VANCOUVER, BC — January 19, 2026 — Leads & Copy — Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE:APXC)(OTCQX:APXCF)(FWB:KL9) has released a year-end summary of its 2025 activities and milestones at the Rift Rare Earth Project and a 2026 outlook, including details on the upcoming Phase I drill campaign.
Throughout 2025, Apex accumulated and expanded its private holdings within the Elk Creek Carbonatite complex, focusing on areas with the most potential for rare earth (REE) and niobium mineralization. The company also completed comprehensive technical and modeling work, supported by strategic financings completed during the year.
The company identified Elk Creek as its highest priority after evaluating numerous known global carbonatites. By September 3, 2025, Apex had secured 2,407 acres, which later expanded to 3,500 acres to include key consolidation pieces with significant historical REE intersections from previous drilling.
Apex also re-logged and re-assayed preserved drill core from the Rift Project during Q4/2025, in partnership with the Conservation and Survey Division, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The company received approval from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy and Environment (NDEE) for its mineral exploration/drill permit and secured Boart Longyear, a drill contractor with local drilling experience in the Elk Creek Carbonatite, for Phase I drilling.
The company is completing final logistical steps, with mobilization of drill equipment and crews now imminent, according to the company.
Apex CEO Sean Charland said the past year has been transformational for Apex, adding that the company is in an outstanding position as it prepares to initiate its first phase of drilling at the Rift Rare Earth Project. He added that a successful inaugural drill campaign can quickly position Rift as a potential future source of the critical components necessary to support rare earth magnet production in the United States.
During Q4/2025, the company completed re-logging and re-assaying of preserved historical drill core, created and updated a 3D geological model, secured its necessary permit, engaged an experienced drill contractor, and advanced logistics in preparation for Phase I drilling.
The Phase I drilling program contemplates 8,000 m of coring across 10 to 15 drill holes, with depths anticipated to range from 600 to 900 m. The primary objective of the program is to validate and expand upon the historically significant intervals drilled by Molycorp (1973-1986) and Quantum Rare Earth Developments (2010-2011), which demonstrated a significant zone of REE mineralization that remains open in all directions. Additional step-out exploration drilling is also planned to the north and south within the favorable geophysical anomaly, with the aim of ascertaining better controls on the REE mineralization orientation in advance of mineral resource focused Phase II drilling.
Additional Outlook Items at Rift in 2026:
The Company also plans to complete an NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Project. It will collect downhole Optical and Acoustic Televiewer survey data on select holes to improve structural interpretation and inform geological model and collect samples for geochemical and mineralogical testing. Assay results from Phase I drilling (Q1-Q2/2026) are forthcoming.
Apex plans to provide an updated 3D model incorporating all data from re-logging/re-assaying and Phase I and refinement of regional niobium and REE targets across the 3,500-acre Project area. H2/2026 is expected to include Phase II drilling and advancement towards inaugural mineral resource estimate.
Nathan Schmidt, P. Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, reviewed and approved the technical content of the release. Mr. Schmidt is a Geologist with Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd.
Apex Critical Metals Corp. is focused on advancing rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic metals across the United States and Canada. The Company’s flagship Rift Project, located within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in Nebraska, hosts rare earth rights surrounding one of North America’s niobium-REE deposits. In Canada, Apex continues to advance its Cap Project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, British Columbia.
Sean Charland, Chief Executive Officer
Tel: 604.681.1568
Email: info@apexcriticalmetals.com
Source: Apex Critical Metals Corp.
