Apex Mobilizes First Drill Rig to The Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, U.S.A.

Executive Summary

• Apex Critical Metals announced the arrival and commissioning of its first drill rig at the Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, marking the start of Phase I drilling.
• The Phase I program will target 850 m of north‑south strike to verify and expand historic REE mineralization within a high‑priority zone of the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex.
• The company also granted 750,000 restricted share units (RSUs) to a director under its omnibus equity incentive plan, with vesting over 12‑ and 24‑month periods.

Key Details

• Drill Rig Arrival: First rig on site, currently being assembled; site preparation (access routes, drill pad construction, logistical staging) underway.
• Phase I Drill Program: Planned to drill ~850 m of core along a north‑south strike in the southeastern portion of the Rift Project; aims to expand upon historic REE intercepts and improve the 3D geological model.
• Second Rig: Additional drill rig expected to arrive imminently to ramp up drilling activity.
• RSU Grant: 750,000 RSUs granted on January 23 2026 to a company director; 375,000 vest after 12 months, the remaining 375,000 after 24 months; each vested RSU converts to one common share subject to a four‑month‑plus‑one‑day hold period.
• Qualified Person: Technical content reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., Qualified Person under NI 43‑101.
• Historical Context (Background): Prior historic drilling at Rift reported intercepts such as 155.5 m @ 2.70 % REO and 68.2 m @ 3.32 % REO; Cap Project in BC recently confirmed a niobium discovery (0.59 % Nb₂O₅ over 36 m).

Notable Quotes

• Sean Charland, CEO: “The arrival of our first drill rig at Rift represents a key milestone as we officially embark on a drill campaign that we believe will elevate the awareness of the Rift Rare Earth Project significantly and put the Company in a position to accelerate our path towards a maiden mineral resource with additional follow‑up drilling later this year.”