Critical minerals miner North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp (NIOB) continues to advance multiple targets across its district-scale portfolio in Québec, Canada.

The company notes that a mid-June airborne radiometric and magnetic survey is planned over the Bardy SE, Miskam, Sabot and Blanchette properties to identify radiometric responses potentially associated with rare earth element (REE) and niobium (Nb) mineralisation.

Additionally, satellite-derived radon and helium soil-gas estimates, prepared by independent specialist consultants using multi-sensor remote sensing data, are being integrated into the company's target generation workflow.

Drilling is now underway at the Bardy and Blanchette properties, where about 1 500 m is planned at each property.

A second drill rig is scheduled to mobilise in early July for an additional estimated 2 500 m of drilling, with the final estimated 2 500 m of the 2026 programme retained as a flexible tranche, to be deployed against targets refined by the airborne and soil-gas work.

About 2 000 m have been drilled at Seigneurie, where the winter programme is now complete.

NIOB’s 2026 drill programme totals about 10 000 m and is structured in four phases.

“Our 2026 programme is on track and our data pipeline is filling out as we hoped.

“The mid-June airborne radiometric and magnetic survey, combined with the radon and helium soil-gas datasets we are building, will sharpen our target picture across Bardy SE, Miskam, Sabot, and Blanchette before we deploy the next 2 500 m of drilling in early July,” says NIOB CEO Murray Nye.

He explains that by holding back the last 2 500 m as a flexible tranche, the company keeps optionality to put steel into the most prospective ground once the new geophysics and geochemistry are in hand.

“This is a deliberate, district-scale approach designed to advance multiple targets – from large intrusion-style bodies to pegmatite dyke systems – across the portfolio in a single field season.”

Meanwhile, the company has also announced the engagement of Ian Mallory as a strategic adviser to the company pursuant to a two-year consulting agreement.

Mallory will provide senior strategic and commercial advisory services to the company, including strategic counsel, relationship facilitation, negotiation support, commercial structuring advice and ongoing counsel to the company’s executive team and board.

The engagement is a nonexecutive, nonoperational role, with no day-to-day operational authority or management responsibilities.

NIOB explains that Mallory is a Canadian corporate director and adviser with significant experience in international finance, natural resource project development and joint venture structuring.

A financial lawyer by training, he has held senior executive roles with TransAlta, Westcoast Energy, ENMAX and Sea NG Corporation, and previously served as Counsel to the Treasury of the World Bank.

“Ian brings a rare combination of international finance, natural resources, infrastructure development and cross-border transaction experience,” says Nye.

“His deep understanding of project finance, strategic partnerships and the global critical minerals sector will be highly valuable as we advance our corporate strategy and evaluate opportunities to build relationships with leading international industry participants. We are very pleased to welcome Ian as a strategic adviser to the company.”

Pursuant to the consulting agreement, NIOB notes that it has agreed to grant Mallory 150 000 stock options under the company’s stock option plan, subject to applicable regulatory approvals.

Each option will be exercisable to acquire one common share of the company at an exercise price of $1.06 a share for a period of five years from the date of grant.