Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V:NOB, FRANKFURT: NB7, OTCQB:NLPXF) announced the completion of Phase 1 of its 2026 summer exploration program on its Chapiteau Rare Earth Property in Labrador and the Mehmet Rare Earth Property in Quebec. The program, which required helicopter support, was conducted during the last week of June and the first week of July, with Canadian Helicopters out of Goose Bay, Labrador providing support.
A total of 69 samples have been sent to Activation Labs in Ancaster, Ontario for analysis of gold, platinum, palladium, and multiple elements including rare earth elements. Results are expected around mid-August, after which follow-up exploration will be planned. Additionally, Noble has applied to the Ontario Junior Exploration Program for diamond drilling on the Lucas Property near Timmins, Ontario, though access via water-soaked ground will delay the program until freeze-up.
The Chapiteau Rare Earth Property, located in western Labrador, consists of 25 map-staked units in one group and 18 units about 15 km east. It lies in a highly prospective rare earth district, 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's regional airborne survey identified numerous REE targets associated with a 9 km diameter alkaline granite complex. Grab samples returned up to 8.34% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO), with heavy rare earth enrichment ranging from 2.29% to 12.85% HREO. Within Noble's ground, six grab samples exceeded 0.5% TREO, ranging from 1.4% to 3.02% TREO. The only known drill hole on the property, Y3-11-04, intersected anomalous REE values averaging approximately 0.14% TREO + Y2O3 over its entire length, demonstrating a large mineralized system.
The Mehmet Rare Earth Property in northeastern Quebec is classified as a hyperalkaline rare-metals showing, hosting rare earth elements, niobium, zirconium, tantalum, uranium, and other critical minerals. One government sample contained 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 for large-tonnage critical mineral deposits essential for electric vehicles, wind turbines, permanent magnets, and 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 the summer and early fall." Wayne Holmstead, a qualified person under NI 43-101, has verified the data and approved the technical information in this release.
