Neotech's Hecla-Kilmer study confirms TREO in apatite

Executive Summary

• Neotech Metals Corp. released results from an independent SGS Lakefield mineralogical study on its Hecla-Kilmer project, confirming that up to 98% of total rare earth oxide (TREO) elements are hosted in apatite.
• The study highlights a unique mineralization style where apatite is the primary carrier of rare earths, occurring as a major rock-forming mineral (28-56% abundance), with discrete rare earth minerals present only in trace quantities.
• This apatite-hosted mineralogy supports exceptional low-temperature, low-acid leachability and high liberation rates (80-92%), offering significant processing advantages over conventional monazite- or bastnasite-dominant deposits.

Key Details

• Mineralogical Composition:
  • Apatites contain uniquely high total rare earth oxide content of 7.4% TREO.
  • The master composite accounts for approximately 82% of the TREO distribution.
  • Seven out of eight samples contain 85% or more of total rare earth elements hosted in apatite.
  • Apatite hosts up to 98% of TREEs across the entire data set.
  • Apatite occurs as a major rock-forming mineral with an abundance of 28% to 56% within the sampled interval.
• Trace Minerals:
  • Discrete rare earth minerals are present only in trace quantities in the master composite:
    • Synchysite: 0.36%
    • Monazite: 0.05%
    • Bastnasite: 0.01%
  • Monazite, synchysite, bastnasite, allanite, and other rare earth minerals together account for less than 1% of the mineral assemblage.
• Analytical Methods:
  • Confirmation was supported by a multimethod analytical program including Tima-X (Tescan integrated mineral analyzer), EPMA (electron probe micro analysis), X-ray diffraction, and LA-ICP-MS (laser ablation by inductively coupled mass spectrometry).
• Metallurgical Implications:
  • Rare earth content resides largely within the apatite crystal lattice rather than in separate refractory mineral grains.
  • High liberation of apatite (80% to 92% across all samples) is achieved at moderate grind sizes.
  • This mineralogy supports the exceptional low-temperature, low-acid leachability demonstrated in metallurgical testwork announced on April 1, 2025.
• Drilling and Exploration Status:
  • Approximately 8,000 metres of drilling were completed at Hecla-Kilmer during 2025.
  • Relogging and reassaying of approximately 1,900 metres of core drilled by previous owner VR Resources Ltd. (2020-2023) were completed for the full rare earth suite.
  • Data from this work will be included in the maiden resource estimate, expected in 2026.
• Project Location:
  • Hecla-Kilmer is located 20 kilometres from the Otter Rapids 180-megawatt hydroelectric power generation station and the active Ontario Northway railway.

Notable Quotes

• "Hecla-Kilmer continues to distinguish itself from every comparable rare earth system we have studied... The confirmation that rare earths are overwhelmingly hosted within apatite gives this project a unique foundation among known rare earth deposits. Our metallurgical work has already shown the advantages associated with this style of mineralization, and, together, these results position Hecla-Kilmer as a potential significant source of critical minerals within a modern supply chain." — Reagan Glazier, CEO