Benz Mining: High Grade Lithium at Ruby Hill West
Benz Mining: High Grade Lithium at Ruby Hill
West
HIGHLIGHTS
High grade lithium mineralisation identified over a large outcropping area at Ruby Hill
West, with additional high-value credits from rubidium, caesium and tantalum
Samples confirmed presence of LCT pegmatite and returned:
1.9% Li
2
O, 3160ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 274ppm Ta
1.6% Li
2
O, 3470ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, >500ppm Ta
0.8% Li
2
O, 980ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, >500ppm Ta
0.5% Li
2
O, 3810ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 324ppm Ta
Results extend strike length of previously identified by surface sampling:
4.7% Li
2
O, 1720 ppm Rb (>100ppm Ta, >500ppm Cs)
2.59% Li
2
O, 1970ppm Rb, 1030 ppm Ta and 7530 ppm Cs
Outcrop identified over 100m x 40m open in all directions and untested by drilling
Area along strike strongly prospective for potential repeats of pegmatite dykes with little
past exploration for this commodity
Magnetic "lows" shows possible extent to the pegmatite over several kilometres under
glacial cover
Unexplored structural setting may hold potential for additional LCT pegmatites over the
length of the greenstone belt of which Benz controls 35km
Preparations for drilling underway with commencement expected end of March / April as
soon as weather permits
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - February 3, 2022) -
Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ)
(the
Company
or
Benz
) is pleased to announce assay results from its rock chips sampling campaign at
the Ruby Hill West lithium prospect (
RHW
or the
Project
).
Figure 1: Helicopter view of the Ruby Hill West lithium pegmatite outcrop with selected assay results
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_001full.jpg
Figure 2: RHW lithium occurrence map with grab (rock chips) samples assay results, interpreted
pegmatite outline and planned 2022 drilling with traces, over satellite image.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_002full.jpg
CEO, Xavier Braud, commented:
"These are excellent results that identify high grade lithium mineralisation over a large outcropping
area at Ruby Hill West, with additional high-value rubidium, caesium and tantalum credits. Looking
into satellite imagery and airborne magnetics data, we can see that the outcrop is surrounded by a
very large prospective area which has been virtually unexplored apart from sporadic helicopter
supported field visits. This area has never received a drill hole.
Importantly, the lithium pegmatite at RHW is hosted in the greenstones, near the contact with younger
felsic plutonic rocks which are most likely to be the source of the pegmatite fluids. This is a geological
setting shared by many lithium pegmatite deposits such as Pilgangoora or Kathleen Valley in
Western Australia. At Ruby Hill West, Benz controls over 35 strike kilometres of such a contact - an
incredibly large area which presents a significant opportunity for Benz.
I keep repeating myself saying how little exploration the Upper Eastmain greenstone belt has seen -
this is essentially virgin ground for discoveries. Right now, we have confirmed one mineralised
pegmatite occurrence, however no one has previously looked for these systems and thus, no
systematic work has been conducted to chase those pegmatites, until now.
We'll be drilling this pegmatite occurrence as soon as the weather allows - we anticipate towards the
end of March/April. During the summer, a prospecting campaign will be prepared to investigate this
area and along the northern contact of the greenstone belt for additional LCT pegmatites."
Ruby Hill West Lithium Pegmatite Occurrence
Figure 3: Satellite image with interpreted pegmatite outline showing the surrounding unmapped area
prospective for other occurrences of lithium pegmatite.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_004full.jpg
Spodumene bearing pegmatite occurrence at Ruby Hill West was sampled historically and recorded
results from Eastmain Resources (NI-43-101, 2017) of:
4.7% Li
2
O, 1720 ppm Rb (>100ppm Ta, >500ppm Cs)
2.1% Li
2
O, 990 ppm Rb (>100ppm Ta, >500ppm Cs)
2.0% Li
2
O, 3660 ppm Rb (>100ppm Ta, >500ppm Cs)
1.1% Li
2
O, 710 ppm Rb (>100ppm Ta, >500ppm Cs)
In addition, a rock saw sample was taken by government geologists in 2018 and is reported in SIGEOM
(Quebec's public geosciences database) as sample 20180072998 with the following results:
2.59% Li
2
O, 1970ppm Rb, 1030 ppm Ta and 7530 ppm Cs
In September 2021, Benz's field crews collected 7 samples in a series of two helicopter supported visits
to the area.
The samples returned the following results which build upon previously demonstrated lithium potential at
Ruby Hill West:
1.9% Li
2
O, 3160ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 274ppm Ta
1.6% Li
2
O, 3470ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, >500ppm Ta
0.8% Li
2
O, 980ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, >500ppm Ta
0.5% Li
2
O, 3810ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 324ppm Ta
0.4% Li
2
O, 466ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 109.5ppm Ta
0.3% Li
2
O, 1010ppm Rb, >500ppm Cs, 213ppm Ta
0.1% Li
2
O, 772ppm Rb, 373ppm Cs, 114ppm Ta
At the time of release, pulps have been resubmitted for assays using a method with a higher detection
limit than ICPMS for caesium (Cs) and tantalum (Ta) as 6 out of 7 samples have higher caesium and/or
tantalum content than the 500ppm upper detection limit of an ICPMS.
Pegmatite Magnetic Signature
Analysis of the detailed aeromagnetic survey over this area show that the Ruby Hill West LCT pegmatite
falls into a magnetic low. In addition, multiple magnetic lows may extend the known pegmatite
occurrence. These zones represent direct targets for pegmatites which usually have low magnetic
signatures.
Figure 4: First vertical derivative magnetic map overlaid on top of Satellite image with interpreted
pegmatite outline showing the surrounding unmapped area prospective for other occurrences of
lithium pegmatite and the coincidence between lithium pegmatite outcrop and large magnetic lows
(blue colours) with kilometric scale.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_007full.jpg
Rock Chip Sampling at Ruby Hill West Pegmatite
Figure 5: Rock chip sampling of outcrop at Ruby Hill West
To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:
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Figure 6: Rock chips sampling at Ruby Hill West. Note peeling back of moss covering the outcrop to
expose the pegmatite for sampling
To view an enhanced version of Figure 6, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_011full.jpg
Figure 7: Coarse spodumene (lithium bearing pyroxene) in rock chip sample from RHW pegmatite
To view an enhanced version of Figure 7, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_012full.jpg
Eastmain Gold Project
The Eastmain Gold Project, situated on the Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt in Quebec, Canada,
currently hosts a NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) compliant resource of 376,000oz at 7.9gpt gold (Indicated:
236,500oz at 8.2gtp gold, Inferred: 139,300oz at 7.5gtp gold). The existing gold mineralisation is
associated with 15-20% semi-massive to massive pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite in highly deformed
and altered rocks making it amenable to detection using electromagnetic techniques.
Multiple gold
occurrences have been identified by previous explorers over a 10km long zone along strike from the
Eastmain Mine with very limited but highly encouraging testing outside the existing resource area.
This press release was prepared under supervision and approved by Dr. Danielle Giovenazzo,
P.Geo, acting as Benz's qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
The samples were analysed by ALS Global with the ME-MS61 analytical package.
Reanalysis of the
samples that have a value higher than the upper detection limit is currently being done using ME-
MS85.
Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") and interpretation of results is performed by qualified
persons.
A QA/QC program consistent with NI 43-101 and industry best practice has been
implemented with internal certified OREAS standards and blanks inserted at regular intervals for grab
samples.
Figure 8: Benz tenure over Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt simplified geology.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 8, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1818/112653_c2a60c68e4abbb11_013full.jpg
About Benz Mining Corp.
Benz Mining Corp. (TSXV: BZ) (ASX: BNZ) brings together an experienced team of geoscientists and
finance professionals with a focused strategy to unlock the immense mineral potential of the Upper
Eastmain Greenstone Belt in Northern Quebec, which is prospective for gold, lithium, nickel, copper and
other high-value minerals. Benz is earning a 100% interest in the former producing high grade Eastmain
gold mine, Ruby Hill West and Ruby Hill East projects in Quebec and owns 100% of the Windy Mountain
project.
The Eastmain Gold Project is situated within the Upper Eastmain Greenstone Belt in Quebec, Canada
and currently hosts a NI 43-101 and JORC (2012) compliant resource of 376,000oz at 7.9g/t gold
(Indicated: 236,500oz at 8.2g/t Au - Inferred: 139,300oz at 7.5g/t Au). The existing gold mineralisation is
associated with 15-20% semi-massive to massive pyrrhotite, pyrite and chalcopyrite making it
amenable to detection by electromagnetics.
Multiple gold occurrences have been identified by previous explorers over a 10km long zone along strike
from the Eastmain Mine with very limited but highly encouraging testing outside the existing resource
area. Benz has subsequently identified over 180 DHEM conductors over a strike length of 6km which is
open in all directions.