Atlantico Confirms Gallium and Rare Earths in All 114 Follow-Up Samples at Novo Cruzeiro
Atlantico Confirms Gallium and Rare Earths in
All 114 Follow-Up Samples at Novo Cruzeiro
Rare Earth Oxides Reach 2,806.7 ppm; Magnet Rare Earth
Oxides Peak at 349.1 ppm and Gallium Oxide at 96.8 g/t
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 11, 2026) -
Atlantico Energy Metals Corp.
(CSE: ATLA) (FSE: 1CJ1) (WKN: A42CRT) (the
"Company
" or "
Atlantico
")
reports gallium and rare
earths
in all 114 follow-up surface samples from the Company's flagship Novo Cruzeiro Project in
Brazil's Lithium Valley, with laboratory results issued in March 2026. Exploration and technical work at
Novo Cruzeiro have continued since the March 2026 laboratory reporting period, and subsequent
updates will address the results of that work when available.
Gallium Confirmed in All 114 Follow-Up Samples
The highest calculated gallium oxide (Ga
₂
O
₃
) result was
96.8 g/t
in sample NCZ-CR-0175.
The ten highest calculated Ga
₂
O
₃
results ranged from
88.7 to 96.8 g/t
Ga
₂
O
₃
values averaged
72.2 g/t
, with a median of
74.6 g/t
.
Gallium-based semiconductors play an important role in advanced defence and aerospace systems,
including radar and drone communications, as well as satellite communications, 5G networks,
smartphones, computers, and high-efficiency power supplies for
AI data centres
.
The U.S. Geological Survey, Mineral Commodity Summaries, February 2026
(
https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2026/mcs2026-gallium.pdf
), estimates that China accounted for
approximately 99% of worldwide primary low-purity gallium production in 2025. This concentration
highlights the importance of
diversifying gallium supply chains
for industries that depend on reliable
access to the metal.
"Gallium in every one of these 114 samples is a very encouraging finding and reinforces the breadth of
Novo Cruzeiro's potential as a multi-element critical minerals project," said Bonn Smith, President and
CEO of Atlantico. "Equally encouraging is that rare earths used in powerful magnets make up a
substantial share of the rare earth content in the vast majority of the samples."
Rare Earths Also Confirmed in All 114 Samples
The highest result reached
2,806.7 ppm
total rare earth oxides ("TREO").
Median TREO was
315.5 ppm
and mean TREO was
382.8 ppm
.
Eighteen samples returned
over 500 ppm TREO
, including
three above 1,000 ppm
.
Rare earth elements have distinctive magnetic, optical and chemical properties that make them
important to clean-energy technologies, electronics, advanced manufacturing and defence systems. Like
gallium, they carry
strategic supply-chain importance
, with much of the world's rare earth processing
capacity concentrated in China.
Magnet Rare Earths Add to the Exploration Opportunity
Magnet rare earth oxides ("MREO") accounted for
at least 15% of TREO in 96 of 114 samples
.
The highest MREO result was
349.1 ppm
in sample NCZ-CR-0066, including
339.3 ppm
combined neodymium-praseodymium oxides.
Neodymium and praseodymium oxides made up the
majority of MREO in every sample
.
Neodymium and praseodymium, often referred to together as "NdPr," are key ingredients in powerful
permanent magnets that help make electric motors smaller, lighter and more efficient. These magnets
are used in electric vehicles, wind-turbine generators, robotics, industrial automation and specialized
defence systems.
"It is not just how much rare earth content the samples returned, but which rare earths are present," Smith
added. "For shareholders, the significance goes beyond individual peak assays: these results helped
shape the exploration that followed and strengthened our commitment to advancing Novo Cruzeiro."
Figure 1 places the results in their sampling context, showing the western grid and additional sampling
locations.
Figure 1:
Follow-up surface-sample locations and TREO results at Novo Cruzeiro, with assay results
reported in March 2026, showing the western sampling grid, additional sampling locations and
selected TREO, MREO and calculated gallium oxide results.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4290/313882_atlantico.jpg
Eighteen Samples Returned Over 500 ppm TREO
Table 1 presents the samples returning more than 500 ppm TREO, together with their corresponding
MREO and calculated gallium oxide values. Principal results and pathfinder values for all 114 samples
are available in the
March Assay Results Schedule
.
Sample ID
TREO (ppm)
MREO (ppm)
Ga
₂
O
₃
(g/t)
NCZ-CR-0062
2,806.7
98.7
52.4
NCZ-CR-0066
1,779.1
349.1
32.3
NCZ-CR-0071
1,306.4
132.0
47.0
NCZ-CR-0080
747.0
165.1
63.2
NCZ-CR-0081
729.1
148.8
60.5
NCZ-CR-0149
727.6
145.6
67.2
NCZ-CR-0082
683.9
141.0
69.9
NCZ-CR-0083
625.7
115.7
79.3
NCZ-CR-0069
607.3
76.1
21.5
NCZ-CR-0112
593.8
166.5
71.2
NCZ-CR-0075
581.0
119.3
69.9
NCZ-CR-0100
574.3
125.2
69.9
NCZ-CR-0078
573.6
115.4
72.6
NCZ-CR-0077
541.1
104.7
78.0
NCZ-CR-0148
519.0
95.6
68.6
NCZ-CR-0101
517.2
104.6
65.9
NCZ-CR-0068
513.4
110.5
65.9
NCZ-CR-0084
507.3
94.1
69.9
Table 1:
TREO results with corresponding MREO and calculated Ga
₂
O
₃
values, listed in descending
TREO order. Rare earth composition varies between samples; the highest TREO result does not
correspond to the highest MREO concentration or proportion. Of the 18 samples shown, 15 returned
MREO accounting for at least 15% of TREO. See Sampling and Analytical Methods for oxide
definitions and calculation details.
Ten Highest Gallium Oxide Results
Table 2 presents the ten highest calculated gallium oxide results and their corresponding TREO and
MREO values.
Sample ID
Ga
₂
O
₃
(g/t)
TREO (ppm)
MREO (ppm)
NCZ-CR-0175
96.8
266.4
37.8
NCZ-CR-0087
95.4
308.1
52.2
NCZ-CR-0108
94.1
264.2
44.7
NCZ-CR-0107
92.7
347.0
57.0
NCZ-CR-0167
92.7
286.1
40.8
NCZ-CR-0088
91.4
315.4
48.2
NCZ-CR-0163
91.4
204.1
31.5
NCZ-CR-0093
88.7
342.6
59.0
NCZ-CR-0123
88.7
477.0
75.0
NCZ-CR-0164
88.7
217.0
38.0
Table 2:
Calculated Ga
₂
O
₃
results with corresponding TREO and MREO values, listed in descending
Ga
₂
O
₃
order. See Sampling and Analytical Methods for oxide definitions and calculation details.
Digital Marketing Campaign Resumption
The Company expects its digital marketing campaign with Machai Capital Inc. ("Machai") to resume on
September 11, 2026, rather than September 18, 2026, as previously anticipated in its July 30, 2026
news release. The engagement is governed by the agreement with Machai dated June 19, 2026,
previously disclosed in the Company's June 26, 2026 news release. Resumption remains subject to
Canadian Securities Exchange ("
CSE
") approval and completion of any required amendment or
extension to the agreement.
Sampling and Analytical Methods
The follow-up program comprised 114 surface samples, with laboratory results issued in March 2026.
The principal focus was a regular 50 × 25 m sampling grid within tenement 831.453/2023 in the western
part of Novo Cruzeiro, investigating granitic saprolite with occurrences of pegmatitic veins in an area
containing historical underground workings. Additional rock samples were collected outside the grid
from occurrences identified during the program. Field descriptions indicate that many consist of strongly
weathered or saprolitic material, including soil-, sand- or silt-rich material containing altered-rock
fragments. The results should not be interpreted as representative fresh-bedrock grades. The sample
results relate to the material collected at individual locations and should not be interpreted as
representative of the property as a whole.
Samples were submitted to the independent SGS Geosol Ltda laboratory in Vespasiano, Minas Gerais,
Brazil. Sample preparation followed the procedures recorded in the SGS certificates. Twelve samples
underwent drying and rock/core preparation, including crushing, Jones splitting and pulverization (codes
DRY105 and PRP70J_A2). The remaining 102 samples underwent soil/sediment preparation
comprising drying, disaggregation, 80-mesh sieving, weighing of the retained and passing fractions, and
Jones splitting of the passing fraction (code PRS80J). Analysis was by ICP-MS/OES following sodium
peroxide fusion for 56 elements, including rare earth elements, lithium, and gallium (code ICM90A).
Results are reported under certificates GQ2601202, GQ2601203 and GQ2601205.
Quality assurance and quality control ("
QA/QC
") for the sample batches was performed by SGS Geosol
as part of its internal laboratory protocols. The Qualified Person relied on the laboratory's accreditation
and internal QA/QC procedures and did not independently review Geosol's internal QA/QC data. SGS
uses blanks at the start of batch analysis (PREP_BLANK) and certified reference materials (CRMs),
specifically AMIS0683, OREAS460, and AMIS0684.
Reported sample averages are unweighted arithmetic means across the 114 samples and do not
represent deposit-wide or resource grades. The assays do not establish gallium recoverability or
economic potential.
TREO is the sum of CeO
₂
, Dy
₂
O
₃
, Er
₂
O
₃
, Eu
₂
O
₃
, Gd
₂
O
₃
, Ho
₂
O
₃
, La
₂
O
₃
, Lu
₂
O
₃
, Nd
₂
O
₃
, Pr
₆
O
₁₁
,
Sm
₂
O
₃
, Tb
₄
O
₇
, Tm
₂
O
₃
, Y
₂
O
₃
and Yb
₂
O
₃
, calculated from elemental assays. MREO comprises
neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides. Reported TREO and MREO values are
calculated oxide sums derived from elemental assays. Gallium oxide (Ga
₂
O
₃
) values are calculated from
elemental Ga using a factor of 1.3442 and reported in g/t (1 ppm = 1 g/t). Calculated Ga
₂
O
₃
does not
imply recoverable oxide, an identified mineral species or metallurgical recovery.
Important Early-Stage Disclosure
Novo Cruzeiro is an early-stage, undrilled surface-exploration project with no current mineral resources
or mineral reserves defined. Surface-sample assays and geochemical responses are exploration
indicators only. These results do not establish continuity or extent of mineralization, grade over width,
tonnage, metallurgical recovery, mineability or economic potential. Further exploration is required, and
there is no assurance that future work will result in the discovery or definition of a mineral resource or
mineral reserve.
Qualified Person
Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101: Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects, has reviewed the ratified analytical schedule, supporting technical
information, the SGS analytical certificates and the QA/QC controls reported for certificates
GQ2601202, GQ2601203 and GQ2601205, and has reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith is not independent of the Company within
the meaning of NI 43-101 due to his role as a member of the Company's Advisory Board.
Quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") for the analytical batches included SGS Geosol
laboratory preparation blanks, laboratory replicates and certified reference materials, including
AMIS0683, AMIS0684 and OREAS460. The Qualified Person reviewed the QA/QC results reported in
SGS certificates GQ2601202, GQ2601203 and GQ2601205.
Lithium performance for AMIS0683 and AMIS0684 was considered acceptable. Preparation blanks
reported lithium below the analytical detection limit. A material QA/QC exception was identified in
certificate GQ2601203, where OREAS460 returned lithium below the 10 ppm detection limit against a
certified value of approximately 19.6 ppm and showed negative bias for several rare earth and related
elements. The subsequent OREAS460 result in certificate GQ2601205 returned approximately 20 ppm
lithium and showed improved agreement for several analytes, although negative bias remained for
selected elements, including niobium.
The Qualified Person therefore considers the lithium analytical dataset generally acceptable with
qualifications but considers GQ2601203 subject to a QA/QC hold pending laboratory clarification of the
OREAS460 performance. Selected multi-element results, particularly those affected by OREAS460 bias
and low-level copper blank/replicate performance, should be interpreted with caution. The Company
intends to request, SGS confirmation of its applicable CRM acceptance criteria, internal QC review and
any rerun or corrective-action data associated with the affected batch.
About Atlantico Energy Metals Corp.
Atlantico Energy Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company built around a simple belief: a
cleaner energy future needs critical minerals. The Company's flagship project is the Novo Cruzeiro
Lithium and Rare Earth Elements Project, located in northeastern Minas Gerais, Brazil, within Brazil's
Lithium Valley. Atlantico is advancing Novo Cruzeiro through disciplined technical work, transparent
disclosure and responsible exploration, with a focus on creating long-term value for shareholders while
contributing positively to the local communities and regions where the Company operates.
For further information, please contact:
Bonn Smith
, President & CEO
Tel: +1 (855) 258-6463
Email:
Website:
www.atlantico.energy
The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements
relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the
Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be
identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of
such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should",
"would" or "will" occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking
statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without
limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts, statements as to
management's expectations and intentions and the Company's anticipated work programs, the
interpretation of assay results, future exploration at Novo Cruzeiro, and the expected resumption of the
Machai digital marketing campaign on September 11, 2026.
Such forward-looking information and statements are based on numerous assumptions, including
among others, that the Company will carry out its exploration plans as currently anticipated by
management, availability of financing, access to the project, required permits and approvals, qualified
personnel and contractors, the reliability of current technical information, receipt of any required CSE
approval and completion of any required amendment or extension to the Machai agreement. Although
the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information or making forward-
looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance
that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that
may cause actual events or results to differ materially, including risks related to mineral exploration,
commodity prices, capital markets, the availability of financing, permitting requirements, environmental
and regulatory matters, political and economic conditions in Brazil, title and access matters, the
interpretation of technical data, changes in the timing or scope of marketing activities, and delays in
obtaining required CSE approval or completing any required amendment or extension to the Machai
agreement. No undue reliance should be placed on forward-looking information. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information except as required by applicable law.
Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking
information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. 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 statements. Accordingly, readers
should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information.
Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The
Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or
financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable
securities laws. We seek safe harbor.
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