Apex Critical Metals Corp. has reported assay results from four drillholes at the Rift Rare Earth Project, confirming the expansion of the Trinity Zone with high-grade rare earth oxide (REO) intercepts. The results include 191.9 m at 2.63% REO from 215.9 m depth in drillhole RIFT26-008, which also featured intervals of 52.2 m at 3.54% REO and 12.3 m at 5.63% REO. Drillhole RIFT26-010 returned 72.6 m of 2.03% REO, including 14.9 m of 5.09% REO. These findings extend the mineralization footprint 120 m east and 400 m down-dip from historical discovery drillholes EC-093 and NEC11-004.

The drilling program validates the continuity of the Trinity Zone, which remains open in all directions. RIFT26-008, drilled 50 m northeast of historical discovery holes, confirmed the zone extends to depth with a broader intercept of over 2.50% REO. RIFT26-010, a scissor hole oriented 180° to historical drillhole NEC11-004, extended mineralization 120 m east at the unconformity contact. The company has merged its originally planned two-phase program and continues to drill with two rigs, targeting 22,000–25,000 metres of drilling in 2026.

Drillhole Results

Assay results from RIFT26-007, RIFT26-008, RIFT26-009, and RIFT26-010 verify the continuity of the Trinity Zone. RIFT26-007 intersected 68.5 m of 2.48% REO from 178.0 m depth, while RIFT26-009 returned 22.2 m of 2.44% REO within a broader 51.2 m zone of 1.65% REO. The results underline the relationship between strong hematite alteration and REO mineralization within the host carbonatite, consistent with previous drillholes.

Program Status

The 2026 drill program remains ongoing, with 22 drillholes completed to date for approximately 14,500 m. Assays are pending for 12 drillholes. Apex Critical Metals is targeting an inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate by Q1/2027. The company continues to refine its 3D geological model to prioritize future drill targeting. The Trinity Zone is defined over a strike length of more than 380 m within a broader target corridor extending over 700 m.

Apex Critical Metals Corp. has filed a technical report for its Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, effective May 15, 2026. The report, titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Rift Project, Johnson and Pawnee Counties, Nebraska, USA," was prepared by Robin J. Wilson, B.Sc. (Hons) Geology, MAusIMM, MAIG. The filing supports the company's strategy to advance its 100%-controlled rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex.

Technical Report Details

The NI 43-101 Technical Report was prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. It is available under the company's issuer profile on SEDAR+.

Exploration Highlights

The Rift Project hosts extensive rare earth rights surrounding a niobium deposit. Historical drillholes within the 700 m corridor returned broad intervals of >2.00% REO, with higher grade (>3.00% REO) intervals. The 2026 drilling expanded the high-grade mineralization footprint, known as the "Trinity Zone," over approximately 380 m from historical drillholes. Additionally, drilling delineated a new deeper horizon, the "Neo Zone," with strongly elevated NdPr distributions between 30-50%.

Cap Project Update

In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100%-owned Cap Project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia. The 2025 drill program confirmed an emerging niobium discovery with 0.59% Nb₂O₅ over 36 metres, including 1.08% Nb₂O₅ over 10 metres, within a 1.8-kilometre-long niobium trend.