Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) announced the commencement of its 2026 environmental baseline studies for the DEEP FOX and FOXTROT rare earth elements projects in southeastern Labrador. This milestone marks a critical de-risking step as the Company advances toward Environmental Assessment Registration, targeted for the first half of 2027. The program aims to generate essential environmental and technical data to support regulatory submission, project optimization, and development planning.
The baseline studies will encompass hydrology, ecological, and atmospheric assessments, providing a comprehensive understanding of the project sites' environmental conditions. These data are crucial for the Environmental Assessment process and will inform project design and mitigation strategies. By initiating these studies early, Search Minerals is positioning itself to meet regulatory requirements efficiently and reduce potential delays in the permitting process.
Search Minerals controls a belt of land 64 km long and 2 km wide in the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis Critical Rare Earth Elements (CREE) District. The properties are road accessible, on tidewater, and near three local communities, offering logistical advantages for development. The Company has already completed a preliminary economic assessment with resource estimates for FOXTROT and DEEP FOX, and is exploring additional prospects along the belt, including FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX, FOX RUN, and AWESOME FOX.
The Company continues to optimize its patented Direct Extraction Process technology, supported by the Department of Energy and Mines, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. Two pilot plant operations have been completed, producing highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed rare earth oxide concentrate for separation and refining. This technology positions Search Minerals as a potential domestic supplier of rare earth elements, which are critical for various high-tech and clean energy applications.
The launch of the 2026 baseline program reinforces Search Minerals' commitment to responsible development and its strategic role in the emerging North American rare earth supply chain. By generating robust environmental data early, the Company aims to streamline the permitting process and advance toward production, contributing to the diversification of rare earth sources outside of China.
