Apex Critical Metals Clears Final Hurdle for Key U.S. Rare Earths Project

Exploration company Apex Critical Metals has received the final regulatory approval required to commence drilling at its flagship U.S. asset. State authorities in Nebraska have granted the exploration permit for the Rift Rare Earth Project, removing the last obstacle and propelling the Canadian firm into a pivotal operational phase.

The authorization from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment arrives at a strategic moment. North American demand for domestically sourced critical minerals continues to intensify. Rare earth elements, essential for high-tech applications, renewable energy technologies, and defense systems, are a focal point of this push. With its fully U.S.-based Rift Project, Apex is positioning itself within this crucial supply chain sector. The imminent drill program will be key to validating the project's potential.

Drill Program Set for Early 2026 Launch

The permit allows Apex to initiate drilling immediately at the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex in southeastern Nebraska. The company has scheduled the start of operations for the first half of Q1 2026. Preparations are already well advanced, with the firm finalizing contracts with drilling contractors and coordinating equipment mobilization. Work on access roads and drill pad construction is underway concurrently.

To guide its campaign, Apex is leveraging substantial historical exploration data from the site to pinpoint the most promising targets.

Historical Results Reveal Exceptional Grades

The Rift Project encompasses approximately 3,500 acres within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex. The area has seen significant previous exploration activity, first by Molycorp from 1973 to 1986 and later by Quantum Rare Earth Developments between 2010 and 2011.

Past drill programs yielded notable intercepts, which rank among the highest-grade rare earth mineralizations documented in the United States:

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• Hole EC-93 returned 155.5 meters of 2.70% total rare earth oxides (REO), including a higher-grade zone of 54.9 meters of 3.30% REO.
• Hole NEC11-004 intersected 236.2 meters of 2.10% REO, with a segment of 68.2 meters grading 3.32% REO.

Apex aims to build on these historical results using modern exploration techniques.

Funding Secured for Exploration Campaign

The company has a solid financial foundation for its 2026 activities. In October 2025, Apex closed a private placement raising $10 million. These funds are sufficient to cover the planned exploration work at the Rift Project, eliminating any immediate need for additional capital.

Canadian Assets Broaden Portfolio

Beyond its Nebraska focus, Apex is advancing complementary assets in Canada. At its Cap Project in British Columbia, the company identified a significant niobium mineralization in 2025, reporting 0.59% Nb₂O₅ over 36 meters, including a high-grade section of 1.08% Nb₂O₅ over 10 meters. This mineralized zone extends for 1.8 kilometers.

Furthermore, in December 2025, Apex announced the discovery of mineralized carbonatite at its Lac Le Moyne Project in Québec. These developments represent a continued diversification of the company's portfolio of critical minerals assets.

All attention now turns to the upcoming drill results from Nebraska, which will determine if the high-grade historical findings can be confirmed.