Drilling Commences at Apex Critical Metals’ Nebraska Rare Earths Venture

The long-anticipated operational phase is now underway for Apex Critical Metals. The company has mobilized equipment to begin its inaugural drill program at the Rift Project, located in the US state of Nebraska. This campaign is designed to confirm historical exploration data and use contemporary techniques to assess the potential for Rare Earth Elements (REE) believed to be present at the site.

Management's confidence in the project is rooted in substantial historical work, not mere speculation. The area was previously drilled by Molycorp between 1973 and 1986, with further activity conducted by Quantum Rare Earth Developments in 2010 and 2011. These past efforts indicated the presence of high-grade rare earth mineralizations. Apex Critical Metals' current objective is to verify these historical findings and integrate them into a modern resource model.

Details of the Initial Program

Following the receipt of necessary permits from Nebraska authorities in early January, the first drill rig has now been deployed. Company reports indicate that assembly and access road preparations are currently in progress. A second rig is slated to join the operation shortly to accelerate the timeline.

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This initial phase is extensive, calling for approximately 8,000 meters of drilling across 10 to 15 holes, each reaching depths of 600 to 900 meters. The exploration will concentrate on the southeastern sector of the project, where geological modeling suggests the most promising structures are located.

Market Performance and Forward Timeline

The launch of field operations coincides with the implementation of new compensation structures for management and advisors in the form of stock options. Meanwhile, the company's shares have exhibited significant volatility, characteristic of the exploration sector. While the current price of €1.73 sits approximately 42% below its 52-week high, the stock has gained over 250% in the past twelve-month period.

For investors, the focus now shifts to the upcoming data flow. Assay results from the current drilling are anticipated in the first half of 2026. These will be followed by a potential maiden resource estimate in the second half of that same year. Ultimately, this forthcoming data will be crucial in determining whether the historical deposits can be developed into an economically viable project.