Apex Drills 14.9 m of 5.09 % REO and 12.3 m of 5.63 % REO with > 2.50 % REO Intercept Over 191.9 m in the Trinity Zone at the Rift Rare Earth Project
Apex Drills 14.9 m of 5.09 % REO and 12.3 m of 5.63 % REO with
> 2.50 % REO Intercept Over 191.9 m in the Trinity Zone at the
Rift Rare Earth Project
Highlights:
• RIFT26-008, drilled 50 m NE of historical discovery drillholes that returned >3.00% REO
with a broader >2.00% REO interval. RIFT26-008 confirms the Trinity Zone extends
to depth.
o 32.3 m at 2.46 % REO(1) from 161.7 m depth.
o 191.9 m at 2.63% REO from 215.9 m depth.
Including 52.2 m at 3.54% REO from 231.7 m and
12.3 m at 5.63% REO from 307.3 m
o The oblique drillhole validates results from the historical discovery zone
extending strong mineralization 50 m south and 400 m down-dip
• RIFT26-010, a scissor (oriented 180 °) to historical drillhole NEC11-004, extends
mineralization 120 m east at the unconformity contact in down-dip drillhole.
o 72.6 m of 2.03% REO including 30.2 m of 3.08% REO and 14.9 m of 5.09 %
REO within a broader mineralized envelope (239.7 m at 1.62% REO)
• The four drillholes continue to confirm and expand the Trinity Zone mineralization
• REO-enriched zones continue to be associated with hematite- altered carbonatite, a
favorable and diagnostic feature of the Trinity Zone repeatedly encountered in drillholes
awaiting assay results.
Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals, commented: “R esults from these four drillholes
around the historical discovery area have delivered the strongest assay results to -date and
confirm and expand the Trinity Zone footprint, which remains open in all directions. We will have
two rigs actively drilling throughout the summer months and assay results continuing into early
Q4/2026 as we work towards our targeted Mineral Resource Estimate by Q1/2027.”
Vancouver, British Columbia – June 22, 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 within the Elk Creek
Carbonatite Complex in southeastern Nebraska, U.S.A., is pleased to report the assay results from
drillholes RIFT26-007, RIFT26-008, RIFT26-009 and RIFT26-010.
Key Observations and Takeaways
Assay results from RIFT26-007, RIFT26-008, RIFT26-009, and RIFT26-010 verify the continuity
of the Trinity Zone around historical discovery drillholes EC-093 & NEC11-004, extending the
footprint of the zone east 120 m and 400 m down -dip. The results significantly expand the
known footprint of the REO mineralization which remains strongly associated with hematite
alteration within the host carbonatite; observations which remain consistent across all previously
reported drillholes (See News Releases Dated April 7, 2026, April 28, 2026, & May 15, 2026).
RIFT26-008 and RIFT26-010 were drilled at oblique angles to the interpreted dip of the Trinity
Zone, and confirmed the continuity of mineralization south and east of historical drill intercepts of
EC-093 and NEC11-004. Drillhole RIFT26-008 intersected 191.9 m at 2.63% REO, including a
high-grade interval of 52.2 m at 3.54% REO or 12.3 m of 5.63% REO (Table 1). The lowest
portion of the interval contains a strongly mineralized zone of 30.0 m of 3.72% REO from 372.0
m.
Positive identification of high- grade REO mineralization at the unconformity 120 m east in the
scissor hole (RIFT26-010) highlights a potential geometry change in the northern segment of the
Trinity Zone. Interpretations of the Trinity Zone geometry are consistently being evaluated in the
company’s 3D geological model to enhance and refine step out holes. Additional drilling is
planned to determine the prospectivity north- northeast of the currently defined extent of the
Trinity Zone which remains open in all directions . Apex merged its originally planned two-
phase program and continues to drill with two rigs targeting 22,000- 25,000 metres of drilling in
2026 and an inaugural Mineral Resources Estimation (“MRE”) by Q1/2027.
RIFT26-007 was planned as an approximate 25-30 m northern step-out. Results from drillhole
RIFT26-007 cut the upper high- grade mineralization at the unconformity returning 68.5 m of
2.48% REO from 178.0 m.
RIFT26-009, an approximately 120-150 m northern step-out from the historical discovery zone
intersected 22.2 m of 2.44% REO within a broader 51.2 m zone of 1.65% REO.
Results from these four (4) drillholes, together with historical drillholes, underline the
relationship of strong hematite alteration to REO mineralization showing a strong correlation
between the two within the carbonatite. These results, combined with RIFT26 -005A (80.0 m at
2.51% REO, including 11 m at 4.39% REO), RIFT26-002 (81.6 m at 2.02% REO, including
50.9 m at 2.40% REO ), and RIFT26 -003 (80 m at 2.29% REO, including 23.7 m at 4.02%
REO) (See News Release Dated May 15, 2026), define a shallow western dipping body (“Trinity
Zone”) that extends over a defined strike length of more than 380 m within a broader target corridor
that extends over 700 m. Assays remain pending for 12 drillholes which have encountered similar
favorable host material.
Trinity Zone intersections coupled with the elevated NdPr(2) distributions previously reported from
the underlying Neo Zone ( See News Release Dated May 6, 2026 ), reinforce the potential for a
significant multi-horizon rare earth mineralized system at the Rift Project.
Figure 1. 2026 Phase II drill plan at the Rift Project showing the location of drillholes RIFT26-
007, RIFT26-008, RIFT26-009 and RIFT26-010 (reported herein) and approximate footprints of
the Trinity and Neo Zones defined to-date, along with active and completed drillholes, selected
planned drillholes, and historical drillhole locations.
Figure 2. RIFT26-007 to RIFT26-010 assay results at the Rift Project highlighting the
conceptual modelled Trinity Zone, downhole REO grades, and intercepts of hematite altered
carbonatite with assays pending.
Table 1: Drillhole Location and Attributes
Hole ID Depth (m) Azimuth(b) (°) Dip(b) (°) Easting (a) Northing (a) Elevation
RIFT26-007 601 0 -90 742140.15 4460883.90 331.30
RIFT26-008 594 200 -65 742177.89 4460896.00 330.14
RIFT26-009 576 80 -60 741998.66 4460911.16 333.01
RIFT26-010 600 260 -60 742286.11 4460793.62 330.88
(a) Coordinates are presented in NAD83 UTMZ14 (b) Azimuth and Dip are planned and may vary downhole
Table 2: RIFT26-007, RIFT26-008, RIFT26-009, and RIFT26-010 Assay Summary
(a) All reported intervals are downhole core lengths, and do not represent true widths, which
remain unknown until further confirmation assay results are received and interpreted.
Nd-Pr distributions range from 10.0 – 19.6% which lie within the normal carbonatite
range.
Image 1. RIFT26-008 interval of 5.4 m from 255.6 m to 262.4 m averaging 4.69% REO,
including samples RIFT008-131 (4.46% REO over 0.98 m), RIFT008-133 (6.43% REO over 1.09
m) and RIFT008-134 (5.07% REO over 0.72 m)
Program Status and Next Steps
The Company has completed additional drillholes designed to further test the extent of
mineralization along strike and at depth with assay results pending. Ongoing refinement of the 3D
geological model, including integration of assay results as received, continues to support improved
understanding of the mineralized system and help prioritize future drill targeting . The 2026 drill
program remains ongoing, with a total of twenty -two (22) drillholes completed to date for
approximately 14,500 m, with assays currently pending for twelve (12) drillholes.
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 deposits. Two
historical drillholes located within the 700 m cor ridor of interest returned broad intervals of
>2.00% REO, with higher grade (>3.00% REO) intervals within. The Company’s 2026 drilling
has continued to demonstrate this grade profile and ha s expanded the footprint of the high- grade
mineralization (“Trinity Zone”) over approximately 380 m from the historical drillholes to- date.
Additionally, drilling has delineated a new deeper horizon (“Neo Zone”) of strongly elevated NdPr
beneath the high-grade material with NdPr distributions between 30 -50%. For more information,
please see the Company’s news releases dated April 7, 2026, April 28, 2026, May 6, 2026 and May
15, 2026, which are available under the Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ (available at
www.sedarplus.ca).
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 an emerging
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 mineral ization 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
Börse 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.
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