Additionally, mineralization has been extended to depth in hole NN2311 and a narrow band of mineralization was intersected starting from surface in the northernmost hole, NN2312.
Two holes (NN2307 and NN2310) drilled from the same pad show the mineralized horizons extend at least 600 meters (about 2,000 ft) west of hole NN2203 drilled in 2022. Hole NN2307 was drilled vertically, and NN2310 was drilled at a 50-degree dip due east. Hole NN2307 cut a total of 50.3 meters averaging 2533 ppm Li and NN2310 cut 47.7 meters averaging 3220 ppm Li.
Hole NN2311 was drilled from the same pad as sonic core hole NN2302 to compare sonic and diamond core results and to extend the hole in search of deeper clay horizons. The hole adds 7 meters (23 feet) of mineralized clay to the sequence thickness at this location, and core assays align well with sonic assays. NN2311 cut a total of 39.5 meters at an average grade of 3550 ppm Li in the upper zone and 7 meters of 2732 ppm Li in the newly identified deeper zone.
Hole NN2312 was drilled north of hole NN2303 to test for further extension of mineralized clays. The hole intersected 3.6 meters at surface of mineralized clay averaging 1,480 Li ppm. Evidence from core and geophysics have led to the interpretation of a new fault that suggests the main part of the basin to the south is a down-dropped block. Interestingly, low-resistivity horizons observed in the geophysics data plunge below the surface to the north of hole NN2312, suggesting there may be additional lithium mineralization to the north of this hole.
Mr.
NN2307
Drilled to a total depth of 235.31m (772 ft), hole NN2307 tested for the extension of mineralization to the west of the 2022 drilling. Westward, towards the suspected basin center, the upper mineralized horizon was expected to reside deeper below surface. This diamond core step-out hole confirmed the lateral continuity of the high-grade mineralized horizons. NN2307 returned positive sample results ranging between 1060 ppm Li to 4,390 ppm Li. These results include four contiguous mineralized horizons averaging 1410ppm Li over 7.6m, 3268 ppm Li over 21.3m, 1230ppm Li over
3.1m, and 2361ppm Li over 18.3m. The upper 7.6m-thick horizon was an unexpected intercept and appears to correlate to the upper horizon at the top of NN2303, 1500m to the north.
Composite lithium values for the mineralized horizons, using a 1,000ppm cutoff with no internal dilution, are shown in the following table:
SUMMARY OF ACHIEVEMENTS
Drilling these four diamond core holes, NN2307, NN2310, NN2311, and NN2312, has achieved six significant goals:
Confirmed additional extension of the known deposit to the west of the 2022 discovery drilling, resulting in an increased footprint of the mineralized zone.
Confirmed the consistency in mineralization and associated Li grades in sonic drilling, thereby continuing to bolster confidence in existing data while providing opportunities to utilize multiple methods of borehole exploration.
Confirmed the lateral continuity of the mineralized layers, continuing to increase confidence in interpretations of data showing continuous stratiform Li clay layers, the boundaries of which remain open in most directions.
Confirmed the existence of deeper mineralized zones that are anticipated to shallow to the east, creating additional near-surface exploration targets.
Identified potential structural complexities and basin geomorphology, advancing our understanding of the project geology. This data is critical for developing future exploration and mine plans and will be used to guide activities moving forward.
SAMPLE CUSTODY AND HANDLING
Core samples from the diamond drilling were placed in standard waxed cardboard core boxes by the drillers who delivered the core to the Surge field office. The core samples were logged at the camp and sample intervals marked with the sample number tags. The core was then driven by Surge workers to a locked warehouse in
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Initial assay results from the first hole of the 2023 season (NN2301) had a high of 8070 ppm lithium with an average of 4,067 ppm lithium at a 1,000-ppm cut-off. The 2023 drill program expanded the known lithium-rich clay from the current 1,620 meters strike length to more than 3,500 meters and the known width of the mineralization to 950 meters from the previously drill-indicated 400 meters. The 2023 drill program is now completed with all assays received. We will use the winter season to produce a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate, complete additional metallurgical studies, and prepare for additional exploration of the property in the spring.
Contact:
Email: info@surgebatterymetals.com
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