Apex Receives Exploration Permit for Rift REE Project, Nebraska; Drill Program Preparation Underway

Executive Summary

• Apex Critical Metals received approval from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment for its drill permit at the Rift Rare Earth Project.
• The company plans to commence drilling in the first half of Q1 2026, having completed extensive pre‑drill preparations (contractor selection, mobilization, access routes, logistics).
• Historical drilling on the project has shown high‑grade REE intervals (e.g., 155.5 m @ 2.70% REO and 236.2 m @ 2.10% REO), supporting the rationale for the upcoming program.

Key Details

• Permit Approval: Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment granted a mineral exploration/drill permit for the Rift Rare Earth Project (≈3,500 acres).
• Historical Intercepts Highlighted:
• 155.5 m @ 2.70% REO (including 54.9 m @ 3.30% REO) – drill hole EC‑93.
• 236.2 m @ 2.10% REO (including 68.2 m @ 3.32% REO) – drill hole NEC11‑004.
• Drill Program Timeline: Expected start of drilling during the first half of Q1 2026.
• Pre‑drilling Activities Completed / Ongoing:
• Finalizing contractor discussions.
• Securing mobilization schedules and support services.
• Establishing access routes and drill pad locations.
• Planning core handling, sampling, and onsite logistics.
• Refining target selection based on historical data and detailed geological review.
• Future Disclosure: A detailed summary of planned drill‑hole locations and total meterage will be released as the program commences.
• Qualified Person Review: Technical content reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., Qualified Person under NI 43‑101.

Notable Quotes

“We have been very active expanding and consolidating our property position… We are very pleased to receive our drill permit, which marks a significant step forward as we transition from planning and preparation to drill program execution.” – Sean Charland, CEO, Apex Critical Metals Corp.