VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 17, 2026 /CNW/ - Trilogy Metals Inc. (NYSE American: TMQ) (TSX: TMQ) ("Trilogy Metals", "Trilogy" or the "Company") reports its financial results for the year ended November 30, 2025, and provides an update on strategic priorities as the Company advances the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects ("UKMP") in northwestern Alaska, held by Ambler Metals LLC, its 50/50 joint venture with South32 Limited (ASX, LSE, JSE: S32; ADR: SOUHY) ("South32").
Fiscal 2025 marked a pivotal year for Trilogy, highlighted by a strategic investment commitment from the U.S. federal government, a strengthened balance sheet, and expanded leadership and advisory capabilities to support permitting and project advancement activities at Ambler Metals.
Details of Trilogy's audited consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis are contained in its Annual Report on Form 10--K, which will be available on the Company's website at www.trilogymetals.com and under the Company's profiles on SEDAR+ and EDGAR. All amounts are in United States dollars unless otherwise stated.
Financial and Operational Highlights
-- Strong cash balance of $51.6 million as at November 30, 2025, providing
significant financial flexibility.
-- $17.8 million strategic investment commitment from the U.S. federal
government, reflecting the strategic importance of the UKMP to domestic
critical mineral supply chains.
-- Expanded senior leadership and advisory capacity to strengthen joint
venture oversight and support project execution.
-- Approval of 2026 $35 million budget for the Ambler Metals joint venture,
aligned with permitting and development milestones to advance the Arctic
copper-silver-zinc-lead-gold deposit towards production; targeting mine
permit submissions in 2026, potentially leveraging federal expedited
programs such as FAST-41.
-- The Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA") executed
Right-of-Way permits for the Ambler Access Project (or "Ambler Road"),
formally re-establishing the federal authorizations required to advance
the road project connecting the UKMP to the Dalton Highway.
-- U.S. government to work in good faith to help facilitate financing
required for the construction of the Ambler Road, in coordination with
the State of Alaska.
-- Plans to open the Bornite camp during the 2026 summer field season to
conduct geotechnical and exploration drilling.
Tony Giardini, President and CEO of Trilogy Metals, commented: "This has been a landmark year for Trilogy as we significantly strengthened our financial position while deepening alignment with key U.S. federal and state stakeholders focused on securing domestic supplies of critical minerals. The U.S. federal government's strategic investment commitment is an important validation of the long--term value of the Upper Kobuk Mineral Projects and their potential role in supporting a reliable and responsible North American supply of copper and other critical minerals.
"We ended the year with a strong cash position and expanded our leadership, advisory, and technical capabilities to ensure we are well prepared for increased permitting and project activity at Ambler Metals. With a fully funded 2026 exploration, development, and permitting program in place, our focus is firmly on execution and advancing the UKMP through the next critical stages of development in close collaboration with our partners, regulators, and local communities."
Annual Financial Results
The following selected annual financial information is prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
in thousands of dollars,
except for per share amounts
Selected financial Year endedNovember 30, Year endedNovember 30, results 2025$ 2024$ General and administrative 1,330 1,218 Investor relations 161 72 Professional fees 2,058 923 Salaries 2,388 927 Salaries & directors' fees -- stock-based compensation 3,336 3,520 Share of loss on equity investment 11,392 2,636 Loss on derivative carried at fair market value 22,585 - Comprehensive loss for the year (42,241) (8,587) Basic and diluted loss per common share (0.26) (0.05)
For the year ended November 30, 2025, Trilogy reported a net loss of $42.2 million (or $0.26 basic and diluted loss per common share) compared to a net loss of $8.6 million (or $0.05 basic and diluted loss per common share) in fiscal 2024.
U.S. Federal Strategic Investment to Advance Development of Domestic Critical Mineral Resources at the UKMP
On October 6, 2025, Trilogy entered into a binding letter of intent with the U.S. Department of War for a conditional investment of approximately $17.8 million in exchange for 8,215,570 units at a price of $2.17 per unit, with each unit comprising of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and 3/4 of a 10-year warrant. Each full warrant would be exercisable to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of $0.01. The warrants would become exercisable following completion of construction of the Ambler Road.
This transaction underscores growing U.S. government support for advancing responsible domestic sources of copper and other critical minerals, including zinc, silver, cobalt, and germanium.
The Company has accounted for the U.S. government's support as a derivative financial instrument under the ASC 815--40 accounting standard. The Company recognized an initial liability of $8.2 million and a corresponding expense related to the government's proposed collaboration agreement, which was contributed to Ambler Metals, and as at November 30, 2025, the Company increased the derivative by $22.6 million. This represents the change in the fair value of the obligation to issue the Common Shares and warrants, and recognizes a corresponding loss for the period, which had no impact on cash. These accounting effects are expected to resolve upon satisfaction of the applicable conditions.
In addition, salaries expense increased in fiscal 2025 from recording higher cash-based compensation compared with fiscal 2024, whereby a significant portion of executive compensation was settled in Common Shares, which resulted in higher share-based compensation expense in 2024. The loss for the year was also attributable to higher professional fees, including legal and regulatory costs related to the filing of base shelf prospectuses and at-the market ("ATM") programs. These cost increases were partially offset by higher income earned during the year.
Strengthened Leadership and UKMP Joint Venture Oversight
With mine permitting and project activity expected to accelerate at Ambler Metals, Trilogy has taken deliberate steps to augment its leadership, advisory, and technical capabilities to support execution and oversight of the joint venture.
The 2026 work program represents a crucial year of progress for the UKMP as Ambler Metals prepares to initiate the mine permitting process for the Arctic Project, while continuing to advance the technical and organizational foundations required for future development.
Ambler Metals is targeting mine permit submissions in 2026, potentially leveraging federal expedited programs such as FAST-41, subject to project readiness and continued engagement with stakeholders. FAST-41 is a U.S. federal framework designed to enhance coordination, transparency, and predictability for permitting critical infrastructure projects. The U.S. government will work collaboratively in good faith, in coordination with the State of Alaska, to include future UKMP permit applications in the FAST-41 process to expedite the mine permitting process.
Engagement with local communities and regional stakeholders will remain a core focus, with continued emphasis on transparent communication, consultation, and long-term workforce planning.
Trilogy expanded its senior management and advisory team following the announcement of the U.S. federal investment, coinciding with South32's increased personnel commitment to Ambler Metals. These actions are intended to ensure Trilogy is well-positioned to:
-- Advance permitting for the Arctic Project.
-- Support long-term technical and development planning.
-- Deepen engagement with government, community, and stakeholder partners.
-- Plan for future exploration efforts at Bornite and across the Ambler
Mining District land package.
Trilogy believes the strengthened team enhances the Company's ability to deliver long-term value as the UKMP advances through key development phases.
Ambler Metals $35M Budget to Advance Exploration, Development, and Permitting Activities
A budget of approximately $35 million has been approved for Ambler Metals for fiscal 2026, of which Trilogy's share is $17.5 million. The activities at Ambler Metals will focus on re-staffing, initiating the permitting process for the Arctic Project, and progressing technical work necessary to support long-term development.
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