Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC) has released assay results from five drillholes at its Rift Rare Earth Project in southeastern Nebraska, with step-out hole RIFT26-019 returning 197.5 metres at 2.12% rare earth oxide (REO), extending the Trinity Zone an additional 120 metres down dip to the west. The disclosure states the Trinity Zone is now defined over approximately 500 metres of north-south strike and 300 metres of down-dip extension, with the zone remaining open in all directions. The results are likely to draw investor attention given the scale of the mineralised footprint and the company's stated target of an inaugural mineral resource estimate in Q1 2027.

Key Points

  • Apex Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: APXC | OTCQX: APXCF)
  • Step-out hole RIFT26-019 returned 197.5 m at 2.12% REO, including a high-grade core of 26.9 m at 3.15% REO, extending the Trinity Zone 120 m further west
  • Trinity Zone now spans approximately 500 m N-S strike and 300 m down-dip; 19 of 34 completed drillholes have analytical results released; assays pending for 15 holes
  • Investors may be watching for pending assay results from additional western step-out holes and progress toward the Q1 2027 inaugural mineral resource estimate

RIFT26-019 Step-Out Confirms Western Plunge of Trinity Zone at Rift Project

The company announced that drillhole RIFT26-019 confirmed the western plunge of the upper Trinity Zone, intersecting 197.5 metres at 2.12% REO, with notable higher-grade intervals including 55.9 metres at 2.87% REO, 12.9 metres at 3.15% REO, and 5.1 metres at 4.60% REO. The release states this result extends mineralisation approximately 120 metres further down dip to the west beyond previously reported hole RIFT26-005A. CEO Sean Charland described the intercept as one of the strongest grade-times-width intervals to date and stated that visual observations from additional pending western step-out holes suggest further expansion potential.

Southern Drill Fence Adds 100 Metres of Strike Length to Trinity Zone Footprint

Drillholes RIFT26-016, RIFT26-017, and RIFT26-018 formed the southernmost drill fence, targeting an area 100 metres south of the RIFT26-019 and RIFT26-003 fence. The announcement states results returned 46.1 metres at 1.74% REO, 77.3 metres at 1.38% REO, and 33.7 metres at 2.00% REO, respectively, extending the Trinity Zone's mineralised footprint a further 100 metres to the south. The release notes hematite alteration appeared less intense in this southern fence compared to northern and western Trinity Zone intervals, though multiple intersections exceeded 1.00% REO, supporting the zone's overall continuity.

2026 Drill Program Progress and Mineral Resource Estimate Timeline

The release states the 2026 drill program has now completed 34 drillholes for approximately 22,000 metres, with 15 holes awaiting assay results. A single drill rig is expected to continue operations through September and October. The company disclosed that ongoing refinement of its 3D geological model, incorporating assay results as received, will support improved understanding of the mineralised system. The technical content of the release was reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under NI 43-101, with Actlabs Canada conducting independent sample analysis.