Apex Critical Metals (CSE:APXC) has returned ‘high-grade’ rare earth oxide (REO) intercepts from its latest drilling at the Rift Rare Earth Project in Nebraska, US.
Hole RIFT26‑014 intersected 5.27% REO over 10.2m within a broader interval of 148.5m @ 2.09% REO. The hole also returned 4% REO over 21.7m and 3.11% REO over 36.9m within the Trinity zone.
Hole RIFT26‑012 extended Trinity mineralisation 100m west of previously reported results, intersecting 4.48% REO over 8m within a broader interval of 151.4m @ 2.42% REO.
Apex says this represents the ‘strongest grade‑times‑width intercept’ south of the discovery area.
The results confirm continuity and expansion of the Trinity zone, which now extends over approximately 400m north‑south strike length and 200m downdip. The zone remains open in all directions.
CEO Sean Charland says the step‑out results continue to demonstrate the extension and expansion potential of the upper ‘high-grade’ REO horizon.
“The results from these stepout drill holes, including our best grade-times-width results south of the discovery area, continues to demonstrate the extension and expansion potential of the upper high-grade REO horizon,” Charland notes.
The company drilled hole RIFT26‑014 between previously reported holes RIFT26‑003 and RIFT26‑005A, confirming continuity of the upper ‘high-grade’ REO horizon.
Drilling targeted the western downdip projection across 185m and intersected Trinity zone mineralisation from 178.6m to 327.1m.
The program has completed 32 holes totalling approximately 21,000m, with assays pending for 18 holes. Western step‑out holes continue to intersect hematite alteration and rock characteristics similar to mineralised zones reported to date.
Hole RIFT26‑013 returned two discrete zones: (1) 22.8m @ 1.11% REO in the upper zone and (2) 24.5m @ 1.93% REO in the lower zone. The carbonatite remains consistently elevated above 0.5% REO to 370m depth.
Apex uses HQ‑size diamond core, with samples analysed at Activation Laboratories in Ontario, Canada. Quality control includes certified reference materials and blanks at 5% insertion rates.
Drilling will continue through August and September with a single rig, while the company refines its three‑dimensional geological model. An inaugural mineral resource estimate is targeted for Q1 2027.
The Rift Project sits within the Elk Creek carbonatite complex in southeastern Nebraska, surrounding one of North America’s most advanced niobium deposits. Historical drilling within the 700m corridor of interest has returned broad intervals exceeding 2% REO.
Apex Critical Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth and niobium projects in North America, including its flagship Rift project in Nebraska and the Cap project in British Columbia.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
