Exploration Target for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Lithium Project Outlines District Scale Opportunity, Quebec, Canada
Press Release
August 5, 2024
Highlights
- Significant Exploration Target outlines the potential for additional tonnage at the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (formerly known as Corvette).
- Approximately 146 to 231 Mt at 1.0 to 1.5% Li2O.
The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the Exploration Target being delineated as a Mineral Resource. The Exploration Target has been determined based on the interpretation of a consolidated dataset of surface rock sample descriptions and assays, outcrop mapping and descriptions, drill hole logs and core sample assays, geophysical surveys, and remote sensing data.
- Exploration Target is in addition to (i.e., does not include) the Shaakichiuwaanaan Mineral Resource Estimate announced concurrently.
- Exploration Target only considers the CV Lithium Trend and immediately proximal areas.
- Completed by BBA Engineering Ltd., a consultant independent of the Company.
Darren L. Smith, Vice President of Exploration, comments: “This Exploration Target highlights the scale of potential remaining to be assessed by the drill bit at the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project. The Project hosts eight distinct lithium pegmatite clusters along the CV Lithium Trend, of which only three have had meaningful drill testing (CV5, CV13, and CV9) with each remaining open at depth and along strike. The potential for additional lithium pegmatite Mineral Resource the Project continues to hold, as captured by the Exploration Target, is truly remarkable on the global stage.”
Ken Brinsden, President, CEO, and Managing Director, comments: “As expected, this Exploration Target gives clear guidance to the market with respect to the untested potential present at the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project. A significant amount of drilling will be required in order to confirm the presence of mineralized pegmatite and further advance the level of confidence towards a Mineral Resource Estimate. However, the potential for further discovery of significance is clear and present.
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce a maiden Exploration Target for its 100%-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (the “Property” or “Project”) – formerly known as Corvette – located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, which is accessible year-round by all-season road and is proximal to major regional powerline infrastructure.
The Exploration Target (also known as a “Target for Further Exploration”) for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project is approximately:
146 to 231 Mt at 1.0 to 1.5% Li2O
The potential quantity and grade of the Exploration Target are conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a Mineral Resource. The Exploration Target has been determined based on the interpretation of a consolidated dataset of surface rock sample descriptions and assays, outcrop mapping and descriptions, drill hole logs and core sample assays, geophysical surveys, and remote sensing data (refer to “Methodology of Determination for the Exploration Target” below for more information about the base on which the disclosed potential quantity and grade has been determined).
The Exploration Target has been completed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, 2012 Edition (“JORC”). BBA Engineering Ltd., a consultant who is independent of the Company, completed the Exploration Target.
The Exploration Target for the Project is exclusive of (i.e., does not include) the Shaakichiuwaanaan MRE, announced concurrently by the Company (see news release dated August 5, 2024), and only considers the CV Lithium Trend and immediately proximal areas (Figure 1). The Exploration Target has been presented as an approach to assess the potential endowment of the Project or the potential to host additional Mineral Resources of lithium pegmatite, subject to the success of future mineral exploration at the Property, and outside of that already defined.
In its second MRE1 (80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O Inferred, see news release dated August 5, 2024), the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project is already firmly established – by a wide margin – as the largest lithium pegmatite MRE in the Americas and 8th largest globally. With the determination of this accompanying Exploration Target, which is exclusive of (i.e., does not include) the MRE, the Project has been further distinguished on the global stage with respect to its district scale lithium pegmatite potential to drive exploration in future years.
The Company intends to test the validity of the Exploration Target in future exploration programs at the Project, beginning in 2025 and extending over a several year period. Systematic diamond drilling (NQ core size) of the known spodumene pegmatite clusters and corridors between and proximal (Figure 1), which collectively form the basis of the Exploration Target, will be the primary method of exploration.
Methodology of Determination for the Exploration Target
The Exploration Target has been completed by BBA Engineering Ltd. (“BBA”), a consultant independent of the Company. The basis on which the quantity and grade of the Exploration Target has been determined includes a review and interpretation of an extensive Property-scale dataset of surface rock sample descriptions and assays (>1,500 grab, chip, and channel samples), pegmatite outcrop mapping and descriptions (>1,000 outcrops/observations), drill hole logs and core sample assays, geophysical surveys (magnetics, IP-resistivity), and remote sensing data (LiDAR and orthophoto).
BBA’s method of determination included a detailed review of the consolidated dataset followed by 3D modelling to create a conceptual volume for all implied LCT pegmatite bodies within, and proximal to, the CV Lithium Trend. To estimate a tonnage the pegmatite specific gravity (“SG”) used was approximately 2.626 based on the same linear regression formula as the latest MRE (SG = 0.0688x Li2O% + 2.625). An associated grade was then applied. The implied tonnage of each volume was then reduced by a factor to account for the likelihood of being mineralized at a reasonable grade, which was then further discounted to arrive at a final range of tonnage and lithium grade. The estimated tonnage was then rounded to the nearest million tonnes and the grade rounded to the nearest 0.1% Li2O.
The 3D modelling of the implied pegmatite volumes was also constrained by the known spodumene pegmatite clusters at the Property, including their interpreted corridors of potential along strike. The volumes were further capped at a vertical depth from surface of 200 m. The areas of the CV Lithium Trend with defined Mineral Resources (i.e., the CV5 and CV13 pegmatites, a collective 6.9 km of trend) were not included in the determination of the Exploration Target. Therefore, the Exploration Target for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project is exclusive of (i.e., does not include) the Mineral Resources presently defined at the Project.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this news release that relates to the Exploration Target for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr. Todd McCracken, P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, and member in good standing with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and with the Professional Geoscientists of Ontario. Mr. McCracken has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.
Mr. McCracken is Director – Mining & Geology – Central Canada, of BBA Engineering Ltd. and is independent of the Company. Mr. McCracken does not hold any securities in the Company.
Mr. McCracken 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 JORC Code, 2012. Mr. McCracken 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 Resource1, 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. Additionally, the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property hosts multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill tested, as well as significant areas of prospective trend that remain to be assessed.
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 June 27, 2024 (through drill hole CV24-526). Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.
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
Brad Seward
Vice President, Investor Relations
T: +61 400 199 471
E: bseward@patriotbatterymetals.com
Olivier Caza-Lapointe
Head, Investor Relations – North America
T: +1 (514) 913-5264
E: ocazalapointe@patriotbatterymetals.com
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