VANCOUVER, BC, April 7,
2024 /PRNewswire/ - April
8, 2024 – Sydney,
Australia
Highlights
CV13 Pegmatite
- Best drill hole of 2023 program at the CV13 Spodumene
Pegmatite.
- 28.7 m at 1.49% Li2O, including
20.4 m at 2.03%
Li2O (CV23-311).
- Represents new zone at shallow depth along the
pegmatite's eastern arm.
- Represents area of significant pegmatite stacking.
- Continued strong assays from western arm at CV13.
- 20.2 m at 1.16% Li2O, including
15.4 m at 1.49%
Li2O (CV23-324).
- Through 2023, the CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite has been traced by
drilling over an approximate 2.3 km strike length and remains
open along strike at both ends and to depth.
- Core assay results are reported herein for the remaining 20
drill holes completed in 2023 at CV13.
- An updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Corvette
Project, including both the CV5 and CV13 spodumene pegmatites, is
planned for Q3 2024. The MRE update will focus on an increase in
confidence from the inferred to indicated categories for CV5, as
well as a maiden estimate for CV13.
CV9 Pegmatite
- Wide intervals of variably mineralized spodumene-bearing
pegmatite intersected in maiden drill program at the CV9 Spodumene
Pegmatite.
- 99.9 m at 0.39% Li2O, including 30.6 m at 0.80% Li2O (CV23-345).
- 15.7 m at 0.76% Li2O, including 10.8 m at 1.00% Li2O (CV23-267).
- 17.9 m at 0.69% Li2O, including 8.6 m at 1.03% Li2O (CV23-310).
- 7.7 m at 1.35% Li2O (CV23-333).
- The CV9 Pegmatite remains open along strike and at depth, with
true widths of <5 m to 80+ m
interpreted through drilling, which suggests strong tonnage
potential.
- Core assay results are reported herein for all 18 drill holes
completed in 2023 at the CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite.
- A total of 42 drill holes completed in 2023 remain to be
reported, all from the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite.
- At the Corvette Property in 2024, through April 4,
approximately 57,000 m of drilling
have been completed – 47,000 m at CV5
and 10,000 m at CV13 – with eleven
(11) drill rigs active at site. The 2024 winter drill program is
expected to wrap up by the end of April with drilling at the
Property scheduled to resume in early June.
Darren L. Smith, Vice President
of Exploration for the Company, comments: "The 2023 drill
program at CV13 was very successful and confirmed spodumene
pegmatite over an approximate 2.3 km strike length, as well as down
dip more than 300 m. The pegmatite
remains open along strike and to depth and has confirmed high-grade
zones with multiple core samples over 5% Li2O (+60%
spodumene). The discovery in CV23-311 is also very significant,
returning our best reported intersection to date (28.7 m at
1.49% Li2O) at a depth not expected and with more
cumulative width of pegmatite downhole than any other hole at CV13
through the 2023 program. This is a high-priority area for
follow-up."
Mr. Smith continued, "The results of our maiden drill program
at CV9 are very encouraging and have demonstrated that the
pegmatite can thicken dramatically up to 80
m interpreted true width, which is a strong indication of
tonnage potential of the system. Although variably mineralized in
spodumene (typically <5 to 15%), the drilling has demonstrated
strong grades (>1% Li2O) over 7 to 10+ m intervals in
addition to wider, more moderately mineralized zones (e.g.,
30.6 m at 0.80% Li2O in
CV23-345). Given the nature of lithium pegmatite systems, it is
common for low to moderate grade zones to neighbour strongly
mineralized zones. Therefore, the combination of thick pegmatite
intercepts with spodumene common in the system is a key indicator
of potential and we look forward to following up on these
encouraging results. CV9 remains open along strike at both ends and
to depth."
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot")
(TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased
to announce the remaining core assay results for drill holes
completed in September to November
2023 at the CV13 and CV9 spodumene pegmatites. The Corvette
Property (the "Property" or "Project"), wholly owned by the
Company, is located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of
Quebec. The CV13 and CV9 spodumene
pegmatites are located approximately 3 km west-southwest and 14 km
west of the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, respectively, which hosts a
maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42%
Li2O inferred1 and is situated approximately
13.5 km south of the regional and all–weather Trans-Taiga Road and
powerline infrastructure.
CV13 Pegmatite, 2023 Drill
Results
Drill results for the remaining 20 drill holes completed in 2023
at the CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite are reported herein (Figure 1).
These holes primarily target the near-surface and downdip extension
of the principal pegmatite body along its western and eastern
limbs.
Results are highlighted by drill hole CV23-311 which returned
28.7 m at 1.49%
Li2O, including 20.4
m at 2.03% Li2O, and represents a newly
discovered zone at shallow depth (~135 m vertical depth from
surface) (Figure 1 and Figure 2). This is the widest mineralized
drill intercept reported to date from CV13. Additionally, the
sum of all pegmatite intercepts in the hole totalled 71 m over 13 separate intervals, which is also
the most pegmatite encountered in a single drill hole at CV13
reported to date. Although some of these additional intercepts have
low to moderate spodumene contents, the presence of a marked
increase in pegmatite intercepts downhole is significant and
indicates a stacking of pegmatite dykes. Stacking of pegmatite
dykes is an indicator of a potentially larger total volume of
pegmatite which may have a reasonable potential to thicken and/or
coalesce into a larger body down-dip, up-dip, or along strike. This
area is of keen interest for follow-up.
The most eastern drill hole (CV23-365) completed in 2023 at
CV13, also the final hole of the 2023 drill program, returned
19.7 m at 0.43% Li2O,
including 6.3 m at 1.22%
Li2O. This is significant as it builds upon the 30+m
pegmatite intersections from the 2022 drill holes in the area that
were only weakly mineralized. The mineralized interval in CV23-365
supports a thickening of the pegmatite in this area, which is also
now confirmed to be accompanied by material levels of spodumene
mineralization. This area of CV13 is also of keen interest for
follow-up.
Moving northwest along the western arm at CV13, drill hole
CV23-324 returned a strong intercept of 20.2 m at 1.16% Li2O, including
15.4 m at 1.49%
Li2O (Figure 1). Geological cross-sections of this
area interpret mineralized spodumene pegmatite traced down-dip at
least 280 m (~130 m vertical
depth from surface) (Figure 3 and Figure 4). Moving further
northwest along the western arm, the principal pegmatite thins to
<5 m at places, although remains
open and often well mineralized. Results reported herein include
12.6 m at 0.80% Li2O,
including 8.8 m at 1.07% Li2O (CV23-346),
7.8 m at 1.53% Li2O
(CV23-336), and 6.3 m at 0.82%
Li2O, including 2.5 m at
2.02% Li2O (CV23-360).
The CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite is currently interpreted to be
characterized by a principal "upper" dyke and a secondary "lower"
dyke, as well as several subordinate sub-parallel dykes, and are
collectively geologically modelled to be shallowly dipping
northerly. The principal dyke (the "upper" dyke), dips typically
between 20-25° and has been traced at depth to at least
300 m down-dip (vertical depth from
surface of <150 m). Through 2023,
the CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite has been traced by drilling over an
approximate 2.3 km strike length and remains open along strike at
both ends and to depth (Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4). Its most
eastern drill hole is situated ~3 km along geological trend to the
southwest of the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite (Figure 5). This highly
prospective corridor, also coincident with a local structural and
magnetic trend, remains to be drill tested.
In 2024, through April 4, approximately 10,000 m in additional drilling has been
completed at CV13 with core assays remaining to be reported for all
of these holes. A maiden mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for CV13
is planned to be announced in Q3 2024, which will form part of a
larger MRE for the Corvette Project including both the CV5 and CV13
spodumene pegmatites.
Core sample assays for drill holes reported herein from the CV13
Spodumene Pegmatite are presented in Table 1 for all pegmatite
intersections >2 m. Drill hole
locations and attributes are presented in Table 3.
CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite, 2023 Drill
Results
Drill results for all 18 drill holes completed in 2023 at the
CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite are reported herein (Figure 6). These drill
holes are the first to test the spodumene pegmatite outcrop in the
area. Wide intervals of variably mineralized spodumene-bearing
pegmatite were intersected in this maiden drill program at CV9.
Results include:
- 99.9 m at 0.39% Li2O,
including 30.6 m at 0.80%
Li2O (CV23-345).
- 15.7 m at 0.76% Li2O,
including 10.8 m at 1.00%
Li2O (CV23-267).
- 17.9 m at 0.69% Li2O,
including 8.6 m at 1.03%
Li2O (CV23-310).
- 7.7 m at 1.35% Li2O
(CV23-333).
The results are encouraging and confirm widespread spodumene
mineralization is present at depth at CV9. The pegmatite
intersected in drill hole at CV9 is variably mineralized (typically
<5 to 15% spodumene content), with strong grades (>1%
Li2O) demonstrated over 7 to 10+ m intervals in addition
to wider and more moderately mineralized zones (e.g., 30.6 m at 0.80% Li2O in CV23-345).
High grades of spodumene pegmatite were also intercepted with
multiple holes returning individual sample grades over 2%
Li2O, including a peak sample high of 4.28%
Li2O (over 0.6 m) in CV23–345 – the last drill hole
of the program at CV9.
Of particular significance is the demonstrated thickening of
pegmatite from <5 m to ~80 m
interpreted true width at depth. This is a strong indication of
overall tonnage potential in the system. Additionally, due to
internal fractionation of pegmatitic melts, it is common to have
strong variability in grades over short distances which may result
in low to moderate grades being immediately proximal to high
grades. This, coupled with the common presence of spodumene
in the system, is very encouraging and supports a considerable
potential for wide and well mineralized intervals of spodumene
pegmatite to be present at CV9 along strike and/or at depth.
Following the maiden 2023 drill program, the interpreted
orientation of the CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite is steeply dipping
northerly, with a possible plunge easterly (Figure 7), which is
similar to the general orientation of the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite.
At CV9, variably mineralized spodumene pegmatite has now been
traced by drilling and outcrop over a distance of ~450 m and
remains open along strike at both ends and at depth. The spodumene
is typically present as centimetre (up to decimetre) size crystals
hosted within a smoky quartz – feldspar pegmatite, with accessory
tourmaline and mica (Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, and Figure
11).
Core sample assays for drill holes reported herein from the CV9
Spodumene Pegmatite are presented in Table 2 and Table 3.
A total of 42 drill holes completed in 2023 remain to be
reported, all from the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. At the Corvette
Property in 2024, through April 4,
approximately 57,000 m of drilling
have been completed – 47,000 m at CV5 and 10,000 m at CV13 – with eleven (11) drill
rigs active at site. The 2024 winter drill program is expected to
wrap up by the end of April with drilling at the Property scheduled
to resume in early June.
An updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Corvette
Project, including both the CV5 and CV13 spodumene pegmatites, is
planned for Q3 2024. The MRE update will focus on an increase in
confidence from the inferred to indicated categories for CV5, as
well as a maiden estimate for CV13.
1 The CV5 mineral resource estimate (109.2
Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5
inferred) is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li2O
with effective date of June 25,
2023 (through drill hole CV23-190). Mineral
resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated
economic viability. Largest in the Americas based on contained
LCE.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
(QAQC)
A Quality Assurance / Quality Control protocol following
industry best practices was incorporated into the program and
included systematic insertion of quartz blanks and certified
reference materials into sample batches at a rate of approximately
5%. Additionally, analysis of pulp-split and coarse-split sample
duplicates were completed to assess analytical precision at
different stages of the laboratory preparation process, and
external (secondary) laboratory pulp-split duplicates were prepared
at the primary lab for subsequent check analysis and
validation.
All core samples collected were shipped to SGS Canada's
laboratory in Val-d'Or, QC, for
sample preparation (code PRP89 special) which includes drying at
105°C, crush to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 250 g, and pulverize
85% passing 75 microns. The pulps were shipped by air to SGS
Canada's laboratory in Burnaby,
BC, where the samples were homogenized and subsequently
analyzed for multi-element (including Li and Ta) using sodium
peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (codes GE_ICP91A50 and
GE_IMS91A50).
About the CV Lithium Trend
The CV Lithium Trend is an emerging spodumene pegmatite district
discovered by the Company in 2017 and is interpreted to span more
than 50 kilometres across the Corvette Property. The core area
includes the approximate 4.4 km long CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, which
hosts a maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42%
Li2O inferred1.
To date, eight (8) distinct clusters of lithium pegmatite have
been discovered across the Corvette Property – CV4, CV5, CV8, CV9,
CV10, CV12, CV13, and the recently discovered CV14. Given the
proximity of some pegmatite outcrops to each other, as well as the
shallow till cover in the area, it is probable that some of the
outcrops may reflect a discontinuous surface exposure of a single,
larger pegmatite "outcrop" subsurface.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this news release that relates to exploration
results for the Corvette 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 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 Corvette
Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of
Quebec, Canada, and proximal to
regional road and powerline infrastructure. The Corvette Property
hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a maiden mineral resource
estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O
inferred1 and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite
resource in the Americas based on contained lithium carbonate
equivalent (LCE), and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite
resources in the world. Additionally, the Corvette Property hosts
multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill
tested, as well as more than 20 km of prospective trend that
remains to be assessed.
1 The CV5 mineral resource estimate (109.2
Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5
inferred) is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li2O
with effective date of June 25,
2023 (through drill hole CV23-190). 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
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. In particular and without limitation, this news release
contains forward-looking statements pertaining to the 2024 winter
program currently underway at the Corvette Property and,
predictions of a single, larger pegmatite "outcrop"
subsurface.
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 that
proposed exploration and mineral resource estimate work on the
Corvette Property will continue as expected, and that exploration
and development results continue to support management's current
plans for Corvette Property development.
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 Corvette 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 5.22)
The mineral resource estimate in this release was reported by
the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 on July 31, 2023. The Company confirms it is not
aware of any new information or data 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 the form and context in which the
competent person's findings are presented have not been materially
modified from the original market announcement.
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 0.3-0.5 m and the maximum sample length is typically
2.0 m. Targeted individual pegmatite sample lengths are
1.0 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.
•
Core samples collected from drill holes
were shipped to SGS Canada's laboratory in Val-d'Or, QC, for sample
preparation (code PRP89 special) which included drying at 105°C,
crush to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 250 g, and pulverize 85%
passing 75 microns. Core sample pulps were shipped by air to SGS
Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where the samples were
homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including
Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish
(codes GE_ICP91A50 and GE_IMS91A50).
|
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).
|
•
NQ size core diamond drilling was
completed for all holes. Core was not oriented.
|
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 includes 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.
•
Sample sizes are appropriate for the
material being assayed.
•
A Quality Assurance / Quality Control
(QAQC) protocol following industry best practices was incorporated
into the program and included systematic insertion of quartz blanks
and certified reference materials (CRMs) into sample batches at a
rate of approximately 5% each. Additionally, analysis of pulp-split
and course-split sample duplicates were completed to assess
analytical precision at different stages of the laboratory
preparation process, and external (secondary) laboratory pulp-split
duplicates were prepared at the primary lab for subsequent check
analysis and validation at a secondary lab.
•
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.
|
•
Core samples collected from drill holes
were shipped to SGS Canada's laboratory in Val-d'Or, QC, for standard sample
preparation (code PRP89 special) which included drying at 105°C,
crush to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 250 g, and pulverize 85%
passing 75 microns. Core sample pulps were shipped by air to SGS
Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where the samples were
homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including
Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish
(codes GE_ICP91A50 and GE_IMS91A50).
•
The Company relies on both its internal
QAQC protocols (systematic use of blanks, certified reference
materials, and external checks), as well as the laboratory's
internal QAQC.
•
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.
|
•
Intervals are reviewed and compiled by
the VP Exploration and Project Managers prior to disclosure,
including a review of the Company's internal QAQC sample analytical
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 and tantalum in their oxide forms, as it is reported in
elemental form in the assay certificates. Formulas used are
Li2O = Li x 2.153, and Ta2O5 = Ta
x 1.221.
|
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.
|
•
Each drill hole's collar has been
surveyed with a RTK Trimble Zephyr 3 or RTK Topcon
GR-5.
•
The coordinate system used is UTM NAD83
Zone 18.
•
The Company completed a property-wide
LiDAR and orthophoto survey in August 2022, which provides
high-quality topographic control.
•
The quality and accuracy of the
topographic controls are considered adequate for advanced stage
exploration and development, including mineral resource
estimation.
|
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 at ~100 m; however, tightens to ~50 m in
multiple areas, and widens to ~150 m in a small number of areas.
Several collars are typically completed from the same pad at varied
orientations resulting in more varied pegmatite pierce points at
depth.
•
At CV13, drill hole spacing is dominantly
grid based at ~100 m; however, collar locations and hole
orientations may vary widely, which reflect the varied orientation
of the pegmatite body along strike.
•
At CV9, drill hole collar spacing is
irregular with varied hole orientations and multiple collars on the
same pad.
•
It is interpreted that most of the drill
hole spacing is sufficient to support a mineral resource
estimate.
•
Core sample lengths typically range from
0.5 to 1.5 m and average ~1 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.
•
At CV13, the principal pegmatite body has
a shallow varied strike and northerly dip.
•
At CV9, the orientation and geometry of
the pegmatite is not well understood. The pegmatite is currently
interpreted to be comprised of a single principal dyke, which
outcrops at surface, has a steep northerly dip, and is moderately
plunging to the east-southeast.
|
Sample
security
|
•
The measures taken to ensure sample
security.
|
•
Samples were collected by Company staff
or its consultants following specific protocols governing sample
collection and handling. Core samples were bagged, placed in large
supersacs for added security, palleted, and shipped directly to
Val-d'Or, QC, being tracked during shipment along with Chain of
Custody. Upon arrival at the laboratory, the samples were
cross-referenced with the shipping manifest to confirm all samples
were accounted for. At the laboratory, sample bags are evaluated
for tampering.
|
Audits or
reviews
|
•
The results of any audits or reviews of
sampling techniques and data.
|
•
A review of the sample procedures for the
Company's 2021 fall drill program (CF21-001 to 004) and 2022 winter
drill program (CV22-015 to 034) was completed by an Independent
Competent Person and deemed adequate and acceptable to industry
best practices (discussed in a technical report titled "NI 43-101
Technical Report on the Corvette Property, Quebec, Canada", by Alex
Knox, M.Sc., P.Geol., Issue Date of June 27th,
2022.)
•
A review of the sample procedures through
the Company's 2023 winter drill program (through CV23-190) was
completed by an independent Competent Person with respect to the
CV5 Pegmatite's maiden mineral resource estimate and deemed
adequate and acceptable to industry best practices (discussed in a
technical report titled " NI 43–101 Technical Report, Mineral
Resource Estimate for the CV5 Pegmatite, Corvette Property" by Todd
McCracken, P.Geo., of BBA Engineering Ltd., and Ryan Cunningham,
M.Eng., P.Eng., of Primero Group Americas Inc., Effective Date of
June 25, 2023, and Issue Date of September 8, 2023.
•
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 424
CDC claims located in the James Bay Region of Quebec, with 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 situated approximately 13.5 km south of the
regional and all–weather Trans-Taiga
Road and powerline infrastructure. The CV13 and CV9 spodumene
pegmatites are located approximately 3 km west-southwest and 14 km
west of CV5, respectively.
•
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) and 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. The CV5 and CV9
pegmatites are subject to a 2% royalty. The vast majority of the
CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite, as is currently delineated, is not
subject to a royalty.
•
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,
Mineral Resource Estimate for the CV5 Pegmatite, Corvette Property,
James Bay Region, Québec, Canada", by Todd McCracken, P.Geo., of
BBA Engineering Ltd., and Ryan Cunningham, M.Eng., P.Eng., of
Primero Group Americas Inc., Effective Date of June 25, 2023, and
Issue Date of September 8, 2023.
|
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 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:
o
easting and northing of the drill hole
collar
o
elevation or RL (Reduced Level –
elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole
collar
o
dip and azimuth of the hole
o
down hole length and interception
depth
o
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 attribute information is
included in a table herein.
•
Pegmatite intersections of <2 m are not typically
presented as they are considered insignificant.
|
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.
|
•
Length weighted averages were used to
calculate grade over width.
•
No specific grade cap or cut-off was used
during grade width calculations. The lithium and tantalum average
of the entire pegmatite interval is calculated for all pegmatite
intervals over 2 m core length, as well as higher grade zones at
the discretion of the geologist. Pegmatites have inconsistent
mineralization by nature, resulting in some intervals having a
small number of poorly mineralized samples included in the
calculation. Non-pegmatite internal dilution is limited to
typically <3 m where relevant and intervals indicated when
assays are reported.
•
No metal equivalents have been
reported.
|
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')
•
At CV13, geological modelling is ongoing
on a hole-by-hole basis and as assays are received. However,
current interpretation supports an upper and lower pegmatite body,
each trending sub-parallel to each other with a shallow northerly
dip, as well as several other subordinate dykes (collectively, the
'CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite')
•
At CV9, geological modelling and
interpretation indicates CV9 is comprised of a single principal
dyke, which outcrops at surface, has a steep northerly dip, and is
moderately plunging to the east-southeast. A strike length of 450 m
has been delineated through drilling and outcrop.
•
All reported widths are core length. True
widths are not calculated for each hole due to the relatively wide
drill spacing at this stage of delineation and the typical
irregular nature of pegmatite, as well as the varied drill hole
orientations. As such, true widths may vary widely from hole to
hole.
|
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.
|
•
Please refer to the figures included
herein as well as those posted on the Company's website.
|
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.
|
•
Please refer to the table(s) included
herein as well as those posted on the Company's website.
•
Results for pegmatite intervals <2 m
are not reported.
|
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 is currently completing
baseline environmental work over the CV5 and CV13 pegmatite area.
No endangered flora or fauna have been documented over the Property
to date, and several sites have been identified as potentially
suitable for mine infrastructure.
•
The Company has completed a bathymetric
survey over the shallow glacial lake which overlies a portion of
the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. The lake depth ranges from <2 m to
approximately 18 m, although the majority of the CV5 Spodumene
Pegmatite, as delineated to date, is overlain by typically <2 to
10 m of water.
•
The Company has completed preliminary
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.
•
No metallurgical work has been completed
on the CV9 pegamtite.
•
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 drilling
the pegmatites of the Corvette Property, focused on the CV5
Pegmatite and adjacent subordinate lenses, as well as the CV13 and
CV9 pegmatites.
|

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SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc