Apex Provides Recap of 2025 Regional Exploration Drilling and Priority Follow Up Targets at the Cap Critical Minerals Project

Executive Summary

• Apex Critical Metals released full assay results from its 2025 regional drilling program at the 100% owned Cap Critical Minerals Project in central BC, highlighting a significantly expanded niobium zone (124.5 m @ 0.27 % Nb₂O₅) and high‑grade REE and phosphate intervals.
• The data confirm widespread multi‑metal mineralization and indicate that the carbonatite system remains open both laterally and at depth, setting the stage for a focused 2026 drill campaign targeting the expanded niobium discovery and a large buried magnetic anomaly.
• The company also reiterated progress on its flagship Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, with a fully funded drill program expected to start Q1 2026.

Key Details

• Niobium: Expanded intercept in hole CAP25‑006 – 124.5 m averaging 0.27 % Nb₂O₅ (includes previously reported 36 m @ 0.59 % Nb₂O₅, with 10 m @ 1.08 % Nb₂O₅). Zone remains open in multiple directions.
• Rare Earth Elements (REE): Significant REE‑enriched zones:
• CAP25‑005 – 3.0 m @ 1.08 % REO
• CAP25‑006 – 3.4 m @ 1.33 % REO
• Localized samples >2 % REO reported.
• Phosphate: High‑grade intervals:
• CAP25‑007 – 3.8 m @ 16.2 % P₂O₅; 45 m @ 6.22 % P₂O₅
• CAP25‑012 – 97.2 m @ 4.5 % P₂O₅; 58.2 m @ 5.63 % P₂O₅
• Drilling Program: 9 NQ diamond drill holes, total 2,323 m (helicopter‑supported). QA/QC protocol included certified reference material and silica blanks at ~5% each. Samples processed by Activation Laboratories Ltd. using Code 8 XRF for Nb₂O₅, ZrO₂, Ta₂O₅ and ICP/ICP‑MS for REE.
• Geophysical Survey: 2025 airborne magnetic survey identified a massive buried magnetic anomaly southeast of the drill area; only a single historical (2017) hole has intersected it, presenting a high‑priority target for 2026 testing.
• 2026 Exploration Plan:
• Step‑out drilling around the expanded CAP25‑006 niobium zone.
• Initial testing of targets derived from the new magnetic anomaly.
• Updated geological model to incorporate full 2025 assay dataset and geophysical results.
• Rift Project (Nebraska, USA): Progress toward a fully funded drill program slated for early Q1 2026.
• Qualified Person: Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., EGBC Licence 48336, reviewed and approved all technical content under NI 43‑101.

Notable Quotes

“The drilling highlight of the 2025 program remains the near‑surface, high‑grade niobium discovery… we are equally excited by the intensity and scale of the untested magnetic anomaly… underscoring the opportunity and exploration upside at Cap.” – Sean Charland, CEO

Materiality Assessment: Material – Positive (significant expansion of a key mineralized zone, high‑grade REE and phosphate results, and clear forward‑looking drilling plans that could materially affect the company’s valuation).