Ophir Channel Sample Results Confirm High Grade Cesium Mineralization at HW3 Pegmatite at the Pilipas Property, James Bay, Quebec
Ophir Channel Sample Results Confirm High
Grade Cesium Mineralization at HW3
Pegmatite at the Pilipas Property, James Bay,
Quebec
Highlights
Well-mineralized channel intervals at the HW3 Pegmatite
1.4 m at 6.00% Cs
2
O
including
0.5 m at 12.40% Cs
2
O
(PCH24-001)
5.0 m at 1.46%
Cs
2
O,
including
3.0 m at 2.29% Cs
2
O
and
1.0 m at 5.30% Cs
2
O
(PCH24-
002)
4.0 m at 1.81% Cs
2
O
, including
2.0 m at 2.30% Cs
2
O
(PCH24-003)
Area of known cesium mineralization of the HW3 Pegmatite expanded,
with defined zone of
enrichment in the northern portion of the outcrop
HW3 Pegmatite
remains open in multiple directions
Pollucite mineralization confirmed by Quantitative XRD analysis
4.24% Cs
2
O
from additional outcrop grab sample
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 3, 2025) -
Ophir Metals Corp.
(TSXV:
OPHR) (OTCQB: OPHRF) (FSE: 80M)
("
Ophir
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to announce the
success of its channel sampling program with the confirmation of high-grade Cesium at its HW3 Lithium-
Cesium Pegmatite on the Pilipas Lithium Property (the "Property" or "Project"), located in the Eeyou
Istchee James Bay, Quebec. Pilipas is located proximal to existing hydroelectric power that flanks the
Property to the east, an all-season road that bisects the western side of the Property and is situated in
highly prospective greenstone terrain.
The channel sampling program on the HW3 Pegmatite concluded early December with four (4) channels
totaling 74.3 m being cut and sampled (Table 1). Results confirmed the presence of high-grade cesium
across the HW3 Pegmatite with elevated levels of lithium and tantalum.
Sampling results confirmed further presence of the high-grade zonation of cesium oxide (Cs
2
O).
PCH24-001 returned 6.00% Cs
2
O over 1.4 m and 12.40% Cs
2
O over 0.5 m.
(Table 1). PCH24-002
returned
5.0 m at 1.46% Cs
2
O, including 3.0 m at 2.29% Cs
2
O and 1.0 m at 5.30% Cs
2
O
. Highlights
from PCH24-003 include
4.0 m at 1.81% Cs
2
O
, including
2.0 m at 2.30% Cs
2
O
(Table 2). The results
now highlight a minimum approximate
11 x 4 m
size zone of cesium enrichment within the HW3 outcrop
(Figure 2). The channel results are proximal to the
14.2% Cs
2
O
surface sample reported earlier this
year. (
See news release dated October 10
th
2024
).
The program also expanded the dimensions of the HW3 Pegmatite during surface clearing to
approximately 15 m by 23 m with the southern extent plunging under cover of swamp with no defined
contact found, therefore remaining open in several directions. Several sections cleared of overburden
showed additional markers of lithium, cesium, and tantalum mineralization, including the high-grade zone
of cesium in PCH24-002 noted above that was previously covered by moss
.
"
The results from the HW3 channel sampling program are what we had hoped to achieve and
highlight a very successful and exciting year for Ophir Metals and the Pilipas Project. The
identification and further expansion of the high-grade cesium at HW3 showcases the Project's multi-
commodity potential and provides guidance for the 2025 exploration season
," comments Shawn
Westcott, CEO of Ophir Metals.
Results from three (3) grab samples collected from HW3 during a brief one-day site visit in October have
also been received, with one sample returning
4.24% Cs
2
O
and the other two 0.80% and 0.82% Cs
2
O,
respectively (Figure 1).
Cesium is listed as a "Critical Mineral" in Canada (
Canada's Critical Minerals
). To qualify as a "critical
mineral", the commodity must have a supply chain that is threatened and a reasonable chance of being
produced in Canada. It must also meet one of the following criteria: be essential to Canada's economic
or national security, be required for the transition to sustainable low carbon and digital economy and/or
position Canada as a sustainable or strategic partner within global supply chains.
Cesium has multiple commercial applications from drilling fluids to a variety of chemical and electrical
applications. Cesium isotopes are used as an atomic frequency standard within atomic clocks, and
plays a vital role in global positioning systems (GPS), aircraft guidance systems and the implementation
of 5G internet and cellular telephone transmissions (
USGS - Mineral Commodity Summary
).
Due to the lack of global supply, one of the only primary cesium mines in operation, the Tanco mine in
Manitoba, faced fierce international competition for the supply of the mine's cesium. The Tanco mine is
also evaluating options for a long-term redevelopment in order to extract the remaining cesium that is
contained within the mine.
(CBC Reporting on the Tanco Mine in Manitoba)
. It has been estimated that
the Tanco Mine contains up to two thirds of the world's known reserves of cesium (
Gov.Mb Pollucite
Summary
).
Figure 1. A: Sample C00484767 from PCH24-001 with pollucite, returned 6.0% Cs
2
O. B: Sample
C00484810 from PCH24-003, brittle pollucite returning 2.5% Cs
2
O
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Table 1. Channel Locations
Channel ID
Length (m)
Azimuth
2
(Deg)
Easting
1
(m)
Northing
1
(m)
PCH24-001
20.1
59
336932
5833343
PCH24-002
25.8
330
336948
5833338
PCH24-003
14
65
336933
5833352
PCH24-004
14.4
61
336935
5833340
1
Coordinate system NAD83 / UTM zone 18N;
2
Azimuths are the planned channel orientations and may differ slightly
Table 2. Channel sample summary results
All averages presented are length weighted averages
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Figure 2. Pilipas Property - 2024 Channel sampling results
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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Quality Assurance / Quality Control
All samples were collected in the field using a hammer and chisel after using a gas-powered diamond
saw to cut 3-4" deep channels. Channel locations were obtained using a handheld GPS with samples
placed in pre-labelled sample bags. Metal tags with the sample numbers were left within the sample
meter cuts. Samples were securely transported by field staff to SGS Canada's laboratory in Val d'Or, QC
for standard sample preparation (code PRP90) 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 then shipped to SGS
Canada's laboratory in Burnaby, BC where they were subsequently analyzed for multi-element (including
Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (code GE_ICM91A50). Gold analysis
was performed using Au by fire assay (Code GE_FAA30V5) and cesium overlimit analysis completed
by acid digest for alkaline elements (code GC_AAS49C). A Quality Assurance/Quality Control protocol
was incorporated into the program and included the insertion of certified reference material at and
blanks at a rate of approximately 5% and 5%, respectively. SGS Canada is independent of the
Company.
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. Management also cautions that Tanco mine in
Manitoba is not owned by the Company and its mineralization is not indicative to the presence of
mineralization on the Pilipas Property. The Company considers the Pilipas Property to host significant
potential for spodumene (Li) pegmatite and pollucite (Cs) pegmatite due to its favorable greenstone
geological setting, regional faulting, shear zones and hinge folds, as well as anomalous geochemistry
and numerous documented occurrences of tourmaline in white pegmatites.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Nathan Schmidt, P.
Geo., Senior Geologist for Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a registered special authorization
holder with Ordre des Géologues du Québec (AS-10512) and a Qualified Person under National
Instrument 43-101 on standards of disclosure for mineral projects.
Mr. Schmidt has verified all scientific and technical data disclosed in this news release including the
sampling and QA/QC results, and certified analytical data underlying the technical information disclosed.
Mr. Schmidt verified the data disclosed (or underlying the information disclosed) in this news release by
reviewing the assay data; and checking the performance of blank samples and certified reference
materials. Mr. Schmidt detected no significant QA/QC issues during review of the data and noted no
errors or omissions during the data verification process. The Company and Mr. Schmidt do not
recognize any factors of sampling that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data
disclosed in this news release.
About the Pilipas Lithium and Cesium Project
In December 2023, the Company entered into an option agreement with Azimut Exploration Inc (TSXV:
AZM) (OTCQX: AZMTF) to earn 70% interest in the Pilipas Property consisting of 135 claims totaling
7,100 ha situated within the La Grande Subprovince (Archean Superior Province). It is primarily
underlain by volcano-sedimentary rocks (Greenstone) of the Lower Eastmain Greenstone Belt:
conglomerate, sandstone, basalts and felsic to intermediate tuffs. Two regional NW-SE dextral faults
transect the southwestern and northeastern parts of the Property.
About the Company
Ophir Metals Corp. is a diversified mineral exploration company focused on the exploration and
development of the Pilipas Lithium Properties in James Bay, Quebec, and the past-producing Breccia
gold property located in Lemhi County, Idaho.
Ophir holds an option to earn a 70% interest in the Pilipas property over a three-year period from Azimut
Exploration Inc. and an option to earn a 100-per-cent interest in the Breccia property.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Shawn Westcott"
Ophir Gold Corp.
For further information, please contact:
Shawn Westcott, CEO
Phone 1 (604) 365 6681
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release.
Cautionary Note
The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking
information" (collectively referred to as "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable
securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of
management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable and include
statements in this press release related to the exploration and discovery potential of the Property, the
details of the planned exploration program on the Property, the strong lithium pegmatite exploration
potential on the Property, the strong potential of the Pilipas Property, the interpretation of exploration and
sampling results, the use case for Cesium, the multi-commodity potential of the Pilipas Property,
guidance for the 2025 exploration season, potential targets on the Property and the Company's future
plans with respect to the Property. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans,
projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact
and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks
and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-
looking statements, including, without limitation: risk related to the failure to obtain adequate financing on
a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and
regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock
exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in
exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of
profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and
continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates
and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of technical reports, and the possibility that
future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations;
risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's
prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one
or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect,
actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are
cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update
or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances, except in accordance with applicable securities
laws. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections.
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