Powermax Minerals Advances Atikokan REE Exploration with High-Resolution Airborne Survey

Powermax Minerals Inc. has completed a 1,409-line-kilometre high-resolution airborne magnetic and radiometric survey over its Atikokan REE Property in northwestern Ontario, according to a company release (https://ibn.fm/Sj3NY). The survey, conducted by Geo Data Solutions GDS Inc., met Natural Resources Canada and International Atomic Energy Agency standards for data quality and used 50-meter line spacing with 500-meter tie lines to generate detailed magnetic and gamma-ray spectrometric datasets across the 9,416-hectare property. The Eurocopter Astar 350BA+ maintained an average clearance of 44 meters, with magnetic noise levels remaining within acceptable limits and GPS accuracy contributing to stable readings.

Completion of this survey represents a significant technical advancement for exploring the underexplored segment of the Atikokan metasedimentary belt, where structural trends influence rare earth mineralization. Powermax CEO Paul Gorman stated that the excellent quality data will enhance understanding of the structural framework controlling mineralization in this area. Post-flight data processing using Geosoft Montaj and Praga NASVD software improved the signal-to-noise ratio, with deliverables including digital databases, GeoTIFF maps, and terrain models at 1:30,000 scale. The company plans to use these datasets to establish drill-ready targets for trenching or diamond drilling in subsequent exploration phases.

The Atikokan property lies within a structurally active corridor between the Wabigoon and Quetico sub-provinces, areas known for granitic rare earth and lithium-bearing pegmatites. This project is one of four rare earth element properties Powermax is advancing across Canada and the United States, including the Cameron project in British Columbia, the Ogden Bear Lodge project in Wyoming, and the recently optioned Pinard property in Ontario. The company's multijurisdictional strategy aligns with intensifying global rare earth demand, with the sector projected to grow from US$3.95 billion in 2024 to US$6.3 billion by 2030 (https://ibn.fm/RwOyh).

Rising consumption of rare earth oxides, forecast to increase from 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to 176,000 tonnes by 2035 (https://ibn.fm/Nq7a0), is driven by expanding electric vehicle production, wind turbine manufacturing, and electronics scaling. Supply concentration remains a critical concern, with China accounting for approximately 60% of mining output and 90% of processing capacity. Recent export curbs have heightened supply-chain risks, reinforcing the strategic value of developing rare earth resources in stable jurisdictions like Canada and the United States.

Policy support is strengthening these efforts, with Canada continuing to deploy capital through its Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund in 2025 and the United States expanding Defense Production Act funding to stimulate domestic rare earth and magnet supply chains. These initiatives aim to accelerate project development and reduce reliance on foreign processing. Powermax's exploration activities at Atikokan and its other properties position the company to benefit from market dynamics increasingly shaped by electrification trends and security-of-supply considerations. The company expects to complete further data interpretation in coming months, followed by ground-based work to assess identified anomalies, with advancement toward drilling dependent on integration of survey results with ongoing geological and geochemical findings.