments will be a significant asset as the company advances the Berg Project [3] Group 2: Long-Term Equity-Based Incentive Awards - Surge Copper Corp. has granted 2,169,041 restricted share units (RSUs) to employees and executives, and 1,501,642 deferred share units (DSUs) to non-executive directors, based on the 5-day volume weighted average price on the TSX Venture Exchange [4] - The RSUs will vest in equal annual installments over three years, while the DSUs will vest upon the holder's departure from the company [4] Group 3: Company Overview and Project Development - Surge Copper Corp. is advancing the Berg Project, which hosts a large-scale copper-molybdenum-silver deposit with strong development potential in British Columbia [6] - The company is conducting a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Berg Project to further define its technical and economic development potential [6] - Surge also controls a large mineral claim package that includes multiple advanced porphyry deposits, positioning the company as a future contributor to Canada's critical minerals strategy [7]

Core Viewpoint - Surge Copper Corp. has successfully completed its 2025 drilling and field program at the Berg Project, advancing towards a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) scheduled for H1-2026, with significant findings in resource category conversion and environmental assessments [1][3][4]. Group 1: Drilling Program Highlights - The 2025 program included 4,143 meters of diamond drilling, focusing on resource conversion, acid rock drainage characterization, and geotechnical investigations [6][30]. - Four infill drill holes targeting the outer margins of the deposit intersected continuous porphyry-style mineralization, expected to support the conversion of Inferred resources to Measured and Indicated categories [4][14]. - Resampling of historic core revealed a significant silver component in the northwest portion of the deposit, enhancing copper-equivalent values and indicating potential for resource upgrades [3][4]. Group 2: Resource Conversion and Assay Results - The drilling program successfully upgraded Inferred resources to Measured and Indicated categories, with all holes intersecting continuous mineralization below the PEA pit boundary [14][18]. - Notable assay results include hole BRG25-259, which returned 235 meters grading 0.31% copper equivalent, and hole BRG25-260, which returned 279 meters grading 0.20% copper equivalent [15][20]. - The re-assay program increased the dataset to 26,797 unique assay intervals, with 82.6% now including gold and silver analyses, significantly improving the quality of the dataset for future resource estimation [37][41]. Group 3: Environmental and Geotechnical Studies - Dedicated acid rock drainage and geotechnical drilling programs provided critical data for mine design and permitting, including the characterization of soil and rock properties [4][8]. - Preliminary static test results from the ARD holes indicate a transition to non-acid-generating rock with increasing distance from the deposit center, aiding in future mine planning [30][32]. - Baseline environmental studies continued, including fish habitat assessments and hydrometric station installations for water flow data collection [8].