Li-FT Provides Exploration Results from 2022 Rupert Project Exploration Program
Li-FT Provides Exploration Results from 2022
Rupert Project Exploration Program
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 9, 2022) - Li-FT Power Ltd. (CSE:
LIFT
)
(FSE:
WS0
) ("
Li-FT
" or the "
Company
") is pleased to provide exploration results for the Rupert Project
located in the James Bay region of northern Quebec, Canada (Figure 1). During the summers of 2021
and 2022, the Company completed a total of 13,093 till geochemistry samples within the Rupert,
Moyenne, and Pontax Projects of which 9,523 samples are located within the Rupert Property (Figure 2).
A total of 892 grab samples from boulders or outcrop were collected of which 826 samples are located
in the Rupert Project. The goal of the 2021 and 2022 exploration programs was to confirm the presence
of lithium pegmatite mineralization beneath extensive glacial sediment cover within the region. Results
from the Rupert Project are reported hereon in.
Francis MacDonald, CEO of Li-FT, comments, "We are quite pleased with the results of the Rupert
exploration program. We have effectively screened a large amount of prospective ground and distilled
this down into seven targets for follow-up. The size and tenor of Anomalies A and B suggests that
additional lithium deposits similar in size to Whabouchi, Canada's largest hardrock lithium deposit, could
be located on Li-FT's ground. We look forward to diamond drill testing these targets in 2023, as well as
moving other anomalies through the pipeline towards drill targeting next summer."
Exploration Program Details
During summer of 2021, a LIDAR survey was completed over the Rupert Project and was used to
produce an interpreted surficial geology map. Till geochemistry samples were planned on a roughly
1,500 by 150 meter grid spacing in areas interpreted as glacial till. One kilogram of sediment was
collected by Dutch auger from the C-horizon at a depth of 20-100 centimeters. Samples were sieved to -
63 microns, digested in a 4-acid solution then sent for ICP-MS analysis. A 30 gram split was taken for
Au analysis by aqua regia - ICP-MS.
Results from the 2021 till geochemistry program produced 16 areas of areas of interest (AOIs)
characterized by anomalous Li +/- pathfinder elements. AOIs were selected based on the strength of
geochemical anomalism, the spatial extents of anomalism, and also the quality of the sampled material
(i.e. till vs. sand).
In the 16 AOIs from the 2021 survey, additional till geochemistry sampling on a 200 meter by 200 meter
grid spacing was completed in the summer of 2022. Regional geologic mapping and prospecting were
also completed in selected AOIs. The results from the 2022 exploration program produced seven
anomalous areas that are discussed below.
Figure 1 - Location map of the Rupert, Moyenne, and Pontax Projects, James Bay region,
northern Quebec.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_009full.jpg
Till Geochemistry and Rock Sampling Results
Till geochemistry sampling over the Rupert Project has produced a number of coherent Li +/- Cs-Ta-Nb-
Rb-Sn-Mn-Ga anomalies (see Figure 2 for map of Li till geochemistry results). Anomaly A and B (Figure
3 & 4) which are located approximately 10 to 15 kilometers north to northeast of the Whabouchi Li
deposit and are the highest tenor and are most internally consistent and spatially constrained.
Anomaly A has a geochemical signature of Li-Cs-Ta-Sn-Nb-Mn and has dimensions of 3,300 meters in
length by 500-1000 meters in width. The orientation of the till geochemical anomalism is parallel to the
dominant ice direction which indicates a bedrock structural orientation trending northeast. A total of 17
rock samples were collected within the anomalous area, none of which returned any significant Li
assays. Till geochemistry anomalism remains unexplained and can be related to lithium mineralization
under extensive glacial sediment cover.
Anomaly B has a geochemical signature of Li-Ta-Sn-Ga-Nb +/- Cs-Rb-P and has dimensions of 1,800
meters in length by 1,300 meters in width. The orientation of the till geochemical anomalism is
perpendicular to the dominant ice flow direction suggesting that the bedrock structural orientation may
be trending northwest. A total of 21 rock samples were collected within the anomalous area; the best
assay result was:
Li: 425 ppm (0.09% Li
2
O)
Rb: 1,091 ppm
Cs: 1,348 ppm
Be: >1,000 ppm
Figure 2 - Lithium till geochemistry results from 2021 and 2022 exploration programs covering the
Rupert Project.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_010full.jpg
This rock sample was collected approximately one kilometer to the north of the till geochemistry anomaly
in outcrop from a muscovite-rich pegmatitic dyke with 20 by 2 centimeter-long beryl crystals. The
presence of coarse-grained beryl suggests highly fractionated pegmatites are present in the area and
that the potential for spodumene-bearing pegmatites is excellent.
Anomaly C is located nine kilometers south of the Whabouchi Li deposit (Figure 5) and has a Li-Cs-Sn
+/- Ga-Nb-W-As geochemical signature. The spatial extents of the anomaly have not been delineated to
date as the claims hosting the up-ice extents of anomalism were only recently acquired (see press
release dated September 22, 2022). Geochemical anomalism occurs in two areas, both of which have
dimensions of ~1,600 meters in length and 500-600 meters in width.
Anomaly D (Figure 6) has a geochemical signature of Li-Cs-Rb +/- Bi. Li-Rb anomalism is constrained
to a 600m x 200m area, which occurs within a 3,800 meter x 1,000 meter area of Cs anomalism
spatially associated with a pegmatitic granite.
Figure 3 - Locations of Anomaly A and B in relation to the Whabouchi Li deposit. Anomalies A and B
are located near the contacts of a large pegmatitic granite pluton, similar to the Whabouchi deposit.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_011full.jpg
Anomaly E (Figure 6) is located near the contact of sedimentary and volcanic rocks and has a
geochemical signature of Li-Cs +/- Mn. Geochemical anomalism is constrained within a 2,000 meter x
400 meter area.
Figure 4 - Comparison of Anomalies A and B with the deposit outline of the Whabouchi Li deposit.
The scale of till geochemistry anomalism suggests that targets similar in size to Whabouchi deposit
could be located on Li-FT's property.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_012full.jpg
Anomaly F (Figure 6) is located in the southwestern corner of the Property and has a geochemical
signature of Li-Cs +/- W. The anomaly is spatially associated with a pegmatitic granite.
Ta-Nb anomaly is a 2,800m x 2,000m Ta-Nb-Mn anomaly located at a prominent structural bend in the
Lac des Montagnes greenstone belt (Figure 7). Geochemical anomalism is within till and glaciofluvial
sand - more work needs to be completed in order to understand the surficial geology of the area and to
identify potential bedrock sources. The anomaly is completely closed off which leads the Company to
believe that anomalism is sourced locally from within Li-FT's property. The presence of Ta-Nb-Mn
suggests that anomalism is most likely due to columbite-tantalite which is typically found in fractionated
pegmatites.
Discussion of Results
The 2021/2022 Rupert exploration programs effectively screened approximately 1,000 km
2
of
prospective geology that hosts Whabouchi, Canada's largest hardrock lithium deposit. The results from
these programs have vectored the company in to seven areas for additional follow-up.
Figure 5 - Location of Anomaly C in relation to the Whabouchi Li deposit.
To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_013full.jpg
At Anomaly A and B, the scale of Li and pathfinder till geochemistry anomalies is impressive when
compared to the size of the Whabouchi lithium deposit (Figure 4). The geological setting is also similar
to Whabouchi, on the edge of a large pegmatitic granite body, which could be the causative fertile
granitic pluton. Lithium pegmatites typically occur in clusters around fertile granites so the presence of
additional lithium pegmatite mineralization around Whabouchi should be expected.
At Anomaly C, extensive Li anomalism has not been fully constrained and requires more exploration
work to be completed. The geology of the area is similar to the Whabouchi deposit
with geochemical anomalism occurring at the contact between sedimentary and volcanic rocks on the
southern margin of the Lac des Montagnes greenstone belt. Pegmatitic granites are present and historic
tantalum pegmatite showings to the northeast suggest that highly fractionated pegmatites are present
within this structural trend. Additional till geochemistry samples need to be collected in summer 2023 in
order to delineate the spatial extents of Li and pathfinder element anomalism.
Figure 6 - Locations of Anomalies D, E, and F in the southwestern portion of the Rupert Project.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_014full.jpg
Anomalies D, E, and F, located in the southwestern part of the property, have smaller geochemical
footprints than Anomalies A, B, and C, in the northern part of the property. Additional work needs to be
done to understand if there are viable drill targets within these anomalies
The extensive Ta-Nb anomaly in the southern part of the Property requires additional work to understand
where the anomaly could be sourced from. Potential for primary tantalum mineralization may exist in the
area, similar to the Tanco Mine in Manitoba.
Figure 7 - Ta-Nb anomaly in the southern part of the Rupert Project. The presence of coincident Ta-
Nb-Mn indicates that geochemical anomalism is most likely caused by columbite-tantalite which are
typically found in highly fractionated pegmatites.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/143555_187cfae3e4ffca40_015full.jpg
Additional Work Completed
The Company collected 37 ten kilogram till samples and sent them to Overburden Drilling Management
for Moderate Density Mineral Separation (MDMS) in order to look for spodumene grains within the till.
The Company expects results by January, 2023.
QA/QC and Sampling Protocols
Till geochemistry samples were collected between 20 - 80 centimeters below surface from the C-horizon
of glacial till. Approximately one kilogram of material was collected from each sample site and shipped
to Bureau Veritas ("BV") in Timmins, Ontario for preparation. Samples were prepared for analysis
according to BV method SS230 whereby individual samples were sieved to isolate the -230 mesh (-63
microns) fraction. Samples were analysed at BV in Vancouver, British Columbia with BV methods
MA250 (4-acid digestion with ICP-MS finish) for multi-element data (0.25g split is heated in HNO
3
,
HClO
4
and HF to fuming and taken to dryness. The residue is dissolved in HCl), and BV method AQ130
(aqua regia with ICP-MS finish) for gold analysis (30 grams of material digested in aqua regia).
Rock grab samples were collected from boulders or outcrop. Between 0.5 and 2 kilograms of material
was placed in a plastic bag and submitted to BV in Timmins, Ontario for preparation. Samples were
prepared for analysis according to BV method PRP70-250; 250 grams of material is crushed, split and
pulverized to isolate the -200 mesh (-74 micron) fraction. 0.25 grams of this material was analysed using
BV method MA250 (see description above) for multi-element analysis. 30 grams of material was