Apex Mobilizes Second Drill Rig and Provides Phase I Update at the Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, U.S.A.

Executive Summary

• Apex Critical Metals’ Phase I drill program at the Rift Rare Earth Project is fully mobilized with two rigs actively drilling.
• New drill holes RIFT26‑002, RIFT26‑001A and RIFT26‑003 have been started, intersecting carbonatite and targeting extension of historic REE mineralization.
• Core processing is underway and initial assay samples are expected in the coming weeks, providing material data to assess the scale and continuity of the REE system.

Key Details

• Program Mobilization: Phase I drill program now has two drill rigs on site at the 100 % owned Rift Rare Earth Project (Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex, Nebraska).
• Drill Hole RIFT26‑002: Collared ~100 m south of historic hole NEC11‑004; intersected carbonatite over a ~330 m interval starting at 178 m depth and extending through the interpreted mineralized zone. Designed to extend historically defined mineralization southward and better define geometry.
• Drill Hole RIFT26‑001A: Reached 110 m (target 600 m). Carbonatite not yet intersected; anticipated at ~175 m downhole.
• Drill Hole RIFT26‑003: Commenced drilling; pad preparation ongoing for additional step‑out holes to test mineralization extent north and south of the current drill corridor.
• Core Processing: First batch of core samples is being processed with assay submission expected within weeks.
• Target Area: Current focus covers ~850 m of north‑south strike length in the southeastern portion of the Rift Project, guided by historical drilling, surface geochemistry, and geophysical surveys integrated into a 3‑D geological model.
• Management Comment (CEO Sean Charland): Emphasized that Phase I drilling is a critical step toward defining scale and continuity of REE mineralization and building on historic intercepts as the season progresses.
• Qualified Person: Technical content reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., Qualified Person under NI 43‑101 (Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd.).

Notable Quotes

“With two drill rigs now active on site, Phase I drilling at Rift is well underway and represents an important step toward better defining the scale and continuity of mineralization within our Phase I priority target area at Rift.” – Sean Charland, CEO