FRONTIER LITHIUM ANNOUNCES FILING OF TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE SPARK LITHIUM RESOURCE AND PROVIDES INITIAL RESULTS ON THE 2023 EXPLORATION PROGRAM
SUDBURY, ON, May 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Frontier Lithium Inc. (TSXV: FL) (FRA: HL2) (OTCQX: LITOF) ("Frontier" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the Company filed the National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Mineral Resource Estimate. The Report is available for review on both SEDAR (www.sedar.com) and the Company's website (www.frontierlithium.com). The Pre-Feasibility Study results are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
The results from the first two holes of eleven drilled to date on the Bolt pegmatite showing. The Bolt pegmatite is located between the Spark and PAK spodumene-bearing lithium deposits on the PAK Lithium Project and has only been mapped and channeled on surface exposures until now.
Highlights:
- The Company commenced drilling at Bolt on March 31st, 2023, and has, to date, completed 2,629m in 11 drill holes. The first hole, DDH PL-103-23, was designed to test the presence of mineralized pegmatite beneath the northernmost surface channel while PL-104-23 stepped out 60m along strike to the northwest towards the Spark deposit. Results from these first two diamond drill holes have been received and highlights are included below:
- DDH PL-103-23 beneath the northernmost channel on the Bolt pegmatite showing, intersected a total of 60.5m of pegmatite averaging 1.33% Li2O.
- Including 30.1m from 101.0 to 131.1m averaging 1.63% Li2O
- Including 12.1m from 119.0 to 131.1m averaging 1.94% Li2O
- DDH PL-104-23 intersected 67.2m of pegmatite averaging 1.33% Li2O on the Bolt pegmatite showing.
- Including 19.4m from 50.6 to 70.0 m averaging 1.53% Li2O
- Including 6.7m from 63.3 to 70.0 m averaging 1.92% Li2O
- The report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the PAK Lithium Project" outlines the upgraded Spark Deposit total resource at 18.8 Mt, with an average grade of 1.52% Li2O in the Indicated category and 29.7 Mt, with an average grade of 1.34% Li2O in the Inferred category.
- A hydrogeological and geomechanical program was conducted with 2,033m in 11 holes eleven drill holes at the PAK deposit in February and March, 2023.
"The drilling at the Bolt pegmatite showing so far has proven consistency in width and lithium grades beneath the surface channels previously mapped. The Bolt pegmatite appears to be a series of dykes of variable thickness that extend sub-parallel to the main trend of the host mafic metavolcanics and metasediments. The mineralization has been continuous, and we will continue over the next couple months to test the trend towards the PAK deposit 1.2 km to the southeast." states Garth Drever, VP Exploration.
Figure 1 is a location map showing the project area including Frontier's land tenure and location of the three lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatites.
During February and March 2023, diamond drilling associated with hydrogeological and geotechnical studies at the PAK deposit was completed. A total of 2,033m in eleven holes; six hydrogeological and five geomechanical holes, were completed in and around the PAK deposit and proposed open pit. These holes will help strengthen our understanding of groundwater movement and rock structure and strength near the deposit in advance of the definitive feasibility study.
Once drilling was completed at PAK the drill rig was mobilized to the Bolt area with drilling commencing on March 31st, 2023. A series of single hole drill fences 60 to 80m apart were designed to test the exposed pegmatite outcrops defining the Bolt pegmatite. In addition, three holes fanned out from the northwest end of Bolt testing the area between the Bolt outcrops and Spark. Figure 2 is a plan view map showing the Bolt outcrop exposures along with drillhole traces showing major lithological features. Drilling is on-going at Bolt with continuation of single-hole fences to the southeast.
Spodumene-bearing aplite with pegmatitic sections were intersected in all holes drilled to date. The initial drilling on Bolt has shown continuity with depth beneath the surface exposures while the dykes appears to be emplaced subvertical to steeply dipping to the southwest. Continuity towards Spark appears somewhat cut-off, however, will require additional drilling to properly model. Due in part to the concordant emplacement, the pegmatite dykes tend to incorporate abundant thin mafic horizons and sheets of host rock. Spodumene is mostly fine grained (1-6mm laths) and typically light grey to grey in color.
Table 1 details the drill holes with mineralized intersections at Bolt while Table 2 summarizes all drill holes completed during the hydrogeological-geomechanical drill program at PAK and the drilling completed to date at the Bolt pegmatite.
Table 1: Summary of Drill Hole Intersections
DDH PL-103-23 | Accessed area from the Spark trail to the west and drilled to the northwest targeting the pegmatite beneath Channel | |||||||||||
Zone | From | To | Width | Li2O | Cs2O | Ta2O5 | Nb2O5 | SnO2 | Rb2O | Unit | ||
Li-Enriched | 28.2 | 31.5 | 3.4 | 1.76 | 0.004 | 67 | 75 | 52 | 0.14 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
Li-Enriched | 37.0 | 51.0 | 14.0 | 1.20 | 0.012 | 85 | 71 | 86 | 0.23 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
Li-Enriched | 87.9 | 131.1 | 43.2 | 1.33 | 0.006 | 75 | 81 | 53 | 0.25 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
including | 101.0 | 131.1 | 30.1 | 1.63 | 0.006 | 77 | 76 | 47 | 0.24 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
including | 119.0 | 131.1 | 12.1 | 1.94 | 0.005 | 86 | 75 | 43 | 0.22 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
Total Pegmatite | 60.5 | 1.33 | 0.008 | 77 | 78 | 61 | 0.24 | |||||
DDH PL-104-23 | Collared 60m to the northwest of PL-103-23 to test the section towards Spark. An upper 55.5m pegmatite zone was intersected | |||||||||||
Zone | From | To | Width | Li2O | Cs2O | Ta2O5 | Nb2O5 | SnO2 | Rb2O | Unit | ||
Li-Enriched | 23.5 | 79.0 | 55.5 | 1.33 | 0.007 | 56 | 62 | 74 | 0.19 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
including | 50.6 | 70.0 | 19.4 | 1.53 | 0.007 | 49 | 48 | 59 | 0.19 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
including | 63.3 | 70.0 | 6.7 | 1.92 | 0.008 | 59 | 45 | 74 | 0.20 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
Li-Enriched | 95.9 | 107.5 | 11.7 | 1.36 | 0.018 | 89 | 62 | 59 | 0.21 | Pegmatite-Aplite | ||
Total Pegmatite | 67.2 | 1.33 | 0.009 | 62 | 62 | 71 | 0.20 | |||||
DDHNo | Date Drilled | UTM Zone 15N (NAD83) | Collar Orient | Metres Drilled | ||||||
Start | End | Easting | Northing | (mASL) | Azim | Dip | Start | End | ||
Bolt: Phase XIII | PL-103-23 | 2023-03-31 | 2023-04-02 | 473,126 | 5,829,159 | 344.0 | 41 | -43 | 0 | 206.0 |
PL-104-23 | 2023-04-02 | 2023-04-03 | 473,096 | 5,829,215 | 340.0 | 45 | -45 | 0 | 163.5 | |
PL-105-23 | 2023-04-03 | 2023-04-04 | 473,101 | 5,829,230 | 340.0 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 102.0 | |
PL-106-23 | 2023-04-04 | 2023-04-07 | 473,101 | 5,829,234 | 340.0 | 354 | -44 | 0 | 360.0 | |
PL-107-23 | 2023-04-08 | 2023-04-15 | 473,094 | 5,829,225 | 340.0 | 260 | -43 | 0 | 282.0 | |
PL-108-23 | 2023-04-11 | 2023-04-13 | 473,095 | 5,829,228 | 340.0 | 300 | -45 | 0 | 246.0 | |
PL-109-23 | 2023-04-16 | 2023-04-17 | 473,153 | 5,829,108 | 344.0 | 45 | -45 | 0 | 213.0 | |
PL-110-23 | 2023-04-18 | 2023-04-19 | 473,204 | 5,829,033 | 351.0 | 48 | -45 | 0 | 211.5 | |
PL-111-23 | 2023-04-20 | 2023-04-23 | 473,221 | 5,828,937 | 353.0 | 45 | -45 | 0 | 327.0 | |
PL-112-23 | 2023-04-23 | 2023-04-25 | 473,284 | 5,828,901 | 357.1 | 45 | -46 | 0 | 248.1 | |
PL-113-23 | 2023-04-25 | 2023-04-28 | 473,308 | 5,828,840 | 360.0 | 50 | -45 | 0 | 270.0 | |
Total | 2629.1 | |||||||||
PAK Hdrogeological-Geomechanical | PL-GDH-13-23 | 2023-02-07 | 2023-02-12 | 474,417 | 5,827,788 | 318.0 | 34 | -47 | 0 | 352.5 |
PL-GDH-14-23 | 2023-02-12 | 2023-02-13 | 474,283 | 5,828,051 | 319.0 | 121 | -47 | 0 | 102.0 | |
PL-GDH-15-23 | 2023-02-13 | 2023-02-16 | 474,796 | 5,828,023 | 323.0 | 249 | -47 | 0 | 266.1 | |
PL-GDH-16-23 | 2023-02-17 | 2023-03-23 | 474,586 | 5,828,129 | 324.0 | 191 | -47 | 0 | 99.0 | |
PL-GDH-17-23 | 2023-02-18 | 2023-02-23 | 474,384 | 5,827,860 | 321.0 | 55 | -69 | 0 | 201.0 | |
PL-GDH-18-23 | 2023-03-03 | 2023-03-05 | 474,701 | 5,827,894 | 317.0 | 17 | -69 | 0 | 120.0 | |
PL-GDH-19-23 | 2023-03-06 | 2023-03-11 | 474,668 | 5,827,787 | 316.0 | 340 | -70 | 0 | 201.0 | |
PL-GDH-20-23 | 2023-02-23 | 2023-02-28 | 474,826 | 5,827,883 | 320.0 | 290 | -70 | 0 | 201.0 | |
PL-GDH-21-23 | 2023-02-28 | 2023-03-03 | 474,763 | 5,828,096 | 325.0 | 213 | -71 | 0 | 97.6 | |
PL-GDH-22-23 | 2023-03-16 | 2023-03-21 | 474,437 | 5,827,982 | 325.0 | 34 | -69 | 0 | 201.0 | |
PL-GDH-23-23 | 2023-03-12 | 2023-03-15 | 474,741 | 5,828,050 | 319.0 | 39 | -69 | 0 | 192.0 | |
Total | 2033.2 | |||||||||
Grand Total | 4662.3 | |||||||||
Current plans are to continue drilling Bolt from the west and then move the drill back to the PAK area and continue with widely spaced single hole fences with collars from the east.
Table 3 is a summary of the current Mineral Resource Estimate for the PAK Lithium project.
Table 3: PAK Lithium Project Global Resource
2023 (2023-02-28) | Deposit | Resource Category | Tonnes (t) | Li2O | Ta2O5 | Cs2O | Rb2O | Contained | Lithium |
PAK | Measured | 1,344,600 | 2.14 | 94 | 0.04 | 0.25 | 28,790 | 71,193 | |
PAK | Indicated | 5,884,930 | 1.81 | 94 | 0.04 | 0.25 | 106,373 | 263,044 | |
Spark | Indicated | 18,828,000 | 1.52 | 112 | 0.02 | 0.26 | 286,186 | 707,694 | |
PAK | Inferred | 2,758,250 | 2.22 | 89 | 0.03 | 0.26 | 61,107 | 151,108 | |
Spark | Inferred | 29,746,000 | 1.34 | 116 | 0.03 | 0.26 | 398,596 | 985,668 | |
Combined | Measured/Indicated | 26,057,530 | 1.62 | 107 | 0.02 | 0.26 | 421,348 | 1,041,931 | |
Combined | Inferred | 32,504,250 | 1.41 | 114 | 0.03 | 0.26 | 459,703 | 1,136,776 |
Due Diligence
All scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Garth Drever, P.Geo., the qualified person (QP) under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101. Under Frontier's QA/QC procedures, all drilling was completed by Chenier Drilling Ltd. of Val Caron, ON using thin walled BTW drill rods (4.2 cm core diameter) and a Reflex ACT III oriented core system. Using the Reflex system, the drill core was oriented and marked as it was retrieved at the drill. The core was boxed and delivered to the Frontier core shack where it was examined, geologically logged, and marked for sampling. The core was photographed prior to sampling. Using a rock saw, the marked sample intervals were halved with one-half bagged for analysis. Sample blanks along with lithium, rubidium and cesium certified reference material was routinely inserted into the sample stream in accordance with industry recommended practices. Field duplicate samples were also taken in accordance with industry recommended practices. The samples were placed in poly sample bags and transported to Red Lake by float plane and then shipped to AGAT Laboratories Ltd. (AGAT) in Thunder Bay for sample preparation and to Mississauga, Ontario for processing and quantitative multi-element analysis. AGAT is an ISO accredited laboratory. The core is stored on site at the Pakeagama Lake exploration camp.
About Frontier Lithium
Frontier Lithium is a preproduction business with an objective to become a strategic domestic supplier of spodumene concentrates for industrial users as well as battery-grade lithium hydroxide and other chemicals to the growing electric vehicle and energy storage markets in North America. The Company maintains the largest land position and resource in a premium lithium mineral district located in Ontario's Great Lakes region.
About PAK Lithium Project
The PAK lithium project contains one of North America's highest-grade lithium resources. The project encompasses close to 27,000 hectares and remains largely unexplored; however, since 2013, the company has delineated two premium spodumene-bearing lithium deposits (PAK and Spark), located 2.3 kilometres apart. Exploration is continuing on the project through two other spodumene-bearing discoveries: the Bolt pegmatite (located between the PAK and Spark deposits), as well as the Pennock pegmatite (25 kilometres northwest of PAK deposit within the project claims). A 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate report (National Instrument 43-101 technical report titled "NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate Pak Lithium Project " by BBA E&C Inc., with an effective date of April 28, 2023) underlined a total resource at the PAK deposit of 7.2 Mt, with an average grade of 1.87% Li2O (Measured & Indicated) and 2.8 Mt, with an average grade of 2.22% Li2O (Inferred) and at the Spark deposit 18.8 Mt with an average grade of 1.52% Li2O (Indicated) and 29.7 Mt an average grade of 1.34% Li2O (Inferred).
Forward-looking Statements
Neither the 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. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's registered filings available at sedar.com.
SOURCE Frontier Lithium Inc.
Company Contact Information: Bora Ugurgel, Manager, Investor Relations, 2736 Belisle Drive Val Caron, ON. P3N 1B3 CANADA, T. +001 705.897.7622, F. +001 705.897.7618
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