Search Minerals Inc. (TSX.V: SMY) (OTC: SHCMF) has announced the start of its 2026 environmental baseline studies for the DEEP FOX and FOXTROT rare earth elements projects in southeastern Labrador. This milestone is critical for de-risking the projects as the Company moves toward Environmental Assessment Registration, targeted for the first half of 2027.
The program will collect essential environmental and technical data to support regulatory submissions, project optimization, and development planning. Studies will cover hydrology, ecological systems, and atmospheric conditions, providing a comprehensive baseline to inform the Environmental Assessment process. This initiative reinforces Search Minerals' position within the emerging North American rare earth supply chain, which is becoming increasingly strategic as nations seek to reduce dependence on foreign sources for critical materials.
Search Minerals controls a belt that is 64 kilometers long and 2 kilometers wide, located in the Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis Critical Rare Earth Elements (CREE) District of southeastern Labrador. The area is road accessible, on tidewater, and near three local communities. The Company has completed a preliminary economic assessment with resource estimates for both the FOXTROT and DEEP FOX projects. Additionally, Search is exploring four prospects along the belt: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX, FOX RUN, and AWESOME FOX.
The Company has been optimizing its patented Direct Extraction Process technology with support from 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.
For more details, the full press release is available at https://ibn.fm/8y33A. Latest news and updates regarding SHCMF can be found in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SHCMF.
