Critical Elements Provides Preliminary Update on its 10,000-meter Drill Program at Rose West

The most recent news (April 1, 2026) provides a preliminary update on the Phase 1 Winter 2026 drill program at the Rose West Discovery. The company has completed 18 holes (3,755m) of a planned 10,000m program. Key results include significant intercepts of 1.24% Li2O over 27.80m and 1.51% Li2O over 3.60m. The drilling has successfully expanded the mineralized footprint to 1.25km x 0.80km and identified three new spodumene-bearing pegmatite bodies (Zones 5, 6, and 7). Management indicates that the "en-echelon" (stacked) geometry of these zones suggests potential for significant resource growth at depth.

The news is Routine - Positive. While the drill results are strong and confirm the continuity of the Rose West discovery, they are incremental and in line with the objectives set out in the February 3, 2026, announcement. - Technical Validation: The discovery of three new zones (5-7) validates the geological model and increases the probability of a substantial maiden resource estimate for Rose West. - Project Synergy: CEO Jean-Sébastien Lavallée noted that if grades remain consistent with 2024 results (which they appear to be), Rose West will have a "major impact" on the overall Rose Project economics. - Execution: The company is successfully deploying the C$7M raised in December 2025, showing a clear transition from "exploration" to "resource expansion."

Critical Elements is focused on the Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project in James Bay, Québec. - Flagship: The Rose Project has a 2023 Feasibility Study showing an after-tax NPV of US$2.2B and an IRR of 65.7%. - Rose West: A discovery located ~10km from the main Rose deposit, currently being drilled to add supplemental high-grade feed or a secondary resource base. - Nemaska Belt: The company holds a massive 100km-long land position with additional Ni-Cu-PGE potential.