Apex Announces Drill Program Expansion and H2 Exploration Plans at the Rift Rare Earth Project
Apex Announces Drill Program Expansion and H2 Exploration
Plans at the Rift Rare Earth Project
Highlights:
• The Company’s recently closed $15,000,500 financing (See News Release June 2, 2026)
provides the capital to significantly expand its ongoing drill program and exploration
plans to accelerate the timeline to an inaugural mineral resource estimate (MRE) at Rift.
o To-date, ~12,000 m has been completed across 18 drillholes with assays reported
for six (6) (assays pending for 12 holes). An additional 16 to 18 holes are planned
(see Figure 1).
o Drill program expanded to cover an additional 10,000-12,000 metres (“m”)
o Assay results to -date have demonstrated high REO(1) grades, large scale, and
NdPr(2) enrichment potential across two distinct mineralized horizons.
o Drilling will continue to include step -out holes (along strike and down- dip) with
mineralization remaining open in all directions , as well as select infill holes a s
required for MRE purposes.
o Total meterage drilled during 2026 is expected to range between 22,000-25,000 m.
• The Company has started preliminary engagement with third party independent geological
service providers to support an initial mineral resource estimate for the Project, currently
targeted for Q1/2027.
• In addition to the expanded scope of drilling, 2026-H2 exploration plans at Rift include
preliminary mineralogy and metallurgical work.
Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals, commented: “I’d like to thank our strategic founding
group of shareholders for their continued support and welcome the new investors that share our
belief that the Rift Rare Earth Project has an excellent opportunity to truly standout as a key
domestic source of rare earth material critical to industry and national security. The expanded
scope of work puts the Company in a position to test the extent and expand on the high-grade rare
earth mineralization defined to-date and fast-track towards an MRE in the first half of 2027.”
Vancouver, British Columbia – June 3, 2026 – Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC |
OTCQX: APXCF | FWB: KL9) (“Apex” or the “Company”) , a mineral exploration company
focused on advancing its strategic 100% -controlled Rift Rare Earth Project (“Rift” or the
“Project”) within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in southeastern Nebraska, U.S.A., is pleased
to provide an update on expanded drilling and exploration plans at Rift for the second half of 2026.
The Company has already increased drill metreage by approximately 50 percent (12,000 m drilled
vs 8,000 m planned), and with the recently completed financing (see News Release Dated June 2,
2026) now expects to drill a total of 22,000-25,000 m by September 2026.
Assay Highlights and Recap
Assay results to date have defined two distinct mineralized horizons at the Rift Project: the Trinity
Zone, a high- grade REO horizon associated with hematite alteration in the upper portion of the
carbonatite, directly below the unconformity (See News Releases Dated May 15, 2026, April 28,
2026 and April 7, 2026 ), and the Neo Zone, a horizon at depth characterised by significant NdPr
enrichment exceeding 30% at appreciable grade and, thus, well above the 14–20% typical of
carbonatite-hosted rare earth deposits globally (See News Release Dated May 6, 2026).
Previously reported assay results and highlights to date from six (6) drillholes are summarized in
Table 1 and represent approximately 5,000 m of drilling. The results demonstrate broad,
continuous REO mineralization across more than 300 m of strike and more than 180 m down-dip
(Figure 1, Table 1). With assays pending from 12 additional holes and two (2) drill rigs active, the
Company is well positioned to continue expanding on these results as it advances toward an
inaugural mineral resource estimate (“MRE”).
Figure 1: Phase I and Phase II drill plan at the Rift Project showing the location and assay results
received to date, along with active and completed drillholes, selected planned drillholes, and
historical drillhole locations.
Table 1: Neo and Trinity Zone Assay Highlights – 2026 Drill Program
(a) All reported intervals represent downhole core lengths and do not represent true width, which
remains unknown.
Drill Program Expansion
The expansion of the drill program at Rift is designed to systematically expand the known footprint
of both the Trinity Zone and Neo Zone mineralization while generating the data density required
to support an inaugural MRE in the first half of 2027. The program includes step- out drillholes
along strike to the south and west of current drilling, down-dip extensions of the Trinity Zone west
of RIFT26-005A and select infill holes where drill spacing requires tightening for MRE
classification purposes (Figure 1). Preliminary engagement with independent geological service
providers (i.e., independent Qualified Person(s) for the Project) has commenced to obtain early
guidance on drill spacing requirements for r esource classification at Rift. Mineralization remains
open in all directions in both zones, providing significant optionality for further expansion.
Hole ID Zone From (m) To (m) Interv al
(m) (a) REO (% )NdPr Dist.
(% )
RIFT26-001A Trinity 248.4 293.4 45.0 2.07 12.6
including Trinity 248.4 273.3 24.9 2.40 12.1
RIFT26-002 Trinity 213.8 295.4 81.6 2.02 15.7
including Trinity 244.5 295.4 50.9 2.40 14.9
or Trinity 279.3 291.2 11.9 3.04 14.0
RIFT26-002 Neo 484.9 494.9 10.0 0.75 49.1
RIFT26-003 Trinity 177.0 301.0 124.0 1.94 16.9
including Trinity 177.0 257.0 80.0 2.29 15.8
or Trinity 177.0 200.7 23.7 4.02 12.8
RIFT26-003 Neo 514.7 528.1 13.5 1.08 31.7
RIFT26-003 Neo 557.5 574.7 17.2 0.89 39.4
RIFT26-003 Neo 687.0 709.7 22.7 0.79 32.8
including Neo 687.0 697.9 10.9 0.99 30.1
RIFT26-003 Neo 751.4 762.0 10.5 0.91 35.2
RIFT26-003 Neo 783.0 788.5 5.5 0.87 34.3
RIFT26-004 Trinity 192.6 232.1 39.5 1.38 16.1
including Trinity 216.5 232.1 15.6 2.10 14.1
RIFT26-004 Trinity 320.6 339.4 18.8 2.01 15.1
RIFT26-005A Trinity 252.6 389.8 137.2 2.01 14.4
including Trinity 290.5 370.4 80.0 2.51 13.6
or Trinity 290.5 313.5 23.1 3.47 13.0
or Trinity 302.5 313.5 11.0 4.39 12.1
RIFT26-006 Trinity 200.2 243.3 43.2 1.61 16.9
RIFT26-006 Trinity 358.0 401.8 43.8 2.75 13.3
including Trinity 364.0 398.0 34.1 3.05 12.8
Additional target refinement is also planned within the Company’s 3,957.5 acre property where
historical drilling has returned high-grade REO and Niobium mineralization. As these exploration
drill targets are refined the Company will consider incorporating select regional drillholes to test
targets that provide the potential to expand the mineralized footprint well beyond the defined
Trinity and Neo Zone corridor.
Total 2026 meterage is targeted at 22,000–25,000 m across 18 completed and an additional 16 to
18 planned drillholes.
Mineralogy and Metallurgical Work
The Company has engaged Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) to perform X -ray diffraction
(XRD) analysis and SGS Lakefield to conduct Tescan Integrated Mineral Analysis (TIMA) on
select samples from both the Trinity Zone and Neo Zone. Combined, the XRD and TIMA
programs will identify the primary rare earth -bearing mineral phases and grain size distributions
within each zone, providing preliminary input for metallurgical test design.
In parallel, the Company has initiated preliminary discussions with SGS Lakefield regarding a
scoping-level metallurgical test program, with a formal proposal anticipated to be executed in the
coming weeks. Results from the mineralogical work are expected to inform the scope and design
of the metallurgical program as the Project advances toward an inaugural MRE.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
All drilling was completed using one truck and one track mounted diamond drill rigs with HQ size
core and all drill core samples have been or will be shipped to Activation Laboratories Ltd.
(Actlabs) preparation facility in Ancaster, Ontario, for standard sample preparation (code RX1)
which includes drying, crush (< 7 kg) up to 80% passing 2 mm, riffle split (250 g) and pulverize
(mild steel) to 95% passing 105 µm. The samples were subsequently analyzed using Code 8 by
XRF Nb₂O₅, ZrO2 and Ta2O5 (0.003%), Code 8 - REE Assay (lithium metaborate/tetraborate fusion
with subsequent analysis by ICP and ICP/MS). Drill core was saw -cut with half -core sent for
geochemical analysis and half-core remaining in the box onsite.
A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol was incorporated into the program and included the
insertion of certified reference material and silica blanks at a rate of approximately 5% and 5%,
respectively. Additional analysis of pulp- split and reject -split sample duplicates was also
completed at a rate of approximately 5% and 2.5%, respectively, to assess analytical precision at
different stages. Actlabs Canada is independent of the Company.
Management cautions that the interception of carbonatite and associated hematite alteration is not
necessarily indicative of mineralization. Assay results are required to confirm the presence, grade,
and significance of any mineralization. All intercepts reported in this news release represent core
length (apparent width). True widths have not yet been determined.
(1) REO (Rare Earth Oxide) is defined as the sum of Ce2O3, La2O3, Pr2O3, Nd2O3, Eu2O3, Sm2O3, Gd2O3,
Tb2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3, Lu2O3, and Y2O3.
(2) NdPr distribution calculated as (Nd2O3 + Pr2O3) / REO x 100
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.
Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43- 101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects. Mr.
Schmidt is a Geologist with Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., the consulting firm engaged by
Apex Critical Metals Corp. to conduct and oversee all of the Company’s exploration work,
including the 2026 drill program.
Mr. Schmidt has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release including
the sampling and QA/QC results, and certified analytical data underlying the technical information
disclosed. Mr. Schmidt noted no errors or omissions during the data verification process. The
Company and Mr. Schmidt do not recognize any factors of sampling or recovery that could
materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the assay data disclosed in this news release.
About Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC) (OTCQX: APXCF) (FWB: KL9)
Apex Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth
element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic
metals across the United States and Canada. The Company’s flagship Rift Project, located within
the highly prospective Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in Nebraska, U.S.A., hosts extensive
rare earth rights surrounding one of North America’s most advanced niobium -REE deposits.
Historical drilling across the complex has reporte d broad intervals of high- grade REE
mineralization, including intercepts such as 155.5 m of 2.70% REO and 68.2 m of 3.32% REO.
Phase I step out drillholes at Rift have expanded the footprint of the high- grade mineralization
over approximately 275.0 m from the historical drillholes with 23.7 m of 4.02% REO and
multiple broad intervals of >2.00% REO. Additionally, Phase I drilling has delineated a new
zone of strongly elevated NdPr beneath the high- grade material that extends for approximately
390 m with 13.5 m of 1.08% REO at 31.7 % NdPr and 10.9m of 0.99% REO and 30.1 %
NdPr within a broader zone of 22.7 m of 0.79% REO at 32.8% NdPr.
In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100% -owned Cap Project , located 85 kilometres
northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2025 drill program confirmed a significant
niobium discovery with 0.59% Nb₂O₅ over 36 metres, including 1.08% Nb₂O₅ over 10 metres,
within a 1.8- kilometre-long niobium trend. The Cap Project continues to demonstrate strong
potential for niobium mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite
system.
With a growing portfolio of critical mineral projects in both Canada and the United States, Apex
Critical Metals is strategically positioned to help strengthen domestic supply chains for the
minerals essential to advanced technologies, clean energy, and national security. Apex is publicly
listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) under the symbol APXC and quoted
on the OTCQX market in the United States under the symbol APXCF, and in Germany on the
Borse Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ. Find out more
at www.apexcriticalmetals.com and watch our videos at https://apexcriticalmetals.com/apex-
critical-metals-corporate-video/ and make sure to stay in touch by signing up for free news alerts
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On Behalf of the Board of Directors
APEX CRITICAL METALS CORP.,
Sean Charland
Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 604.681.1568
Email: [email protected]
Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:
This news release may contain “forward- looking statements” under applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Forward- looking statements consist of statements that are not purely
historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding
the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include (without limitation) statements
regarding the Company’ s planned Phase I drill program and any subsequent drill programs and
statements regarding the Company’ s US-based prospective assets (more particularly described
above), including the potential for additional acquisitions and the potential for exploration, and
statements regarding the potential for future exploration and drilling to confirm the source of
magnetic anomalies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks
and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially
from those contained in the statements. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities
or developments from coming to fruition include: the Company’ s properties are at an early stage
of development and no current mineral resources or reserves have been identified by the Company
thereof, that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Company’ s
properties; that even if we are able to raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase
such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the
timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that
may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries
assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous
deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove
successful or samples derived from our properties may not yield positive results, and even if such
tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may
not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as
expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and
testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability. There
can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such state ments. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward- looking statements. The forward-looking statements
herein are made as of the date hereof, and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to
update or revise any forward- looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as required by law.