Nebraska Drill Results Put Apex Critical Metals’ NdPr Ratios in a League of Their Own

Junior explorer Apex Critical Metals reports NdPr-enriched rare earth intercepts at Nebraska's Rift project, with ratios exceeding 39% vs. MP Materials' 16.4% benchmark.

A junior explorer has turned up rare earth grades in Nebraska that outshine the benchmark set by North America’s only operating mine. Apex Critical Metals has released final assay data from its third hole at the Rift project, and the numbers are drawing attention for one critical metric: the proportion of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) within the total rare earth oxide (REO) content.

The company’s drill hole RIFT26-003, which reached a total depth of 871.8 metres, has confirmed a two-tier mineralisation system. Near the surface sits a high-grade REO zone, while a deeper, NdPr-enriched horizon — dubbed the Neo Zone — extends from roughly 390 metres down to the bottom of the hole. The geological model now shows two distinct horizons stacked vertically, with the mineralised footprint spanning at least 120 metres of strike length.

The Neo Zone delivered several standout intercepts. A 17.2-metre section graded 0.89% REO with an NdPr ratio of 39.4%. A separate 22.7-metre interval returned 0.79% REO at 32.8% NdPr, while 13.5 metres assayed 1.08% REO with 31.7% NdPr. The enrichment persists across the entire lower 390 metres of the borehole.

Those NdPr proportions are what make the discovery noteworthy. Carbonatite-hosted rare earth deposits globally typically yield NdPr ratios of 14% to 20%. MP Materials’ Mountain Pass mine in California — the sole active rare earth operation in North America — operates at 16.4%. The Neo Zone consistently runs at more than double that level. NdPr is the most economically valuable component of most rare earth deposits, essential for the high-strength permanent magnets used in electric vehicles and wind turbines.

The upper portion of the same hole had already delivered impressive numbers. RIFT26-003 cut 80.0 metres at 2.29% REO, including a 23.7-metre interval at 4.02% REO. Two strong zones in a single drill hole underscore the project’s potential.

The Neo Zone has now been intersected in two holes — RIFT26-002 and RIFT26-003 — drilled roughly 120 metres apart on identical orientations, suggesting lateral continuity. The system remains open in all directions.

Apex has completed 14 holes totalling approximately 8,849 metres to date. Assay results for 12 holes, representing 7,038 metres of drilling, are still pending. The bulk of Phase I data has yet to be released, leaving significant news flow ahead.

The company’s strategic positioning is also advancing. Apex is scheduled to attend the Critical Materials Conference: Aerospace & Defence 2026 in Washington on May 19-20, appearing alongside heavyweights including MP Materials, Rio Tinto, Glencore, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The event offers access to institutional and strategic partners.

The stock traded at €1.31, having more than tripled from its 12-month low. The year-to-date gain stands at roughly 126% to 128%. Management has outlined plans for the second half of 2026, including a NI 43-101 technical report, an updated 3D model, Phase II drilling and an initial resource estimate. With two confirmed, laterally continuous horizons, the geological foundation for those milestones is considerably stronger than it was just a few months ago.