Apex Expands Trinity Zone with Step-out Hole Returning 197.5 m interval of 2.12% REO at the Rift Rare Earth Project in SE Nebraska
(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.
Apex Expands Trinity Zone with Step-out Hole Returning 197.5 m
interval of 2.12% REO at the Rift Rare Earth Project in SE Nebraska
Highlights:
• RIFT26-019 returns 2.12% REO (1) over 197.5 m, including:
o 4.60% REO over 5.1 m, or
o 3.15% REO over 12.9 m, or
o 2.87% REO over 55.9 m
o RIFT26-019 extends Trinity Zone mineralization ~120 m further down dip to
the west (now defined over 300 m) with assays still pending for additional western
step-out drillholes (see Figures 1-2).
• RIFT26-016, RIFT26 -017 & RIFT26-018 comprise the southernmost drill fen ce and
demonstrate a further 100 m of mineralized N-S strike length returning 1.74% REO over
46.1 m, 1.38% REO over 77.3 m, and 2.00% REO over 33.7 m, respectively (see
Figure 1).
• Additional western step-out drillholes (see Figure 1) continue to intersect hematite
alteration and rock characteristics similar to western mineralized holes reported to
date.
• The Trinity Zone is now defined over an approximate 500 m N-S strike length and
300 m down-dip (west) with strongly mineralized intervals ranging from 80 to 197 m,
which continue to demonstrate strong continuity of high-grade REO mineralization.
o The Trinity Zone remains open in all directions.
Sean Charland, CEO of Apex Critical Metals, commented: “ The results from western step-out
drillhole RIFT26-019 confirms the western plunge of the upper Trinity Zone and demonstrates
continuity of the high-grade REO mineralization with one of the strongest grade x width intervals
to-date. Assays remain pending for several additional holes further to the west, and the visual
observations and favourable geology suggest there’s a significant opportunity to expand the
mineralized footprint with each western step-out. We have made a tremendous amount of progress
over the past 12 months and remain on track for an inaugural mineral resource estimate in Q1
2027.”
Vancouver, British Columbia – September 8, 2026 – Apex Critical Metals Corp. (“Apex” or
the “Company”) (CSE: APXC | OTCQX: APXCF | FWB: KL9 | Euronext Access Paris: MLAPX),
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 RIFT26-015 throughRIFT26-019.
Figure 1. 2026 Phase II drilling at the Rift Project showing the location and assay results for
drillholes RIFT26-015, RIFT26-016, RIFT26-017, RIFT26-018 & RIFT26-019 (reported herein),
along with active and completed drillholes and historical drillhole locations.
Key Observations and Takeaways
Current analytical results targeting the down dip extension of The Trinity Zone (RIFT26- 019)
confirm the extension of the high-grade west plunging mineralized body an additional 120 m west
of previously reported RIFT26-005A, which highlighted 80.0 m at 2.51% REO within a broader
interval of 137.2 m at 2.01% REO (see news release dated May 15, 2026). The intercept from
drillhole RIFT26-019 includes a high- grade core of 26.9 m at 3.15% REO within a larger
intersection of 197.5 m at 2.12 % REO. The drillhole confirms the importance of hematite
alteration in the mineralized system and provides confidence on the visual indications of drillholes
with pending analytical results (Figures 1-2 and Image 1).
Figure 2. RIFT26-019 assay results at the Rift Project highlighting the Trinity Zone and
additional completed holes (assays pending) with favourable zones of altered hematite (red)
shown on the downhole traces.
As shown above in Figure 2, two (2) additional western step-out drillholes have been completed
along the same drillhole fence, with assays pending. Initial visual results show broad intervals with
hematite alteration consistent with mineralization of reported results, suggesting a further potential
down-dip extension of Trinity Zone.
Drillholes RIFT26-016, RIFT26-017, & RIFT26- 018 form a three -hole drill fence targeting the
area 100m south of the positive results observed in the fence connecting holes RIFT26- 019 and
RIFT26-003 (Figure 1). Analytical results along the southern most drill fence with assays reported
highlight 27.1 m of 2.01% REO in a larger 46.1 m interval at 1.74% REO in RIFT26- 016;
two distinct intervals of 11.5 m and 12.8 m of 1.86% and 1.89% REO, respectively in
RIFT26-017; and 33.7m of 2.00% REO in RIFT26- 018. Hematite alteration and visual
indication of mineralization manifest less intense over these intervals, when compared to Trinity
Zone mineralization in the north and west, however, the assay results from this fence contain
notable intervals >1.00% REO and extend the footprint of the zone another 100m to the south.
RIFT26-015 encountered a different carbonatite breccia host rock in this area, which is interpreted
to crosscut the primary altered hematite observed throughout most of the Trinity Zone . RIFT26-
015 still returned 64.4 m of 1.54% REO with select higher-grade intervals within.
To date, nineteen (19) of the thirty-four (34) completed drillholes have analytical results released.
Results contained herein , continue to highlight significant intervals of >4.00% REO within a
broader >2.00% REO mineralized envelope, together with the positive rock attributes observed to
the west demonstrate strong potential of Trinity Zone expansion (see Figures 1-2 above). Trinity
Zone intercepts have now traced approximately 500 m of N-S strike and 300 m of western down-
dip extension within the greater 700 m target corridor. These results reinforce the high-grade
mineralization within the Trinity Zone.
Table 1: Drillhole Location and Attributes
Hole ID Depth (m) Azimuth(b) (°) Dip(b) (°) Easting (a) Northing (a) Elevation
RIFT26-015 789 75 -65 742004 4460642 331.38
RIFT26-016 543 75 -70 741993 4460475 331.77
RIFT26-017 573 75 -70 742094 4460482 332.46
RIFT26-018 512 75 -65 741896 4460460 332.92
RIFT26-019 564 75 -65 741776 4460542 332.65
(a) Coordinates are presented in NAD83 UTMZ14 (b) Azimuth and Dip are planned and may vary downhole
Table 2: RIFT26-015, RIFT26-016, RIFT26-017, RIFT26-018 and RIFT26-019 Assay Highlights
(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. NdPr(2) distributions
for the Trinity Zone mineralization remain within typical global carbonatite ranges of 10-20%.
(b) For more detailed drill results information, including REO calculations and conversions, please
visit https://apexcriticalmetals.com/projects/rift-rare-earth-project/#reo_disclosure
Image 1. RIFT26-019 interval of 1.84 m from 431.48 m to 433.32 m (red box) averaging 4.89%
REO, including samples RIFT019-415 (4.25% REO over 0.83 m) and RIFT019-416 (5.42% REO
over 1.01 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 re ceived, will support improved
understanding of the mineralized system and help prioritize future drill targeting . The 2026 drill
program remains ongoing, with a total of thirty -four (34) drillholes completed to date for
approximately 22,000 m, with assays currently pending for fifteen (15) drillholes . Drilling is
expected to continue through September and October with a single drill rig.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
All drilling was completed using one truck and one track mounted diamond drill rig s 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% a nd 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
For more detailed drill results information, including REO calculations and conversions, please visit
https://apexcriticalmetals.com/projects/rift-rare-earth-project/#reo_disclosure
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 durin g 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.
Rare earth oxide (“REO”) values reported in this news release are calculated as the sum of
individual rare earth oxide components and are not directly measured assay results. The individual
rare earth oxide values underlying each reported REO grade are available at Individual Rare Earth
Oxide Disclosure.
About Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC) (OTCQX: APXCF) (FWB: KL9) (Euronext
Access Paris: MLAPX)
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 corridor 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 have expanded the footprint of the high-grade
mineralization (“Trinity Zone”) over approximately 500 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), as well as our individual REO component disclosure at the Rift Project
which is available on our website at www.apexcriticalmetals.com.
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 mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite
system. For more information, please see the Compan y’s news releases dated August 27, 2025,
November 12, 2025, December 31, 2025 and June 30, 2026, which are available under the
Company’s issuer profile on SEDAR+ (available at www.sedarplus.ca).
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, in Germany on the Borse
Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ, and in France on Euronext Access Paris
under the symbol MLAPX.
Find out more at www.apexcriticalmetals.com and watch our videos at
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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 information” or “forward-looking statements”
under applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively, “forward -
looking statements”) . 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 drill program and any subsequent drill programs and statements
regarding the Company’ s prospective assets (more particularly described above), and statements