Apex Critical Metals Advances Key U.S. Rare Earths Project with Drilling Campaign

Apex Critical Metals CA03753D1042

Shares of Apex Critical Metals are demonstrating notable strength within the resource sector, buoyed by a significant operational update. The explorer is moving its flagship U.S. initiative from planning to action, having secured a specialized contractor for a pivotal drilling program. This concrete step is fueling investor optimism, which now hinges on forthcoming assay results from the field.

The company is progressing with considerable speed on its "Rift Rare Earth Project" located in Nebraska. Apex announced on January 12 that it has contracted Boart Longyear to execute the upcoming drill campaign. This partnership selection is strategic, leveraging the contractor's prior experience at the neighboring Elk Creek project operated by NioCorp, thereby providing valuable local geological knowledge.

All necessary permits for the work are already in hand, allowing the team to focus on final logistical preparations. The mobilization of equipment is currently underway, with CEO Sean Charland confirming the objective to commence drilling before the end of January 2026. The planned program encompasses approximately 8,000 meters of drilling across 10 to 15 holes.

Geological History Informs Current Targets

Management confidence is underpinned by historical exploration data. The project area, situated within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex, has been examined by previous operators including Molycorp and Quantum Rare Earth Developments. Their work indicated the presence of high-grade rare earth element mineralization. The imminent drilling is designed to verify these historical findings and to potentially expand the known resource potential of the deposit.

Share Performance and Project Portfolio

This operational progress correlates with a powerful performance in Apex's share price. The equity has shown remarkable relative strength, appreciating roughly 235% over a twelve-month period and gaining approximately 62% since the start of the current calendar year.

The company's strategy involves a dual-project focus that contributes to this investor interest. Alongside the Nebraska rare earths venture, Apex is advancing its "Cap Project" in British Columbia, Canada. At that site, significant niobium resources were confirmed last year, providing a complementary critical metals asset.

All Eyes on the Drill Rig

The investment narrative is now squarely focused on execution. The forthcoming months will be decisive, as the results from the drill core in Nebraska will determine if the subsurface geology meets the high expectations set by historical data and current market sentiment. For stakeholders, the transition from corporate planning to tangible field results represents a critical inflection point.