Vancouver, British Columbia, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its Phase 1 soil-gas radon survey completed by RadonEx on the Company’s Blanchette and Bardy properties in Québec, located approximately 40 km northwest of the Municipality of La Tuque. Preliminary results are positive, with multiple anomalous zones (“radon hot spots”) observed tha ...

Vancouver, British Columbia, Jan. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on its Phase 1 soil-gas radon survey completed by RadonEx on the Company’s Blanchette and Bardy properties in Québec, located approximately 40 km northwest of the Municipality of La Tuque. Preliminary results are positive, with multiple anomalous zones (“radon hot spots”) observed tha ...

Magnum Mining and Exploration has released an update on its ongoing rare earth exploration work in Brazil, confirming that drilling has restarted at the prospective Palmares and Azimuth projects. The latest operational news highlights efforts to speed up both drilling and sample processing at the two sites, following a planned shutdown over the Brazilian Recesso period. At Palmares, the company has completed 15 reverse circulation (RC) drill-holes totalling 225m across the high-grade, near-surface Feiri ...

Core Viewpoint - Apex Critical Metals Corp. has received approval for its mineral exploration permit at the Rift Rare Earth Project, marking a significant step towards initiating its drilling campaign in Nebraska, USA [1][2]. Company Developments - The company is actively expanding its property position and has completed historical re-logging, re-assaying, and 3D modeling in preparation for the drilling campaign [2]. - The Rift Project now encompasses approximately 3,500 acres within the Elk Creek Carbonatite Complex, an area with extensive historical drilling results from previous operators [2][7]. - Historical drilling results include significant intervals of high-grade rare earth oxide (REO) mineralization, such as 155.5 meters at 2.70% REO and 68.2 meters at 3.32% REO [6][7]. Drilling Program Preparations - With the drill permit secured, Apex has commenced pre-drilling activities, with drilling expected to start in the first half of Q1/2026 [3]. - Preparations include finalizing discussions with contractors, securing drill mobilization schedules, establishing access routes, and refining targets based on historical data [6]. Strategic Positioning - Apex Critical Metals is focused on advancing rare earth element and niobium projects to meet the growing demand for critical and strategic metals in North America [7][9]. - The company is also advancing its 100%-owned Cap Project in British Columbia, which has shown significant niobium discovery potential [8].

Core Insights - Powermax Minerals Inc. has successfully completed its 2025 field exploration program at the Atikokan Rare Earth Elements (REE) Property in northwestern Ontario, which included geological mapping, prospecting, radiometric surveys, and systematic geochemical sampling [1][2]. Exploration Program Overview - The exploration program involved the collection of 426 samples, including quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) samples [2]. - The sampling included 251 soil samples, 10 sediment samples, and 165 rock samples [10]. Geological Mapping Results - Geological mapping identified three principal lithological domains: Block A (granodiorite to granite), Block B (gneissic tonalite), and Block C (dominantly gneissic tonalite) [3][4]. - Granitic and pegmatitic rocks are considered favorable for REE mineralization due to their association with late-stage magmatic systems [3]. Radiometric Survey Findings - Radiometric surveys indicated background levels in gneissic tonalite ranged from approximately 60 to 80 counts per second (cps), while granitic and pegmatitic units showed higher responses from 100 to 2,700 cps [11]. - Elevated cps values, particularly above 200-300 cps, are considered anomalous and warrant further geological and geochemical follow-up [11]. Airborne Geophysical Survey - A high-resolution helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric survey has been completed, with the final interpretation report pending [6]. - The integration of this data with geological mapping and sampling results will help refine exploration targeting [6]. Exploration Implications - The combination of favorable host rocks, elevated radiometric responses, and structural complexity suggests that the Atikokan Property has geological characteristics associated with REE-prospective systems [7]. Management Commentary - The CEO of Powermax Minerals highlighted the completion of the field program as a significant milestone, generating a robust technical dataset for evaluating the property's REE potential [14].

Core Insights - Canamera Energy Metals has completed approximately one-third of its planned drilling in the Turvolandia rare earths project in Brazil, which is a significant milestone for the company [1][5] - The drill program aims to evaluate the thickness and continuity of rare earth element mineralization across three target zones [2][5] Group 1: Project Details - The Turvolandia drill program includes around 1,000 meters of drilling, with 48–54 vertical auger drill-holes planned to depths of 20–25 meters [1][2] - The project is located in southern Minas Gerais, directly east of the Poços de Caldas alkaline complex, which is a 30 km² intrusive system [2][3] - Canamera has an option to acquire 100% ownership of the Turvolândia and São Sepé rare earth ionic clay projects through staged cash and share payments [3][4] Group 2: Financial and Operational Aspects - If the acquisition option is exercised, the vendors will retain a 1% net smelter returns royalty on production, with the possibility for Canamera to buy back half for $500,000 [4] - Additional cash payments will be required upon achieving specific technical milestones, including the release of a mineral resource estimate and a feasibility study [4] Group 3: Strategic Importance - The CEO of Canamera highlighted the geopolitical significance of Brazil as a secure source for rare earth elements amid global supply chain pressures [5]

Core Insights - Belmont Resources Inc. has announced the completion of a relogging and resampling program by Axiom Exploration Group Ltd. on drill core from the historic 2008 Crackingstone drill campaign at the Crackingstone Uranium Project [1][2] Summary by Sections Project Overview - The Crackingstone Uranium Project is 100% owned by Belmont and is located near Uranium City in northern Saskatchewan [1] - A total of 3,029.4 meters of drill core from twenty historical drill holes has been preserved and is in good condition for re-examination [2] Advancements and Objectives - Significant advancements in geological understanding and analytical methods for uranium and rare earth element (REE) mineralization have occurred since the original 2008 program [4] - The relogging program aims to modernize the understanding of the uranium system, utilizing techniques such as portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and visible-near infrared spectroscopy (VNIR) [5][6] - The program will generate comprehensive geochemical datasets to better characterize uranium mineralization and evaluate potential REE mineralization within thorium-rich pegmatites [6] Future Plans - The results from the relogging program will support refined geological modeling and future drill-target planning, with a focus on defining strong drill targets for 2026 [5][6] - Drill samples have been sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon for analysis, and Belmont will provide updates once results are finalized [7][8] Company Background - Belmont Resources is a Canadian resource company with a diversified portfolio of discovery-stage assets, including projects in uranium, copper-gold, lithium, and gold [11]

Core Insights - North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. has completed its Phase 1 Fall 2025 prospecting program across four properties in Québec, focusing on verifying historical results and identifying new mineralized trends [1][2][12] Group 1: Program Overview - The 2025 program involved fieldwork from October 13 to November 5, 2025, with a total of 262 grab and channel samples collected, including 94.5 meters of channel sampling on the Seigneurie property [1][2][5] - The Seigneurie property was extended to include a historical REE-anomalous carbonatite subcrop identified by the Québec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in 2015 [2][6] Group 2: Geological Findings - Carbonatite boulders and pegmatite zones were identified across the properties, with significant geological diversity observed, including pegmatites, carbonatites, mafic intrusives, volcanics, metasedimentary units, and gneiss [6][10] - Two carbonatite areas were confirmed: one on the Blanchette property, a newly discovered location, and another on the Seigneurie property, which supports the presence of REE-anomalous carbonatite [7][9] Group 3: Future Outlook - The CEO of North American Niobium expressed optimism regarding the potential of the properties for critical minerals, anticipating assay results that will refine the exploration model for future work [12]

Core Insights - Powermax Minerals Inc. has successfully completed its Phase 2 exploration field program at the Cameron Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in British Columbia, following positive results from Phase 1 that confirmed the presence of rare earth mineralization [1][9]. Phase 2 Fieldwork Summary - The Phase 2 program involved geological mapping, systematic rock sampling, and extensive geochemical surveys, with a total of 100 soil samples, 100 stream sediment samples, and 29 rock samples collected for analysis [2][8]. - Analytical work is being conducted by Agat Laboratories in Calgary, Alberta, which is ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accredited, ensuring quality assurance and control protocols during sample preparation and analysis [8]. - The data from this program will be integrated with previous geological and geophysical results to refine the geochemical model and identify new priority drill targets for future exploration [8]. CEO's Comment - The CEO of Powermax Minerals Inc., Paul Gorman, emphasized that the completion of Phase 2 fieldwork is a significant milestone for the Cameron Project, providing a comprehensive dataset to evaluate rare earth element distribution patterns across the property [9]. About the Cameron REE Project - The Cameron REE Project spans approximately 2,984 hectares in the Kamloops Mining Division, British Columbia, and is located within the Monashee Group, known for hosting REE-bearing pegmatites and carbonatite zones [10]. - Rare earth mineralization in the area is associated with shear zones and structurally controlled pegmatitic intrusions enriched in both light and heavy rare earth elements [10]. About Powermax Minerals Inc. - Powermax Minerals Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element projects, holding options to acquire multiple properties, including the Cameron REE Property and the Atikokan REE Property in Ontario [12].

Core Insights - Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) is an emerging miner, refiner, and recycler of sustainable and traceable magnet and heavy rare earths essential for net-zero carbon technologies [5][6] - The company will present at the Australian Rare Earths & Critical Minerals Virtual Investor event on November 19, 2025, allowing real-time investor engagement [1][2] Company Highlights - Ionic Technologies International Limited, a wholly-owned UK subsidiary, focuses on the separation and recovery of rare earth elements from mining ore concentrates and recycled permanent magnets, aiming for over 99.5% rare earth oxide purity [6] - The Makuutu Rare Earths Project in Uganda, 60% owned by IonicRE, is positioned to be a sustainable supplier of high-value magnet and heavy rare earth oxides [7] - A joint venture with Viridis Mining and Minerals Limited in Brazil aims to establish a refinery and magnet recycling facility to enhance the supply chain for rare earths [7][10] Strategic Initiatives - The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with US Strategic Metals to develop magnet recycling in Missouri, supporting US production of magnet rare earth oxides [10] - IonicRE is advancing magnet recycling initiatives in the UK in collaboration with major automotive companies as part of the UK Government-backed 'CirculaREEconomy' supply chain initiative [10] - The Brazilian joint venture has received government funding to progress the establishment of a downstream rare earth supply chain [10]