Equity Identifies "Battery-grade" Silica for Potential Use in Emerging EV Market at the La Ronge Silica Project, Saskatchewan
Equity Identifies "Battery-grade" Silica for
Potential Use in Emerging EV Market at the La
Ronge Silica Project, Saskatchewan
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 12, 2022) -
Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV:
EQTY) ("Equity")
reports analyses and initial test work on its 100% controlled
La Ronge Silica
Project
, an historic sand quarry located in central Saskatchewan, approximately 60 kilometers south-
southeast of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and 210 kilometers west of Flin Flon, Manitoba.
Preliminary studies indicate the silica deposit may be developed into a simple and profitable, low-cost
mining and washing operation to produce high-purity silica (>98% SiO2), a specialty product. The sand
can be mined very efficiently due to its unconsolidated nature. High-purity silica can be converted into
silicon, which is being tested by the electric-car industry to replace or augment carbon in battery anodes
to dramatically extend the time between charging. Other possible conventional uses exist in the ceramics
and glass industries.
The Company acquired the lease as possible fracking sand; however, never mined the deposit. Historic
mining was minimal and the extent of the silica deposit is open in all directions and at depth. Equity
recognized the purity of the silica and its potential use as a low-cost material to produce silicon for the
expected increase in demand due to electrification requirements. In October 2021, Equity initiated a
sampling program to evaluate the deposit. Ten representative sites were sampled within the quarry, and
sufficient material was collected to derive an average purity of the sand - see location of samples on the
attached plan map of the quarry.
The samples were first analyzed by whole-rock analysis for SiO2, Al2O3, LOI (loss-on-ignition, organic
material) and other elements. Average results of the 10 samples indicated 96.2% SiO2 and over 2%
Al2O3. Assuming that much of the Al2O3 was in the form of clay and that LOI represented organics, a
process was developed to wash all 10 samples in the lab and then to re-analyze the residual sample by
whole-rock analysis. The result produced an average of 98.1% SiO2, with a range of 96.1 - 99.2%, and
with 0.98% Al2O3 and less than 0.1% LOI. The washing process lost a relatively minor percentage of the
original samples, approximately 12% of the total sample (2% clay + LOI and 10% SiO2 lost). X-ray
diffraction (XRD) has determined that 100% of the material identified by XRD is quartz.
President Joe Kizis commented,
"Our Silver Queen precious/base-metal property in BC will remain
Equity's main focus; however, these results from the La Ronge Silica property are very encouraging
and suggest it may become a "third leg" value to Equity, in addition to Silver Queen and the diamond
properties.
"The Electric Vehicle industry recognizes the need to reduce frequency of battery charging in order to
be widely accepted by the general public, and much progress on that front has been reported recently
by adding silicon. High-purity silica is the feedstock to produce silicon, and now that we have this
positive test work, we can investigate potential markets and partnerships for this specialty silica
product."
Figure 1: Plan Map of showing sample locations, La Ronge Silica Project, Saskatchewan
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
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Table 1: Whole-rock analyses of pre- and post-washed samples, La Ronge Silica Quarry
To view an enhanced version of Table 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/120137_equitytable1.jpg
Samples were submitted to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. A 100-gram portion of each sample was subjected
to a Lithium Metaborate Fusion process and then analyzed for 16 metallic elements and LOI by ICP Whole Rock analytic techniques. 10 metal results
were converted to weight percent of the original sample and then calculated to specific and probable mineral form. The remaining 6 metals are
expressed as ppm content of the original sample. On receipt of these initial results, a 100-gram portion of each sample was subjected to a wash and
screen process. The +63-micron fraction was re-analyzed by ICP Whole Rock analysis for the same 16 metals and LOI, with similar conversions and
calculations as above. Four samples were selected analyzed for quartz content by X-Ray Diffraction. An aliquot of each sample was ground and
irradiated with Cu Kα radiation in a Bruker D4 Endeavor X-ray diffractometer (XRD) operating at 1.6kW power. The raw diffraction data was
processed for mineral identification and quantification. Quartz abundance was calculated using whole-pattern fitting algorithms with peak intensities
scaled with internally consistent relative intensity.
About Equity Metals Corporation
Equity Metals Corporation is a Manex Resource Group Company. Manex provides exploration,
administration, and corporate development services for Equity Metals' two major mineral properties, the
Silver Queen Au-Ag-Zn-Cu project,
located in central B.C., and the
Monument Diamond project
,
located in Lac De Gras, NWT. The Company also has a 1% royalty (Greenwood Royalty) and a 100%
working interest in the La Ronge Silica Project.
The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the
Silver Queen project,
located
along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade,
precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially
delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest in the
Monument Diamond project
,
NWT
,
strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond
mines. The project owners are Equity Metals Corporation (57.49%), Chris and Jeanne Jennings
(22.11%); and Archon Minerals Ltd. (20.4%). Equity Metals is the operator of the project.
The 100% controlled La Ronge Silica Project is an historic sand quarry located in central Saskatchewan,
approximately 60 kilometers south-southeast of La Ronge, Saskatchewan and 210 kilometers west of
Flin Flon, Manitoba. Preliminary studies indicate the silica deposit may be developed into a simple and
profitable, low-cost mining and washing operation to produce high-purity silica (>98% SiO2), a specialty
product for the EV battery industry.
John R. Kerr, P.Eng, BASc (geology), is a Director of Equity Metals Corporation and a Qualified Person
as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the
La Ronge Silica project, and prepared and approved disclosure of the technical information in this news
release.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr."
Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo
President, Director, Equity Metals Corporation
For further information, visit the website at
https://www.equitymetalscorporation.com
; or contact us at
604.641.2759 or by email at
.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements
address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual
results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing
and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and
financing and general economic, market or business conditions.
Equity Metals Corporation does not
assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.
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