Apex Secures Drill Contractor and Sets Planned Mobilization for Drilling at Rift

Executive Summary

• Apex Critical Metals has secured Boart Longyear as the drilling contractor for its Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska.
• The contract covers approximately 8,000 metres of drilling across 10‑15 holes, with mobilization expected before the end of January.
• Historical drill data from the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex show high‑grade REE intervals (e.g., 155.5 m @ 2.70% REO), underscoring the project's exploration potential.

Key Details

• Contractor: Boart Longyear, a globally recognized drilling services provider with recent experience on adjacent NioCorp Elk Creek project using LF160 diamond rigs.
• Scope of Work: ~8,000 m of core drilling planned across 10‑15 drill holes at the Rift Project.
• Timeline: Permitting finalized; mobilization and drilling anticipated to commence before the end of January 2026.
• Project Size: Rift Project now covers ~3,500 acres within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex.
• Historical Intercepts (for context):
• 155.5 m @ 2.70% REO (including 54.9 m @ 3.30% REO) – EC‑93.
• 236.2 m @ 2.10% REO (including 68.2 m @ 3.32% REO) – NEC11‑004.
• Qualified Person: Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., Geologist with Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., reviewed and approved the technical content under NI 43‑101.
• CEO Quote: Sean Charland emphasized rapid advancement toward Phase I drilling, leveraging local expertise from Dahrouge Geological Consulting and Boart Longyear to verify and expand known REE mineralization.

Notable Quotes

“We are rapidly advancing towards our first phase of drilling at Rift with the support of Dahrouge Geological Consulting and Boart Longyear… we look forward to taking aim at verifying and expanding on the significant rare earth mineralization previously defined and will provide more updates as mobilization and drilling commences.” – Sean Charland, CEO