Announcement • Jul 11
Atlantico Energy Metals Corp Highlights Magnetic Rare Earth Oxide Ratios and Thorium-Bismuth-Molybdenum-Rare Earth Target At Novo Cruzeiro Project
Atlantico Energy Metals Corp. highlighted magnetic rare earth oxide ratios from its reported first-pass surface sampling campaign across the Company's 24,387-hectare flagship Novo Cruzeiro Project. The dataset included 231 total samples across rock-chip and stream-sediment sample types and outlines a circular thorium radiometric feature associated with bismuth, molybdenum and rare earth anomalies, providing Atlantico with a focused target for follow-up field evaluation. Across the full reported dataset, magnetic rare earth oxide represented up to 38.7% of total rare earth oxides and averaged 21.5% of total rare earth oxides in rock-chip samples, while magnetic rare earth oxide represented up to 27.0% of total rare earth oxides and averaged 18.8% of total rare earth oxides in stream-sediment samples. The first-pass program was designed to give Atlantico a property-scale view of Novo Cruzeiro's geochemical signature. Stream-sediment samples were collected at a nominal density of approximately one sample every 1.45 km², using fine-grained stream sediments as natural composite samples of upstream catchment basins. Together with the rock-sample coverage, the program provides a broad early-stage screen for ranking drainage areas and guiding follow-up fieldwork. Total rare earth oxide indicates the total rare earth oxide signal in a sample. Magnetic rare earth oxide as a percentage of total rare earth oxide helps explain the composition of that signal, not only the total rare earth number. Magnetic rare earth oxides include neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium oxides, which are used in high-strength permanent magnets. The elevated rare earth values and magnetic rare earth oxide ratios will help Atlantico evaluate whether parts of the project's weathered regolith and upstream catchments warrant follow-up assessment for possible ion-adsorption clay-style rare earth mineralization. Atlantico is using this composition context alongside the mapped thorium, bismuth, molybdenum and rare earth features to rank follow-up work. Atlantico has also interpreted a circular thorium radiometric high associated with anomalous bismuth, molybdenum and rare earth elements. Together, these rare earth, thorium, bismuth and molybdenum features provide Atlantico with a focused target for the Company's next stage of field evaluation. Several stream-sediment samples returned anomalous bismuth and molybdenum values, with the strongest zone highlighted by a dotted red circle. The same area coincides with a circular thorium radiometric high and rare earth anomalies. Because thorium is relatively immobile, the circular radiometric high provides a useful geological marker for follow-up field checking. The feature is interpreted as a possible post-tectonic intrusive body and is considered a priority target for field follow-up. Rare earth anomalies are also reported in streams draining this feature, linking the thorium radiometric high and bismuth and molybdenum geochemistry directly to Atlantico's rare earth exploration focus. The Technical Report recommended first-phase follow-up work at Novo Cruzeiro, including field checking, mapping, prospecting and additional geochemical sampling around the thorium, bismuth and molybdenum anomaly and related drainage areas. The Technical Report also identified separate lithium pathfinder areas as part of Novo Cruzeiro's broader early-stage exploration pipeline. Atlantico intends to use these layers to guide systematic next-stage exploration work. Novo Cruzeiro remains an early-stage exploration project with no historic drilling. Follow-up work recommended in the Technical Report includes additional sampling, mapping, geophysics and trenching to evaluate the targets discussed in this release. The scientific and technical information summarized in this news release is derived from the Company's filed National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report entitled "Technical Report on the Novo Cruzeiro Lithium & REE Project, Early-Stage Exploration, Eastern Brazil Lithium Province, Minas Gerais, Brazil," dated February 9, 2026 and readers are referred to that report for complete sampling and analytical procedures. No new analytical results are being reported in this news release. Sampling methods, analytical procedures, laboratory protocols, and quality assurance/quality control measures applicable to the stream-sediment and rock-chip samples discussed herein are described in detail in the Technical Report. The quality assurance/quality control program included the use of industry-standard procedures considered appropriate for an early-stage regional exploration program, including laboratory quality control protocols and data verification by the Qualified Person. The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Smith has reviewed the geological interpretations and technical disclosure presented in this news release and has verified that they are consistent with the information contained in the Company's filed NI 43-101 Technical Report dated February 9, 2026. Mr. Smith is not independent of the Company within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 due to his role as a member of the Company's Advisory Board.
