VIRGINIA CITY, Nev., Feb. 23, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Comstock Inc. (NYSE:LODE) ("Comstock" or the "Company") and its subsidiary, Comstock Metals LLC ("Comstock Metals"), a leader in the responsible recycling of end-of-life solar panels and the only certified, zero-landfill solar recycling solution in North America, today announced that following the opening of its facility in Kings County, CA, it has received approval from California's Department of Toxic Substances Control ("DTSC") and has been placed on a very select list of companies authorized as universal waste recyclers that can treat photovoltaic ("PV") modules. The recently opened facility in combination with this new "certification" now avails California companies with a true "California solution" for recycling end of life PV solar panels that is authorized by the DTSC and supported by several strategic customers.

This new California facility, and recent certification, marks a regional expansion and optimization of Comstock Metals' southwestern recycling network, reinforcing the company's commitment to serving high-demand California-based renewable energy customers. Strategically located to optimize logistics and support customers across California—the single largest end-of-life U.S. solar panel market by far—the site will operate as a centralized hub for the collection, preparation, storage, and aggregation of decommissioned PV solar panels.

As increasing numbers of solar panels reach the end of their useful life across California, Arizona and Nevada, demand is rapidly growing for compliant, environmentally responsible recycling solutions. The California facility is purpose-built to meet this need, providing major utilities, developers, engineering and construction firms (EPCs), installers, decommissioning contractors, and asset owners with a dependable, locally based option for managing these environmental liabilities. Through advanced recovery processes, valuable materials—including aluminum, silver, copper, gallium, and other metals—can eventually be extracted and returned to the supply chain for reuse.

"Opening a facility in California positions us to better serve the region's increasing demand for end-of-life solar panel disposal while delivering a streamlined, cost-effective logistics solution for our customers," said Dr. Fortunato Villamagna, President of Comstock Metals. "Our mission is to close the loop on solar energy by ensuring the environmental liabilities associated with these retired panels are safely, cleanly and completed eliminated so they do not find their way into landfills and ultimately, our natural water and broader eco-systems."

By delivering timely, efficient, and fully compliant decommissioning, transportation, and recycling services, Comstock's zero-landfill solution minimizes waste, preserves natural resources, and advances the long-term sustainability of the solar industry. The Company is also completing permit applications and preparing submission plans for a second, integrated, industry-scale facility in Nevada, with final site selection expected later this month.

"As the number of end-of-life solar panels nationwide rises into the tens and eventually hundreds of millions, our ability to scale responsibly and efficiently ensures meaningful sustainability outcomes—and confidence—for our customers and partners," said Corrado De Gasperis, Executive Chairman and CEO of Comstock. "Our team is establishing a new benchmark for solar panel recycling through a growing, fully integrated national network."

About Comstock Inc.

Comstock Inc. (NYSE:LODE) innovates and commercializes technologies, systems and supply chains that enable, support and sustain clean energy systems by efficiently, effectively, and expediently extracting and converting under-utilized natural resources into reusable metals, like silver, aluminum, gold, and other critical minerals, primarily from end-of-life photovoltaics. To learn more, please visit www.comstock.inc.

Comstock Social Media Policy

Comstock Inc. has used, and intends to continue using, its investor relations link and main website at www.comstock.inc in addition to its X.com, LinkedIn and YouTube accounts, as means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Contacts

For investor inquiries:

Judd B. Merrill, Chief Financial Officer

Tel (775) 413-6222

ir@comstockinc.com

For media inquiries:

Zach Spencer, Director of External Relations

Tel (775) 847-7573

media@comstockinc.com

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Comstock Metals Receives DTSC Recycling Approval for California Facility; Strengthening National Recycling Network and Major Market Reach