Clean Air Metals Drilling Confirms Down-Plunge Extension of the Escape Deposit
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Clean Air Metals Drilling Confirms Down-Plunge
Extension of the Escape Deposit
Thunder Bay, ON, October 20, 2025 – Clean Air Metals Inc. (“Clean Air Metals” or
the “Company”) (TSX.V: AIR; FRA: CKU; OTCQB: CLRMF) is pleased to announce that
its 2025 summer drilling program at the Company’s 100%-owned Thunder Bay North
Critical Minerals Project (“TBN”) has confirmed the continuation of the Escape Deposit
into a previously untested 2.5 km long magnetic anomaly that connects to the known
mineral resources. The single hole completed during this program intersected high-
tenor sulphide mineralization having comparable thickness and metal grades to the
existing Escape Deposit resource. Given its significant size, the Escape down-plunge
target represents the highest potential resource addition opportunity for the TBN
project.
Assay highlights from hole EL25-001:
• 53 m of 0.52 g/t Pt, 0.69 g/t Pd, 0.26% Cu and 0.17% Ni (from 404 m
downhole, including
o 0.84 g/t Pt, 1.12 g/t Pd, 0.41% Cu and 021% Ni over 22 m from 411
m, and
o 1.08 g/t Pt, 1.41 g/t Pd, 0.52% Cu and 0.24% Ni over 11 m from 430
m, and
The results from EL25-001 confirm that drilling successfully entered the mineralized
conduit system that hosts the Escape Deposit and provides a clear pathway for resource
expansion down-plunge.
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Table 1. Assay results from the reported hole
Hole ID From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Pt
(g/t)
Pd
(g/t)
Au
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Ni (%) Pt+Pd
(g/t)
Cu+Ni
(%)
EL25-001 404 457 53 0.52 0.69 0.06 0.26 0.17 1.20 0.43
Incl. 411 433 22 0.84 1.12 0.10 0.41 0.21 1.96 0.63
And 419 430 11 1.08 1.41 0.14 0.52 0.24 2.49 0.76
Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals, remarked, “This intercept represents a step-
change in our outlook for the Escape conduit system. Hitting PGE-Cu-Ni-rich sulphide
mineralization beyond the known resource envelope validates our geophysical targeting
strategy. I can’t understate the potential impact that the continuation of the Escape-
down-plunge can have on the scale and economics of this project”.
Figure 1. Plan view and longitudinal sections of the Escape Deposit and Down-Plunge
Target illustrating the mineralized intercepts in drill hole EL25-001 relative to the
modelled extension of the known resource. Also shown are the locations of untested
magnetic and conductive anomalies distributed along the 2.5-kilometre highly
prospective mineralized conduit.
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Escape Deposit Down-Plunge Extension Drilling
During the summer of 2025, the Company completed its first hole (EL25-001) within the
projected down-plunge extension of the Escape Deposit. The modelled extension is
largely based on 3D magnetic inversion data, which show that the Escape Deposit and
the extension target are part of a single, sinuous to linear magnetic anomaly sourced
from altered ultramafic rocks that host the Escape Deposit. The extension also features
local conductivity anomalies (Figure 1) that are of immediate interest for drilling.
Drillhole EL25-001 tested one of these coincident magnetic and conductivity anomalies
and, more specifically, a “ballroom”-shaped coincident anomaly analogous to the high-
grade ballroom structures recently intersected at the Current Deposit (see April 15,
2025, News Release).
The hole intersected disseminated PGE-Cu-Ni-rich magmatic sulphides (up to 5% in
abundance) over a 53-metre-thick gabbro-to-peridotite sequence, confirming the
presence of sulphide mineralization beyond the previously modelled resource
envelope (Figure 1). A borehole electromagnetic (BHEM) survey completed after
drilling detected a strong off-hole conductor in the lower part of the hole, providing a
clear vector for subsequent follow-up drilling.
The results from EL25-001 confirm that drilling has successfully re-entered the same
mineralized conduit that hosts the Escape Deposit, as demonstrated by comparable
metal ratios, tenors, and lithological characteristics. This outcome is a major technical
success and provides a clear pathway for resource expansion in the down-plunge
extension target.
For reference, the Escape Deposit is a key contributor to the Thunder Bay North Project,
accounting for approximately 40% of the total metal content within the estimated 14.9
million tonnes of Indicated Resources (see October 9, 2025, News Release). The High-
Grade Zone (HGZ) at Escape, which contains 3.1 Mt grading 3.26 g/t Pd+Pt and 1.0%
Cu+Ni, occupies roughly 400 metres of the 3.5-kilometre-long Escape conduit (Figure
1). The magnetic anomaly defining the Escape down-plunge target extends a further
2.5 kilometres, highlighting the strong potential to delineate additional mineral
resources along the continuation of the Escape conduit.
Clean Air Metals’ Vice President of Exploration, Lionnel Djon, commented, “The first
hole drilled into the extension target at Escape was a tremendous success and unlocks
a huge area for future, potential resource gains for the TBN project. We can now
confidently move forward with plans to fully test the 2.5 km strike length of this highly
prospective target, including systematic diamond drilling guided by new surface and
borehole EM surveys. “
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Potential Enhancement to Recent PEA Economics
The PEA outlined an 11-year mine life, producing 8.7M tonnes of mill feed at 2,500
tonnes per day from a near-surface, ramp-access underground operation, with
production shipped off-site for toll-milling. As outlined in the October 9, 2025 News
Release, the project boasts a C$219.4M pre-tax NPV8 and IRR of 39%, which expands
to C$316M NPV8 and IRR of 52%, at October 8th, spot prices The Escape portion of the
mine plan contains roughly half of the mill feed contained in the study over 1km of
strike distance. The prospect of extending the Escape conduit down plunge over a
similar distance would significantly increase the operational life or lead to potential
throughput increases.
Next step
Building on the success of hole EL25-001, the Company plans to complete an infill
Magnetotelluric (MT) survey to better define the size and position of conductive zones
potentially associated with local accumulations of PGE-rich sulphide mineralization
within the Ballroom structures. The results of this survey will guide a series of follow-up
drill holes and borehole EM surveys within the 2.5-kilometre-long extension target.
Upcoming Webinar
Clean Air Metals invites shareholders and other interested parties to participate in a
webinar on Thursday, October 23, 2025, at 4:00 pm EST. Mike Garbutt, President
and CEO, will provide an overview of the Company’s latest developments, including
the recently announced PEA and answer questions.
Click on the link below to register:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fYYGm9V8QfmGFAaD1f-ZOw.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with details on how to join the
webinar.
Qualified Person
Dr. Lionnel Djon, Ph.D., P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101
and Vice President of Exploration for the Company, has reviewed and approved all
technical information in this press release.
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About Clean Air Metals
Clean Air Metals is a development and exploration company advancing its flagship,
100% owned Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals (“TBN”) project, 40 km northeast of
Thunder Bay, Ontario. The TBN project, accessible by road and adjacent to established
infrastructure, hosts two (2) deposits—the Current and Escape deposits, which are only
2.5 km apart. Together, the deposits host a 13.8 Mt indicated mineral
resource containing 2.4M Pt eq. oz (Technical Report on the Thunder Bay North Project,
Ontario, Canada, NI43-101, SLR Consulting Canada Ltd, June 19, 2023) with significant
potential for expansion down-plunge.
Social Engagement
Clean Air Metals Inc. acknowledges that the Thunder Bay North Critical Minerals Project
is located within the area encompassed by the Robinson-Superior Treaty of 1850 and
includes the territories of the Fort William First Nation, Red Rock Indian Band,
Biinjitiwabik Zaaging Anishinabek and Kiashke Zaaging Anishinaabek. Clean Air Metals
also acknowledges the contributions of the Métis Nation of Ontario, Region 2 and the
Red Sky Métis Independent Nation to the rich history of our area.
The Company appreciates the opportunity to work in these territories and remains
committed to the recognition and respect of those who have lived, travelled, and
gathered on the lands since time immemorial. Clean Air Metals is committed to
stewarding Indigenous heritage and remains committed to building, fostering and
encouraging a respectful relationship with First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples based
upon principles of mutual trust, respect, reciprocity and collaboration in the spirit of
reconciliation.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Mike Garbutt"
Mike Garbutt, CEO of Clean Air Metals Inc.
Connect with us on X/ Facebook/ Instagram.
Visit www.cleanairmetals.ca for more information or contact:
Mia Boiridy
Director of Communications and Investor Relations
250-575-3305
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