Mr. Sean Charland reports

APEX CRITICAL METALS ACCEPTED INTO U.S. DEFENSE INDUSTRIAL BASE CONSORTIUM (DIBC)

Apex Critical Metals Corp. has been accepted into the U.S. Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), a U.S. Department of Defense-supported initiative focused on accelerating collaboration between industry, academia and government to advance technologies and supply chains critical to U.S. national security.

The DIBC supports the development and security of strategic and critical material supply chains, including rare earth elements (REEs), niobium and other materials essential to advanced manufacturing, aerospace systems, energy transition technologies, and defence applications.

Apex's portfolio of North American critical mineral projects -- including the company's U.S.-based Rift rare earth project in Nebraska and its Cap project in British Columbia -- are aligned with U.S. and allied government priorities focused on securing domestic and allied sources of critical minerals used in permanent magnets, advanced alloys, superconducting technologies and defence systems.

As a member of the DIBC, Apex joins a network of traditional and non-traditional defence contractors, technology developers, research institutions and federal agencies working to accelerate innovation and strengthen supply chain resilience. Membership provides opportunities to participate in federally sponsored initiatives and collaborative programs related to critical mineral exploration, processing and downstream supply chain development.

"Apex's acceptance into the DIBC reflects the growing strategic importance of secure North American supply chains for rare earth elements and other critical minerals," said Sean Charland, president and chief executive officer of Apex Critical Metals. "With increasing global focus on defence readiness, advanced manufacturing and electrification, we believe Apex is well positioned to support U.S. and allied supply chain security initiatives through the advancement of our critical mineral projects."

About Apex Critical Metals Corp.

Apex Critical Metals is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing rare earth element (REE) and niobium projects that support the growing demand for critical and strategic metals across the United States and Canada. The company's flagship Rift project, located within the highly prospective Elk Creek carbonatite complex in Nebraska, United States, hosts extensive rare earth rights surrounding one of North America's most advanced niobium/REE deposits. Historical drilling across the complex has reported broad intervals of high-grade REE mineralization, including intercepts such as 155.5 metres of 2.70 per cent REO (rare earth oxide) and 68.2 m of 3.32 per cent REO.

In Canada, Apex continues to advance its 100-per-cent-owned Cap project, located 85 kilometres northeast of Prince George, B.C. The 2025 drill program confirmed a significant niobium discovery with 0.59 per cent Nb2O5 (niobium pentoxide) over 36 metres, including 1.08 per cent Nb2O5 over 10 metres, within a 1.8-kilometre-long niobium trend. The Cap project continues to demonstrate strong potential for niobium mineralization within a large and previously unrecognized carbonatite system.

With a growing portfolio of critical mineral projects in both Canada and the United States, Apex Critical Metals is strategically positioned to help strengthen domestic supply chains for the minerals essential to advanced technologies, clean energy and national security. Apex is publicly listed in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol APXC and quoted on the OTCQX market in the United States under the symbol APXCF and in Germany on the Borse Frankfurt under the symbol KL9 and/or WKN: A40CCQ.

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