USCM Identifies Black Shale Uranium and Potential CRD Mineralization at Long Canyon
USCM Identifies Black Shale Uranium and Potential CRD
Mineralization at Long Canyon
Vancouver, British Columbia – June 26, 2025 – U.S. Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: USCM | OTCQB:
USCMF | FSE: 0IU ) (“USCM” or the “Company”) is pleas ed to report the successful completion of a
geological field program at its Long Canyon Uranium Project, located in Lemhi County, Idaho (the
“Project” or “Long Canyon”). The program included systematic mapping and geochemical sampling
designed to evaluate areas hosting previously identified V-Mo-U-Ni-Zn mineralization in shale and
limestone. The program also expanded into other areas with the objective of increasing the scale of the
Project and developing a more regional perspective of the geologic systems present. USCM holds Long
Canyon in partnership with IDEX Metals Corp. (for more information see Company ’s press release -
access here).
Highlights:
• 251 rock samples were taken across the property and focused on altered and iron oxide-
stained shale and gossanous limestone.
• Elevated scintillometer readings and visible mineralization observed in multiple black
shale and carbonate horizons.
• Historical work has identified several faulted and folded, 20 to 30 meter thick black shale
horizons in the Phosphoria Formation, which hosts many of the mineralized exposures.
• Additional attention was given to limestone -hosted mineralization which is comparable
to the Phosphoria–hosted deposits of the Leadore District of Idaho about 75 kilometers
north of the Project.
Management Commentary
Darren Collins, CEO of the Company, commented: “Initial field results from Long Canyon validate our
belief in the district’s potential to host multiple mineralization styles. These field observations
demonstrate a compelling combination of structural complexity, prospective stratigraphy, and visible
mineral indicators. The advancement of this project aligns with current Executive Orders of the US
Federal Government, and we look forward to receiving assay data for this highly promising exploration
project.”
Field Program Observations
The field program focused on documenting the geologic framework enveloping mineralized (oxidized)
horizons across the Project. The geologic team traversed the Project starting from identified mineralized
areas and expanded outwards to trace the extent of these horizons. Across the property, several 20-30
meter thick intervals of structurally deformed black, carbonaceous shale units were documented in
outcrop.
These units are distinguished by dark coloration, elevated organic content, localized zones of oxidation,
and elevated radiation levels as confirmed by handheld scintillometer readings in the field . This unit is
host to historically documented uranium -vanadium occurrences, including uranium up to 521 ppm in
rock chip and grab samples and 3,985 ppm in soil samples (for more information see Company’s press
release - access here). The black shale unit s have a strike length of approximately three kilometers;
however, the unit is noted to pinch and swell and may disappear beneath shallow tertiary cover. The
extent of these prospective black shale units is defined and assays are pending.
The team also documented gossanous carbonate outcrops on elevated ridges within the project area.
These exposures display strong hematite and manganese oxide staining and are spatially associated
with steeply dipping fault structures. The surface alteration features observed are consistent with those
seen in carbonate hosted Ag -Pb-Zn deposits. In one location, a historic adit exceeding 20 meters in
length was identified along a ridge , which hosts oxidized carbonate material. While the adit was not
safely accessible, its presence and alignment with alteration zones are consistent with historical Ag-Pb-
Zn exploration.
Further work is required to ascertain the origin of mineralizing fluids. However, carbonate-hosted
deposits (CRD) are known to exist in Eastern Idaho and include the Leadville, Gilmore mine, and Viola
mine. No sulfide mineralization was directly observed in outcrops on the Project during the current
program, but dump material contained noticeable galena.
Over the course of the program, 251 rock samples were taken across the property . Assay results are
pending.
Photo 1: Radiation detector reading 30.3 counts per second (cps) on a large float sample (60 x 30 cm)
found in an old road cut. The massive, greenish-yellow rock, possibly marble or a vein material, may
host uranium-bearing minerals such as autunite, suggested by the elevated radioactivity.
Photo 2: Chip sample collected across a 1.5 m black shale outcrop exposed in a road cut, returning 25.0
cps on a handheld radiation detector. The outcrop displays strong manganese and iron oxide staining,
finely laminated bedding, and vivid black, purple and red banding —features characteristic of black
shale-hosted uranium and vanadium systems.
Photo 3: The black shale outcrop from which the previous sample was collected, showing well -
developed bedding and deep oxidation along fractures and surfaces. This exposure highlights the scale
and continuity of mineralized horizons observed in the chip sample, with visual cues such as
manganese-rich staining and vivid color banding supporting the potential for shale-hosted uranium-
vanadium mineralization.
Photo 4: Subcropping grey-blue fissile silty shale exposed in a historic trench. The unit exhibits patchy
limonitic staining, clay-filled fractures, and minor quartz-carbonate veining. Radiation readings peaked at
188 cps, supporting the potential for uranium enrichment within structurally prepared shale horizons.
A Radiacode 102 handheld gamma spectrometer was used during the field program to assist in
identifying areas of elevated radioactivity for mapping and sampling purposes. The device is equipped
with a CsI(Tl) scintillation crystal and a silicon photomultiplier (SiPM), with a detection range of
approximately 30 keV to 3 MeV and energy resolution of ~7.5% at 662 keV. The spectrometer provides
both real-time count rates and spectral gamma data. The unit was newly purchased for the program
and operated under the manufactur er’s default calibration settings. No third -party or field -specific
calibration was performed. Radiometric measurements were used qualitatively to support field
observations and guide geological sampling but were not used in any assay reporting or
resource estimation.
Executive Order
Given the political shift to deglobalize and secure domestic sources of supply, the program is
strategically timed to capitalize on the sweeping US federal directive to expand nuclear energy and
reform uranium permitting processes in the US, as set forth in the Executive Order released on May 23,
2025 (for more information see Executive Order – access here). Long Canyon is well positioned given
it has the hallmarks of a polymetallic shale-hosted system to benefit from these initiatives. With the U.S.
federal government actively dismantling regulatory roadblocks to domestic uranium production and
reactor deployment, Long Canyon stands to benefit from:
• Increasing demand for domestic uranium.
• Accelerated permitting windows.
• Federal support for critical mineral supply chains.
• Increased interest in North American uranium assets.
Cautionary Note: The comparable information about other projects was obtained from public sources
and has not been verified by the Company. Comparable means information that compares an issuer or
project to other issuers or projects. The comparables are considered to be an appropriate basis for
comparison with the Company based on their industry, commodity mix, jurisdiction, and additional
criteria. The comparable projects face different risks from those applicable to the Project. Relevant
material concerning any adjacent or comparable properties included in this press release is limited to
information publicly disclosed by the owner or operator for such adjacent or comparable property. The
Company cautions that past production, mineral reserves, resources or occurrences on adjacent or
comparable properties are not indicative of the mineralization on the Company ’s properties. Readers
are cautioned that the past performance of comparables is not indicative of future performance and that
the performance of the Company may be materially different from the comparable projects. You should
not place undue reliance on the comparable information provided in this press release.
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved
by Robert J. Johansing, BSC. geology, MSc economic geology, who is a qualified person as defined in
NI 43-101. Mr. Johansing is a consultant of the Company.
About US Critical Metals Corp.
USCM is focused on mining projects that will further secure the US supply of critical metals and rare
earth elements, which are essential to fueling the new age economy. Pursuant to investments and option
agreements with private Canadian and American companies, USCM’s projects include the Long Canyon
Uranium and Vanadium Property in Idaho, the Sheep Creek located in Montana, the McDermitt Lithium
Property in Nevada, the Clayton Ridge Lithium Property located in Nevada, and the Haynes Cobalt
Property located in Idaho. A significant percentage of the world ’s critical metal and rare earth supply
comes from nations with interests that are contrary to those of the US. USCM intends to explore and
develop critical metals and rare earth assets with near - and long -term strategic value to the
advancement of US interests.
For further information please contact:
Darren Collins
Chief Executive Officer & Director
Email: [email protected]
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the
Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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respect to USCM within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward -looking information
involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause USCM ’s actual
results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the
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include, without limitation, the exploration plans and expected exploration and drilling results at Long
Canyon, results of operations, the expectation that Long canyon stands to benefit from the political shift
to deglobalize and secure domestic sources of supply in the United States and the expected financial
performance of the Company.
Although USCM believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable
based on information available on the date hereof, by its nature, forward -looking information involves
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sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in
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that any of the assumptions prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation
in planned work; risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of
mineral deposits; the possibility that results will not be consistent with USCM’s expectations; as well as
other assumptions, risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities
and to USCM, including as set forth in the USCM ’s public disclosure documents filed on the SEDAR
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