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Highlights
Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) testwork on eleven (11) core sample composites indicate that a Dense Media Separation (“DMS”) process is applicable to the greater CV5 Pegmatite body.
HLS sample head grades ranged from 0.67% to 2.73% Li2O, resulting in an average spodumene concentrate grade of 5.98% Li2O at 77% recovery.
Results affirm previous HLS and DMS results and bolster confidence that a simple DMS driven flowsheet, without the need of flotation, is applicable to the greater CV5 Pegmatite.
Testwork indicates that a marketable spodumene concentrate exceeding 5.5% Li2O at high 70’s recovery is achievable using a DMS process.
Five (5) composite samples have been selected from the CV13 Pegmatite for HLS testing to evaluate the potential of DMS on this material.
Mineral Process Consultant and Project Steering Group member, Brett Grosvenor, comments: “The results of this HLS testwork, which encompasses a wider sampling of the overall CV5 Pegmatite, are very positive and give us a strong confidence that DMS will be applicable to the CV5 Pegmatite as a whole. These results demonstrate similar liberation and process characteristics are present across the pegmatite body at various depths along its length, along with high lithium recoveries in-line with the prior HLS and DMS work. Collectively, the results of the test program provide a strong ‘vote of confidence’ in a simple DMS process plant design without the need for flotation.”
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) (TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the results of the Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) Phase II testwork program on CV5 Pegmatite material, completed as follow-up to the successful Phase I HLS and Dense Media Separation (“DMS”) testwork program (see news release dated December 19th, 2022).
The prior Phase I HLS and DMS testwork, completed on CV5 Pegmatite material from drill holes CF21-001 and 002, affirm that bench scale HLS testing is a cost-effective way to rapidly assess the applicability of larger scale DMS processing, which is more reflective of an operating and continuous process (Table 1). As a next step, the HLS testwork program was expanded (i.e., Phase II) with the objective to assess the liberation and recovery characteristics of spodumene at different locations within the CV5 Pegmatite – along strike and at depth – which in turn would assess the applicability of DMS to the CV5 Pegmatite as a whole. To accomplish this, a total of eleven (11), ~10 m core length, quarter-core composite samples were selected from varied depths and locations laterally along the CV5 Pegmatite and each run through an HLS plus magnetic separation process.
Head grades for the samples ranged from 0.67% to 2.73% Li2O, averaging 1.48% Li2O, and included varied amounts of mica and tourmaline to further assess their impact on the process. In order to provide a baseline assessment of HLS performance, a single cut size of 2.85 SG was used, with the sink product (spodumene fraction) then run through a simple magnetic separation circuit to remove lingering high-iron gangue minerals (e.g., amphibole). 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.
The results, presented in Table 1, are very encouraging with all but the lowest grade sample exceeding 5.5% Li2O to a peak of 6.58% Li2O spodumene concentrate, with recoveries ranging from 73 to 86%. Including the lowest grade sample, the average over all eleven (11) core composites graded 5.98% Li2O at 77% recovery, in line with the prior DMS results of 5.8% Li2O and 79% recovery. The targeted objective was to achieve a 5.5%+ Li2O spodumene concentrate at >70% recovery, and therefore the test program was highly successful. Further the conditions remain unoptimized for this testwork with no blending considered.
Collectively, the Phase II HLS testwork demonstrates that the CV5 Pegmatite shares similar liberation and process characteristics across the majority of the pegmatite body defined to date, at various depths along its length. Further, the work indicates that a marketable spodumene concentrate exceeding 5.5% Li2O at high recovery is achievable using a DMS process. With the ability to produce marketable spodumene concentrate at recoveries between 70 and 80%, the results of the test program provide a strong indication that a simple DMS processing plant design, without the need for flotation, will be the base case for the Project.
Table 1: Summary of HLS testwork results at the CV5 Pegmatite
The coarse-grained nature of the mineralization at CV5 allows for strong mineral liberation and recovery at relatively coarse crush sizes. For the CV5 Pegmatite this has resulted in high spodumene recoveries into the final DMS (+ non-magnetic) concentrate at a coarse crush size of ‑9.5 mm. In lithium pegmatite mineral processing, a coarse crush size is strongly preferred to a smaller crush size (or grinding) as it requires a reduced power consumption and less equipment. Additionally, the benefits of DMS (± magnetic separation) compared to 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. Additionally, DMS is a much more environmentally sustainable process when compared to traditional flotation intensive processes.
The next phase of the flowsheet development is anticipated to be completed on a 1-2 tonne composite sample comprised of drill core from the CV5 Pegmatite. The location of this area is not yet confirmed as the CV5 Pegmatite remains to be fully delineated and, therefore, advanced pit shells are not yet complete.
Additionally, due to the positive results of the initial drill testing at the CV13 Pegmatite cluster as well as the interpreted potential present (see news release dated February 13th, 2023), the Company has selected five (5) ~10 m core-length sample composites for preliminary HLS testing. The data collected will provide a preliminary evaluation of process variability (spodumene liberation and recovery) at a coarse crush size using the same HLS parameters from the CV5 Pegmatite test program. The results will also provide an indication as to the applicability of a DMS process at the CV13 Pegmatite and if joint processing with the CV5 Pegmatite material may be possible.
Figure 1: Distribution of samples collected for Phase I and II HLS/DMS testwork
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 2.6 km long spodumene pegmatite (the ‘CV5 Pegmatite’) and multiple proximal secondary spodumene pegmatite lenses. This corridor has returned drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li2O, including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li2O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li2O (CV22‑083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li2O (CV22-042), 131.2 m at 1.96% Li2O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li2O, including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li2O (CV22-093).
To date, six (6) distinct clusters of lithium pegmatite have been discovered across the Property – CV5 Pegmatite and associated lenses, CV4, CV8-12, CV9, CV10, and the recently discovered 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 Nevada Lithium Resources Inc., Vice President of Exploration and Director for Ophir Gold Corp, 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 mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral properties containing battery, base, and precious metals.
The Company’s flagship asset is the 100% owned Corvette Property, located proximal to the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructural corridor in the James Bay Region of Québec. The land package hosts significant lithium potential highlighted by the 2.6 km long CV5 spodumene pegmatite with drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li2O, including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li2O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li2O (CV22‑083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li2O (CV22-042), 131.2 m at 1.96% Li2O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li2O, including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li2O (CV22-093). Additionally, the Property hosts the Golden Gap Trend with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 7 m at 10.5 g/t Au in drill hole, and the Maven Trend with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in outcrop.
The Company also holds 100% ownership of the Freeman Creek Gold Property in Idaho, USA which hosts two prospective gold prospects – the Gold Dyke Prospect with a 2020 drill hole intersection of 12 m at 4.11 g/t Au and 33.0 g/t Ag, and the Carmen Creek Prospect with surface sample results including 25.5 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag, and 9.75% Cu.
The Company’s other assets include the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC; and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada.
For further information, please contact us at info@patriotbatterymetals.com Tel: +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, 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, 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.
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