Surge Announces Highest Grade Lithium Clay
Surge Announces Highest Grade Lithium Clay
Resource in the USA With 4.67 Mt LCE @2,839
PPM Li Including 4.07 Mt LCE @ 3,167 PPM Li
West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 22, 2024) - Surge Battery Metals Inc.
(TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "
Company
" or "
Surge
") is pleased to report a maiden
Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) on its Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP). The MRE, which has an
effective date of February 16, 2024, was prepared by Dr. Bruce Davis, FAusIMM and includes a pit-
constrained Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.67 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 2,839
ppm Li at a 1,250 ppm Li cutoff.
Highlights
Highest Grade Lithium Clay Resource in the USA with 4.7Mt LCE grading 2,839 ppm Li at
a 1,250ppm cutoff.
MRE includes over 4Mt of LCE grading 3,167 Li PPM at a 2,000 ppm Li cutoff.
Significant Expansion Potential: The MRE only covers a portion of the known footprint of
mineralization with substantial potential for growth.
Mr. Greg Reimer, Chief Executive Officer and Director, commented,
"We are thrilled with today's
maiden MRE results as they solidify that the NNLP is a significant lithium deposit and one of the highest-
grade lithium clay deposits worldwide. At higher grade cutoffs, there are still very appreciable volumes of
lithium that are largely contained in the clay horizons nearest surface. We will continue to derisk the
NNLP through metallurgical test work, technical studies and permitting. As well, we expect to continue to
expand our known resource and certainty around it through drilling."
The lithium mineral resources at the NNLP are hosted by multiple shallowly dipping and laterally
extensive clay beds, separated by tuff units.
The primary horizon ("Cu3") contains the highest grades and
is typically the first horizon intersected in drilling. Clay units primarily consist of massive green and dark
brown laminated clay with white carbonate clots and euhedral calcite crystals. Seven lithium-rich beds
have been identified to date that range in thickness from >50m to 2.5m and average around 15m thick.
The MRE for the NNLP is based on twenty drill holes completed between 2022 and 2023 under a Notice
of Intent (NOI) permit for a total of 2,758m and 1,973 samples. Eight of the twenty drill holes were reverse
circulation (RC), five were sonic, and seven were diamond core. The 3D geological model used to
inform the block model was developed in Leapfrog™ by SideQuest Geological Modelling.
Many of the metrics used to derive a 1,250 ppm Li base cut-off grade were obtained in part from review
of available information for deposits similar to that at the NNLP. It is expected that items such as
recovery, bulk density and operating cost will change in the future with additional test work and
engineering studies. The metrics used to derive a 1,250 ppm Li base case cut-off grade and define the
resource pit shell include:
Operating Cost per Resource Tonne:
US$88.50
LCE Price: US$20,000/t LCE
Recovery: 73.5%
Bulk Density: 1.79 t/m
3
Pit Slope: 27°
Li to LCE conversion factor: 5.323
The inferred lithium mineral resource estimate is shown in bold in Table 1. The table includes the
tonnage sensitivities to different cutoff grades up to a maximum of 4,000 ppm Li. The inferred resource
estimate includes 100% of the resources on Surge's 100% owned ground and 25% of resources within
the private block of ground in which Surge owns 25% of the subsurface rights.
Table 1. 2024 NNLP Inferred Resource in bold and sensitivity to different cutoff grades.
Cutoff
(Li ppm)
Tonnes
(Mt)
Grade
(Li ppm)
Lithium
(Mt)
LCE
(Mt)
1,000
310.3
2,834
0.879
4.68
1,250
309.3
2,839
0.878
4.67
1,500
293.7
2,918
0.857
4.56
1,750
267.3
3,042
0.813
4.33
2,000
241.4
3,167
0.765
4.07
3,000
143.6
3,662
0.526
2.80
4,000
28.1
4,289
0.121
0.64
1
.
The MRE has been prepared by Dr. Bruce Davis, in conformity with CIM "Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best
Practices" guidelines and are reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities Administrators NI 43-101 requirements.
2
.
Resources are constrained by a pit shell using Hexagon MinePlan™ 3D software.
3
.
The pit shell defined uses a 27° pit slope and assumes a US$88.50/t operating cost, 73.5% recovery and a US$20,000/t LCE price.
4
.
A Li to Li2Co3 factor of 5.323 was used.
5
.
A fixed density of 1.79 t/m
3
was used.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and have not demonstrated economic viability. There is
no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into a mineral reserve.
Technical Report
Under NI 43-101, Section 5.3(1)(c), Surge must file a technical report regarding the MRE within forty-five
(45) days of the date of this news release.
Next Steps
The remainder of 2024 will be a busy year as the company prepares for a much larger and expanded
drill program upon receiving its Exploration Plan of Operations Permit. In 2024, Surge plans to complete
the following:
Metallurgical and Flowsheet Test Work
Metallurgical test work is well underway with Kemetco. We anticipate releasing the results of
this testing in Q1 of 2024.
Surface Exploration Programs
In 2024, Surge plans to complete a detailed surface mapping program over the property and
additional soil sampling. Combined, these will help identify additional areas of outcropping
clay units and help to improve our geological understanding.
Spring / Summer Expansion Drilling
In early spring, Surge will work with the BLM to determine how much disturbance can be
reclaimed under the current NOI permit to complete additional drilling in 2024. As well, Surge
plans to drill on the M3 JV property.
Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA)
Surge expects to undertake a PEA study on the NNLP with an anticipated target reporting
date in Q4 of 2024.
Qualified Person as Defined Under National Instrument 43-101
Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, a Qualified Person as defined under National
Instrument 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release.
This news release, including disclosure of the MRE has also been reviewed by Dr. Bruce Davis,
FAusIMM, a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 and is independent of Surge.
About Surge Battery Metals Inc.
Surge Battery Metals, a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the
supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The
project focuses on exploring clean, high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA. Lithium is a crucial
element for powering the electric vehicles of tomorrow. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture
Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the US, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically
positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration, contributing significantly to the sustainable
future of the electric vehicle industry. At Surge Battery Metals, we are not just exploring minerals; we are
pioneering the path to a cleaner and more sustainable future, driving innovation in the lithium sector, and
contributing to the evolution of the electric vehicle industry.
About the Nevada North Lithium Project
The Company's
Nevada North Lithium Project,
located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot,
Nevada 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada. The first two rounds of drilling, completed
in 2022 and 2023, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike
length of more than 3,500 meters and a known width of up to 950 meters. Highly anomalous soil values
and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. The
Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 4.67Mt of
Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 2,839 ppm Li at a 1,250 ppm cutoff.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Greg Reimer"
Greg Reimer,
President & CEO
Contact Information
Email :
Phone : 778-945-2656
Website:
surgebatterymetals.com
Neither the 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 document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When
used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or
"planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or
expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or
information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of
mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or
approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or
indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral
properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United
States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its
properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate
of USD$ for Cdn$ or other currencies, fluctuations in the market for lithium related products, changes in
exploration costs and government royalties, export policies or taxes in the United States or any other
jurisdiction and other factors or information. The Company's current plans, expectations, and intentions
with respect to development of its business and of its Nevada properties may be impacted by economic
uncertainties arising out of any pandemic or by the impact of current financial and other market
conditions (including US government subsidies or incentives) on its ability to secure further financing or
funding of its Nevada properties. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect
to future events and are necessarily based upon several assumptions and estimates that, while
considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic,
competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water
related risks) and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown,
could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results,
performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these
forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in
circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by
applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
Figure 1: Plan view showing the Maiden MRE at the NNLP. Three section lines indicate the location of
the cross sections below. Only blocks greater than 1,250 ppm Li are shown in Figure 1.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/198890_96ef6d72d462fb0a_001full.jpg
Figure 2: Section 1 cross section looking NE of the MRE block model.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/198890_96ef6d72d462fb0a_002full.jpg
Figure 3: Section 2 cross section looking E of the MRE block model.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/198890_96ef6d72d462fb0a_003full.jpg
Figure 4: Section 3 cross section looking NE of the MRE block model.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/198890_96ef6d72d462fb0a_004full.jpg
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198890