Apex Critical Metals Enters Pivotal Exploration Phase with Nebraska Drilling

Apex Critical Metals CA03753D1042

The investment thesis for Apex Critical Metals is reaching a critical juncture, marked by two simultaneous and significant developments. The company is mobilizing for its inaugural drill program at the Rift Rare Earth project in Nebraska, USA. In a strong vote of confidence just prior to this operational milestone, a key institutional investor has substantially increased its stake.

All operational focus is now on Nebraska, where Apex has secured Boart Longyear as its drilling contractor. The selection is strategic; the contractor brings valuable prior experience from working on the adjacent Elk Creek project operated by NioCorp, providing familiarity with the regional geology and infrastructure.

The planned program is substantial in scale:
* Total Metrage: Approximately 8,000 meters
* Number of Holes: Between 10 and 15
* Equipment: LF160 diamond drill rigs
* Target Start: Before the end of January 2026
* Land Package: Roughly 3,500 acres within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex

This transition from planning to active field work is a major corporate step. With permits secured and a contractor mobilized, the company has significantly reduced near-term execution risk.

Institutional Investor Bolsters Position Ahead of News Flow

The timing of a major share purchase by Zimtu Capital has captured market attention. On January 14, 2026, the investor exercised warrants priced at US$0.06667 per share to acquire 2.4 million new shares. This transaction elevates Zimtu's total holding to approximately 7.95 million shares, representing a 10.87% stake in the company's outstanding capital.

The purchase occurred mere days before the scheduled launch of drilling in Nebraska. Market observers interpret the decision not to immediately sell shares into a stronger market as a clear signal of confidence in Apex's impending operational progress.

Key Transaction Details:
* Warrant Exercise Price: US$0.06667 per share
* New Shares Acquired: 2.4 million
* Zimtu's Revised Holding: ~7.95 million shares
* Resulting Ownership: 10.87%
* Regulatory Trigger: An early-warning report was filed.

Historical Data Sets a High Bar for Upcoming Results

The Rift project is not a greenfield exploration play. The area has a documented history of exploration activity by previous operators, including Molycorp (1973-1986) and later Quantum Rare Earth Developments (2010-2011). Historical drill results from this work point to significant rare earth mineralization, setting a tangible benchmark for Apex's new campaign.

Notable historical intercepts include:
* Hole EC-93: 155.5 meters grading 2.70% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO), including a higher-grade zone of 54.9 meters at 3.30% TREO.
* Hole NEC11-004: 236.19 meters grading 2.10% TREO, including 68.2 meters at 3.32% TREO.

The primary objective of the new drilling is to verify and potentially extend these historical findings. Success would provide the foundational data required for an initial mineral resource estimate.

Dual-Project Strategy Provides Portfolio Diversification

Apex's strategy extends beyond a single asset. The company maintains a second key project in British Columbia, Canada, known as the Cap project. Results from a 2025 drilling program there confirmed a niobium discovery, reporting an intercept of 0.59% Nb₂O₅ over 36 meters. This included a higher-grade section of 1.08% Nb₂O₅ over 10 meters within a broader trend extending approximately 1.8 kilometers.

This two-pronged approach—focusing on rare earth elements in the United States and niobium in Canada—broadens the company's project pipeline. Analysts view it as a form of risk diversification within the broader critical metals sector.

Financial Position and Share Performance

Apex enters this capital-intensive drilling phase from a position of financial strength. The company completed a private placement raising C$10 million in October 2025. As of early 2026, its treasury held approximately C$14.76 million, supporting 78.5 million shares outstanding and a market capitalization near C$283 million.

The equity has demonstrated considerable strength, posting gains of approximately 66% over the past 30 days, a similar advance year-to-date, and an increase exceeding 250% over the past twelve months. The share price is currently consolidating around €2.26, trading well above its 200-day average but still notably below its 52-week high of €3.00. High volatility, with a 30-day measure above 100%, underscores the stock's sensitivity to news and market sentiment.

Defined Catalysts on the Horizon

The near-term catalysts for the stock are clearly identifiable. Initial assay results from the Nebraska drill program are anticipated in the first or second quarter of 2026. These results are pivotal for validating the project's historical data and determining the potential for a maiden resource.

Concurrently, Apex is pursuing a NASDAQ listing to broaden its access to U.S. institutional and retail investors. The combination of ongoing drilling news, a solid balance sheet, and potential uplisting will likely be the dominant factors shaping market perception and valuation in the coming months.