International Lithium's Phase 3 Drilling Returns 2.25% Li2O Over 15.82m, and 1.21% Rb2O Over 3.98m at Raleigh Lake Lithium Project, Ontario, Canada
International Lithium's Phase 3 Drilling
Returns 2.25% Li2O Over 15.82m, and 1.21%
Rb2O Over 3.98m at Raleigh Lake Lithium
Project, Ontario, Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 6, 2023) - International Lithium Corp. (TSXV:
ILC) (OTCQB: ILHMF) (FSE: IAH) (the "
Company
" or "
ILC
") is pleased to announce assay results for
Phase 3 of the diamond drilling program at Zone 1 of the Raleigh Lake Lithium project near Ignace,
Ontario, Canada.
The Raleigh Lake project consists of 48,500 hectares (485 square kilometres) of adjoining mineral
claims 100% owned by ILC. It is not subject to any encumbrances and is royalty free. It is located less
than 20 kilometers directly west of the Township of Ignace, Ontario. It distinguishes itself from other
lithium projects in Canada by being very well situated near to major public infrastructure; the Trans-
Canada Highway, with direct access to Thunder Bay on Lake Superior, is less than six kilometers north
of the project as is the mainline of the Canadian Pacific Railway, natural gas pipelines, and the hydro
power line junction at Raleigh Lake
Drilling Highlights
All Phase 3 holes testing Pegmatite 1 in Zone 1 intersected spodumene-bearing pegmatite,
demonstrating tremendous continuity of the mineralized body (see Figure 1).
Thicker and higher-grade mineralization intersected closer to surface as anticipated.
Phase 1, 2 and 3 pierce points have intersected Pegmatite 1 along a strike length of over 800
metres and along its dip for over 400 metres.
All results from Phase 3 are to be included in the upcoming mineral resource estimate.
Pegmatite 1 Spodumene Zone Intersection Highlights*
RL22-45: 4.85 metres grading
2.06% Li
2
O
in lower spodumene zone (from 89.5 metres);
RL22-48: 15.82 metres grading
2.25% Li
2
O
(from 65.56 metres);
RL22-49: 2.21 metres grading
2.47% Li
2
O
(from 72.69 metres);
RL22-50: 4.62 metres grading
2.29% Li
2
O
(from 56.12 metres);
RL22-56: 2.96 metres grading
2.13% Li
2
O
(from 72.42 metres);
Pegmatite 1 Rubidium Bearing Microcline Intersection Highlights*
RL22-45: 3.98 metres grading
1.21% Rb
2
O
from 85.52 metres;
RL22-57: 4.69 metres grading
0.60% Rb
2
O
from 152.51 metres.
* All intervals reported are downhole core lengths. Accurate true widths are unknown at this time but are
estimated to be within 80-100% of the reported intervals based on the geometry of the bodies and
structural measurements on oriented core.
Other Highlights for the Raleigh Lake Project
Airborne Geophysical Survey
The Company has completed a Mobile MTm electromagnetic and horizontal gradient magnetometer
airborne geophysical survey, conducted by Expert Geophysics Limited based in Aurora, Ontario. The
survey over the greater Raleigh Lake area consisted of 6308 line-kilometres and has provided detailed
information on lithologies and structures in an area of approximately 540 square kilometres. The data
are currently being prepared for detailed interpretive work ahead of the 2023 field exploration season.
Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) Funding Award
The Company had applied for funding under the OJEP initiative in 2022 and qualified for the maximum
distribution amount for any single project of CAN $200,000. The first CAN $60,000 was received in late
2022 with the remaining CAN $140,000 expected in April 2023.
Regional Exploration Drilling
The Company drilled 398 metres in 8 holes targeting regional lithogeochemical targets developed from
earlier exploration programs. Some thin veins were intersected in some of the holes and the Company is
still waiting on analytical results for these drill holes. The goal will be to correlate the drill results with the
surface anomalies and determine the potential for spodumene bearing pegmatite bodies to be present
in the vicinity of the anomalous lithogeochemical target areas.
2022 Drilling Campaign at Raleigh Lake
Further to Company news releases dated February 9, March 21, May 17, June 23, and September 20,
2022;
ILC completed 9894 metres core drilling at the Raleigh Lake project
in three phases
during 2022
(Table 1). Phase 1 ran during the winter months of March and April 2022 where nine (9)
holes were drilled for a total of 1,973 metres. Phase 2 ran from May 12 to June 30, 2022 drilling 4,198
metres in twenty-six (26) holes. Phase 3 ran from September 27 to November 9 drilling twenty (20) holes
for 3325 metres on Zone 1 where the calculation of maiden mineral resource estimate is underway, and
from November 10 to 30, 2022 with eight (8) holes (398 metres) on peripheral exploration targets.
All
drill holes at Zone 1 intersected spodumene bearing pegmatite
.
Table 1: Summary of drilling during the three Phases of the 2022 drill program at Raleigh Lake.
2022 Drilling
Start Date
End Date
No. of Holes
Total Meterage
Phase 1
March 12
April 15
9
1973
Phase 2
May 9
July 5
26
4198
Phase 3
September 27
November 9
20
3325
Regional
Exploration
November 10
November 30
8
398
Total
63
9894
Phase 3 Drilling
Twenty of the twenty-eight holes drilled during Phase 3 of the 2022 drilling campaign were cored in Zone
1 and continued to test the up-dip and eastern extent of Pegmatites 1 and 3 while also providing
peripheral and infill drilling to help refine the maiden resource estimate, currently underway (Figure 1 and
2). Zone 1 is a stacked set of shallow dipping pegmatite dykes that make up the main resource target
area at the Raleigh Lake project (Figure 3).
Zone 1 pegmatites have been defined by drilling and surface exposures in an area exceeding 800
metres x 400 metres for Pegmatite 1. The Phase 2 and 3 drill holes were drilled interstitially to historic
drill holes and the Company's previous drilling (Figure 1). Pierce points were planned to be at
approximately 50 metre step outs from one another where possible in preparation for a maiden resource
calculation with a better-defined core zone of Pegmatite 1 and its associated rubidium rich component.
The high-grade core of Pegmatite 1 is trending up-dip towards its surface exposure (Figure 2). The
stacked pegmatites of Zone 1 appear to be converging down dip, plunging to the south below drill hole
RL21-04.
The eastern extents of the Zone 1 pegmatites are known to terminate at the contact with the Raleigh
Lake pluton located approximately 100 metres east of RL22-57, which intersected 4.69 metres grading
0.60% Rb
2
O
from 152.51 metres downhole (Table 3). Therefore, the Company believes there is
considerable room to grow the deposit in this direction.
The main Zone 1 pegmatites appear to thin trending along strike to the southwest along a major
structural conduit. This potential control on pegmatite emplacement, that continues for several kilometres
toward the Two Mica Granite, has not been tested further along strike. The Company believes that
significant potential exists along this structural trend for additional pegmatites to be discovered.
Modelling of the stacked pegmatites at Zone 1 for the purpose of calculating a mineral resource
estimate has confirmed that the Zone 2 pegmatites, which dip consistently to the southeast, project
below Pegmatites 1 and 3 at Zone 1. The potential of these spodumene-bearing dykes to host
mineralization that can be added to the maiden resource will be investigated in future drill programs.
A summary of the analytical results for Phase 3 is given in Table 3.
Table 2: Summary of drill holes cored during Phase 3 of the 2022 drill program at Raleigh Lake.
Hole ID
Easting
Northing
Azimuth
Dip
Depth (m)
Elevation
(m)
Prospect
RL22-45
576753
5473739
310
-70
116
478
ZONE 1
RL22-46
576675
5473744
310
-70
122
477
ZONE 1
RL22-47
576645
5473767
310
-70
128
476
ZONE 1
RL22-48
576698
5473785
310
-71
137
478
ZONE 1
RL22-49
576676
5473810
310
-70
119
478
ZONE 1
RL22-50
576604
5473813
310
-70
110
480
ZONE 1
RL22-51
576604
5473813
262
-50
125
481
ZONE 1
RL22-52
576751
5473812
310
-70
125
478
ZONE 1
RL22-53
576714
5473842
300
-70
125
478
ZONE 1
RL22-54
576648
5473842
310
-70
116
477
ZONE 1
RL22-55
576609
5473890
310
-70
275
478
ZONE 1
RL22-56
576656
5473927
310
-70
101
479
ZONE 1
RL22-57
576807
5473949
310
-70
179
488
ZONE 1
RL22-58
576813
5473452
310
-75
314
484
ZONE 1
RL22-59
576732
5473424
310
-70
311
484
ZONE 1
RL22-60
576511
5473471
310
-70
227
479
ZONE 1
RL22-61
576568
5473423
316
-70
242
475
ZONE 1
RL22-62
576433
5473312
310
60
230
475
ZONE 1
RL22-63
576331
5473382
320
-70
152
480
ZONE 1
RL22-64
576610
5473971
310
-70
71
481
ZONE 1
Table 3: Summary of significant mineralized intersections from Phase 3 Drilling at Raleigh Lake.
2022 Raleigh Lake Drilling Program : PHASE III
Pegmatite
Intersections**
Hole_ID
From (m)
To (m)
Width (m)
Cs2O (%)
Li2O (%)
Rb2O (%)
Comments
RL22-45
84.2
99.07
14.87
0.02
0.72
0.43
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
incl.
89.5
94.35
4.85
0.02
2.06
0.25
Lower
spodumene
pegmatite
And
85.52
89.5
3.98
1.21
Upper Rb
Zone
RL22-46
88.85
99.11
10.26
0.01
0.76
0.23
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
incl.
88.85
94.67
5.82
0.02
1.32
0.34
Upper
spodumene
zone
RL22-47
76.51
80.38
3.87
0.01
1.24
0.21
Upper lens
of
Pegmatite 1
And
92.1
97.36
5.26
0.01
1.03
0.13
Lower lens
of
Pegmatite 1
RL22-48
65.56
81.38
15.82
0.01
2.25
0.12
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
incl.
68.7
80.65
11.95
0.01
2.86
0.13
Inner
spodumene
zone
RL22-49
72.69
74.9
2.21
0.02
2.47
0.22
Pegmatite
#1 interior
spd zone
RL22-50
56.12
60.74
4.62
0.02
2.29
0.27
Pegmatite
#1 interior
spd zone
RL22-51
86.48
91.68
5.2
0.02
1.24
0.23
Pegmatite
#1 interior
spd zone
RL22-52
95.58
103.89
8.31
0.01
1.18
0.15
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-53
96.65
106.53
9.9
0.02
0.68
0.18
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom.
RL22-54
76.49
80.2
3.71
0.02
1.19
0.25
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-55
55.26
63.39
8.13
0.02
1.05
0.27
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-56
72.42
75.38
2.96
0.03
2.13
0.39
Inner
spodumene
zone
RL22-57
152.51
157.2
4.69
0.03
0.05
0.60
Low
spodumene,
higher Rb
RL22-58
191.42
195.62
4.2
0.01
0.79
0.13
RL22-59
228.26
232.74
4.48
0.01
0.3
0.14
Low grade
pegmatite
#1
RL22-60
168.92
173.19
4.27
0.01
1.13
0.04
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-61
198.1
204.25
6.15
0.01
0.75
0.22
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-63
117
119.55
2.55
0.01
1.29
0.23
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
RL22-64
37.35
39.05
1.7
0.02
1.36
0.21
Pegmatite
#1 top to
bottom
** All intervals reported in this table are downhole core lengths. Accurate true widths are unknown at this
time but are estimated to be within 80-100% of the reported intervals based on the geometry of the
bodies and structural measurements on oriented core.
Figure 1: Approximate surface trace outline of Pegmatite 1 showing spodumene bearing pegmatite
intersections from Phase 3 drilling. Only the outline for Pegmatite 1 is shown here and in Cross Section
A-A' (Figure 2) for simplicity. The resource area actually consists of a series of stacked pegmatites
numbered 1 to 6 (see Figure 3).
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3232/153746_e1d5181744a69909_003full.jpg
Figure 2: Cartoon cross section A-A' (Figure 1) illustrating the orientation of Pegmatite 1 and the up-dip
projection to its surface outcrop as defined by Phase 3 drilling. Pegmatite 1 has now been defined in an
area over 800 metres by 400 metres. Only Pegmatite 1 is shown on this section for clarity. The
mineralization actually consists of a series of stacked spodumene bearing pegmatites as depicted in
Figure 3.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3232/153746_e1d5181744a69909_004full.jpg
Figure 3: Three-dimensional view of the modelled wireframes for Zone pegmatites in preparation for the
resource calculation (looking west). Note the convergence of the stacked pegmatites to the south (left)
and the pegmatites from Zone 2 projected underneath Zone 1 at the right.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3232/153746_e1d5181744a69909_005full.jpg
Quality assurance/quality control procedures
International Lithium Corp. has implemented a rigorous quality assurance/quality control program to
ensure best practices in sampling and analysis of diamond drill core. All assays are performed by
Activation Laboratories Ltd. (ActLabs), with sample preparation and analysis carried out in their full-
service facility in Dryden, Ontario. Sample preparation involves crushing the entire sample to 80%
passing 2 mm, riffle split 250g and pulverize to 95% passing 105 µm (Code RX1).
Primary analysis method: Peroxide (Total) Fusion, ICP-OES & ICP-MS with 55 elements that include
detection levels for Li of 15ppm - 50,000ppm and rubidium of 0.4 to 5,000 ppm (Lab code UT7). Sodium
peroxide fusion provides total metal recovery and is effective for the decomposition of sulphides and
refractory minerals which are common to pegmatite.
Over limit analysis method: Samples that return with results above the instruments detectable levels for
lithium (50,000 ppm) and Rb (5,000 ppm) are then re-analyzed by Assay Grade, Peroxide (Total) Fusion
(Code 8 Peroxide ICP-OES).
The drill program was under the control of a Professional Geoscientist, registered with Engineers &
Geoscientists British Columbia. The Company and its contractors carried out the program under full
compliance with COVID-19 protocols based on guidelines issued by Public Health Ontario and
provincial health authorities of Ontario to ensure the safety and health, for all personnel.
About International Lithium Corp.
International Lithium Corp. believes that the world faces a significant turning point in the energy market's
dependence on oil and gas and in the governmental and public view of climate change. In addition, we
have seen the clear and increasingly urgent wish by the USA and Canada to safeguard their supplies of
critical battery metals and to become more self-sufficient. Our Canadian projects are strategic in that
respect.
Our key mission in the next decade is to make money for our shareholders from lithium and rare metals
while at the same time helping to create a greener, cleaner planet. This includes optimizing the value of
our existing projects in Canada and Ireland as well as finding, exploring and developing projects that
have the potential to become world class lithium and rare metal deposits. We have announced
separately that we regard Zimbabwe as an important strategic target market for ILC, and we hope to be
able to make announcements over the next few weeks and months.
A key goal has been to become a well-funded company to turn our aspirations into reality, and following
the disposal of the Mariana project in Argentina in 2021 and the Mavis Lake project in Canada in
January 2022, the Board of the Company considers that ILC is now well placed in that respect with a
strong net cash position.
The Company's interests in various projects now consists of the following, and in addition the Company
continues to seek other opportunities:
Name
Location
Area
(Hectares)
Current
Ownership
Percentage
Future
Ownership
percentage if
options
exercised or
work carried
out
Operator or
JV Partner
Raleigh Lake
Ontario
48,500
100%
100%
ILC
Wolf Ridge
Ontario
5,700
0%
100%
ILC
Avalonia
Ireland
29,200
45%
21%
Ganfeng
Lithium
Mavis Lake
Ontario
2,600
0%
0%
(carries an
extra earn-in
payment of
CAD $1.4M if
resource
targets met)
Critical
Resources Ltd
(ASX:CRR)
Forgan Lake &
Lucky Lake
Ontario
< 500
0%
1.5% Net
Smelter
Royalty
Ultra Lithium
Inc.
(TSX.V:ULT)
The Company's primary strategic focus at this point is on the Raleigh Lake lithium and rubidium project
in Canada and on identifying additional properties in Canada and Zimbabwe.
The Raleigh Lake project consists of 48,500 hectares (485 square kilometres) of mineral claims in
Ontario and is ILC's most significant project in Canada. The exploration results there so far, which are on
only about 8% of ILC's current claims, have shown significant quantities of rubidium and caesium in the
pegmatite as well as lithium. Raleigh Lake is 100% owned by ILC, is not subject to any encumbrances,
and is royalty free.
With the increasing demand for high tech rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and electrical
storage as well as portable electronics, lithium has been designated "the new oil", and is a key part of a
"green tech" sustainable economy. By positioning itself with projects with significant resource potential
and with solid strategic partners, ILC aims to be one of the lithium and rare metals resource developers
of choice for investors and to continue to build value for its shareholders in the '20s, the decade of
battery metals.