Pan American Energy 2026 Winter Drill Program Update

Core Viewpoint - Pan American Energy Corp. is set to initiate a winter 2026 diamond drilling program at its Tharsis Project in the Northwest Territories, Canada, aimed at validating high-priority targets for rare earth elements, niobium, and yttrium [1][2][8] Group 1: Drilling Program Details - The upcoming drill program will be the first to directly test subsurface targets at Tharsis, focusing on high-priority areas interpreted as potential carbonatite bodies [2][4] - The program is scheduled for March-April 2026 and will involve approximately 1,500 meters of diamond drilling across up to seven drillholes from three drill pads on Squalus Lake [4][5] - The primary objective is to confirm the presence of potential carbonatite and related intrusive phases, assessing their thickness, distribution, and geological characteristics [5][6] Group 2: Strategic Importance of Targeted Minerals - Yttrium is included in the U.S. Geological Survey's Critical Minerals List for 2025 and 2026 due to its significance in defense, aerospace, and energy sectors, with supply chains heavily concentrated in China [3] - Niobium is also strategically important for high-strength steels and superalloys, facing similar supply risks that necessitate expanded North American production [3] Group 3: Exploration and Future Planning - The drill program aims to generate high-quality drill core for modern analytical work, which will inform follow-on exploration planning and target refinement [7] - The drilling will be supported by a well-developed magnetic framework, prioritizing the northern intrusive center as a high-confidence initial test of the broader system [6]