Surge Battery Metals Engages Kemetco for Advanced Prefeasibility Metallurgical Testing at the Nevada North Lithium Project
Surge Battery Metals Engages Kemetco for
Advanced Prefeasibility Metallurgical Testing
at the Nevada North Lithium Project
West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 1, 2026) - Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV:
NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "
Company
" or "
Surge
") is pleased to announce that Nevada
North Lithium LLC ("NNL"), the joint venture formed by Surge and Evolution Mining Limited ("Evolution"),
has commenced an advanced metallurgical optimization program with Kemetco Research Inc.
("Kemetco") to support the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) for the Company's flagship, high-grade
Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) located in Elko County, Nevada.
This comprehensive testing program utilizes a Master Composite sample—representing the first 10
years of mine life—designed in direct collaboration with Fluor Corporation ("Fluor"), the lead engineering
firm for the PFS. The primary objective is to validate and optimize the specific Process Design Criteria
(PDC) and Heat and Mass Balance (HMB) models currently being engineered by Fluor.
Strategic Continuity and Engineering Alignment
Kemetco's familiarity with the NNLP mineralization and hydrometallurgy flow sheets qualify them as the
premier choice for this phase of de-risking. Having successfully executed the foundational metallurgical
testing for the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), Kemetco
provides necessary continuity. Their historical data and hands-on experience with the NNLP claystone
ensure that this optimization phase will be executed efficiently, bridging the gap between bench-scale
data and Fluor's commercial-scale plant design.
Key Technical Highlights of the PFS Test Program:
Flowsheet Optimization:
Comprehensive testing across the entire proposed flowsheet,
including, sulfuric acid leaching, neutralization, and Counter-Current Decantation (CCD).
Impurity Removal & ZLD Integration:
Advanced testing of the impurity removal circuits to
validate reagent consumption (such as lime and soda ash) and the simulation of the Zero Liquid
Discharge (ZLD) circuit, a critical component of Surge's water conservation strategy.
Product Validation:
Precipitation and crystallization testing to confirm the efficient production of
high-purity lithium carbonate.
Byproduct Evaluation (Cesium & Rubidium):
The program will strictly monitor the deportment
of Cesium (Cs) and Rubidium (Rb) throughout the leaching and purification phases to assess the
economic viability of recovering these high-value specialty metals as project by-products.
Mr. Greg Reimer, President & Chief Executive Officer and Director of Surge, commented,
"We
are very pleased to be working with Kemetco again. By pairing their intimate understanding of our
Nevada North deposit with Fluor's commercial engineering capabilities, we are combining the
necessary expertise to complete the test work and lock in our optimized flowsheet. This will support our
fully funded joint ventured Pre-Feasibility Study."
Qualified Person:
Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, Geological Advisor to the Company, and 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.
Surge Battery Metals Inc., 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 development of high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element
for powering battery electric storage and electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture
Exchange in Canada and a listing on the OTCQX Market in the USA, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is
strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration.
About Evolution Mining Limited
Evolution Mining is a leading, globally relevant gold miner. Evolution operates six mines, comprising five
wholly-owned mines – Cowal in New South Wales, Ernest Henry and Mt Rawdon in Queensland,
Mungari in Western Australia, and Red Lake in Ontario, Canada, and an 80% share in Northparkes in
New South Wales.
About Nevada North Lithium LLC
Nevada North Lithium LLC, jointly owned by Surge Battery Metals Inc (72.5%) and Evolution Mining
Limited (27.5%), owns the Nevada North Lithium Project southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km
north-northeast of Wells, Elko County. The first three rounds of drilling at the project identified a strongly
mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a
known width of greater than 1,500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys
suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent. As disclosed in the
Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment dated May 19, 2025 (PEA), completed jointly by M3
Engineering & Technology Corp. and Independent Mining Consultants (see the Company's news release
dated July 24, 2025 for further information respecting the PEA), the Nevada North Lithium Project has a
pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 11.24 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent
(LCE) grading 3010 ppm Li at a 1,250-ppm cutoff. The PEA reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17
Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Greg Reimer"
Greg Reimer,
Director, President & CEO
Contact Information
Email:
Phone: 604-662-8184
Website:
surgebatterymetals.com
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Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When
used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target", "plan" or
"planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or
expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or
information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of
mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or
approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or
indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral
properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United
States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its
properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate
of USD$ 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
.
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