Surge Battery Metals Announces Core Drilling Intercepts over 4,000 ppm Lithium at Surface with Assays up to 7,630 PPM; Deeper Drilling Confirms Multiple Horizons
Surge Battery Metals Announces Core Drilling
Intercepts over 4,000 ppm Lithium at Surface
with Assays up to 7,630 PPM; Deeper Drilling
Confirms Multiple Horizons
West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 5, 2023) - Surge Battery Metals Inc.
(TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "
Company
" or "
Surge
") is pleased to announce that the
first certified assay results from the 2023 core drilling phase on its high-grade lithium clay discovery at
Nevada North (NNLP) have returned greater than 4000 ppm Lithium (Li) for some samples starting from
surface and to depths greater than 175m. The highest-grade assay of 7,630 ppm Li was observed at
less than 30m depth.
After the successful 2023 sonic drilling campaign at the NNLP, Surge proceeded with the diamond core
drilling program. The maximum depth reached by sonic drilling was 107.5m, whereas diamond holes
extended to 243m (NN2308). Diamond holes NN2306, NN2308 and NN2309 at the south end of the
NNLP intercepted extended lithium clay mineralization west from the 2022 Reverse Circulation drilling,
validated 2022 RC assay results, and encountered additional mineralization at depth. It is expected that
deeper clay mineralization discovered in this round becomes shallower towards the east and adds to the
already extensive near-surface lithium clay mineralization outlined by drilling thus far.
Hole NN2306
Drilled to a total depth of 198.72m (652 ft), hole NN2306 was located to investigate farther west into the
basin from holes NN2207 and NN2208. This diamond core step-out hole confirmed the continuation of
the upper high-grade lithium clay sequence, which typically hosts three mineralized clay zones. NN2306
returned positive sample results ranging between the 1000 ppm cutoff to 5,120 ppm Li. These results
include high grades averaging 4423 ppm Li over 9.8m, 4673 ppm over 11.4m, and 2805 ppm over
10.8m. This entire sequence was observed at less than 50m depth. Below the upper lithium clay bearing
zone, NN2306 continues to a total depth of 198.72m, which revealed several more lithium-enriched
layers.
Composite lithium values for the mineralized horizons, using a 1,000-ppm cutoff with no internal dilution,
are shown in the following table:
Hole ID
From
(ft)
To
(ft)
Thickness
(ft)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Thickness
(m)
Li
ppm
NN2306
0
32
32
0
9.8
9.8
4423
NN2306
62
99.5
37.5
18.9
30.3
11.4
4673
NN2306
124.5
160
35.5
37.9
48.7
10.8
2805
Sequence
Total
105
32
3965
NN2306
446
471
25
135.9
143.5
7.6
1740
NN2306
492
522
30
149.9
159.0
9.1
1335
NN2306
559
568
9
170.3
173.1
2.8
1260
Sequence
Total
64
19.5
1483
Hole NN2308
Drilled to a total depth of 243m (797 ft), hole NN2308 was designed to investigate deeper mineralization
beneath sonic core hole NN2301 and to compare results obtained in the sonic vs. diamond core drilling.
This diamond core hole confirmed grades observed in sonic drilling with results including high grades
averaging 4718 ppm Li over 25m, 3812 ppm Li over 9.2m, 2300 ppm Li over 3.1m, and 2627 ppm Li
over 3.4m. The entire sequence was observed at depths of less than 75m.
Results for the upper clay
intervals intersected in NN2301 were similar: 4939 ppm Li over 24.4m, 3758 ppm Li over 9.1m, 2284
ppm Li over 3.8m, and 2591 ppm Li over 5.3m. The core hole NN2308 also intersected an untested
mineralized clay zone beneath a thick (~100m) zone of airfall and welded tuff. Continuing to a total depth
of 243m revealed two deeper mineralized clay layers.
Composite lithium values for the mineralized horizons, using a 1,000-ppm cutoff with no internal dilution,
are shown in the following table:
Hole ID
From
(ft)
To
(ft)
Thickness
(ft)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Thickness
(m)
Li
ppm
NN2308
25.0
107.0
82.0
7.6
32.6
25.0
4718
NN2308
147.0
177.0
30.0
44.8
54.0
9.2
3812
NN2308
213.0
223.0
10.0
64.9
68.0
3.1
2300
NN2308
232.0
243.0
11.0
70.7
74.1
3.4
2627
Sequence
Total
133
40.7
4159
NN2308
577.0
652.0
75.0
175.9
198.7
22.8
2835
NN2308
687.0
722.0
35.0
209.4
220.1
10.7
1707
Sequence
Total
110
33.5
2476
Hole NN2309
Drilled to a total depth of 132m (433 ft), hole NN2309 was designed to investigate deeper mineralization
beneath last year's reverse circulation hole NN2208 and to compare results obtained in the reverse
circulation vs. diamond core drilling. This diamond core hole confirmed grades observed in reverse
circulation drilling with results including high grades averaging 3446 ppm Li over 21.9m, 3591 ppm Li
over 47.4m, and 2143 ppm Li over 4.6m. Results for the upper clay intervals intersected in NN2208 were
similar with an overall positive difference of 9% for core as compared to RC. Continued drilling revealed
another mineralized clay zone of 1177 ppm Li over 18.3m, which increases the thickness of the
mineralization at this location by 19%.
Composite lithium values for the mineralized horizons, using a 1,000-ppm cutoff with no internal dilution,
are shown in the following table:
Hole ID
From
(ft)
To
(ft)
Thickness
(ft)
From
(m)
To
(m)
Thickness
(m)
Li
ppm
NN2309
0
72
72
0
21.9
21.9
3446
NN2309
91.5
247
155.5
27.9
75.3
47.4
3591
NN2309
277
292
15
84.4
89
4.6
2143
Sequence Total
242.5
73.9
3458
*NN2309
297
322
30
90.5
108.8
18.3
1177
Sequence Total
30
18.3
1177
*
Three samples between 610-680ppm Li included in this interval are included in the average.
These three diamond core holes, NN2306, NN2308, and NN2309, have achieved four significant goals.
Confirmed an extension of the known deposit to the west, resulting in an increase to the footprint of
the mineralized zone.
Deeper drilling confirmed a greater thickness of the mineralization over the previously drilled
mineralized zones.
Confirmed the consistency in mineralization and associated lithium grades in both reverse
circulation drilling and sonic drilling, thereby bolstering confidence in existing data and providing
opportunities to utilize multiple methods of borehole exploration that vary in cost, speed, and
supply.
Confirmed the lateral continuity of the mineralized layers, further bolstering confidence in
interpretations of data showing continuous stratiform Li clay layers, the boundaries of which have
not been discovered. Interpretation of these results, beyond the expansion of the known deposit,
suggests that a second, deeper zone of mineralization exists that is expected to approach the
surface to the east. Additional borehole exploration will reveal the extent and nature of this zone in
the future.
Core samples from the diamond drilling were placed in standard waxed cardboard core boxes by the
drillers who delivered the core to the Surge field office.
The core samples were logged at the camp and
sample intervals marked with the sample number tags.
The core was then driven by Surge workers to a
locked warehouse in Elko, Nevada where they were stored for splitting. At the warehouse, the core
samples were split or sawn, depending on the rock composition and half of the core samples were
placed in cloth bags. Samples were then submitted to the ALS facility in Elko, Nevada for analysis. ALS
is independent of the Company. The samples batches included 6% insertion of QA/QC samples,
including blanks, duplicates, and commercially obtained standards. Most standards ran within 5 percent
of the known and duplicated values, with the blanks reporting no greater than 20 parts per million lithium.
Mr. Greg Reimer, Chief Executive Officer, and Director
commented, "Today's diamond drilling
results, combined with previous sonic and RC results, are starting to outline a large volume of greater
than 4000+ ppm Li within our upper clay horizon at the NNLP. Additionally, the deeper mineralization
intersected in NN2308 is promising; it validates our interpretations and provides a critical exploration
target in tracing this mineralization up dip to the east, where it is expected to approach the surface.
Finally, the twinning of NN2208 bolsters our confidence in the assay results from the 2022 reverse
circulation drilling. We look forward to following up these exciting results in the future."
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.
About Surge Battery Metals Inc.
The Company is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company active in the exploration for lithium in
Nevada whose primary listing is on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the
US.
The Company's maintains a focus on exploration for high value battery metals required for the
electric vehicle (EV) market.
About the Nevada North Lithium Project
The Company owns the Nevada North Lithium Project located in the Granite Range southeast of
Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada. The first round of drilling,
completed in October 2022, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a
strike length of almost 1,620 meters. Widths of the mineralized horizons are at least 400 meters,
supported by highly anomalous soil values indicating potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in
extent. The potential for a significant lithium deposit can be illustrated by the average lithium content
within all near surface clay zones intersected in 2022 drilling, applying a 1000 ppm cut-off, was 3254
ppm.
The 2023 drill program is designed to expand the known lithium-rich clay from the current 1,620 meters
strike length to more than 3,500 meters and the known width of the mineralization to 950 meters from the
previously drill-indicated 400 meters. The program is now completed, and we are awaiting assay results.
Initial assay results from the first hole of the 2023 season had a high of 8070 ppm lithium with an average
of 4,067 ppm lithium at a 1,000-ppm cut-off (See news release September 12, 2023).
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Greg Reimer"
Greg Reimer,
President & CEO
Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 604-662-8184
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 a number of 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 location of 2022 and 2023 drilling. Two section lines indicate the
location of the cross sections above.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/189802_a4a94b7b14eca81c_001full.jpg
Figure 2: Cross section 1 and 2 showing 2023 diamond and sonic holes including 2022 RC holes
coloured by assay with a working geological interpretation.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/189802_a4a94b7b14eca81c_002full.jpg
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/189802