Apex Critical Metals has reported more strong rare earth assays from its Rift project in southeastern Nebraska.
The latest drilling returned several high-grade intervals above 4% total rare earth oxides (REO). The results support the project’s potential as a major US rare earth development.
Topic Snapshot
- Rift returned 5.27% REO over 10.2 metres.
- Another hole returned 4.48% REO over 8 metres.
- Both intervals sit within wider zones above 2% REO.
- Mineralization now extends across more than 700 metres.
- A NdPr-rich zone adds further project value.
- Apex plans an initial resource estimate in early 2027.
Latest Rift Drilling Delivers High Grades
Apex Critical Metals reported several strong results from its latest drilling campaign.
Hole RIFT26-14 returned 10.2 metres at 5.27% REO from 178.6 metres depth.
Hole RIFT26-12 returned 8 metres at 4.48% REO from 273 metres depth.
Both high-grade zones occur within mineralized intervals of about 150 metres.
Those wider intervals also graded above 2% REO.
Rift Shows Strong Grade and Width
Apex CEO Sean Charland said the results represent the company’s best grade-width results south of the discovery area.
The growing mineralized footprint is also increasing confidence in the project.
Drilling continues to support the shallow, west-dipping Trinity Zone.
Apex expects these results to support an initial mineral resource estimate in the first quarter of 2027.
Earlier Drilling Also Returned Strong Results
The latest assays build on several strong results reported this year.
Key earlier intersections include:
- 81.6 metres at 2.02% REO in hole RIFT26-002.
- 137.2 metres at 2.01% REO in hole RIFT26-005A.
- 191.9 metres at 2.5% REO in hole RIFT26-008.
Hole RIFT26-008 also included two higher-grade sections.
These measured 14.9 metres at 5.09% REO and 12.3 metres at 5.63% REO.
NdPr Zone Adds Strategic Value
Apex has also identified a zone enriched in neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr).
These are among the most valuable magnet rare earth elements.
Hole RIFT26-002 returned an NdPr-rich section within the mineralized zone.
The company said the enriched horizon extends across at least 120 metres of strike.
This could increase the strategic value of the Rift discovery.
Mineralization Remains Open
Apex has outlined mineralization across more than 700 metres of strike.
The mineralized system remains open in all directions.
The project forms part of the Elk Creek carbonatite complex in southeastern Nebraska.
Continued drilling is focused on expanding the mineralized footprint.
The results will also support work toward the planned resource estimate.
Rift Strengthens US Rare Earth Supply Potential
Rift is becoming one of several rare earth projects being advanced in North America.
The wider group includes producing and developing projects in the US and Canada.
These include MP Materials’ Mountain Pass operation in California and Defense Metals’ Wicheeda project in British Columbia.
Ucore Rare Metals is also developing a planned rare earth separation facility in Louisiana.
US Demand Supports Rare Earth Development
Rare earths have gained strategic importance as Western countries seek more secure supply chains.
These materials support permanent magnets used in several advanced technologies.
Key applications include:
- Artificial intelligence infrastructure
- Electric vehicles
- Wind turbines
- Defence systems
- Advanced manufacturing
The US is seeking greater domestic access to these critical materials.
Apex Shares Rise After Results
Apex shares rose 7.6% to $1.28 in Toronto following the results.
That valued the company at more than $123-million.
The stock has traded between $1.02 and $4.95 over the past year.
The latest drilling results have added momentum as Apex works toward its first resource estimate.
Closing
The latest Rift rare earth assays strengthen Apex Critical Metals’ position in the US rare earth sector.
High-grade intervals, broad mineralized zones and an NdPr-rich area provide several positive signals.
With mineralization still open, continued drilling could expand the discovery ahead of the planned 2027 resource estimate.
