Azimut Exploration Inc. (“Azimut” or the
“Company”) (
TSXV: AZM) is pleased to report
excellent preliminary metallurgical test results for three (3)
representative samples of spodumene-bearing pegmatite from the
Galinée Property (the “Property”) in the Eeyou
Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada. The Property is a joint
venture project between Azimut and
SOQUEM Inc.,
with Azimut acting as the operator.
The test program conducted by SGS Canada Inc.
included chemical and mineralogical characterization and
metallurgical testing. The objective was to obtain baseline
recovery data for a Dense Media Separation
(DMS) and magnetic separation flowsheet.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The test program demonstrates
excellent lithium recovery through combined
DMS and magnetic separation for the three
composites (Comp 1 to 3). Lithium recoveries for the three
samples are 68%, 79% and 86%,
respectively, with spodumene concentrates
grading 6.93% Li2O for
Comp 1 and 7.10%
Li2O for Comp 2
and 3.
- The production of
high-grade spodumene concentrates (over 6.90%
Li2O) in the 2.95 sink fraction
by Heavy Liquid Separation for all samples significantly exceeds
the chemical-grade quality required for hydrometallurgical
processing.
Testwork SummarySGS Canada Inc.
conducted the tests in their Quebec City laboratory using three
representative composite drill core samples of spodumene-bearing
pegmatite. The Li2O composition in the material is 1.16%, 2.07%,
and 4.52% for Comp 1, Comp 2, and Comp 3, respectively.
Each composite was stage-crushed to P100 passing
9.5 mm, blended, and submitted for chemical and mineralogical
analysis. The remaining material from each composite was screened
to 850 µm and riffled into charges for metallurgical testwork.
Head CharacterizationThe
program's primary objective was to characterize the composite
samples, with a particular emphasis on lithium mineral
characterization. This included (see Table 1
below):
- Head analysis;
- Mineralogical analysis;
- Identification of key impurities;
and
- Mineralogical analysis on Comp 2
using Tescan Integrated Mineral Analyzer (TIMA-X).
These steps are crucial for developing the
metallurgical process, as they significantly influence the
operating conditions and approach.
Head Analysis: Representative 75-micron
pulverized samples were submitted for an ICP scan analysis. The
three samples (Comp 1, Comp 2 and Comp 3) were found to contain
silica (69.2% to 80.8%), Al2O3 (12.7% to 21.7%), Fe2O3 (0.86% to
1.93%) and Li2O (1.16% to
4.52%).
Mineralogical Analysis: Quartz, spodumene,
albite/plagioclase and elbaite are the main mineralogical phases.
XRD analysis revealed that Comp 3 had the highest spodumene content
at 56.2%. Hornblende was low in Comp 1 (2.8%) and absent in both
Comp 2 and Comp 3.
Detailed Mineralogical Analyses (TIMA-X)
performed on Comp 2 indicate excellent spodumene liberation
reaching 97.8%. Impurities such as quartz and feldspar also showed
high levels of liberation, exceeding 95%.
Table 1: Head Analysis
Summary
Method/Elements |
Comp 1 |
Comp 2 |
Comp 3 |
ICP-OES by Na2O2 Fusion |
|
|
|
Li2O % |
1.16 |
2.07 |
4.52 |
XRF by Borate Fusion |
|
|
|
SiO2 % Al2O3 %Fe2O3 % MgO % CaO % Na2O % K2O % |
72.1161.930.550.95.210.25 |
80.812.70.860.030.112.620.16 |
69.221.70.780.030.172.640.18 |
Mineralogical analysis % |
Comp 1 |
Comp 2 |
Comp 3 |
Quartz |
32.4 |
47.0 |
17.3 |
Spodumene |
13.9 |
26.4 |
56.2 |
Albite/Plagioclase |
42.9 |
22.9 |
22.7 |
Elbaite |
2.9 |
2.24 |
1.1 |
Hornblende |
2.8 |
- |
- |
Spodumene liberation* |
- |
97.8 |
- |
*Pure, free, and liberated |
|
|
|
Metallurgical Testing
Bulk Density Tests: Average density measurements
were conducted on five core samples for each composite. The results
showed average densities of 2.78, 2.79, and 2.82 g/cm3 for
composites 1, 2, and 3, respectively.
Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS)
and Magnetic Separation: DMS concentration tests coupled with
magnetic separation of the DMS concentrate produced excellent
results for all three composite samples.
- A single step of magnetic separation performed at 10,000 Gauss
effectively removed the amphibole present in the DMS concentrate
for the three composites tested, particularly for Comp 1.
- At a particle size of 9.50 mm, HLS produced high-grade
spodumene concentrates (over 6.90%
Li2O) in the 2.95 sink fraction
for all samples, meeting the chemical grade quality required for
hydrometallurgical processing. Lithium recoveries were
excellent, at 68%, 79% and 86% for Comp 1, Comp 2 and Comp 3,
respectively.
- The concentrates are notably distinguished by their very low
impurity levels, with Fe2O3 contents below 1.2% and Cr2O3 contents
below 0.01%.
- For Comp 1, magnetic separation was necessary due to the
presence of hornblende. Two tests were conducted using the 2.70 and
2.95 sink fractions. In the test performed with the 2.70 sink
fraction, the Li₂O concentrate reached a grade of 5.51%, with a
lithium recovery of 82.1%. For the 2.95 sink fraction, the Li₂O
concentrate reached a grade of 6.93% but with a lower lithium
recovery of 68%.
- For Comp 2 and Comp 3, which contain very little amphibole, a
simple DMS separation at a density of 2.70, even without a magnetic
separation step, could yield Li2O concentrates with purities of
5.99% and 6.76%, with recoveries of 89% and 91%, respectively. This
is exceptional and demonstrates the excellent liberation and purity
of the lithium-bearing phases of the Galinée mineralized zone.
Description of the Composites
The three drill core composites sent to SGS for metallurgical
testing are described as follows:
- Comp 1: 22.1
metres of half-core spodumene pegmatite (from 339.9 m to 362.0 m)
from hole GAL24-025, including a 1.0 m amphibolite interval (from
347.0 m to 348.0 m). Weight: 37.76 kg.
- Comp 2: 17.1
metres of half-core spodumene pegmatite (from 171.6 m to 188.7 m)
from hole GAL24-018. Weight: 27.04 kg.
- Comp 3: 16.5
metres of half-core spodumene pegmatite (from 109.5 m to 126.0 m)
from hole GAL24-020. Weight: 25.59 kg.
About the Galinée Property
Galinée (649 claims, 335 km2) is a 50/50 joint
venture project between Azimut and SOQUEM. The 36-kilometre-long
property lies about 50 kilometres north-northwest of the Renard
diamond mine (Stornoway Diamonds (Canada) Inc.) and 60 kilometres
south of the Trans-Taiga Road, an all-season regional highway. The
region is widely considered an emerging lithium district.
The winter 2023 and spring 2024 drilling program
yielded wide intervals of high-grade mineralization in the
northernmost part of the Property, notably including (see press
release of June 19, 2024):
|
1.62% Li2O over 158.0
m |
|
Hole GAL24-025 |
|
2.48%
Li2O over 72.7 m |
|
Hole GAL23-001 |
|
2.68%
Li2O over
54.6 m |
|
Hole GAL24-020 |
|
2.13%
Li2O over 44.1 m |
|
Hole GAL23-009 |
|
1.66%
Li2O over 40.4 m |
|
Hole GAL24-018 |
|
2.53%
Li2O over 25.0 m |
|
Hole GAL24-022 |
|
2.02%
Li2O over 32.2 m |
|
Hole GAL24-023 |
|
1.71%
Li2O over 37.0 m |
|
Hole GAL23-011 |
In addition, the summer 2024 program further underscored the
project’s strong exploration potential. Extensive lithium
targets with a cumulative length of about 18
kilometres have been identified based on systematic till
sampling and prospecting. One of the most promising areas,
returning up to 2.85%
Li₂O in boulders, lies
within a 10-kilometre zone in the northwestern
part of the Property (see press release of October 10, 2024).
Qualified Person
Dr. Jean-Marc Lulin (P.Geo.) prepared this press
release as the Company’s qualified person within the meaning of
National Instrument 43-101. Rock Lefrançois (P.Geo.), Vice
President of Exploration, also reviewed the contents of this press
release.
About SOQUEM
SOQUEM Inc., a subsidiary of Investissement
Québec, is dedicated to promoting the exploration, discovery and
development of mining properties in Quebec. SOQUEM also contributes
to maintaining strong local economies. A proud partner and
ambassador for developing the province’s mineral wealth, SOQUEM
relies on innovation, research, and strategic minerals to be
well-positioned for the future.
About Azimut
Azimut is a leading mineral exploration company
with a solid reputation for target generation and partnership
development. The Company holds the largest mineral exploration
portfolio in Quebec, controlling strategic land positions for
copper-gold, nickel and lithium. Its wholly owned flagship project,
the Elmer Gold Project, is at the resource stage
(311,200 oz Indicated; 513,900 oz
Inferred*) and has a strong exploration upside. Azimut is
also advancing the Galinée lithium discovery with
SOQUEM.
Azimut uses a pioneering approach to big data
analytics (the proprietary AZtechMine™ expert
system) enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. The Company’s
competitive edge is based on systematic regional-scale data
analysis. Azimut maintains rigorous financial discipline and a
strong balance sheet, with 85.6 million shares issued and
outstanding.
Contact and Information
Jean-Marc Lulin, President and
CEOTel.: (450) 646-3015
Jonathan Rosset, Vice President Corporate
DevelopmentTel: (604)
202-7531info@azimut-exploration.com
www.azimut-exploration.com
* "Technical Report and
Initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Patwon Deposit, Elmer
Property, Quebec, Canada", prepared by Martin Perron, P.Eng.,
Chafana Hamed Sako, P.Geo., Vincent Nadeau-Benoit, P.Geo. and Simon
Boudreau, P.Eng., of InnovExplo Inc., dated January 4, 2024.
Cautionary note regarding forward-looking
statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, which
reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events
related to the metallurgical testing at the Galinée Property. To
the extent that any statements in this press release contain
information that is not historical, the statements are essentially
forward-looking and are often identified by words such as
“anticipate”, “expect”, “estimate”, “intend”, “project”, “plan”,
“potential”, “suggest” and “believe”. The forward-looking
statements involve risks, uncertainties, and other factors that
could cause actual results to differ materially from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. There are
many factors that could cause such differences, particularly
volatility and sensitivity to market metal prices, impact of change
in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates, imprecision
in reserve estimates, recoveries of gold and other metals,
environmental risks, including increased regulatory burdens,
unexpected geological conditions, adverse mining conditions,
community and non-governmental organization actions, changes in
government regulations and policies, including laws and policies,
global outbreaks of infectious diseases, and failure to obtain
necessary permits and approvals from government authorities, as
well as other development and operating risks. Although the Company
believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking
statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on
these statements, which only apply as of the date of this document.
The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, other than as required to
do so by applicable securities laws. The reader is directed to
carefully review the detailed risk discussion in our most recent
Annual Report filed on SEDAR for a fuller understanding of the
risks and uncertainties that affect the Company’s business.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
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