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Gold/Mining/Energy : Rare Earth Elements and Exotic Metals

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To: LoneClone who wrote (24687)12/2/2025 1:53:50 PM
From: LoneClone  Read Replies (1) of 24772
 
[REE] Verde AgriTech Drilling Confirms From-Surface, High-Grade, Clay hosted Rare Earth Mineralization, Open for Expansion in Minas Gerais, Brazil

ca.finance.yahoo.com

Verde AgriTech Ltd
Tue, December 2, 2025 at 5:27 a.m. PST 18 min read
  • All initial drill holes intersect continuous rare earth mineralization in weathered clays from surface and were still in mineralization at end of hole

  • Best intercept: 14.2 metres from surface averaging 6,858 ppm TREO and 1,673 ppm MREO, including 6.0 metres at 8,013 ppm TREO and 1,941 ppm MREO in hole MAV_AD 002

  • High dysprosium content, with Dy2O3 up to 86 ppm in the best drill intercepts, strengthening the Project’s magnet rare earth profile

  • Drill results confirm depth continuity of high-grade mineralization below PT-34 trench and materially increase confidence in expanding the broader mineralized footprint

  • 200-hole drill program underway to support a maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate targeted for Q1 2026



BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil, Dec. 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Verde AgriTech Ltd. (TSX: NPK | OTCQX: VNPKF) ("Verde” or the “Company”) is pleased to report assay results from the first three drill holes of its ongoing resource definition program at the Minas Americas Global Alliance rare earths project (the “Project”) in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

All three holes intersected continuous, clay-hosted rare earth mineralization from surface, confirming the presence of high-grade mineralized horizons and supporting the potential for significant expansion of the mineralized footprint (see news release dated October 21, 2025).

The current drill campaign, utilizing three rigs, commenced in October 2025 and is designed to test near-surface clay-hosted rare earth oxide (“REO”) mineralization. Key objectives are to:



  1. Extend mineralized zones identified in surface trenching through systematic step-out and infill drilling around trench samples PT-34, PT-36, PT-42 and other high-priority surface anomalies;

  2. Test additional targets along interpreted mineralized trends; and

  3. Provide sufficient drill density in priority zones to support an initial NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate (“MRE”) targeted for Q1 2026.

Exploration Highlights

  • Continuous rare earth mineralization from surface in all three initial holes, hosted in highly weathered clay horizons typical of ionic adsorption clay (“IAC”) style deposits.

  • High-grade total rare earth oxides (“TREO”) and magnetic rare earth oxides (“MREO”) from shallow depths, including:

    • MAV_AD 002

      • 14.2 m from surface averaging 6,858 ppm TREO and 1,673 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 1,248 ppm, Pr6O11 370 ppm, Dy2O3 45 ppm and Tb4O7 10 ppm;

      • Including 6.0 m (4.0–10.0 m) at 8,013 ppm TREO and 1,941 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 1,241 ppm, Pr6O11 355 ppm, Dy2O3 53 ppm and Tb4O7 10 ppm.

    • MAV_AD 001 (approximately 10 m from trench PT-34)

      • 8.7 m from surface averaging 5,776 ppm TREO and 1,388 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 1,042 ppm, Pr6O11 305 ppm, Dy2O3 34 ppm and Tb4O7 8 ppm;

      • Including 5.0 m (0.0–5.0 m) at 6,620 ppm TREO and 1,610 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 1,206 ppm, Pr6O11 355 ppm, Dy2O3 39 ppm and Tb4O7 9 ppm.

    • MAV_AD 003

      • 12.2 m from surface averaging 2,563 ppm TREO and 484 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 358 ppm, Pr6O11 106 ppm, Dy2O3 17 ppm and Tb4O7 4 ppm;

      • Including 6.2 m (6.0–12.2 m) at 4,543 ppm TREO and 877 ppm MREO, with Nd2O3 650 ppm, Pr6O11 190 ppm, Dy2O3 30 ppm and Tb4O7 6 ppm.

  • The location of these first three holes, relative to previously reported PT-34 trench results, materially increases confidence in the continuity and expansion potential of the mineralized footprint.

  • The initial drill program is planned for approximately 200 drill holes by the end of February 2026, with the objective of defining a maiden MRE.

  • All holes reported in this release intersected weathered, rare earth-enriched clay horizons consistent with IAC-style deposits.


“Our initial results from shallow drilling at the Minas Americas Global Alliance project validate our belief in the scale and quality of this rare earth discovery,” said Cristiano Veloso, Verde’s Founder and CEO. “All initial holes intersected continuous mineralization from surface, with strong contributions from high-value magnet rare earths—neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. Combined with the excellent desorbable rare earth response previously reported, these results materially increase our confidence in expanding the mineralized footprint and rapidly advancing towards a maiden mineral resource estimate in Q1 2026.

“Verde is uniquely positioned to advance this project in parallel with our core sustainable fertilizer business. We have existing infrastructure, teams, and capital in the region, and we see a compelling opportunity to contribute to a secure, responsible supply of rare earths needed for the global energy transition,” Mr. Veloso added.

Initial Drill Results

Table 1: Results from initial drilling at Minas Americas Global Alliance exploration program

Assays reported as head grades in parts per million (“ppm”). MREO includes Nd, Pr, Dy and Tb oxides. TREO includes all rare earth oxides. All holes are vertical (90°). Based on current interpretation of a gently undulating mineralized horizon, the reported intervals are interpreted to represent true thickness.

Hole ID

From

To

TREO (ppm)

MREO (ppm)

Nd2O3 (ppm)

Pr6O11 (ppm)

Dy2O3 (ppm)

Tb4O7 (ppm)

MAV_AD_001

0

8.7

5,776

1,388

1,042

305

34

8

including

0

5.0

6,620

1,610

1,206

355

39

9

MAV_AD_002

0

14.2

6,858

1,673

1,248

370

45

10

including

4

10.0

8,013

1,941

1,241

355

53

10

MAV_AD_003

0

12.2

2,563

484

358

106

17

4

including

6

12.2

4,543

877

650

190

30

6




















These results demonstrate continuous mineralization from surface across all three holes, with a strong contribution from high-value magnet rare earths (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb).

Figure 1: Project plan map showing significant intercepts from initial drilling




Figure 1

Figure 2: Cross section showing drill holes results




Figure 2

Initial Drilling Summary

The first three drill holes were completed in the priority PT-34 target area. Key observations include:

  • Consistent clay-hosted mineralization from surface or near surface down-hole in all holes;

  • No significant groundwater issues, enabling efficient drilling and sampling;

  • All holes were drilled vertically (90°); based on the current geological model of a gently undulating mineralized clay horizon, reported intervals are interpreted as true thickness;

  • Samples were collected on 0.7 m to 1.2 m intervals and dispatched to SGS Geosol for major oxides (ICP-OES) and complete rare earth element analysis (ICP-MS).



PT-34 Trench vs. Drilling: Depth Continuity of High-Grade Mineralization

Trench sample PT-34, previously reported (see news release dated October 21, 2025), returned excellent desorbable rare earth oxide (“DREO”) grades with exceptionally low impurities (uranium and thorium at or below detection limits), supporting an IAC-style deposit model.

Vertical hole MAV_AD 001, collared approximately 10 m from PT-34, was designed to test the down-hole continuity of mineralization beneath the trench. Together with MAV_AD 002, the drill results demonstrate strong grade and thickness continuity below PT-34.

Table 2: Comparison of Trench sample PT-34 and hole MAV_AD-002

Parameter

PT-34 Trench (Surface)

MAV_AD-002
(Vertical Auger, 4-10m)

Comments

Average TREO (ppm)

8,615

8,013

Continuity confirmed between surface and depth

Average MREO (ppm)

2,182

1,941

Consistent magnetic REE fraction

Desorbable REO (DREO)

578 mg/kg total, incl. ~240 mg/kg MREO

n/a (head grades reported)

Surface leachability supports IAC style model

Interval length (m)

Surface trench/channel

6.0 m (4–10 m)

Deeper extension of mineralized zone confirmed



The close spatial relationship and similar grade profiles between PT-34 and holes MAV_AD 001 and MAV_AD 002 provide strong support for continuity of mineralization from surface to at least 8–10 m depth, reinforcing the resource expansion potential of this zone.

Metallurgical Program and Ionic Adsorption Clay Confirmation

Verde previously announced that leach tests on Project samples confirmed ionic-adsorption clay behavior with high-value magnet rare earths reporting strongly into solution and almost no contaminants. Using a mild 0.5M ammonium sulfate, 30-minute leach, primary leach solutions returned up to:

  • 667 mg/kg desorbable rare earth oxides (DREO); and

  • ~278 mg/kg desorbable magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO: Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb),

with magnet REEs representing over 40% of dissolved rare earths. Impurities including thorium and uranium were at or below detection limits, and iron/aluminum were minimal, yielding a clean leachate well suited for downstream upgrading.

The strong DREO response at PT-34 (578 mg/kg total DREO, ~240 mg/kg desorbable MREO, low U and Th) provides an encouraging foundation for the next phase of metallurgical work.

A dedicated metallurgical test program is being planned, including:

  • Preparation of composite metallurgical samples from representative drill holes across key clay types and grade ranges;

  • Ammonium salt leach tests and related characterization to evaluate DREO, optimize reagent conditions, and assess potential processing routes appropriate for clay-hosted rare earth deposits; and

  • More sophisticated, multi-stage metallurgical test work to support a preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”).

Results of this metallurgical work will be reported as they become available and are interpreted.

Rare Earths Discovery and Launch of Resource Definition Drilling

In early October 2025, Verde reported the discovery of a continuous, clay-hosted rare earth mineralized zone covering approximately 5,500 hectares across 13 mineral rights, delineated by integrated mapping, geochemistry, geophysics and trench sampling (see news release dated October 6, 2025). Highlight assays included:

  • Up to 8,930 ppm TREO and up to 2,182 ppm MREO; and

  • 75 trench/surface samples averaging 743 ppm MREO (54 of 75 samples = 400 ppm; 22 of 75 samples = 1,000 ppm).

Samples are NdPr-rich (averaging ~19% of TREO, peaking at 24%) with high-grade dysprosium and terbium—attributes aligned with magnet-grade applications in electric vehicles, robotics and wind turbines.

Following this discovery, Verde initiated a three-rig drilling program at the Project (see news release dated October 9, 2025), with the aim of quickly defining the highest-quality resources and determining the fastest viable path to production.

Next Steps

Verde’s ability to advance the Project in an expedited and cost-efficient manner is supported by:

  • People: In-house, multidisciplinary teams experienced in mapping, sampling and drilling, enabling a rapid field-to-decision cadence;

  • Equipment: Company-owned drill rigs, vehicles, field equipment and integrated IT systems for fast data capture;

  • Laboratory: Verde’s laboratory supports sample preparation, scout assays and metallurgical screening in parallel with external labs, shortening cycles and de-risking flowsheet choices;

  • Execution Experience: In the same region, Verde has brought two mines into production and built two large-scale industrial plants that are in operation today;

  • Regional Infrastructure: Roads, bridges and high-voltage power to site have been significantly upgraded by Verde, avoiding years of typical infrastructure lead time.



Key upcoming milestones at the Minas Americas Global Alliance project include:

  • Q1 2026: Publication of a maiden NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate;

  • Q2 2026: Completion and publication of a PEA to demonstrate project economics.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Leonardo Deringer Fraga, Vice-President of Exploration, P.Geo, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

QAQC

Auger drillholes were completed vertically, and reported intervals are interpreted to represent true thickness. Material from auger drillholes was sampled at nominal one-metre intervals, generating sample weights of approximately 5–25 kg per interval. Samples were split using a Jones riffle splitter to produce an analytical sub-sample of approximately 1,000 g, with about 3 kg retained as backup material and the remaining material archived.

Bagged samples were shipped to SGS Geosol (Vespasiano, Minas Gerais, Brazil) for sample preparation and analysis. Rigorous procedures were implemented during sample collection, preparation, and analytical stages to help ensure the reliability and robustness of the results.

All analytical results reported herein have been subjected to internal QA/QC review prior to compilation. This news release presents exploration results only and does not constitute a mineral resource or mineral reserve estimate. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied.

About Verde AgriTech

Verde AgriTech is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture through the innovation of specialty multi-nutrient potassium fertilizers. The Company’s mission is to increase agricultural productivity, enhance soil health and contribute meaningfully to environmental sustainability.

Leveraging its unique position in Brazil, Verde uses proprietary technologies to develop solutions that address the immediate needs of farmers while tackling global challenges such as food security and climate change. Verde’s commitment to carbon capture and the production of eco-friendly fertilizers underscores its vision for a future in which agriculture contributes positively to the health of the planet.

For more information, please visit: www.verde.ag and www.investor.verde.ag.

Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to: the significance of exploration results; the potential for economic extraction of rare earth elements; future exploration and development plans; the outcome of the Board of Directors’ review; potential partnerships, strategic alternatives, or value-maximizing structures; the advancement of the Project; and the expected timing of further updates. Forward-looking information is based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, estimates, projections and interpretations and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

These factors include, without limitation: risks related to exploration-stage projects; the possibility that future exploration results may not support mineral resource or reserve delineation; uncertainties relating to assay and metallurgical results; operational risks inherent in mining; risks associated with maintaining licenses, permits and mineral rights; changes in laws, regulations and government policies; risks related to capital and operating costs; commodity price volatility; financing risks; and other risks described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and other continuous disclosure filings available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws.

This news release reports exploration results which are preliminary in nature and do not represent mineral resources or mineral reserves as defined under NI 43-101. There is no certainty that further exploration will result in the delineation of mineral resources or mineral reserves, or that any development decision will be made. Mineralization identified to date is not necessarily indicative of future results.

For additional information please contact:

Cristiano Veloso, Chief Executive Officer and Founder

Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email: investor@verde.ag

www.verde.ag | www.investor.verde.ag

Appendix
Table 3: Drill hole collar information

Hole ID

Easting (UTM)

Northing
(UTM)

Elevation (m)

Depth
(m, EOH)

Dip

Date
Completed

MAV_AD 001

384,454

7,841,206

1,044

8.70

90°

Nov 15, 2025

MAV_AD 002

383,282

7,841,027

1,149

14.20

90°

Nov 20, 2025

MAV_AD 003

384,092

7,840,847

1,172

12.20

90°

Nov 25, 2025


*EOH = end of hole. Coordinates are reported in SIRGAS 2000/UTM ZONE 23S

Table 4: Full drilling results for holes MAV_AD_0001, MAV_AD_0002 and MAV_AD_0003

Hole ID

From

To

Length

UTMN

UTME

CeO2

Dy2O3

Er2O3

Eu2O3

Gd2O3

Ho2O3

La2O3

Lu2O3

Nd2O3

Pr6O11

Sm2O3

Tb4O7

Tm2O3

Y2O3

Yb2O3

TREO

MREO

%NdPr

MAV_AD_0001

0.0

1.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2968

34

9

33

77

4

1331

1

1039

299

139

8

1

104

5

6051

1380

22

%

MAV_AD_0001

1.0

2.0

1.0

384454

7841206

3857

49

13

51

117

6

2042

1

1617

490

210

12

1

152

6

8623

2167

24

%

MAV_AD_0001

2.0

3.0

1.0

384454

7841206

3132

44

13

42

101

6

1663

1

1299

394

172

10

1

170

7

7054

1747

24

%

MAV_AD_0001

3.0

4.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2730

40

11

37

90

6

1326

1

1098

311

151

9

1

140

6

5956

1458

24

%

MAV_AD_0001

4.0

5.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2580

31

8

32

73

4

1191

0

977

281

131

7

1

93

4

5411

1296

23

%

MAV_AD_0001

5.0

6.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2455

29

7

30

69

4

1151

0

912

265

124

7

1

85

3

5143

1213

23

%

MAV_AD_0001

6.0

7.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2341

30

9

29

70

4

1086

1

872

250

119

7

1

108

4

4932

1159

23

%

MAV_AD_0001

7.0

8.0

1.0

384454

7841206

2347

29

8

28

66

4

1108

0

873

250

117

7

1

96

4

4938

1159

23

%

MAV_AD_0001

8.0

8.7

0.7

384454

7841206

1828

23

6

22

52

3

880

0

690

199

92

5

1

75

3

3880

916

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

0.0

1.0

1.0

384454

7841206

3484

43

12

44

103

6

1748

1

1381

417

184

10

1

129

6

7567

1851

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

1.0

2.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3102

52

14

47

115

7

1751

1

1356

406

187

12

1

158

7

7217

1826

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

2.0

3.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3181

58

15

52

130

8

1854

1

1491

446

209

13

2

173

8

7640

2008

25

%

MAV_AD_0002

3.0

4.0

1.0

384282

7841027

2740

35

10

36

83

4

1351

1

1109

325

148

8

1

113

5

5969

1477

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

4.0

5.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3055

39

11

39

91

5

1484

1

1210

353

164

9

1

131

6

6599

1611

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

5.0

6.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3334

42

12

42

96

6

1642

1

1293

394

172

10

1

146

6

7196

1739

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

6.0

7.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3716

43

12

44

101

6

1767

1

1403

430

184

10

1

145

6

7869

1886

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

7.0

8.0

1.0

384282

7841027

4523

47

11

53

116

6

2128

1

1742

522

221

11

1

135

5

9520

2321

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

8.0

9.0

1.0

384282

7841027

4241

59

17

58

136

8

2047

1

1720

513

234

14

2

204

9

9261

2305

24

%

MAV_AD_0002

9.0

10.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3219

86

40

50

147

16

1546

4

1319

364

188

17

5

606

27

7632

1786

22

%

MAV_AD_0002

10.0

11.0

1.0

384282

7841027

3105

54

23

42

110

9

1503

2

1229

361

167

11

3

353

14

6986

1656

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

11.0

12.0

1.0

384282

7841027

2916

37

11

36

85

5

1367

1

1100

321

149

8

1

141

6

6183

1467

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

12.0

13.0

1.0

384282

7841027

1712

21

6

20

49

3

817

0

637

183

85

5

1

78

3

3621

847

23

%

MAV_AD_0002

13.0

14.2

1.2

384282

7841027

1308

16

4

16

36

2

625

0

484

141

65

4

0

53

3

2757

644

23

%

MAV_AD_0003

0.0

1.0

1.0

384092

7840847

221

3

2

1

4

1

86

0

46

14

7

1

0

20

2

410

64

15

%

MAV_AD_0003

1.0

2.0

1.0

384092

7840847

134

3

2

1

3

1

74

0

24

9

3

0

0

21

3

279

37

12

%

MAV_AD_0003

2.0

3.0

1.0

384092

7840847

163

5

3

1

5

1

87

1

43

14

6

1

1

28

4

361

62

16

%

MAV_AD_0003

3.0

4.0

1.0

384092

7840847

200

3

2

1

3

0

93

0

38

13

5

0

0

16

2

377

54

13

%

MAV_AD_0003

4.0

5.0

1.0

384092

7840847

443

4

2

2

6

1

235

0

75

26

9

1

0

22

2

829

106

12

%

MAV_AD_0003

5.0

6.0

1.0

384092

7840847

638

7

3

5

12

1

304

0

164

52

22

1

0

26

3

1239

225

17

%

MAV_AD_0003

6.0

7.0

1.0

384092

7840847

1898

23

11

15

37

4

903

1

439

136

64

5

1

93

11

3640

603

16

%

MAV_AD_0003

7.0

8.0

1.0

384092

7840847

2108

21

11

11

30

4

582

1

295

92

43

4

2

101

10

3314

411

12

%

MAV_AD_0003

8.0

9.0

1.0

384092

7840847

2588

18

6

14

33

3

555

1

400

120

58

4

1

62

5

3864

541

13

%

MAV_AD_0003

9.0

10.0

1.0

384092

7840847

3498

36

10

34

78

5

1214

1

1043

303

152

8

1

105

6

6494

1390

21

%

MAV_AD_0003

10.0

11.0

1.0

384092

7840847

2381

41

14

32

82

6

1247

1

912

263

131

9

1

147

9

5276

1225

22

%

MAV_AD_0003

11.0

12.2

1.2

384092

7840847

2132

42

14

30

80

6

1035

1

811

227

121

9

2

150

10

4671

1089

22

%



Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

globenewswire.com
globenewswire.com


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