August 1, 2025 (Source) — Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP | OTCQB: ATOXF | FSE: 86A1) (“Quantum” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has completed additional research on its Quest critical mineral property which was acquired earlier this year to compliment the Company’s growing strategic resource portfolio (see news dated January 16, 2025).
The mineral claim is in the Lake Chapiteau region of Québec and hosts a region of critical and rare earth elements in syenite granitic rocks. The highlights of the mapping and sampling program completed by former owners of the project were reported previously including notable anomalous values of barium, beryllium, fluorine, gallium, niobium, rubidium, tantalum, thorium, zinc and zirconium.
An anomalous sample was reported as collected within Quantum’s claim boundaries in the report titled “PROGRAMME D’EXPLORATION DANS LE SECTEUR DU LAC CHAPITEAU, FOSSE DU LABRADOR, NORD-DU-QUEBEC, ETE 2010” on SIGEOM. The SIGEOM database is a collection of geomining information containing the entire Québec geoscientific database collection over a period of the past 150 years. SIGEOM had recorded the sample as sedimentary rock, however upon review, the assessment report stated it was a hand selected sample of smoky quartz taken from an outcrop of quartziferous syenite with rapakivi texture which is more likely the lithology for rare earth type mineralization. Quantum has staked an additional claim cell that adjoins the current one to expand the exploration potential for rare earth elements.
Tables 1 to 3 summarize the anomalous assays from this sample* which contained 20% Total Rare Earth Elements (“TREE”), with 8.7% being light rare earth elements (“TLREE”), and 11.3% being total heavy rare earth elements (“THREE”). The sample also contained 226 gpt gallium, 78 gpt germanium and 15,060 gpt beryllium.
Table 1. Light rare earth element assays (ppm or grams per ton)
Table 2. Heavy rare earth element assays (ppm or grams per ton)
Table 3. Other anomalous elements (ppm or grams per ton)
The data reported in this release has been taken from historical exploration assessment reports. None of the historical information in this news release has been independently verified by the Company and should not be relied upon.
*Grab samples are discrete samples which are typically, but not exclusively, constrained to mineralization. Grab samples are selective in nature and collected to determine the presence or absence of mineralization and are not intended to be representative of the deposit in its entirety.
CEO Marcy Kiesman commented, “Quantum is continuing to unlock its portfolio of critical minerals and rare earth assets to power the next generation of high tech and defence industries. Domestic sources of yttrium, beryllium, neodymium and cesium are essential to help fill the growing global supply gap. Quantum continues to elevate its position to meet the growing global demand for critical and rare earth elements by stockpiling a portfolio of first-class assets with exciting historical assays.”
The Company is investigating a site visit in an effort to collect duplicate samples to confirm the assay results from previous work. Depending on access, the Company is also looking to potentially delineate the extent of the mineralization and take additional representative samples of the area.
Why this project matters
On April 4, China’s Ministry of Commerce implemented export restrictions on seven rare earth elements (REEs) and related magnets used in the defense, energy, and automotive industries, in response to increased U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods. The measures target seven of the 17 REEs—samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium—and require exporters to obtain special licenses for international shipments.
On June 11, 2025, after two months of China’s export restrictions on seven rare earth elements and magnets triggered by U.S. tariffs, U.S. and Chinese officials reached a new trade framework in London. Under the agreement, China will resume supplying rare earth minerals and permanent magnets to the United States, while the U.S. will maintain a fixed 55% tariff on Chinese goods. The deal builds on an earlier Geneva truce but underscores the precariousness of Western supply chains, prompting calls for accelerated domestic development of rare earth mining, processing, and magnet manufacturing to reduce reliance on Chinese export control leverage. Source: https://www.csis.org/analysis/trump-strikes-deal-restore-rare-earths-access
About Rare Earth Elements
Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements that are essential in many modern technologies. They include:
- The 15 lanthanides on the periodic table (Lanthanum to Lutetium)
- Scandium and Yttrium, which share similar properties and often occur in the same mineral deposits
Despite their name, most REEs are not rare in terms of crustal abundance, but they are rarely found in economically viable concentrations.
Light vs. Heavy Rare Earth Elements
REEs are generally split into two categories based on their atomic number and geochemical behavior:
| Feature | Light REEs (LREEs) | Heavy REEs (HREEs) |
| Elements Included | La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm | Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu + Y |
| Abundance | More common in Earth’s crust | Less abundant and harder to extract |
| Typical Minerals | Bastnäsite, Monazite | Xenotime, Ion-adsorption clays |
| Economic Value | Generally lower | Generally higher (e.g., Tb, Dy, Lu) |
| Applications | Polishing powders, catalysts, magnets | High-performance magnets, phosphors, lasers, medical tech |
| Weathering Behavior | More mobile during weathering | More likely to remain in residual clays |
About Gallium
Gallium, a critical component in semiconductors, telecommunications, renewable energy sectors and may also be considered as a possible heat exchange medium in nuclear reactors. Canada and the USA rely on gallium for telecommunications, defense, and green energy. Gallium is also used in semiconductors, AI circuitry, radar and microchips and could be more critical than previously realized.
Source: https://www.metaltechnews.com/story/2022/09/12/critical-minerals-alliances-2022/gallium-may-be-more-critical-than-realized/1087.html
Gallium Market Size and Growth:
- Market Size
In 2023, global high-purity gallium production was estimated at 320 tonnes, with total primary production capacity reaching 1,100 tonnes per year. Demand for gallium is projected to grow due to its role in semiconductors, 5G technology, and renewable energy applications.
2. Key Applications:
- Semiconductors: Gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) are critical in chips for smartphones, satellite communications, and defense systems.
- Renewable Energy: GaN is used in solar cells and LEDs.
- Emerging Technologies: Gallium is a key component in next-generation technologies such as quantum computing, 5G networks, and advanced radars.
3. Geopolitical Considerations:
China has imposed export controls on gallium, exacerbating supply chain challenges for the U.S. and its allies. These restrictions are part of a broader trade conflict over critical technologies. Countries like the USA are ramping up efforts to develop domestic gallium sources and processing capabilities to reduce reliance on China.
About Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are essential components in modern technologies, including renewable energy systems, defense applications, and advanced electronics. Both the United States and Canada have identified specific lists of critical minerals vital to their economic and national security. The U.S. Geological Survey’s 2022 list includes 50 critical minerals, while Canada in 2024 has designated 34 minerals as critical.
Recent geopolitical developments have heightened concerns over the supply chain security of these critical metals. China, which holds a dominant position in the production and processing of several critical minerals, has implemented export bans affecting the West. These actions underscore the strategic importance of diversifying supply chains and developing domestic sources for critical metals to mitigate geo-political risks and ensure the stability of essential industries.
Sources
Liu, S.-L., Fan, H., Liu, X., & Meng, J. (2023). Global rare earth elements projects: New developments and supply chains. *Ore Geology Reviews, 157*, 105428. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2023.105428
Nasdaq. (2024). Rare Earth Metals: Heavy vs. Light (Updated 2024). *Nasdaq.com*. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/rare-earth-metals%3A-heavy-vs.-light-updated-2024
Natural Resources Canada. (2024). Rare earth elements facts. *Government of Canada*. https://natural-resources.canada.ca/minerals-mining/mining-data-statistics-analysis/minerals-metals-facts/rare-earth-elements-facts
U.S. Geological Survey. (2024). Rare Earths – Mineral Commodity Summaries 2024. https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-rare-earths.pdf
MDPI. (2023). Understanding Rare Earth Elements as Critical Raw Materials. *Sustainability, 15*(3), 1919. https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/3/1919
ScienceDirect. (2023). Global rare earth elements projects: New developments and supply chains. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169136823001439
https://pubs.usgs.gov/periodicals/mcs2024/mcs2024-gallium.pdf
About Quantum Critical Metals Corp.
Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSX.V: LEAP) (OTCQB: ATOXF) (FSE: 86A1) is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing critical metals projects that power next-generation technologies. With a growing portfolio of promising assets—including the NMX East Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium Project in Québec, the Discovery Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium and polymetallic project in Québec, the Victory Antimony Project in British Columbia, and the newly acquired Prophecy Germanium-Gallium-Zinc Project in British Columbia, among others, the Company is strategically positioned to support the West’s transition to a secure and sustainable critical metals supply.
George M. Yordanov, P.Geo., a consultant to the Company, is the Qualified Person (as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101), who has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.
To stay updated on Quantum’s latest developments, sign up for our mailing list and visit www.quantumcriticalmetals.com and www.sedarplus.com.
Marcy Kiesman, CEO
Telephone: 604.428.2900 or 604.339.2243
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.quantumcriticalmetals.com
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward‐looking information or statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, which may include, without limitation, statements that address the upcoming work programs, and other statements relating to the business, financial and technical prospects of the Company. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking information reflects the Company’s views with respect to future events and is subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.com. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The Company does not undertake to update forward‐looking statements or forward‐looking information, except as required by law.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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