Disseminated on behalf of Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF) and may include paid advertising.
- Helicopter-borne magnetic and radiometric surveys outlined structurally controlled zones favorable for critical rare earth element (“REE”) enrichment.
- Targets are supported by correlations between geophysics, geology, and lake sediment geochemistry.
- Results point to a phosphate-rich NYF-type REE system containing rare earths, thorium, uranium, and yttrium.
- The work comes amid tightening global REE supply and growing strategic interest in North American projects.
Powermax Minerals (CSE: PMAX) (OTCQB: PWMXF), a Canadian mineral exploration company, has reported new exploration progress at its Atikokan Rare Earth Element (“REE”) property in northwestern Ontario, following the interpretation of a high-resolution helicopter-borne geophysical survey completed in late 2025. The results, announced January 12, 2026, identified multiple high-priority REE exploration targets across the property’s three main blocks, providing a clearer technical framework for the company’s next phase of work (https://ibn.fm/D8eaa).
The Atikokan property is one of several REE-focused assets held by Powermax, a mineral exploration company with projects in Ontario, British Columbia, and the United States. At Atikokan, the company optioned a large land package of 455 unpatented mining claims, and the latest survey was designed to improve target definition across this extensive area.
The helicopter-borne program included detailed magnetic and radiometric data collection, flown at 50-metre line spacing with a ground clearance of roughly 44 metres, with data being processed at a 25-metre grid resolution, allowing for relatively fine-scale interpretation of subsurface structures and alteration patterns. The survey and interpretation were completed by Geo Data Solutions Inc. and Shahab Tavakoli, P.Geo., a geospatial data scientist and geophysicist.
According to the company, the integrated analysis identified several structurally controlled REE targets characterized by favorable granitic and pegmatite host rocks, magnetic lows, and elevated thorium-to-potassium (“Th/K”) radiometric ratios. These Th/K ratios are commonly used as proxies for total rare earth elements (“TREE”), particularly in phosphate-rich REE systems.
One of the more significant findings was the strong spatial correlation between geophysical anomalies, mapped structural trends, and previously identified lake sediment TREE anomalies. This convergence of datasets strengthens the geological rationale for the identified targets and helps narrow the focus for future field programs.
Powermax described the overall geophysical and geochemical signature as consistent with a phosphate-rich NYF-type REE system. NYF systems, named for their enrichment in niobium (“Nb”), yttrium (“Y”), and fluorine (“F”), are known to host REEs along with associated elements such as thorium and uranium. These systems are typically linked to granitic intrusions and related pegmatites, features that are present across the Atikokan property.
The survey results were broken down by property block. In Block A, northwest- and north-trending structural corridors were mapped cutting through granitic phases of the White Otter Batholith. These corridors coincide with magnetic lows, elevated Th/K ratios, and anomalous lake sediment REE values, collectively defining priority targets along altered intrusive margins.
In Blocks B and C, northeast-trending structures crosscut the gneissic tonalite and granodioritic units of the Dashwa Gneiss Complex. Here, radiometric anomalies align with mapped granitic and pegmatitic intrusions, outlining metasomatic alteration zones developed along high-strain corridors and intrusive contacts. Powermax noted that these geological relationships are considered favorable for REE concentration.
Paul Gorman, CEO of Powermax, said the results mark a meaningful step forward in understanding the Atikokan project. He noted that integrating high-resolution geophysical data with regional geology and lake sediment geochemistry has allowed the company to prioritize specific structural corridors where conditions appear most favorable for REE enrichment. This, he added, should enable more focused and efficient follow-up exploration.
The geophysical interpretation builds on fieldwork already completed in 2025. During that program, Powermax carried out geological mapping, prospecting, ground-based radiometric surveys, and systematic soil, sediment, and rock sampling. A total of 426 samples, including quality assurance and quality control specimens, were collected and submitted to AGAT Laboratories for analysis. The company said it is awaiting assay results, which will be integrated with both historical data and the new geophysical interpretation to further refine targets.
The timing of the Atikokan results coincides with increasing attention on rare earth elements globally. REEs are critical inputs for electric vehicles, wind turbines, defense systems, and a wide range of advanced electronics. Global demand for REEs is projected to rise sharply over the next decade, driven largely by energy transition technologies. Estimates suggest demand could grow from about 59,000 tonnes in 2022 to roughly 176,000 tonnes by 2035, while supply may lag significantly.
At present, China dominates the REE supply chain, controlling a majority of global mining output and an even larger share of processing capacity. Export restrictions on certain rare earth materials have heightened concerns among Western governments and manufacturers, particularly in the United States. In response, U.S. and allied governments have begun directing funding toward domestic and allied supply chain development, including through mechanisms such as the Defense Production Act. Canadian companies are eligible to participate in some of these initiatives.
Exploration Target Cautionary Statement
The exploration targets discussed are conceptual, and there is currently not enough data to confirm a mineral resource. Further exploration may not yield successful results.
For more information, visit the company’s website at www.PowermaxMinerals.com.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to PWMXF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/PWMXF
