Centenera Reports Positive Surface Sampling Results at El Quemado Lithium Project, Salta Province, Argentina Highlights include channel samples grading 1.41% Li2O over 6.0m and 0.73% Li2O over 10.0m
NR‐17‐10 September 13, 2017
Centenera Reports Positive Surface Sampling Results at
El Quemado Lithium Project, Salta Province, Argentina
Highlights include channel samples grading
1.41% Li2O over 6.0m and 0.73% Li2O over 10.0m
Vancouver, British Columbia – Centenera Mining Corporation (“Cen t e n e r a ” o r t h e “ C o m p a n y ” ) ‐ ( T S X V : C T , O T C Q B :
CTMIF), reports that it has received positive results from surface samplings at the El Quemado Lithium Pegmatite Project
(the “El Quemado Project”), solidifying the Santa Elena target ("Santa Elena") as the top priority going forward. Santa
Elena has returned multiple anomalous channel samples (see Table 1 and Figure 1 & Figure 2 below) demonstrating that
the lithium mineralization is extensive in the outcropping pegmatite dikes. In addition, the orientation soil sampling results
are interpreted by the Company as demonstrating that lithium bearing pegmatites likely continue under soil cover to the
north and the south of Santa Elena. The Company intends to continue with additional soil sampling to establish the total
potential strike length of the mineralized pegmatites.
Santa Elena Rock Sampling Results
Outcropping pegmatites were sampled by standard rock chip samples and channel samples taken using a mechanical rock
saw to cut a channel across the pegmatites. All samples were t aken perpendicular to the strike of the pegmatite veins
and, as such, closely approximate their true width. Channel sa mples are more time consuming and expensive to obtain,
but result in superior quality samples as they remove subjectiv ity from the sampling process. Highlights of the channel
sampling results are included in Table 1 below.
Table 1. Highlights of Rock Channel Sampling at Santa Elena Target.
Channel ID Length (m) Li 2O (%)*
ElQ‐0013 6 1.41
ElQ‐14B 2.2 1.32
ElQ‐14C 2 0.77
ElQ‐0007 10 0.73
ElQ‐0012 0.6 0.68
ElQ‐0006 10 0.64
ElQ‐0071 6.7 0.49
ElQ‐0010 2.7 0.48
ElQ‐0008 1.7 0.36
*Li2O % values calculated using (Li ppm/10,000) x 2.153
Orientation soil samples were tak en northwest and southeast of the outcropping pegmatite dikes. The purpose of the
orientation survey was to investigate whether soil sampling could be used to detect lithium mineralized pegmatites under
soil cover.
At Santa Elena, lithium was detec ted in soils directly along st rike from mineralized outcrops ( Figure 1), suggesting that
mineralized pegmatites at Santa Elena can be detected using soil sampling. These initial results provide the Company with
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NR17‐10 Continued
a cost‐effective tool with which to evaluate the remainder of the target area. It is likely that systematic soil sampling will
allow pegmatite mineralization to be traced under soil cover generating targets that can be tested by trenching or drilling
as appropriate. It should be possible to establish a total expected strike length and, potentially, the number of pegmatite
dikes, before trenching or drill testing commences.
Figure 1. Compilation of all surface sampling results at the Santa Elena target area, including rock chip samples, channel samples
and orientation soil samples. Channel samples labelled with sample numbers are described in Table 1 with both grade and
sample width. Note that the central claim is not held under option by the Company.
Rock Sampling at Other El Quemado Project Targets
Sampling at the Las Pailas target was severely curtailed by bad weather which resulted in the exploration work being
abandoned. As a result, only 11 channel samples from approximately 75 planned channel samples were taken (Figure 3).
No anomalous lithium was identified in the samples taken, but field reports indicate that the lithium mineral spodumene
was identified in outcrop. As a result, the Las Pailas target area remains a high priority for future work.
Potential pegmatite dikes at the El Penon target were field checked and identified as un‐mineralized dacite porphyry dikes
of no further interest. Pegmatite dikes were located at the Tres Cumbres target, but sampling did not locate anomalous
lithium mineralization and no future work is planned for this target area.
No sampling was undertaken at the Leilita target, located at the far north end of the El Quemado Project. This target
remains open for future exploration.
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Figure 2. Plot of rock sample grade versus sample length at Santa Elena target area.
Figure 3. Map of the Las Pailas target area showing limited sampling and extensive areas of interpreted
outcropping pegmatite, which has yet to be systematically sampled.
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0.50
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1.50
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2.50
02468 1 0 1 2
Li2O (%)
WIDTH (m)
Channel Width (m) vs. Li 2O (%)
2017 Channel Samples
2016 Channel Samples
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About Lithium
Lithium is produced from both brines and hard‐rock sources (pegmatites). Estimates from 2015 suggest that global lithium
production from conventional hard‐rock mining of lithium minera ls may be as high as 44% (source: Macquarie research
2016). Lithium pegmatites are a viable source of the metal due to their high concentration in ores relative to brines.
Production from these lithium pe gmatite deposits mitigates glob al concerns regarding undue dependence on supplies
from dominant brine producers in Chile and Argentina. As a grade comparison, moderate to high brine grades of 400ppm
lithium equate to 0.04% lithium, whereas initial sampling at the El Quemado Project has returned grades as high as
9,400ppm or 0.94% lithium. Chemical‐grade lithium refers to spodumene that is converted to lithium carbonate or lithium
hydroxide. Pegmatites are a source of technical‐grade lithium, where spodumene is used directly in the ceramics or glass
industries without processing.
About Pegmatites
Pegmatites are igneous rocks that form during the final stage of a cooling magma's crystallization. To be called a
pegmatite, a rock should be composed almost entirely of crystal s that are at least one centimeter in diameter. Most
pegmatites have a composition that is similar to granite with an abundance of quartz, feldspar and mica. Pegmatites can
be sources of valuable minerals such as spodumene (a lithium‐bearing mineral) that are rarely found in economic amounts
in other types of rocks. In the initial stages of crystallizat ion, the ions that form high‐temperature minerals are depleted
f r o m t h e m e l t . R a r e i o n s t h a t d o n o t p a r t i c i p a t e i n t h e c r y s t allization of common rock‐forming minerals become
concentrated in the melt and in the excluded water. These ions c a n f o r m t h e r a r e m i n e r a l s t h a t a r e o f t e n f o u n d i n
pegmatites. Examples include small ions such as lithium and beryllium that form spodumene or large ions such as
tantalum that form tantalite. Rare elements concentrated in large crystals make pegmatite a potential source of economic
concentrations.
Quality Assurance / Quality Control
Quality assurance and quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of blanks, standards and duplicates into
the channel, rock and soil sample sequences. The results of the control samples are evaluated and results are re‐analysed
and/or resubmitted as needed. All results stated in this news r elease have passed the Company’s quality assurance and
quality control protocols.
Channel samples were taken using a gas‐powered rock saw with a diamond tipped saw blade to cut a channel across the
outcropping pegmatite dikes. The rock saw was used to prepare a channel approximately 5 cm in width and depth, the
rock was then broken out from the channel using a hammer and ch isel. All rock samples were accompanied by a hand
specimen, identified with the number of the sample for later pe trographic work if warranted. All samples were collected
and catalogued under the supervision of Company geologists in accordance with standard industry practice. Samples
were dispatched to the SGS laboratory in Callao, Peru, an ISO 9001:2000 accredited laboratory, for digestion using sodium
peroxide fusion method and analysis using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.
Qualified Person
Tyler Caswell, P.Geo., the Company's Exploration Manager and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43‐
101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for portions of this news release, and has
approved the disclosure herein. Mr. Caswell is not independent of the Company, as he is an employee and holds incentive
stock options.
About Centenera Mining Corporation
Centenera is a mineral resource company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, under the symbol "CT" and on the OTCQB
exchange under the symbol "CTMIF". The Company is focused 100% on prospects in Argentina. The Company intends to
focus its 2017 exploration activities on drill‐testing its flagship Huachi copper‐gold project. The Company has made
application for a drilling permit through the underlying owner and is awaiting approval to begin exploration. Other assets,
such as the El Quemado lithium pegmatite project in Salta Province are intended with be explored by the Company with
Centenera Mining Corporation 5 September 13, 2017
NR17‐10 Continued
the aim of proving project potential and attracting a joint ven ture partner or a project sale. The Company also intends to
seek a joint venture partner for its Organullo gold project, which has approximately 8,000 meters of historical drilling and
assay results. The Organullo project has a geological target range from 19.8 million tonnes grading at 0.94 g/t gold (600,000
ounces) to 31.6 million tonnes grading 0.92 g/t gold (940,000 ounces) using a 0.5 g/t gold cut‐off‐grade. It should be noted
that these potential exploration target quantities and grades a re conceptual in nature, that insufficient exploration and
geological modelling has been done to define a mineral resource , and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result
in the delineation of a mineral resource.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of
CENTENERA MINING CORPORATION
"Keith Henderson"
President & CEO
For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's web site (www.centeneramining.com) and its
Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
For further information, please contact:
Keith Henderson
Phone: 604‐638‐3456
E‐mail: [email protected]
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provid er ( as t hat t er m i s d efi ned i n t he pol i c i es of t he TSX Vent ur e Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
This news release contains forward‐looking statements and forward‐looking information (collectively, “forward‐looking statements”) within the
meaning of applicable Canadian and U.S. securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. A l l
statements, except for statements of historical fact, that addr ess activities, events or develo pments that management of the C ompany expects or
anticipates will or may occur in the future including such things as the anticipated exploration program results from exploration activities, the
discovery and delineation of mineral deposits and rock sampling results from the El Quemado lithium pegmatite project, Huachi copper‐gold project
and Organullo gold project, the Company’s ability to enter into a joint venture agreement or sale agreement for the El Quemand o an Organullo
projects, the anticipated conten t, commencement, and cost of ex ploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and min eral properties,
the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, future capital expenditures (including the amount and nature thereof),
business strategies and measures to implement strategies, competitive strengths, goals, expansion and growth of the business and operations, plans
and references to the future success of the Company, and such o ther matters, are forward‐lookin g statements. Often, but not a lways, forward‐
l o o k i n g s t a t e m e n t s c a n b e i d e n t i f i e d b y w o r d s s u c h a s “ p r o f o r ma”, “plans”, “expects”, “may”, “should”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”,
“forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “potential” or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer
to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Forward‐looking statements involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ
materially from any future resul ts, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward‐looking statements. Such risks and other
factors include, among others, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, operating and
technical difficulties in connection with mineral exploration a nd development and mine development activities for Company's pr ojects generally
(including geological mapping, prospecting and sampling programs), actual results of exploration activities (including the estimation or realization of
mineral reserves and mineral resources), the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital expenditures, the costs
and timing of the development of new deposits, the availability of a sufficient supply of water and other materials, requirements for additional
capital, future prices of precious metals, tantalum and lithium, changes in general economic conditions, changes in the financ ial markets and in the
demand and market price for commodities, possible variations in ore grade or recovery rates, possible failures of plants, equipment or processes to
operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals
(including of the TSX Venture Exc h a n g e ) , p e r m i t s o r f i n a n c i n g or in the completion of development or construction activities, changes in laws,
regulations and policies affecting mining operations, hedging practices, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims limitations on insurance
coverage and the timing and possi ble outcome of pending litigat ion, environmental issues and liabilities, risks related to joi nt venture operations,
and risks related to the integration of acquisitions, as well as those factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent
annual management’s discussion a nd analysis and other filings o f the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be
found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.
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Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward‐lo oking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to upda te any of the
forward‐looking statements in this news release or incorporated by reference herein, except as otherwise required by law.
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