Apex Critical Metals Initiates Drilling Campaign at Nebraska Rare Earths Project

The Canadian resource explorer Apex Critical Metals is moving its equipment to site, having received the final green light to commence drilling at its Rift Rare Earth project in Nebraska. The market responded positively to this concrete operational progress, with the company's shares trading on the Tradegate exchange advancing by nearly 6 percent today.

The last administrative hurdle was removed on January 5th with the granting of the exploration permit. In the period leading up to this authorization, Apex had been actively re-logging and sampling historical drill cores. This preparatory work has formed a critical foundation for designing the current, targeted drilling program.

With the permit secured, the company has now formally contracted Boart Longyear as its drilling services provider and confirmed that all preparatory work at the site is complete. This mobilization significantly reduces what market observers term "execution risk," leading investors to position themselves ahead of the physical commencement of drilling.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Apex Critical Metals?

Phase I Program Aims to Verify Historic High-Grades

The initial phase of work, designated Phase I, involves a planned 10 to 15 drill holes totaling approximately 8,000 meters. The campaign is focused on the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex. Its primary objective is to verify historically documented high-grade zones where previous operators reported intercepts including 155.5 meters grading 2.70% total rare earth oxide (TREO).

Apex Critical Metals' strategic focus is on critical materials, namely rare earth elements and niobium, which are seeing structurally rising demand globally. The forthcoming drill results, anticipated in the first half of 2026, will be a key milestone for the project's development.

The company's transition from planning to active drilling marks a significant de-risking event, shifting market attention toward the implementation of its exploration strategy and the eventual assay results from this highly prospective terrain.