North American Niobium upbeat about REE projects

Executive Summary

• North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. has added the Sabot project to its near-term technical review pipeline following encouraging prospecting results and geological observations.
• The Sabot project is located adjacent to the company's priority Bardy and Blanchette properties in Quebec, offering potential logistical efficiencies and supporting a coordinated exploration strategy.
• A grab sample from Sabot returned elevated rare earth element (REE) values, including 0.155% TREO and 313.12 ppm MREO, prompting a technical review to assess potential for near-term drilling.

Key Details

• Project Location: Sabot project is 100% owned by North American Niobium, located approximately 45 km northwest of La Tuque, Quebec, immediately north of the Blanchette project.
• Prospecting Results (Sample G170073):
  • Rock Type: Granite
  • Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO): 0.155%
  • Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides (MREO): 313.12 ppm
  • Praseodymium (Pr): 76.72 ppm
  • Neodymium (Nd): 228.61 ppm
• Geological Context:
  • The area features an alkaline syenitic intrusion (Rheaume intrusive suite, ~1,019–1,025 Ma) in contact with silica-rich metasediments (Wabamask complex).
  • Observed textures suggest interaction between alkaline magma and host rocks, similar to conditions at the Motzfeldt project in Greenland.
  • Motzfeldt comparison: Cited as having a JORC-compliant inferred resource of 340 million tonnes grading 0.26% TREO, 0.185% Nb2O5, and 0.46% ZrO2.
  • Government geochemical data indicates bottom-lake sediment anomalies (90th percentile) for La-Nb-Y at the southern contact of the syenite intrusion.
• Strategic Rationale:
  • Sabot benefits from existing regional access and established stakeholder engagement.
  • Proximity to Bardy and Blanchette supports operational efficiencies and a coordinated approach to target development and drill planning.
  • The company identifies conceptual targets including silica-rich roof/contact zones and upper portions of an alkaline system.
• Next Steps:
  • Technical team to review Sabot alongside the Quebec portfolio.
  • Additional geochemical coverage and geological validation required to refine targets.
  • Drilling decisions subject to review and approvals.

Notable Quotes

• "While Sabot was not initially an immediate priority for the company, results from our recent prospecting program, together with the geological setting, appear to warrant additional work," said Murray Nye, chief executive officer of North American Niobium. "Over the coming weeks, our technical team will review Sabot alongside our Quebec portfolio to determine the most effective next steps ahead of any drilling decisions."