Apex Critical Metals Sets 2026 for Pivotal Drilling Campaign

The year 2026 is poised to be a defining period for Apex Critical Metals, as the company transitions from preparatory work to active exploration. Its primary focus is the inaugural major drilling program at the Rift Rare Earth Project, an asset central to the company's strategy. The core objective is to validate whether historical discoveries from the 1970s meet contemporary standards and can form the foundation for a reliable mineral resource estimate.

Apex has now outlined a definitive operational timeline. The company has expanded the Rift Rare Earth Project area in Nebraska to approximately 3,500 acres. It has completed re-logging and fresh analysis of historical drill cores, secured the necessary state-level exploration permits, and already contracted a drilling services provider for the initial campaign.

This planned Phase I program involves 10 to 15 core drill holes totaling roughly 8,000 meters. The aim is to confirm high-grade intercepts identified in historical drilling from the 1970s and to upgrade that legacy data into a modern, NI 43-101-compliant resource estimate. This step is considered crucial for de-risking the project and establishing a robust geological database.

Initial assay results from Phase I are anticipated during the first and second quarters of 2026. Subject to those findings, a Phase II program is scheduled for the latter half of the year to further expand and infill the already identified mineralization.

Project Merits and Market Implications

The 2026 drilling campaign represents a highly focused and time-bound catalyst for Apex. Success in confirming the grade and continuity of the Rare Earth Elements (REE) mineralization would be a significant market signal. It would bolster the company's positioning within a potentially strategic U.S. supply chain for critical materials, especially those used in permanent magnets.

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A notable advantage of the Rift Project is its location on private land in Nebraska. Coupled with the obtained state-level permits, management views this as presenting a relatively low barrier to commencing drill operations, as more complex federal permitting processes are not currently a primary concern.

Share Performance and Volatility

Market anticipation ahead of the drilling results is reflected in the stock's pronounced volatility. While the share price has appreciated significantly year-to-date, it remains notably below its recent 52-week high. This suggests the market is pricing in potential while still accounting for the project's operational risks.

The stock currently trades at 2.06 euros. This places it approximately 30% below its 52-week peak but multiples above its low over the past twelve months. An annualized 30-day volatility exceeding 100% underscores how strongly expectations for upcoming news are influencing the share price.

Upcoming Operational Milestones

The company's immediate focus is on mobilizing the drill crew and launching the Phase I campaign. For investors, three key milestones in the coming year are critical:

• Commencement of Phase I drilling in the first half of 2026
• Release of initial assay results from the drill cores during Q1 and Q2 2026
• Completion of an NI 43-101-compliant technical report following the program's conclusion

The technical report, in particular, is expected to play a key role. It is designed to refine the project's geological model and provide a formalized resource calculation, enabling a more substantiated market valuation. The evolving perception of Apex throughout the year will depend directly on whether the drilling campaign meets expectations for both grade and continuity of the mineralization.