Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:NOB, FRANKFURT: NB7, OTCQB:NLPXF) has announced the next phase of its 2026 summer exploration season, with surface exploration programs planned on its Chapiteau Rare Earth Property in Labrador and the Mehmet Rare Earth Property in Quebec. The programs, requiring helicopter support, are scheduled for the last week of June and the first week of July, with Canadian Helicopters out of Goose Bay, Labrador providing support.
The Chapiteau Rare Earth Property, a recently acquired rare earth element (REE) exploration property in western Labrador, consists of 25 map-staked units in one group and 18 map-staked units about 15 km east. It lies in one of Canada's most prospective rare earth districts, approximately 100 km south of the Strange Lake REE deposits and 38 km northeast of the Crater Lake Scandium-REE resource. The property covers part of a large REE-enriched alkaline intrusive system first explored by Midland Exploration during 2010-2011. Midland completed a regional airborne magnetic and radiometric survey totaling more than 3,100 line-km and identified numerous REE targets associated with a large magnetic alkaline granite complex approximately 9 km in diameter. Regional sampling produced exceptionally strong results, including grab samples containing up to 8.34% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO), heavy rare earth enrichment ranging from 2.29% to 12.85% HREO within mineralized samples, and high values of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, praseodymium, yttrium, dysprosium, and gadolinium oxides. Within the ground now held by Noble, Midland identified six grab samples exceeding 0.5% TREO, ranging from 1.4% to 3.02% TREO.
Only one known drill hole, Y3-11-04, was completed on the property. The hole tested the CP North showing and intersected coarse-grained alkaline granite with disseminated iron oxides and amphiboles. Although grades were modest, the entire hole returned anomalous REE values averaging approximately 0.14% TREO + Y2O3, demonstrating a large mineralized system rather than isolated surface occurrences. Intervals included 0.13% TREO + Y2O3 over 7.5 m, 0.14% TREO + Y2O3 over 12.0 m, and 0.16% TREO + Y2O3 over 7.5 m. Chapiteau is considered one of the more compelling early-stage REE acquisitions because it combines high-grade surface geochemistry, favorable alkaline intrusive geology, and proximity to established critical-mineral projects such as Strange Lake and Crater Lake.
The Mehmet Rare Earth Property, located in North-Eastern Quebec, is an early-stage rare metals and rare earth occurrence. According to Quebec's SIGÉOM mineral occurrence database, the property is classified as a hyperalkaline rare-metals showing, a type of geological environment that can host rare earth elements, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, uranium, and other critical minerals commonly associated with alkaline intrusive complexes and carbonatites. One sample was found to contain a total of 2157.1 ppm rare earth elements including 550 ppm Neodymium, 623 ppm Lanthanum, 483 ppm Fluorine, and 1027.3 ppm Cerium.
These systems are attractive because they can contain large-tonnage critical mineral deposits that are essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, permanent magnets, and advanced defense technologies. H Vance White, President & CEO, stated, "we are pleased to get this program underway in order to determine the expected follow up programs later this summer and early fall."
The announcement is significant as it underscores the growing global demand for rare earth elements, which are critical for clean energy technologies and national security. With supply chains heavily reliant on China, projects like these are vital for diversifying sources and ensuring stable access to these strategic minerals. The exploration results could have substantial implications for the industry and the economies of Labrador and Quebec.
Wayne Holmstead, Quebec P.Geo. #10434, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release and reviewed the technical information on behalf of Noble.
