VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 4, 2024
/CNW/ - December 05, 2024 –
Sydney, Australia
Highlights
- 307 g sample of marketable, on-specification, battery-grade
lithium hydroxide monohydrate product produced from the CV5
Spodumene Pegmatite.
- The CV5 Pegmatite Deposit forms the cornerstone of the
Company's Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project in Canada, representing the bulk of the
consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate1 of 80.1 Mt at
1.44% Li2O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at
1.31% Li2O Inferred.
- No impurities of concern present.
- Testwork completed as a successful "proof-of-concept" to
demonstrate that a high-quality battery-grade lithium end-product
can be produced using representative feed material from CV5.
- The test sample was produced from spodumene concentrate
grading 6.2 % Li2O and 0.6%
Fe2O3, produced from a Dense Media
Separation ("DMS") pilot plant using drill core samples
representing the expected early mine-life at the CV5
Pegmatite.
- This marks a significant de-risking milestone as Patriot
advances CV5 through the stages of development.
- Sample to be used to further advance and strengthen engagement
with potential strategic partners and end-users.
Ken Brinsden, Director,
President, and CEO of the Company, comments: "The successful
production of a battery-grade lithium hydroxide product from the
cornerstone CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite marks a key de-risking step in
our development strategy. While we are focused on advancing CV5 to
production using a simple DMS-only flowsheet to produce a
high-quality spodumene concentrate, it is important to look
beyond and from the viewpoint of the end-user of the downstream
product."
"Not all spodumene concentrates are created equal and by
demonstrating that the high-quality, low-iron spodumene concentrate
produced from CV5 results in a marketable and on-spec battery-grade
lithium hydroxide product, we are further validating and de-risking
the Project as we eventually look to capitalize on this high-value
downstream product category." added Mr. Brinsden.
_________________________________
|
1
Shaakichiuwaanaan (CV5 & CV13) Mineral Resource Estimate (80.1
Mt at 1.44% Li2O and 163 ppm Ta2O5
Indicated, and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O and 147 ppm
Ta2O5 ppm Inferred) is reported at a cut-off
grade of 0.40% Li2O (open-pit), 0.60% Li2O
(underground CV5), and 0.80% Li2O (underground CV13)
with an Effective Date of August 21, 2024 (through drill hole
CV24-526). Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do
not have demonstrated economic viability.
|
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot")
(TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased
to announce that it has successfully produced a marketable and
on-specification ("on-spec") battery-grade lithium hydroxide
monohydrate sample using spodumene concentrate from the CV5
Pegmatite. The CV5 Pegmatite, wholly-owned by the Company as part
of its Shaakichiuwaanaan Property, is located in the Eeyou Istchee
James Bay region of Quebec and
forms the large majority of a consolidated Mineral Resource
Estimate2 of 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O indicated
and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O inferred.
The CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite is accessible year-round by
all-season road and is situated approximately 14 km from a major
hydro-electric powerline corridor.
The sample (307 g) of marketable, on-specification
("on-spec"), battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate
(Figure 1) was produced using spodumene concentrate (6.2%
Li2O, 0.6% Fe2O3) from the CV5
Spodumene Pegmatite. The conversion testwork was performed using a
bench-scale equivalent of a typical downstream commercial
process flowsheet and completed at SGS Canada's
Lakefield, ON, facility.
The objective of the test program was to demonstrate a
"proof-of-concept" for the entire flowsheet using representative
spodumene concentrate produced from whole rock pegmatite (CV5). The
program was highly successful and converted the spodumene
concentrate to a lithium hydroxide monohydrate product at
battery-grade specifications. The result of this program also
affirms prior testwork undertaken by other independent parties.
_________________________________
|
2
Shaakichiuwaanaan (CV5 & CV13) Mineral Resource Estimate (80.1
Mt at 1.44% Li2O and 163 ppm Ta2O5
Indicated, and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O and 147 ppm
Ta2O5 ppm Inferred) is reported at a cut-off
grade of 0.40% Li2O (open-pit), 0.60% Li2O
(underground CV5), and 0.80% Li2O (underground CV13)
with an Effective Date of August 21, 2024 (through drill hole
CV24-526). Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do
not have demonstrated economic viability.
|
The spodumene concentrate was produced using a simple DMS-only
(+ magnetic separation) flowsheet which was fed by a
master-composite of drill core material, representing anticipated
early mine-life (Figure 2). This master composite included 15%
non-pegmatite host-rock dilution to better represent a conservative
(in terms of dilution content) commercial mining operation
scenario.
The DMS spodumene concentrate (Figure 2) was subjected to a
typical calcination step, converting the spodumene mineral from its
natural and non-leachable α-spodumene structure into its leachable
β-spodumene structure. The calcine (solid) was then ground to
100% passing minus 300 µm and subjected to a sulphuric acid
roast. The roasted material was then water-leached, placing
the lithium into solution as lithium sulphate. The solution then
underwent primary impurity removal where, principally, iron and
aluminum were removed by selective precipitation with hydrated
lime. Air sparging was used to oxidize the iron from the
ferrous to ferric state in the lithium sulphate solution.
The lithium sulphate solution was then subjected to secondary
impurity removal stage which precipitated most of the calcium and
magnesium by selective precipitation with sodium hydroxide and
sodium carbonate. The remaining calcium and trace magnesium in
the lithium sulphate solution were removed by ion exchange using
Lanxess MDS TP208 resin (Figure 3 and Figure 4).
The purified lithium sulphate solution was first concentrated by
evaporation (this step would be removed in a commercial plant as
water-leach parameters are optimized). The lithium sulphate in
solution was transformed into lithium hydroxide by the addition of
sodium hydroxide (causticization step). The sodium sulphate ions in
solution were then removed by a traditional crystallization of
sodium sulphate as Glauber's salt.
Finally, lithium hydroxide monohydrate was produced by a
2-step crystallization process, with a final quality that
exceeded battery grade specifications (i.e.
LiOH•H2O >99.9%) with no notable impurities
of concern present (Figure 1).
Additionally, the purity of the lithium solution from the
earlier process step is a strong indication that an on-spec,
battery-grade lithium carbonate product may also be directly
produced from CV5 as an additional product option. Collectively,
the result of the test program highlights the benefits to
downstream processing when using a clean and low-iron spodumene
concentrate such as that produced from the CV5 Spodumene
Pegmatite.
The representative lithium hydroxide sample produced from the
CV5 Pegmatite will be used to further advance and strengthen the
Company's engagement with potential strategic partners,
end-users, and OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers). The ability
to demonstrate with definitive data that high-quality, low-iron
spodumene concentrates from CV5 are amenable to standard downstream
processing methods resulting in on-spec battery-grade lithium
hydroxide monohydrate, is significant.
The production of this sample marks a key milestone for the
Company and represents a significant de-risking of the
Project.
The Company has recently completed a significant core sampling
program to provide additional representative material for the next
phase of mineral processing testwork in support of the ongoing
Feasibility Study on the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. This program will
provide significant quantities of representative spodumene
concentrate for any future downstream test programs.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this news release that relates to exploration
results for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property is based on, and fairly
represents, information compiled by Mr. Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., who is a
Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 –
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and member in
good standing with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec
(Geologist Permit number 01968), and with the Association of
Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (member number 87868). Mr. Smith
has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news
release.
Mr. Smith is an Executive and Vice President of Exploration for
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. and holds common shares and options in
the Company.
Mr. Smith has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the
style of mineralization, type of deposit under consideration, and
to the activities being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person
as described by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration
Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code). Mr.
Smith consents to the inclusion in this news release of the matters
based on his information in the form and context in which it
appears.
About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration
company focused on advancing its district-scale 100%-owned
Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (formerly known as Corvette) located in
the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, which is accessible year-round
by all-season road and is proximal to regional powerline
infrastructure. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Mineral Resource3,
which includes the CV5 & CV13 spodumene pegmatites, totals
80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated, and 62.5 Mt
at 1.31% Li2O Inferred, and ranks as the largest lithium
pegmatite resource in the Americas, and the 8th largest
lithium pegmatite resource in the world.
A Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") was announced for the
CV5 Pegmatite August 21, 2024, and
highlights it as a potential North American Lithium Raw Materials
Powerhouse. The PEA outlines the potential for a competitive and
globally significant high-grade lithium project targeting up to
~800 ktpa spodumene concentrate using a simple Dense Media
Separation ("DMS) only process flowsheet.
For further information, please contact us at
info@patriotbatterymetals.com or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709, or
visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the
Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its
profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au, for available
exploration data.
This news release has been approved by the Board of
Directors.
"KEN
BRINSDEN"
Kenneth Brinsden, President, CEO,
& Managing Director
_________________________________
|
3
Shaakichiuwaanaan (CV5 & CV13) Mineral Resource Estimate (80.1
Mt at 1.44% Li2O and 163 ppm Ta2O5
Indicated, and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O and 147 ppm
Ta2O5 ppm Inferred) is reported at a cut-off
grade of 0.40% Li2O (open-pit), 0.60% Li2O
(underground CV5), and 0.80% Li2O (underground CV13)
with an Effective Date of August 21, 2024 (through drill hole
CV24-526). Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do
not have demonstrated economic viability.
|
Disclaimer for Forward-looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" or
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable
securities laws and other statements that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements are included to provide information
about management's current expectations and plans that allows
investors and others to have a better understanding of the
Company's business plans and financial performance and
condition.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact
included in this news release, regarding the Company's strategy,
future operations, technical assessments, prospects, plans and
objectives of management are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are
typically identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "estimate",
"intend", "anticipate", "believe", or variations of such words and
phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results
"may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be
achieved. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but
are not limited to, statements concerning: potential strategic
partners and end-users, the de-risking of the Project, and the
potential for marketable and on-spec battery-grade lithium
hydroxide product.
Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions
and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such information or
statements. There can be no assurance that such information or
statements will prove to be accurate. Key assumptions upon which
the Company's forward-looking information is based include, without
limitation, that proposed exploration and mineral resource estimate
work on the Property will continue as expected, the accuracy of
reserve and resource estimates, the classification of resources
between inferred and the assumptions on which the reserve and
resource estimates are based, long-term demand for spodumene
supply, and that exploration and development results continue to
support management's current plans for Property development and
expectations for the Project.
Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive
of all factors and assumptions which may have been used.
Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and
uncertainties facing the Company's business, any of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Some of the
risks the Company faces and the uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements include, among others, the ability to
execute on plans relating to the Company's Project, including the
timing thereof. In addition, readers are directed to carefully
review the detailed risk discussion in the Company's most recent
Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+, which discussion is
incorporated by reference in this news release, for a fuller
understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the
Company's business and operations.
Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon
reasonable assumptions and has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to
differ materially from those described in forward-looking
statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events
or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There
can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to
be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such information. As such,
these risks are not exhaustive; however, they should be considered
carefully. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize,
actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in the
forward-looking statements found herein. Due to the risks,
uncertainties and assumptions inherent in forward-looking
statements, readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are presented for
the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's
business plans, financial performance and condition and may not be
appropriate for other purposes.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as
of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements,
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except to the extent required by applicable law. The Company
qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary
statements.
Competent Person Statement (ASX Listing Rule 5.23)
The mineral resource estimate in this release was reported by
the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 on August 5, 2024. The Company confirms that, as of
the date of this announcement, it is not aware of any new
information or data verified by the competent person that
materially affects the information included in the announcement and
that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning
the estimates in the announcement continue to apply and have not
materially changed. The Company confirms that, as at the date of
this announcement, the form and context in which the competent
person's findings are presented have not been materially modified
from the original market announcement.
The production target referred to in this release was reported
by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.16 on
August 21, 2024. The Company confirms
that, as of the date of this announcement, all material assumptions
and technical parameters underpinning the production target in the
original announcement continue to apply and have not materially
changed.
Appendix 1 – JORC Code 2012 Table 1 (ASX Listing Rule
5.7.1)
Section 1 – Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria
|
JORC Code
explanation
|
Commentary
|
Sampling
techniques
|
- Nature and quality
of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialized
industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals
under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld
XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as
limiting the broad meaning of sampling.
- Include reference
to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the
appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems
used.
- Aspects of the
determination of mineralization that are Material to the Public
Report.
- In cases where
'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively
simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m
samples from which 3 kg was pulverized to produce a 30 g charge for
fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such
as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems.
Unusual commodities or mineralization types (eg submarine nodules)
may warrant disclosure of detailed information.
|
- Core sampling
protocols meet industry standard practices.
- Core sampling is
guided by lithology as determined during geological logging (i.e.,
by a geologist). All pegmatite intervals are sampled in their
entirety (half-core), regardless if spodumene mineralization is
noted or not (in order to ensure an unbiased sampling approach) in
addition to ~1 to 3 m of sampling into the adjacent host rock
(dependent on pegmatite interval length) to "bookend" the sampled
pegmatite.
- The minimum
individual sample length is typically 0.5 m and the maximum sample
length is typically 2.0 m. Targeted individual pegmatite sample
lengths are 1.0 to 1.5 m.
- All drill core is
oriented to maximum foliation prior to logging and sampling and is
cut with a core saw into half-core pieces, with one half-core
collected for assay, and the other half-core remaining in the box
for reference. The half remaining in the box was collected for the
metallurgical test program.
- The half-core
samples collected from drill holes were shipped to SGS Canada's
laboratory in Lakefield, ON, for mineral processing and downstream
testwork through to battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
|
Drilling
techniques
|
- Drill type (eg
core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast,
auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or
standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other
type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method,
etc).
|
|
Drill sample
recovery
|
- Method of recording
and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results
assessed.
- Measures taken to
maximize sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the
samples.
- Whether a
relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether
sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of
fine/coarse material.
|
- All drill core
was geotechnically logged following industry standard
practices, and include TCR, RQD, ISRM, and Q-Method. Core recovery
is very good and typically exceeds 90%.
|
Logging
|
- Whether core and
chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a
level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation,
mining studies and metallurgical studies.
- Whether logging is
qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel,
etc) photography.
- The total length
and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.
|
- Upon receipt at the
core shack, all drill core is pieced together, oriented to maximum
foliation, metre marked, geotechnically logged (including
structure), alteration logged, geologically logged, and sample
logged on an individual sample basis. Core box photos are also
collected of all core drilled, regardless of perceived
mineralization. Specific gravity measurements of pegmatite are also
collected at systematic intervals for all pegmatite drill core
using the water immersion method, as well as select host rock drill
core.
- The logging is
qualitative by nature, and includes estimates of spodumene grain
size, inclusions, and model mineral estimates.
- These logging
practices meet or exceed current industry standard
practices.
|
Sub-sampling techniques
and sample preparation
|
- If core, whether
cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core
taken.
- If non-core,
whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether
sampled wet or dry.
- For all sample
types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample
preparation technique.
- Quality control
procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximize
representivity of samples.
- Measures taken to
ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material
collected, including for instance results for field
duplicate/second-half sampling.
- Whether sample
sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being
sampled.
|
- Drill core sampling
follows industry best practices. Drill core was saw-cut with
half-core sent for geochemical analysis and half-core remaining in
the box for reference. The same side of the core was sampled to
maintain representativeness. The core that remained in the box post
geochem sampling was the core collected for the metallurgical test
programs, including that described herein.
- Sample sizes are
appropriate for the material being assayed.
- All protocols
employed are considered appropriate for the sample type and nature
of mineralization and are considered the optimal approach for
maintaining representativeness in sampling.
|
Quality of assay data
and laboratory tests
|
- The nature, quality
and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used
and whether the technique is considered partial or
total.
- For geophysical
tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters
used in determining the analysis including instrument make and
model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their
derivation, etc.
- Nature of quality
control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates,
external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of
accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been
established.
|
- The Company has
relied upon SGS internal lab assays for the dataset discussed
herein. SGS is an independent laboratory body with industry
standard accreditations.
- All protocols
employed are considered appropriate for the sample type and nature
of mineralization and are considered the optimal approach for
maintaining representativeness in sampling.
|
Verification of
sampling and assaying
|
- The verification of
significant intersections by either independent or alternative
company personnel.
- The use of twinned
holes.
- Documentation of
primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data
storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
- Discuss any
adjustment to assay data.
|
- Data capture
utilizes MX Deposit software whereby core logging data is entered
directly into the software for storage, including direct import of
laboratory analytical certificates as they are received. The
Company employs various on-site and post QAQC protocols to ensure
data integrity and accuracy.
- Adjustments to data
include reporting lithium in its oxide form, as it is reported in
elemental form in the assay certificates. Formulas used are
Li2O = Li x 2.153.
|
Location of data
points
|
- Accuracy and
quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole
surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in
Mineral Resource estimation.
- Specification of
the grid system used.
- Quality and
adequacy of topographic control.
|
- Drill holes have
been previously reported.
|
Data spacing and
distribution
|
- Data spacing for
reporting of Exploration Results.
- Whether the data
spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of
geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral
Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and
classifications applied.
- Whether sample
compositing has been applied.
|
- At CV5, drill hole
collar spacing is dominantly grid based. Several collars are
typically completed from the same pad at varied orientations
targeting pegmatite pierce points of ~50 to 100 m
spacing.
- Drill spacing is
sufficient to support a mineral resource estimate.
- Core sample lengths
typically range from 0.5 to 2.0 m and average ~1.0 to 1.5 m.
Sampling is continuous within all pegmatite encountered in the
drill hole.
|
Orientation of data in
relation to geological structure
|
- Whether the
orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible
structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the
deposit type.
- If the relationship
between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key
mineralized structures is considered to have introduced a sampling
bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.
|
- No sampling bias is
anticipated based on structure within the mineralized
body.
- The principal
mineralized bodies are relatively undeformed and very competent,
although have some meaningful structural control.
- At CV5, the
principal mineralized body and adjacent lenses are steeply dipping
resulting in oblique angles of intersection with true widths
varying based on drill hole angle and orientation of pegmatite at
that particular intersection point. i.e., the dip of the
mineralized pegmatite body has variations in a vertical sense and
along strike, so the true widths are not always apparent until
several holes have been drilled (at the appropriate spacing) in any
particular drill-fence.
|
Sample
security
|
- The measures taken
to ensure sample security.
|
- Samples were
collected by Company staff or its consultants following specific
protocols governing sample collection, handling, and transport to
the lab.
|
Audits or
reviews
|
- The results of any
audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
|
- A review of the
sample procedures through the Company's 2024 winter drill program
(through CV24-526) was completed by an independent Competent Person
with respect to the Shaakichiuwaanaan's Mineral Resource Estimate
(CV5 & CV13 pegmatites) and deemed adequate and acceptable to
industry best practices (discussed in a technical report titled "NI
43‑101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment for the
Shaakichiuwaanaan Project, James Bay Region, Quebec, Canada" by
Todd McCracken, P.Geo., Hugo Latulippe, P.Eng., Shane Ghouralal,
P.Eng., MBA, and Luciano Piciacchia, P.Eng., Ph.D., of BBA
Engineering Ltd., Ryan Cunningham, M.Eng., P.Eng., of Primero Group
Americas Inc., and Nathalie Fortin, P.Eng., M.Env., of WSP Canada
Inc., Effective Date of August 21, 2024, and Issue Date of
September 12, 2024.
- Additionally, the
Company continually reviews and evaluates its procedures in order
to optimize and ensure compliance at all levels of sample data
collection and handling.
|
Section 2 – Reporting of Exploration Results
Criteria
|
JORC Code
explanation
|
Commentary
|
Mineral tenement and
land tenure status
|
- Type, reference
name/number, location and ownership including agreements or
material issues with third parties such as joint ventures,
partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests,
historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental
settings.
- The security of the
tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known
impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the
area.
|
- The Corvette
Property is comprised of 463 CDC claims located in the James Bay
Region of Quebec, with Lithium Innova Inc. (wholly owned subsidiary
of Patriot Battery Metals Inc.) being the registered title holder
for all of the claims. The northern border of the Property's
primary claim block is located within approximately 6 km to the
south of the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructure
corridor.
- The CV5 Spodumene
Pegmatite is accessible year-round by all-season road is situated
approximately 13.5 km south of the regional and all‑weather
Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructure.
- The Company holds
100% interest in the Property subject to various royalty
obligations depending on original acquisition agreements. DG
Resources Management holds a 2% NSR (no buyback) on 76 claims,
D.B.A. Canadian Mining House holds a 2% NSR on 50 claims (half
buyback for $2M), Osisko Gold Royalties holds a sliding scale NSR
of 1.5-3.5% on precious metals, and 2% on all other products, over
111 claims, and Azimut Exploration holds 2% on NSR on 39
claims.
- The Property does
not overlap any atypically sensitive environmental areas or parks,
or historical sites to the knowledge of the Company. There are no
known hinderances to operating at the Property, apart from the
goose harvesting season (typically mid-April to mid-May) where the
communities request helicopter flying not be completed, and
potentially wildfires depending on the season, scale, and
location.
- Claim expiry dates
range from February 2025 to November 2026.
|
Exploration done by
other parties
|
- Acknowledgment and
appraisal of exploration by other parties.
|
- No core assay
results from other parties are disclosed herein.
- The most recent
independent Property review was a technical report titled "NI
43‑101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment for the
Shaakichiuwaanaan Project, James Bay Region, Quebec, Canada" by
Todd McCracken, P.Geo., Hugo Latulippe, P.Eng., Shane Ghouralal,
P.Eng., MBA, and Luciano Piciacchia, P.Eng., Ph.D., of BBA
Engineering Ltd., Ryan Cunningham, M.Eng., P.Eng., of Primero Group
Americas Inc., and Nathalie Fortin, P.Eng., M.Env., of WSP Canada
Inc., Effective Date of August 21, 2024, and Issue Date of
September 12, 2024.
|
Geology
|
- Deposit type,
geological setting and style of mineralization.
|
- The Property
overlies a large portion of the Lac Guyer Greenstone Belt,
considered part of the larger La Grande River Greenstone Belt and
is dominated by volcanic rocks metamorphosed to amphibolite facies.
The claim block is dominantly host to rocks of the Guyer Group
(amphibolite, iron formation, intermediate to mafic volcanics,
peridotite, pyroxenite, komatiite, as well as felsic volcanics).
The amphibolite rocks that trend east-west (generally steeply south
dipping) through this region are bordered to the north by the Magin
Formation (conglomerate and wacke) and to the south by an
assemblage of tonalite, granodiorite, and diorite, in addition to
metasediments of the Marbot Group (conglomerate, wacke). Several
regional-scale Proterozoic gabbroic dykes also cut through portions
of the Property (Lac Spirt Dykes, Senneterre Dykes).
- The geological
setting is prospective for gold, silver, base metals, platinum
group elements, and lithium over several different deposit styles
including orogenic gold (Au), volcanogenic massive sulfide (Cu, Au,
Ag), komatiite-ultramafic (Au, Ag, PGE, Ni, Cu, Co), and pegmatite
(Li, Ta).
- Exploration of the
Property has outlined three primary mineral exploration trends
crossing dominantly east-west over large portions of the Property –
Golden Trend (gold), Maven Trend (copper, gold, silver),
and CV Trend (lithium, tantalum). The CV5 and CV13 spodumene
pegmatites are situated within the CV Trend. Lithium mineralization
at the Property, including at CV5, CV13, and CV9, is observed to
occur within quartz-feldspar pegmatite, which may be exposed at
surface as high relief 'whale-back' landforms. The pegmatite is
often very coarse-grained and off-white in appearance, with darker
sections commonly composed of mica and smoky quartz, and occasional
tourmaline.
- The
lithium pegmatites at Corvette are categorized as LCT
Pegmatites. Core assays and ongoing mineralogical studies, coupled
with field mineral identification and assays, indicate spodumene as
the dominant lithium-bearing mineral on the Property, with no
significant petalite, lepidolite, lithium-phosphate minerals, or
apatite present. The spodumene crystal size of the pegmatites is
typically decimetre scale, and therefore, very large. The
pegmatites also carry significant tantalum values with tantalite
indicated to be the mineral phase.
|
Drill hole
Information
|
- A summary of all
information material to the understanding of the exploration
results including a tabulation of the following information for all
Material drill holes:
- easting and
northing of the drill hole collar
- elevation
or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of
the drill hole collar
- dip and azimuth of
the hole
- down hole length
and interception depth
- hole
length.
- If the exclusion of
this information is justified on the basis that the information is
not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the
understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly
explain why this is the case.
|
- Drill hole
information has been previously disclosed.
|
Data aggregation
methods
|
- In reporting
Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or
minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off
grades are usually Material and should be stated.
- Where aggregate
intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and
longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such
aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such
aggregations should be shown in detail.
- The assumptions
used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly
stated.
|
- N/A – no assay
results reported in this release.
|
Relationship between
mineralization widths and intercept lengths
|
- These relationships
are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration
Results.
- If the geometry of
the mineralization with respect to the drill hole angle is known,
its nature should be reported.
- If it is not known
and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a
clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width
not known').
|
- At CV5, geological
modelling is ongoing on a hole-by-hole basis and as assays are
received. However, current interpretation supports a principal,
large pegmatite body of near vertical to steeply dipping
orientation, flanked by several subordinate pegmatite lenses
(collectively, the 'CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite')
|
Diagrams
|
- Appropriate maps
and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be
included for any significant discovery being reported These should
include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar
locations and appropriate sectional views.
|
- N/A – no assay
results reported in this release.
|
Balanced
reporting
|
- Where comprehensive
reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable,
representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths
should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration
Results.
|
- N/A – no assay
results reported in this release.
|
Other substantive
exploration data
|
- Other exploration
data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but
not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey
results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method
of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density,
groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential
deleterious or contaminating substances.
|
- The Company has
completed significant metallurgical testing comprised of HLS and
magnetic testing, which has produced 6+% Li2O spodumene
concentrates at >70% recovery on both CV5 and CV13 pegmatite
material, indicating DMS as a viable primary process approach, and
that both CV5 and CV13 could potentially feed the same process
plant. A DMS test on CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite material returned a
spodumene concentrate grading 5.8% Li2O at 79% recovery,
strongly indicating potential for a DMS only operation to be
applicable. Additionally, a more expansive DMS pilot program has
been completed, including with non-pegmatite host-rock dilution,
and has produced results in line with prior testwork.
- Sample (307 g)
of marketable, on-specification ("on-spec"), battery-grade lithium
hydroxide monohydrate was produced using spodumene concentrate
(6.2% Li2O, 0.6% Fe2O3) from the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. The
conversion testwork was performed using a bench-scale equivalent of
a typical downstream commercial process flowsheet and completed at
SGS Canada's Lakefield, ON, facility. The objective of the test
program was to demonstrate a "proof-of-concept" for the entire
flowsheet using representative spodumene concentrate produced from
whole rock pegmatite (CV5). The spodumene concentrate was produced
using a simple DMS-only (+ magnetic separation) flowsheet which was
fed by a master-composite of drill core material, representing
anticipated early mine-life. Further details are contained in news
release dated December 4, 2024.
- Various mandates
required for advancing the Project towards economic studies have
been initiated, including but not limited to, environmental
baseline, metallurgy, geomechanics, hydrogeology, hydrology,
stakeholder engagement, geochemical characterization, as well as
transportation and logistical studies.
|
Further work
|
- The nature and
scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or
depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).
- Diagrams clearly
highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main
geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this
information is not commercially sensitive.
|
- The Company intends
to continue its metallurgical programs at CV5 as the Project
advances through Feasibility.
|
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/patriot-successfully-produces-sample-of-battery-grade-lithium-hydroxide-from-the-cv5-spodumene-pegmatite-302322968.html
SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc.