Automata Rare Earth secures approval, accelerates Burnt Pond exploration
Vancouver, British Columbia – August 25, 2026 – TheNewswire - Automata Rare Earth Corp. (CSE: AREE ) (FSE: 7K0 ) (“ Automata ” or the “ Company ”) is pleased to announce a key permitting milestone for its flagship Burnt Pond Project in Central Newfoundland. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has issued a Letter of Acceptance approving the Company’s proposed exploration activities under Mineral Licence 039973M, clearing the way for an aggressive, discovery-focused fall exploration program.
The approval, which is valid until August 20, 2028, represents a significant step forward as Automata advances Burnt Pond toward its planned maiden 2,500–5,000 metre diamond drill program.
Key Government Approval Advances Burnt Pond Exploration
The Government’s Letter of Acceptance approves a broad suite of exploration activities at Burnt Pond, including:
Prospecting
Geophysical surveys
Geochemical surveys
Small-scale channel sampling
Hand panning
Backpack drilling
Automata’s broader exploration strategy includes ground-based EM, VLF, magnetic and gravity surveys, systematic geochemical sampling and additional geophysical work designed to refine the Company’s highest-priority targets ahead of drilling.
The Company’s previously submitted exploration plan outlined 103 proposed drill locations, including 45 Priority 1 and 58 Priority 2 targets, providing significant flexibility as Automata continues to refine its maiden drill program through ongoing geological, geochemical and geophysical work.
Automata has also selected Trust Drilling Inc. of Springdale, Newfoundland as its preferred drilling contractor, positioning the Company for efficient mobilization as it progresses toward drilling.
CEO Chris Huggins: “We’re Advancing Burnt Pond at Full Speed”
“Receiving this exploration approval is another important step toward putting boots on the ground and aggressively advancing Burnt Pond,” said Chris Huggins, Chief Executive Officer of Automata. “We only submitted our applications in late July, and we are extremely pleased with the progress made toward preparing the Project for a significant fall exploration campaign.”
Huggins continued:
“Burnt Pond already hosts confirmed high-grade polymetallic VMS-style mineralization and sits within a proven mineralized belt that has delivered past production. With limited modern systematic exploration completed to date, we believe Burnt Pond represents a compelling underexplored opportunity in Central Newfoundland. Our upcoming work is designed to refine our highest-priority targets and position the Company for a high-impact maiden drill program.”
Burnt Pond: A High-Potential VMS Asset in an Emerging Copper-Gold District
The 975-hectare, road-accessible Burnt Pond Project is located approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Grand Falls-Windsor and 16 kilometres southeast of Millertown in Central Newfoundland. Automata holds an option to acquire a 100-per-cent interest in the Project.
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Figure 1: Aerial image taken from the Burnt Pond Project in Central Newfoundland
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Figure 2: Plan view map of the Burnt Pond Project Location
Burnt Pond is located approximately 10 kilometres from Pirate Gold’s (TSXV: YARR) Moby Dick copper-gold discovery. Pirate Gold’s recently reported drill results highlight the emerging copper-gold potential of the broader district and provide additional support for continued exploration along the region’s prospective structural and intrusive trends.
The Project also lies within the Tally Pond volcanic belt of the Victoria Lake Supergroup, a prospective VMS corridor that hosts the past-producing Duck Pond copper-zinc mine.
Historical High-Grade Polymetallic Mineralization
Historical exploration at Burnt Pond returned a notable intercept of:
0.37 metres grading 1.6 g/t Au, 791.1 g/t Ag, 0.79% Cu, 25.8% Zn and 24.0% Pb
The high-grade polymetallic signature, together with favourable geology including altered felsic volcanic rocks, graphitic horizons, sulphide mineralization and strong chlorite-carbonate-sericite-silica alteration, supports the Company’s belief that Burnt Pond warrants a comprehensive modern exploration program.
Positioned for a High-Impact Fall Exploration Program
With this government approval now secured, key contractors identified and a comprehensive exploration strategy in place, Automata is positioned to advance a significant fall exploration campaign at Burnt Pond.
The Company intends to use its upcoming geological, geochemical and geophysical work to further define and prioritize targets ahead of its planned 2,500–5,000 metre maiden diamond drill program.
Automata looks forward to providing additional updates as field activities commence and the Company advances Burnt Pond toward drilling.
Qualified Person
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Derrick Strickland, an Independent Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects .
About Automata Rare Earth Corp.
Automata Rare Earth Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and development of critical mineral assets with potential applications in defence systems, autonomous technologies, advanced robotics and next-generation infrastructure. The Company holds options to acquire a 100% interest in the Oculus Rare Earth Project in Labrador and the Burnt Pond Project in Central Newfoundland.
For Further Information:
Automata Rare Earth Corp.
Chris Huggins, Chief Executive Officer
604-968-4844
www.automataelements.com
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations, or intentions regarding the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, general statements regarding the Company’s planned or future exploration efforts at the Burnt Pond VMS Project. It is important to note that the Company’s actual business outcomes and exploration results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. Risks and uncertainties include that economic, competitive, governmental, geopolitical, environmental and technological factors may affect the Company’s operations, markets, products and prices; our specific plans and timing drilling, field work and other plans may change; that the Company may not have access to or be able to develop any minerals because of cost factors, type of terrain, or availability of equipment and technology; and we may also not raise sufficient funds to carry out or complete our plans. Labor shortages, inflationary pressures, rising interest rates, the global financial climate and international conflicts are some additional factors that are affecting current economic conditions and increasing economic uncertainty, which may impact the Company’s operating performance, financial position, and prospects. Collectively, the potential impacts of this economic environment pose risks that are currently indescribable and immeasurable. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly, are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements. Additional risk factors are discussed in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Management Discussion and Analysis for its recently completed fiscal period, which is available under the Company’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Except as required by law, the Company will not update or revise these forward-looking statements after the date of this document or to revise them to reflect the occurrence of future unanticipated events.
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August 25, 2026 - 4:00 AM PDT
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