Highlights
- Heavy Liquid
Separation (“HLS”) testwork on five (5) core sample composites from
the CV13 Pegmatite cluster indicate that a simple Dense Media
Separation (“DMS”) process flowsheet is applicable.
- HLS testwork
followed by magnetic separation produced 6+% Li2O spodumene
concentrates at overall lithium recoveries exceeding 70%.
- Strong recoveries
at both low, moderate, and high feed grades.
- Fe2O3 content of
~0.60% in final spodumene concentrate following magnetic separation
on HLS concentrate.
- Results provide a
strong indication that material from both the CV13 Pegmatite and
CV5 Pegmatite may be processed jointly using the same design
criteria and flowsheet (i.e., processed at the same plant).
Mineral Process Consultant and Project Steering
Group member, Brett Grosvenor, comments: “The results of this HLS
testwork at CV13 are very positive and indicate strongly that joint
processing with CV5 Pegmatite material is practical and viable.
From a Project development, risk mitigation, and flowsheet
perspective, it is difficult to ask for a better result.”
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the
“Company” or “Patriot”) (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF)
(FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the results of
preliminary Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) testwork on CV13
Pegmatite core samples. The CV13 Pegmatite cluster is located
approximately 3.8 km along geological trend westwardly of the CV5
Pegmatite cluster (Figure 1), where drilling has defined a large
and continuous spodumene mineralized body (see news release dated
June 14, 2023).
The primary objective of the HLS test program on
CV13 is to assess the liberation and recovery characteristics of
spodumene at different locations along the collective ~2.2-km trend
that defines the cluster. HLS testing is a cost-effective way to
rapidly assess the applicability of larger scale Dense Media
Separation (“DMS”) processing, which is more reflective of an
operating and continuous process, and the preferred method of
spodumene pegmatite processing. Further, the data will allow for an
initial assessment on the potential for joint processing with CV5
Pegmatite material using the same design criteria and flowsheet
(i.e., the same process plant). Prior HLS and DMS testwork
completed on the CV5 Pegmatite demonstrates that a simple DMS only
flowsheet is applicable (see news releases dated August 4, 2022,
and December 19, 2022).
The benefits of DMS (± magnetic separation)
compared to alternative recovery methods (i.e., flotation) are
considerable and include relatively lower CAPEX and OPEX, reduced
reagent needs, coarser product and tailings, quicker operational
start-up, and overall, less technical risk. A DMS circuit also only
requires a typically coarse crush size compared to a smaller crush
size (or grinding), which results in reduced power consumption and
less equipment.
The HLS test program on CV13 Pegmatite material
utilized five (5), ~8-10 m, NQ-size, quarter-core composite samples
collected from drill holes CV22-077, 082, 084, 085, 092, and 103
across the western, central, and eastern portions of the collective
~2.2-km trend that defines the cluster (Figure 2). This included
four (4) samples from the upper pegmatite body, and one (1) sample
from the lower pegmatite body. The test program was completed by
SGS Canada Inc. at their facility in Lakefield, ON, where the prior
testwork for the Project was also completed.
Head grades for the composites ranged from 0.84%
to 1.42% Li2O, averaging 1.14% Li2O, and included varied amounts of
mica and tourmaline to further assess their impact on the process.
The sample composites were crushed to -9.5 mm (-3/8”) – a coarse
crush size – with the fine fraction (-0.85 mm) screened out, and
followed by HLS tests at six (6) different cut points (2.65, 2.70,
2.80, 2.85, 2.90, and 2.95). Magnetic separation was also completed
on the concentrate to assess any lingering iron mineral rejection
(e.g., amphibole, mica). It should be noted that magnetic
separation was only applied to some samples in order to reduce iron
grades in the final concentrate. The requirement for magnetic
separation to be included in the flowsheet will continue to be
assessed further as the project progresses.
The Company is pleased to report that the
testwork has returned very positive results with lithium recoveries
ranging from 67% to 77% at an interpolated spodumene concentrate
grade of 6.00% Li2O. Recoveries also remained strong on the
lower grade samples, which is a testament to the coarse-grained
nature of the spodumene making it more amenable to liberation.
Collectively, the preliminary HLS results strongly indicate that a
DMS only operation at CV13 is applicable. Further, the results
support a joint processing approach for the CV5 and CV13
pegmatites, whereby both could be processed at reasonable recovery
in the same process plant. Such a scenario is optimal and reduces
site infrastructure footprints and needs in the event of joint
development.
To date, the metallurgical data collected from
the CV5 and CV13 pegmatites is highly encouraging and demonstrates
that a DMS only flowsheet is applicable at both clusters. Further,
the data suggests that both pegmatites could be jointly crushed and
feed the same process plant, while maintaining reasonably high
recoveries into a marketable spodumene concentrate of +5.5% Li2O.
As a next step, the Company intends to collect a sizable and
representative, composite drill core sample over the summer-fall of
2023 in order to feed a DMS pilot plant.
Figure 1: Location of the CV13 Pegmatite cluster
relative to the CV5 Pegmatite cluster.
Figure 2: Distribution of composite core samples
collected for HLS testwork at the CV13 Pegmatite cluster.
Figure 3: Results from the inaugural drill
testing at the CV13 Pegmatite cluster, completed in 2022.
About the CV Lithium Trend
The CV Lithium Trend is an emerging spodumene
pegmatite district discovered by the Company in 2017 and spans more
than 25-km across the Corvette Property. The core area includes an
approximate 3.7-km long spodumene pegmatite (the ‘CV5 Pegmatite’)
and multiple proximal secondary spodumene pegmatite lenses.
To date, six (6) distinct clusters of lithium
pegmatite have been discovered across the Corvette Property – CV5
Pegmatite and associated lenses, CV4, CV8-12, CV9, CV10, and CV13.
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. Further, the
high number of well-mineralized pegmatites along the trend indicate
a strong potential for a series of relatively closely
spaced/stacked, sub-parallel, and sizable spodumene-bearing
pegmatite bodies, with significant lateral and depth extent, to be
present.
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, and member in good standing with the
Ordre des Géologues du Québec (Geologist Permit number 1968), 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 a Senior Geologist and Project
Manager with Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Mr. Smith 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 JORC Code, 2012. 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. The Corvette Property is one of the
largest and highest-grade hard rock lithium projects being
explored, with over 50 kilometres of strike length over a 214
square kilometre land package and over 70 lithium bearing pegmatite
outcrops identified to date.
The Corvette Property is situated proximal to
the all-weather Trans Taiga Road and Hydro-Québec power line
infrastructure in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec. The
Property hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the CV5
Pegmatite, which has been traced by drilling over a strike length
of at least 3.7 km with spodumene pegmatite encountered as deep as
425 m vertical depth.
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.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au,
for available exploration data.
This news release has been approved by the Board
of Directors,
“BLAIR WAY”
Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking
Information
This news release contains forward-looking
statements and other statements that are not historical facts.
Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as
“will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar
expressions. All statements other than statements of historical
fact, including with respect to the ability of the Company to
process minerals from its properties as proposed, or at all,
included in this news release are forward-looking statements that
involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results
to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the
results of further exploration and testing, and other risks
detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with
securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com. The reader is
cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any
forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or
circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from
those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks,
uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the
control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue
reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information,
although considered reasonable by management at the time of
preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may
differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking
statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified
by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements
contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news
release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the
included forward-looking statements as expressly required by
applicable law.
No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has
reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
the content of this news release.
Appendix 1 – JORC Code 2012 Table 1
information required by ASX Listing Rule 5.7.1
Section 1 – Sampling Techniques and
Data
|
Criteria |
JORC Code explanation |
Commentary |
|
Samplingtechniques |
- Nature and quality of sampling (eg
cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised 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
mineralisation 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 pulverised 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 mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may
warrant disclosure of detailed information.
|
- Core sampling protocols met or
exceeded industry standard practices.
- The five (5) HLS samples were
comprised of saw-cut, quarter-core intervals and collected from six
(6) different holes.
- The HLS samples are collectively
considered an appropriate test approach to evaluate DMS at the
greater CV13 Pegmatite cluster as a whole. Samples were selected to
be as representative as practical.
|
|
Drillingtechniques |
- 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).
|
- The samples utilized quarter-core NQ
size drill core.
|
|
Drill samplerecovery |
- Method of recording and assessing
core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.
- Measures taken to maximise 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.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
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.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Sub-samplingtechniquesand samplepreparation |
- 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 maximise 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.
|
- Core sampling protocols met or
exceeded industry standard practices.
- The five (5) HLS samples were
comprised of saw-cut, quarter-core intervals and collected from six
(6) different holes.
- Sample size is considered
appropriate for the test method at lab scale
|
|
Quality ofassay dataandlaboratorytests |
- 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.
|
- All core samples collected were
shipped to SGS Canada’s Metallurgical laboratory in Lakefield,
ON
- SGS (Lakefield) was responsible for
selecting the appropriate analytical method (NaO2 fusion followed
by ICP-OES) and ensuring adequate QAQC was satisfied, and the
Company has relied upon such practice. SGS (Lakefield) is a
well-established metallurgical and analytical laboratory serving
mineral exploration industry and is independent of the
Company.
- The assay techniques are considered
appropriate for the nature and type of mineralization present, and
result in a total digestion and assay for the elements of
interest.
|
|
Verificationof samplingandassaying |
- 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.
|
- Assays were compiled and verified by
SGS Canada, an analytical laboratory that is independent of the
Company.
|
|
Location ofdata 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.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Dataspacinganddistribution |
- 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.
|
- The HLS samples were comprised of
~8-10 m core-length, quarter-core composites at targeted locations
within the CV13 Pegmatite, which would allow assessment of
liberation and recovery characteristics at varied depths and
locations along strike.
|
|
Orientationof data inrelation togeologicalstructure |
- 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 mineralised
structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this
should be assessed and reported if material.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Samplesecurity |
- The measures taken to ensure sample
security.
|
- Samples were collected by
consultants to the Company following specific protocols governing
sample collection and handling. Core samples were bagged, placed in
large supersacs for added security, palleted, and shipped by third
party transport to SGS Lakefield, ON, being tracked during
shipment. 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 orreviews |
- The results of any audits or reviews
of sampling techniques and data.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this
section.)
|
Criteria |
JORC Code explanation |
Commentary |
|
Mineraltenementand landtenurestatus |
- 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 417 claims located in the James Bay Region of Quebec with all
claims registered to the Company. The Property is located
approximately 10-15 km south of the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline
infrastructure corridor.
- 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 Property does not overlap any
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
(April 20th to May 20th) where the communities request helicopter
flying be completed.
- Claim expiry dates range from
September 2023 to July 2025.
|
|
Exploration doneby other parties |
- Acknowledgment and appraisal of
exploration by other parties.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release
|
|
Geology |
- Deposit type, geological setting and
style of mineralisation.
|
- The Property is situated within 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
underlain by the Guyer Group (basaltic amphibolite, iron formation)
and the Corvette Formation (amphibolite of intermediate to mafic
volcanics). Several occurrences of ultramafic rocks (peridotite,
pyroxenite, komatiite) as well as felsic volcanics (tuffs) are also
mapped over areas of the Property. The basaltic amphibolite rocks
that trend east-west (generally 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. Several regional-scale Proterozoic gabbroic dykes also
cut through portions of the Property (Lac Spirt Dykes, Senneterre
Dykes).
- The geologic 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 – Maven
Trend (copper, gold, silver), Golden Trend (gold), and CV Trend
(lithium, tantalum). Lithium mineralization at the Property is
observed to occur within quartz-feldspar pegmatite (LCT
Pegmatites), often 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 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 at Corvette also carry
significant tantalum values with tantalite indicated to be the
mineral phase.
|
|
Drill holeInformation |
- 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.
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Data aggregationmethods |
- 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 – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Relationshipbetweenmineralisationwidths andintercept lengths |
- These relationships are particularly
important in the reporting of Exploration Results.
- If the geometry of the
mineralisation 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’).
|
- N/a – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
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 – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Balancedreporting |
- 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 – metallurgical testing reported
in this release.
|
|
Other substantiveexploration 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
preliminary metallurgical testing comprised of HLS and DMS and
magnetic testing, which has produced 5.8+% Li2O spodumene
concentrates at >70% recovery from CV5 Pegmatite material. The
data suggests potential for a DMS only operation to be applicable
to the project.
|
|
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 complete
mineral processing programs on CV5 and CV13 material.
|
Photos accompanying this announcement are available
athttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/39e54925-2ace-445e-85a7-16d4a21ec1fbhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e1d0c171-affc-4679-96d5-36ed6cb4b455https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/23772a3d-e7ab-4c4f-afc5-3b1ce38c5214
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