Highlights further substantial discovery upside at Shaakichiuwaanaan
Highlights
Significant new spodumene pegmatite cluster discovered from surface exploration within the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Quebec, Canada.
The new discovery, named “CV15”, sits along geological trend from the CV9-CV10-CV14 spodumene pegmatites and ~20 km west of the cornerstone CV5 Deposit:
Outcrop sample assays of 2.11% Li2O, 1.55% Li2O, and 1.02% Li2O.
Multiple pegmatite outcrops identified over a 400 m x 200 m area to date.
Discovery extends the prospective “Mickel Trend” by ~1.9 km to ~5.5 km in length, which is longer than the CV5 Pegmatite (4.6 km).
The ~5.5 km long Mickel Trend starts ~9.5 km west of the CV13 Pegmatite, demonstrating the enormous scale and prospectivity of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property.
New LCT pegmatite outcrop also discovered ~525 m along strike from the CV8 Spodumene Pegmatite with sample assays including 2,282 ppm Ta2O5, significantly extending the local prospective LCT pegmatite trend.
Additional subangular spodumene pegmatite boulders discovered to the northwest and southeast of the CV5 Deposit, highlighting the potential for additional spodumene pegmatites to be discovered under glacial till cover proximal to the currently known CV5 Deposit footprint.
The 2024 outcrop and boulder discoveries, demonstrate the considerable discovery upside that remains over significant parts of the Shaakachiuwaanaan Property.
Darren L. Smith, Patriot Executive and Vice President of Exploration, comments: “The 2024 surface campaign at Shaakichiuwaanaan has delivered significant results which continue to demonstrate that we have still only scratched the surface in terms of the Property’s broader exploration potential. The discovery of another new spodumene pegmatite occurrence at CV15 – along the prospective Mickel Trend, which encompasses CV9, CV10, CV14, and CV15 – represents another exciting opportunity for the Company.”
“We are eager to follow-up this discovery with systematic surface exploration, including channeling and mapping, as the Mickel Trend has now been extended by ~1.9 km, from ~3.6 km to ~5.5 km. Coupled with the numerous spodumene pegmatite boulders over the Property, these discoveries highlight the extensive nature of the spodumene mineralized system at Shaakichiuwaanaan. There remains strong potential for additional discoveries,” added Mr. Smith.
VANCOUVER, BC, March 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ – March 26, 2025 – Sydney, Australia
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new spodumene pegmatite cluster, CV15, from its 2024 surface exploration campaign at the wholly-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (the “Property” or “Project”), located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec.
Figure 6: Highly prospective areas for spodumene pegmatite based on recent boulder sampling results. Cumulative surface sampling results since 2017 are presented. (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc.)
Figure 7: Highly prospective areas for spodumene pegmatite based on recent boulder sampling results. Only 2024 surface sampling results are presented. (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc.)
Figure 8: Light green spodumene crystals in a matrix of feldspar and smoky quartz from angular boulder (0.93% Li2O), located northwest of CV5. (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc.)
The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property hosts a consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate1 (“MRE”) of 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O Inferred. The CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, which forms the bulk of the MRE, is accessible year-round by all-season road and is situated approximately 14 km from a major hydroelectric powerline corridor. The CV13 Pegmatite is located 1% Li2O to a peak of 3.25% Li2O. Cumulatively, mineralized boulders sampled south of CV5 in 2023 and 2024 strongly suggest the presence of additional undiscovered spodumene pegmatite between CV5 and CV4, and to their immediate south.
The 2025 surface exploration campaign is currently being designed. It is anticipated to include follow-up mapping and channel sampling at the newly discovered CV15 Spodumene Pegmatite cluster, as well as continued follow-up prospecting and sampling of the various mineralized boulder trains. Surface mapping at the CV5 and CV13 spodumene pegmatites will also continue and feed into their respective geological models.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC)
The Company has relied on internal laboratory checks and blank / certified reference material insertion for surface rock samples.
All surface samples collected were shipped to SGS Canada’s laboratory in Val-d’Or, QC, or Radisson, QC, for sample preparation (code PRP90 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).
Management cautions that prospecting surface rock samples and associated assays, as discussed herein, are selective by nature and represent a point location, and therefore may not necessarily be fully representative of the mineralized horizon sampled.
About the CV Lithium Trend
The CV Lithium Trend is a spodumene pegmatite district discovered by the Company in 2017 and is interpreted to span more than 25 kilometres across the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property. The core area includes the Shaakichiuwaanaan consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate3 of 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O Inferred. To date, nine (9) distinct clusters of lithium pegmatite have been discovered across the Property – CV4, CV5, CV8, CV9, CV10, CV12, CV13, CV14, and the recently discovered CV15. Of these, only three (CV5, CV9, and CV13) have seen meaningfull drill testing.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this news release that relates to exploration results for the Shaakichiuwaanaan 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 an Executive and 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 Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (formerly known as Corvette) located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, which is accessible year-round by all-season road and is proximal to regional powerline infrastructure. The Shaakichiuwaanaan Mineral Resource3, which includes the CV5 & CV13 spodumene pegmatites, totals 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated, and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O Inferred, and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas, and the 8th largest lithium pegmatite resource in the world.
A Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) was announced for the CV5 Pegmatite August 21, 2024, and highlights it as a potential North American Lithium Raw Materials Powerhouse. The PEA outlines the potential for a competitive and globally significant high-grade lithium project targeting up to ~800 ktpa spodumene concentrate using a simple Dense Media Separation (“DMS) only process flowsheet.
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For further information, please contact us at [email protected] 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 “upside”, “prospective”, “to follow-up”, “additional”, “to be”, “continue to”, “potential”, “opportunity” and similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements on the 2025 surface exploration campaign and the potential for discovery of additional spodumene pegmatites.
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, without limitation, that proposed exploration and mineral resource estimate work on the Property will continue as expected, the accuracy of reserve and resource estimates, the classification of resources between inferred and the assumptions on which the reserve and resource estimates are based, long-term demand for spodumene supply, and that exploration and development results continue to support management’s current plans for Property development and expectations for the Project.
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 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 5.23)
The mineral resource estimate in this release was reported by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 on August 5, 2024. The Company confirms that, as of the date of this announcement, it is not aware of any new information or data verified by the competent person 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, as at the date of this announcement, the form and context in which the competent person’s findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.
The production target referred to in this release was reported by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.16 on August 21, 2024. The Company confirms that, as of the date of this announcement, all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the production target in the original announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
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.
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Prospecting rock samples were collected as grab and/or chip samples and represent a point location.
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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).
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n/a, no drilling undertaken.
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Drill sample recovery |
Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.
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n/a, no drilling undertaken.
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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.
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The logging is qualitative by nature, and includes estimates of spodumene grain size, inclusions, and model mineral estimates.
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Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation |
If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.
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The Company relied predominantly on internal laboratory QAQC protocols for the surface rock samples with blanks and CRMs inserted at the geologist’s discretion.
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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.
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Samples collected were shipped either to SGS Canada’s laboratory in Val-d’Or, QC, or Radisson, QC for standard sample preparation (code PRP90 special) which included drying at 105°C, crush to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 250 g, and pulverize 85% passing 75 microns. 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).
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Verification of sampling and assaying |
The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.
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Data capture utilizes MX Deposit software whereby 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.
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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.
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A handheld GPS was used to collect coordinate data for each sample and outcrop location.
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Data spacing and distribution |
Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
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Surface prospecting samples are randomly distributed based on the location of the outcrop or boulder.
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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.
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No sampling bias is anticipated based on structure within the mineralized body.
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Sample security |
The measures taken to ensure sample security.
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Samples were collected by Company staff or its consultants following specific protocols governing sample collection and handling. 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.
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Audits or reviews |
The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
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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.)
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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.
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The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (formerly called “Corvette”) is comprised of 463 CDC claims located in the James Bay Region of Quebec, with Lithium Innova Inc. (wholly owned subsidiary of 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 accessible year-round by all-season road 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.
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Exploration done by other parties |
Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
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No assay results from other parties are disclosed herein.
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Geology |
Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralization.
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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).
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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: easting and northing of the drill hole collar 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.
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n/a, no drilling undertaken.
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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.
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No grade averages or metal equivalents have been reported.
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Relationship between mineralization widths and intercept lengths |
These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.
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The CV15 outcrops have been preliminary mapped. Structural control is assumed; however, is not understood. The orientation of the pegmatite is not known. No drilling has been completed at CV15.
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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.
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Please refer to the figures included herein.
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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.
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A total of 647 surface rock samples were collected during the 2024 exploration campaign.
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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.
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The Company is currently completing site environmental work over the CV5 and CV13 pegmatite area. |