Apex Critical Metals: Discovery of Rare Rock System Alters Investment Thesis

Apex Critical Metals CA03753D1042

Apex Critical Metals has announced a geological discovery with the potential to significantly reshape the profile of this small-cap explorer. At its Lac-Le-Moyne project in Quebec, the company has confirmed the presence of a new carbonatite system—a rare rock type frequently associated with niobium and rare earth element (REE) mineralization. This development raises a pivotal question for investors: can this initial find be advanced into an economically viable deposit?

The news has injected fresh momentum into the stock following a weaker trading period. Shares gained ground to €1.25, recovering a portion of the losses seen over the previous 30 days, though the price remains notably below its October peak. Investors are now focusing on the reduced geological risk at Lac-Le-Moyne. The confirmation of a carbonatite-hosted system elevates the project's standing, given that fewer than 600 such systems are known globally and they are primary sources for critical metals.

In a direct response to the findings, management has moved to substantially expand its land position. Apex has staked an additional 77 exploration claims, covering approximately 3,609 hectares. These new claims are situated on the eastern flank of the existing project area, targeting the inferred "up-ice" source of the mineralized boulders—the zone from which glacial ice originally transported the material. This strategic expansion secures what the company views as the most prospective corridor and lays the groundwork for the 2026 field season, which will focus on investigating geophysical anomalies aligned with the identified niobium trend.

High-Grade Sampling Validates Exploration Model

The catalyst for the renewed market interest is data from a July 2025 sampling program, the results of which were released today. This campaign represents the first effort at Lac-Le-Moyne specifically targeted at carbonatites within the northern Nunavik region of Canada.

A total of 151 rock samples were collected. The results highlighted three key commodity groups:

• Niobium: Four boulder grab samples returned grades exceeding 0.20% Nb₂O₅, with a peak value of 0.40%.
• Rare Earth Elements: Thirteen samples assayed over 0.25% total rare earth oxide (REO), reaching a maximum of 0.50% REO.
• Phosphate: Seven samples contained over 5.0% P₂O₅, with the highest grade reported at 10.36%.

These results do more than confirm the carbonatite system; they also point to a multi-phase intrusive complex. This geological interpretation is significant as it supports existing model assumptions, lowers perceived exploration risk, and makes systematic follow-up work more compelling.

Portfolio Context and Next Steps

The update from Quebec follows closely on a December 8th operational review from Apex's Rift Rare Earth Project in the United States, where the company is re-logging and sampling historical drill core to establish a modern analytical database. Together with the Cap project in British Columbia, this forms a diversified portfolio spanning multiple jurisdictions and deposit types.

Nevertheless, the immediate driver for the current share price movement is unequivocally the discovery of the carbonatite system at Lac-Le-Moyne. The company's focus now shifts to defining specific drill targets on the newly acquired ground. The establishment of drilling programs and a timetable for the 2026 field season will be the next milestones to watch, indicating whether today's geological discovery can mature into a robust resource project.