Eastport Intersects 47.5m at 0.64% TREO From 20m Including 7.5m at 2.52% TREO Within 330m at 0.21% TREO at Semarule Semarule represents a large, at surface rare earth-bearing multi-layered syenite intrusion, ~40km from the capital of Botswana, Gaborone
Eastport Intersects 47.5m at 0.64% TREO From
20m Including 7.5m at 2.52% TREO Within
330m at 0.21% TREO at Semarule
Semarule represents a large, at surface rare earth-bearing multi-layered syenite intrusion, ~40km
from the capital of Botswana, Gaborone
SEM005 tested the western side of the Semarule syenite, a target that is exposed over
approximately 5km x 3km (~
15km
2
)
Hole SEM05 intersected 330m of Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) at 0.21% from 20m depth,
including a higher-grade intercept at 5.95% TREO
Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides (MREO) comprising dysprosium, terbium, neodymium and
praseodymium (Dy,Tb, Nd, Pr), account for an average 28% of TREO.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2026) - Eastport Critical Metals Corp.
(TSXV: EVI) (OTCQB: EVIIF) ("Eastport" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the very positive
assay results from the first diamond drill hole reported at the Semarule Project ("Semarule" or the
"Project") prospective for rare-earth elements ("REE"), in south-central Botswana. Semarule is located
approximately 40km north-west of the capital city, Gaborone.
Drill Hole SEM005:
-
330m at 0.21% TREO
from 20.0m downhole, including:
47.5m at 0.64% TREO
from 20.0m
including
7.5m at 2.52% TREO
from 22.5m, with
2.5m at 5.95% TREO
from 27.5m
Daniel Major, Chief Executive Officer, commented;
"These first drill hole assay results for Semarule show the strong grade continuity potential reveal;
structure, continuity, grade and critically the opportunity for material scale over a target area of
~15km
2
. This is a highly encouraging start to our Phase 1 Drill Campaign results. SEM005 highlights
broad intersections of rare earth elements exceeding 320m, including a higher-grade 48m interval at
0.64% TREO from 20m depth and comprising 28% MREOs.
We look forward to receiving the results from the remaining diamond drill holes, which target various
aspects of the gravity anomalies. I refer shareholders to review Figure 1, where appears that SEM005
has cut through the edge of the gravity feature to test structure."
Background
The eight hole Semarule diamond drilling program was designed to target both the syenite geology and
the gravity anomaly cross section (see Figure 1), with hole SEM005 drilled to the western extent and
away from the gravity high. SEM005 was drilled at a -50
o
dip to a downhole depth of 349.9m.
The Semarule rare earths project hosts several sizeable mineralised syenite intrusions, including the
Semarule Syenite Hill, exposed over a 5 x 3 km area and consisting of syenite with carbonatite dykes.
Archaean Gaborone granite underlies the Semarule area and is host to the syenite intrusions,
suggesting that the Semarule syenite resulted from in situ metasomatism of the host granite, followed by
intrusions of syenite. The syenites host the REE mineralisation, and the results to date confirm that the
more mafic syenite intrusions report elevated REE concentrations.
Figure 1: Ground Gravity Geophysics Survey and Cross-Section
SEM005 and SEM007 are projected onto the section and refer to plan view.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/314178_eastportfig1.jpg
Figure 2: Photograph of drill hole SEM005 core, including a 10m wide interval averaging 0.46%
TREO from 37.50m downhole depth
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/314178_18ceb48454d6993b_003full.jpg
The significant calculated rare earth oxide downhole depth intersections for drill hole SEM005 are
provided in Table 1.
Assay results provided by certified laboratory SGS South Africa Pty Ltd ("SGS") using the ICP/IMS
Combination Package (method codes ICP90A/IMS90A), for standard 2.5m length quartered NQ
diameter (47.6mm) core samples, taken over the full length of the hole.
Table 1: Drill hole SEM005 significant calculated rare earth oxide downhole depth intersections
From
(m)
To
(m)
Sample
Interval
(m)
TREO
(%)
LREO
(ppm)
HREO
(ppm)
MREO
(ppm)
Interval 1
Interval 2
Interval 3
20.0
22.5
2.5
0.116
1,034
131
328
330m @
0.211%
TREO
(0.189%
LREO,
0.022%
HREO &
0.058%
MREO)
47.5m @
0.637 %
TREO
(0.573%
LREO,
0.065%
HREO &
0.183%
MREO)
7.5 m @
2.516%
TREO
22.5
25.0
2.5
0.818
7,278
900
2,480
25.0
27.5
2.5
0.779
7,187
601
2,219
27.5
30.0
2.5
5.950
57,168
2,337
16,857
2.5 m @
5.950%
TREO
*
30.0
32.5
2.5
0.597
4,960
1,006
1,711
32.5
35.0
2.5
0.338
2,907
469
961
35.0
37.5
2.5
0.184
1,594
245
519
37.5
40.0
2.5
0.559
4,385
1,203
1,711
40.0
42.5
2.5
0.782
5,892
1,926
2,326
7.5m @
0.428%
TREO
42.5
45.0
2.5
0.366
3,014
647
1,028
45.0
47.5
2.5
0.136
1,177
181
377
47.5
50.0
2.5
0.135
1,149
206
393
50.0
52.5
2.5
0.244
2,066
379
699
52.5
55.0
2.5
0.454
3,486
1,051
1,349
55.0
57.5
2.5
0.184
1,480
365
539
57.5
60.0
2.5
0.128
1,089
194
339
60.0
62.5
2.5
0.094
814
127
245
62.5
65.0
2.5
0.101
843
169
279
65.0
67.5
2.5
0.144
1,265
171
380
67.5
70.0
2.5
0.085
644
203
235
70.0
72.5
2.5
0.093
752
180
257
72.5
75.0
2.5
0.075
599
149
209
75.0
77.5
2.5
0.077
600
168
222
77.5
80.0
2.5
0.061
546
66
168
80.0
82.5
2.5
0.060
544
56
166
82.5
85.0
2.5
0.091
795
112
247
85.0
87.5
2.5
0.122
1,076
148
346
87.5
90.0
2.5
0.149
1,323
164
414
90.0
92.5
2.5
0.089
765
130
237
92.5
95.0
2.5
0.078
681
97
203
95.0
97.5
2.5
0.102
925
98
260
97.5
100.0
2.5
0.118
1,057
123
304
100.0
102.5
2.5
0.083
756
76
217
102.5
105.0
2.5
0.118
1,074
109
301
105.0
107.5
2.5
0.111
1,012
94
280
107.5
110.0
2.5
0.097
873
98
244
110.0
112.5
2.5
0.110
1,008
93
272
112.5
115.0
2.5
0.105
957
96
279
115.0
117.5
2.5
0.065
572
81
179
117.5
120.0
2.5
0.089
801
86
229
120.0
122.5
2.5
0.092
828
91
245
122.5
125.0
2.5
0.057
477
95
153
125.0
127.5
2.5
0.135
1,201
145
368
20.0m @
0.144 %
TREO
(0.130%
LREO,
0.014%
HREO &
0.040%
MREO)
127.5
130.0
2.5
0.109
1,004
90
314
130.0
132.5
2.5
0.201
1,832
176
561
132.5
135.0
2.5
0.189
1,730
164
518
135.0
137.5
2.5
0.127
1,128
143
349
137.5
140.0
2.5
0.124
1,117
127
344
140.0
142.5
2.5
0.149
1,344
150
418
142.5
145.0
2.5
0.118
1,055
128
318
145.0
147.5
2.5
0.090
814
88
254
147.5
150.0
2.5
0.087
778
87
235
150.0
152.5
2.5
0.079
717
72
223
152.5
155.0
2.5
0.082
746
69
230
155.0
157.5
2.5
0.073
653
77
204
157.5
160.0
2.5
0.085
774
77
233
160.0
162.5
2.5
0.090
803
101
255
162.5
165.0
2.5
0.069
606
88
191
165.0
167.5
2.5
0.063
566
60
177
167.5
170.0
2.5
0.066
596
64
183
170.0
172.5
2.5
0.066
590
65
187
172.5
175.0
2.5
0.287
2,621
247
873
132.5m @
0.191%
TREO
(0.172%
LREO,
0.0195%
HREO &
0.052%
MREO)
175.0
177.5
2.5
0.087
734
132
232
177.5
180.0
2.5
0.130
1,042
262
366
180.0
182.5
2.5
0.098
739
242
265
182.5
185.0
2.5
0.120
987
215
337
185.0
187.5
2.5
0.125
1,008
244
347
187.5
190.0
2.5
0.069
584
105
195
190.0
192.5
2.5
0.143
1,221
210
424
192.5
195.0
2.5
0.111
962
149
302
195.0
197.5
2.5
0.174
1,592
146
508
197.5
200.0
2.5
0.124
1,130
108
346
200.0
202.5
2.5
0.165
1,477
170
483
202.5
205.0
2.5
0.151
1,380
133
438
205.0
207.5
2.5
0.451
4,172
341
1,351
207.5
210.0
2.5
0.650
6,004
499
1,964
210.0
212.5
2.5
0.140
1,281
114
432
212.5
215.0
2.5
0.748
6,904
572
2,269
215.0
217.5
2.5
0.519
4,793
398
1,566
217.5
220.0
2.5
0.220
2,035
167
638
220.0
222.5
2.5
0.377
3,482
291
1,100
222.5
225.0
2.5
0.114
993
150
310
225.0
227.5
2.5
0.139
1,265
129
363
227.5
230.0
2.5
0.146
1,318
140
376
230.0
232.5
2.5
0.149
1,337
156
397
232.5
235.0
2.5
0.160
1,473
122
412
235.0
237.5
2.5
0.131
1,171
138
338
237.5
240.0
2.5
0.099
872
114
259
240.0
242.5
2.5
0.159
1,427
166
470
242.5
245.0
2.5
0.162
1,494
121
404
245.0
247.5
2.5
0.486
4,523
337
1,401
247.5
250.0
2.5
0.248
2,289
190
719
250.0
252.5
2.5
0.169
1,534
152
409
252.5
255.0
2.5
0.144
1,280
157
343
255.0
257.5
2.5
0.165
1,486
161
397
257.5
260.0
2.5
0.160
1,446
155
382
260.0
262.5
2.5
0.208
1,842
233
501
262.5
265.0
2.5
0.144
1,272
163
337
265.0
267.5
2.5
0.201
1,778
235
488
267.5
270.0
2.5
0.197
1,727
244
478
270.0
272.5
2.5
0.115
990
157
270
272.5
275.0
2.5
0.136
1,206
155
332
275.0
277.5
2.5
0.108
952
131
271
277.5
280.0
2.5
0.144
1,291
152
365
280.0
282.5
2.5
0.139
1,238
150
324
282.5
285.0
2.5
0.143
1,281
149
332
285.0
287.5
2.5
0.151
1,254
254
356
287.5
290.0
2.5
0.148
1,224
254
347
290.0
292.5
2.5
0.110
955
145
254
292.5
295.0
2.5
0.129
1,149
143
308
295.0
297.5
2.5
0.126
1,121
135
302
297.5
300.0
2.5
0.132
1,161
160
313
300.0
302.5
2.5
0.133
1,173
159
322
302.5
305.0
2.5
0.143
1,261
165
330
305.0
307.5
2.5
0.088
749
127
197
307.5
310.0
2.5
0.089
753
136
203
310.0
312.5
2.5
0.103
903
129
231
312.5
315.0
2.5
0.084
729
114
178
315.0
317.5
2.5
0.086
732
130
189
317.5
320.0
2.5
0.079
669
121
174
320.0
322.5
2.5
0.081
700
112
174
322.5
325.0
2.5
0.104
912
128
226
325.0
327.5
2.5
0.072
618
101
159
327.5
330.0
2.5
0.071
618
97
154
330.0
332.5
2.5
0.105
874
178
265
332.5
335.0
2.5
0.106
877
183
266
335.0
337.5
2.5
0.065
536
112
143
337.5
340.0
2.5
0.064
531
111
139
340.0
342.5
2.5
0.074
624
111
159
342.5
345.0
2.5
0.072
607
108
155
345.0
347.5
2.5
0.040
303
92
87
347.5
350.0
2.5
0.094
792
143
198
Table notes:
Rare earth oxides calculated using element-to-stoichiometric oxide conversion factors provided by James Cook University
(
https://www.jcu.edu.au/advanced-analytical-centre/resources/element-to-stoichiometric-oxide-conversion-factors
).
LREO = Light Rare Earth Oxides ( La
₂
O
₃
, CeO
₂
, Pr
₆
O
₁₁
, Nd
₂
O
₃
, Sm
₂
O
₃
, Eu
₂
O
₃
)
HREO = Heavy Rare Earth Oxides ( Gd
₂
O
₃
, Tb
₄
O
₇
, Dy
₂
O
₃
, Ho
₂
O
₃
, Er
₂
O
₃
, Tm
₂
O
₃
, Yb
₂
O
₃
, Lu
₂
O
₃
, Y
₂
O
₃
)
MREO = Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides ( Pr
₆
O
₁₁
,
Nd
₂
O
₃
, Tb
₄
O
₇
, Dy
₂
O
₃
)
SEM005 collar location: UTM35S (WGS84) 0354198E, 72934326N. Collar elevation: 350m. Azimuth/dip: 180/ 50
QA/QC
Eastport's Semarule diamond core drill program utilised a NQ size drill bit (47.6 mm core diameter).
Collars are located using a hand-held GPS (projection: UTM zone 35 south, WGS84 datum). Core was
captured and placed in aluminium core trays and then transported from site to Lobatse, Botswana by
Eastport personnel. In Lobatse, the core was XRF scanned using a Vanta Evident hand-held XRF (serial
number 994113), measured, logged, ¼ cut and sampled. All cutting used a diamond bladed rock saw.
Each ¼ core 2.5m sample was collected in unmarked clear plastic bags. Sample tags were stapled
inside the plastic bag. Five samples were then placed inside a poly-weave bag, sealed and transported
by Eastport personnel to Aramax Couriers in Gaborone, Botswana. The batches were then delivered
overnight to the laboratory of SGS South Africa in Randfontein, RSA. All samples are export controlled
by the Botswana Government using export permits.
Sample rejects are discarded but sample pulps will be returned to Eastport Ventures Botswana within
sixty days of reporting the analytical results. These pulps will be used for quality control procedures.
At SGS South Africa, samples are checked against the submittal form and sample list. The company
receives verification of the number and correct sequencing of the samples.
Each entire sample is crushed using a Boyd crusher. The crusher is cleaned using barren material and
air after each sample. The crushed sample is then split using an RSD splitter and 250g is subsequently
milled down to -75 micron passing 85%.
Five grams of the milled sample is used for ICP analysis using SGS procedure ICP90A/IMS90A. SGS
South Africa is accredited to international quality standards of ISO17025.
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nicholas O'Reilly
MIMMM (QMR) MAusIMM MSc DIC, an independent consultant and Qualified Person under National
Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
Board Update
Eastport Critical Metals Corp. ("the Company") announces that Herrick Lau has resigned as a director of
the Company, effective September 9, 2026. The Company thanks Mr. Lau for his contribution and
service and wishes him well in his future endeavours.
About Eastport Critical Metals Corp. (TSXV: EVI) (OTCQB: EVIIF)
Eastport is a critical minerals development company advancing five projects in Botswana, with
cumulative historical and current expenditures approaching CAD$20 million. The Company's most
advanced asset is the Matsitama Copper Project, which hosts multiple sizeable targets across the
Matsitama copper district.
The Company's additional projects include Selebi East, a nickel-copper-cobalt project located seven
kilometres east of the historic Selebi Mines; the Semarule Rare Earth Elements Project, positioned
within the Gaborone-Molepolole corridor; the Foley Uranium Project, adjoining the Letlhakane uranium
deposit; and the Keng Project, which targets nickel, copper and PGEs on the northern margin of the
Molopo Farms Complex.
Botswana is widely regarded as one of Africa's strongest mining jurisdictions, combining the continent's
highest GDP per capita with a 50-year track record of large-scale mineral development since the Orapa
diamond discovery in 1967. The country ranks among the top performers globally on the Fraser
Institute's Investment Attractiveness Index and is the highest-rated jurisdiction in Africa on the Policy
Perception Index. These rankings reflect Botswana's stable regulatory environment, consistent rule of
law, and long-standing support for responsible mineral development - factors that have underpinned
significant investment and major M&A activity in the natural resources sector in recent years.
Figure 3
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8324/314178_18ceb48454d6993b_004full.jpg
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Daniel Major"
Daniel Major, Chief Executive Officer
Eastport Critical Metals Corp.
For further information about Eastport, please contact:
Daniel Major, Chief Executive Officer
Disclaimer for 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