Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) latest drill results at its Corvette Property in Quebec yield high value lithium while detailing pegmatite dimensions and geology.
On Wednesday, the company announced that it completed 18 holes and over 4,000 meters at the CV9 Spodumene-Pegmatite during its summer-fall season.
Multiple drill holes at CV9 returned wide intervals of pegmatite, predominantly bearing spodumene, including:
- Drill hole CV23-345 yielded 100 m of pegmatite (with approximately 1 m of non-pegmatite dilution).
- Drill hole CV23-315 produced 76 m of pegmatite.
- Drill hole CV23-333 resulted in intervals of 70 m and 27 m of pegmatite.
- Drill hole CV23-326 delivered 37 m of pegmatite.
- Drill hole CV23-304 revealed 23 m of pegmatite.
The CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite lies approximately 14 kilometers west of the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. It carries an inferred resource of 109.2 Mt at 1.42 per cent Li2O. It is also situated 9.5 kilometers west-northwest of the CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite and 11 kilometers south of the Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructure.
“This is a very strong start to the drill exploration at the CV9 Pegmatite,” said Darren L. Smith, vice president of exploration.
“Although no core assays have been received yet, the presence of spodumene and the length of pegmatite encountered in multiple holes, highlighted by an approximate 100 m near-continuous spodumene-bearing hit in the final hole of the program, are very positive in terms of potential of this pegmatite to hold significant scale.”
Drill holes completed at the CV9 Spodumene Pegmatite. Image via Patriot Battery Metals Inc.
The primary objective of the inaugural drill program at CV9 was to determine the geometry and orientation of the pegmatite system. The drilling team completed holes at various orientations from multiple collar locations to achieve this goal.
The results improved on a consistent basis in tandem with the company’s understanding of the pegmatite geometry. Eventually, the last eight holes all yielded continuous core-length pegmatite intercepts exceeding 10 meters, with three intersections surpassing 60 meters.
The current interpretation of the CV9 Pegmatite shows it as a single dike. So far, drilling and outcrop data have defined a strike length of approximately 450 meters. While the width of the dike varies, preliminary geological modelling shows that the pegmatite thickens to a minimum of 80 meters at one location and remains open in multiple directions.
This thickening is evident through the discovery of three wide, variably mineralized spodumene-bearing pegmatite intersections at different orientations, all with significant core lengths.
Read more: Lithium South Development updates leadership roster, appoints new director
Quebec lithium is a competitor in the global market
The Canadian province may not have the same amount of deposits as the so-called Lithium Triangle in Argentina, Bolivia and Chile, but it does represent a significant alternative given the often contentious inter-regional trade politics. The triangle accounts for nearly 50 million tonnes of lithium, making it the world’s largest deposit.
Even such, Quebec distinguishes itself with its hard rock lithium deposits, notably spodumene-rich pegmatites. Although Quebec may not possess the immense lithium reserves seen in the Lithium Triangle, it boasts substantial lithium resources, positioning it as a notable contender in the global lithium market.
It’s been enough to attract lithium seeking companies of all sizes, including Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM), which operates the Whabouchi mine in Shawinigan, Quebec through subsidiary Nemaska Lithium.
The Whabouchi mine stands as one of North America and Europe’s largest high-purity lithium deposits. It holds the distinction of being the world’s second-richest and biggest deposit, boasting 27.3 million tonnes of proven and probable reserves.
In addition, Sayona Mining Ltd (ASX: SYA) operates in the James Bay Region, and Metalex Ventures Ltd. (TSXV: MTX), which reported on Friday that its A1 claim block has demonstrated potential for hosting lithium mineralization.
The Livent Corporation also operates in Argentina with properties bordered by Korean-based POSCO Holdings (KRX: 005490) and Canadian-based junior Lithium South Development Company (TSXV: LIS) (OTCQB: LISMF) (Frankfurt: OGPQ).
