Surge Continues to Encounter Robust Lithium Grades Including 31M Intercepts at 4196 PPM Li from Surface in a 640M Step Out to the SE Program Confirms Continuity of Mineralization and Grades
Surge Continues to Encounter Robust Lithium
Grades Including 31M Intercepts at 4196 PPM
Li from Surface in a 640M Step Out to the SE
Program Confirms Continuity of Mineralization and Grades
West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 17, 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 reported
assay results from the Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP). The initial focus of
this news release details the successful step-out holes along the western, southwestern, and
southeastern edges of the current mineral resource boundary.
Drilling continues to confirm the scale and continuity of the deposit, intersecting thick, favorable claystone
horizons on and beyond the edges of the previously established footprint.
Highlights of the 2025 Drill Program:
The nine-hole program,
totaling 4,634.5 feet (1,412.6 meters)
, successfully achieved all its primary
objectives: collecting critical data for upgrading the mineral resource (from inferred to indicated and
measured); gathering essential geotechnical and hydrogeological data; and securing bulk samples for
metallurgical test work critical to the planned 2026 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
Southeastern Expansion:
Step-out Hole NNL-037, located 640 meters east-southeast of the
nearest hole, returned a cumulative thickness of
30.6 meters (100.5 ft) grading an average of
4,196 ppm Lithium (Li)
, including critical minerals Rubidium (325 ppm Rb) and Cesium (112 ppm
Cs) associated with Li mineralization.
Robust Geochemical Fingerprint:
The program confirmed a positive correlation between
elevated Cesium and Rubidium values and high-grade Lithium mineralization. This unique
geochemical signature acts as a reliable pathfinder, de-risking future exploration and confirming
that the mineralizing system is uniform across the entire 4.3 km strike length.
Western Flank Growth:
Hole NNL-031 returned
70.5 meters (240.3 ft) of combined
mineralization grading 3,432 ppm Li,
plus interval-associated average grades of 282 ppm Rb
and 118 ppm Cs. The most western hole to date, NNL-029, returned 42.3 meters (138.4 ft) at
3,306 ppm Li, and 259 ppm Rb/138 ppm Cs.
A fault is interpreted from the 2024 RC hole NNL-023
, and these two holes help locate
the terminus of the clays on the western edge, further refining the resource.
Southwestern Continuity:
Hole NNL-034 successfully extended the mineralized horizon to the
southwest, intersecting over 100 meters (330.6 ft) at 3,134 ppm Li.
This hole also approaches an interpreted fault discovered in 2024 RC hole NNL-027
,
bringing the resource further towards the basin margin at this location.
Open to the south and the east:
The 2025 program confirms what geophysical surveys
previously suggested: the high-grade Nevada North basin is larger than currently modeled and
remains open to the south, and east. No boundary has been established by drilling in these
directions.
Table 1. NNLP 2025 core drilling, total mineralization
Hole ID
Thickness (m)
Thickness (ft)
Li
(ppm)
Cs (ppm)
Rb (ppm)
NNL-029
42.3
138.4
3306
96
220
NNL-031
70.5
240.3
3432
118
282
NNL-034
50.4
165.3
3134
91
173
NNL-037
30.6
100.5
4196
112
325
1,250 ppm Li cutoff grade, no internal dilution
Resource Upgrade Focus:
The infill drilling successfully increased data density within the
existing resource footprint, providing the necessary information to support the upgrade of Inferred
resources to Indicated and Measured classifications - a crucial step for the PFS.
Comprehensive PFS Data Acquired:
The program systematically collected crucial data beyond
primary lithium assays, including large-diameter (PQ) core for metallurgical testing, detailed
geotechnical logging and televiewer data, and hydrogeological data including Vibrating Wire
Piezometer (VWP) installations.
Table 2.
Mineralized intercepts
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Thick (m)
From (ft)
To (ft)
Thick (ft)
Li (ppm)
Cs (ppm)
Rb (ppm)
NNL-029
0
11.49
11.5
0
37.7
37.7
3989
138
259
NNL-029
22.86
34.44
11.6
75
113
38
3000
89
200
NNL-029
48.64
51.69
3.1
159.6
169.6
10
1775
63
140
NNL-029
63.88
75.98
12.1
209.6
249.3
39.7
3868
88
265
NNL-029
80.34
81.26
1.0
263.6
266.6
3
1335
48
56
NNL-029
97.9
100.94
3.0
321.2
331.2
10
1783
42
104
NNL-029
Total
42.3
Total
138.4
3306
96
220
From (m)
To (m)
Thick (m)
From (ft)
To (ft)
Thick (ft)
Li (ppm)
Cs (ppm)
Rb (ppm)
NNL-031
14.54
48.16
33.62
47.7
158
110.3
4468
159
349
NNL-031
58.82
80.16
21.3
193
263
70
3169
98
239
NNL-031
102.71
107.59
4.88
328
353
25
1631
56
199
NNL-031
119.78
130.45
10.67
393
428
35
1982
71
217
NNL-031
Total
70.51
Total
240.3
3432
118
282
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Thick (m)
From (ft)
To (ft)
Thick (ft)
Li (ppm)
Cs (ppm)
Rb (ppm)
NNL-034
5.79
16.55
10.76
19
54.3
35.3
2061
65
139
NNL-034
29.56
69.19
39.63
97
227
130
3425
99
182
NNL-034
Total
50.39
Total
165.3
3134
91
173
Hole ID
From (m)
To (m)
Thick (m)
From (ft)
To (ft)
Thick (ft)
Li (ppm)
Cs (ppm)
Rb (ppm)
NNL-037
0
3.66
3.7
0
12
12
3687
97
221
NNL-037
10.52
19.2
8.7
34.5
63
28.5
4870
137
369
NNL-037
25.0
40.2
15.2
82.0
132.0
50.0
4353
111
364
NNL-037
50.9
53.95
3.1
167
177
10
2103
68
124
NNL-037
Total
30.63
Total
100.5
4196
112
325
Mr. Greg Reimer, CEO, President and Director of Surge, commented
"these drill holes materially
enhance the scale of the Nevada North Lithium Project. Intersecting nearly 4,200 ppm lithium in a 640-
meter step-out to the southeast in NNL-037 is a significant achievement. Not only is the system
continuous, but we are encountering some of our highest grades at the very edges of the known footprint.
It is increasingly clear that we have only begun to tap the true potential size of this premier lithium asset."
SAMPLE CUSTODY AND HANDLING, QA/QC
For the 2025 drilling program, Surge geologists implemented a rigorous quality assurance and quality
control (QA/QC) protocol. Drill core was logged, photographed, split, and sampled at the Company's
secure sample processing facility in Twin Falls, Idaho, with sample intervals typically set at 5 feet
(1.52m), adjusted for lithological contacts. Core was cut using a diamond saw for competent rock or by
hand for softer clay-rich intervals to ensure representative sampling.
Samples were placed in barcode-labeled standard 20"x24" polyester Heavy Sentry bags. For the entire
2025 drill program, 134 out of 806 QA/QC samples were submitted, representing approximately 16.6%
of the 806 total samples analyzed. This included the systematic insertion of certified reference materials
(MEG standards), blanks, and quarter-core duplicates.
Blanks:
43 blank samples were inserted. All but one returned values < 50 ppm Li, consistent with
background levels for the blank material used. One outlier was reported at 81.8 ppm Li.
Standards:
47 lithium standards were inserted, comprising three certified grades (approximately
720 ppm, 1606 ppm, and 2536 ppm Li). All standards performed within acceptable limits,
demonstrating high analytical accuracy across the grade range.
Note:
This program introduced a new site-specific standard grading 2,536 ppm Li,
developed directly from NNLP mineralized material to ensure matrix-matched analytical
accuracy.
Duplicates:
44 duplicate samples were analyzed. All duplicates fell within 10% tolerance,
confirming excellent reproducibility of the sampling and analytical methods.
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. Mr. Morris has verified the data disclosed respecting the drill program by
reviewing all available information. There were no limitations on the verification process.
Figure 1. Drill Hole Location Map for 2025 Program
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9838/284034_51e92d77e4a4c884_001full.jpg
The Company wishes to clarify that, in connection with the closing of the private placement, it issued an
aggregate of 27,777,780 units (previously announced as 27,777,980 units) at a price of $0.90 per unit
for total gross proceeds of $25,000,000 (previously announced as $25,000,000), comprised of
22,222,000 units issued pursuant to the LIFE Offering (previously announced as 22,222,200 units) and
5,555,780 units issued pursuant to the Concurrent Offering (previously announced as 5,555,780 units).
As each unit consists of one common share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant, the
Company issued a total of 13,888,890 warrants (previously announced as 13,888,990 warrants), with
each full warrant exercisable at $1.35 until February 3, 2029. All other terms of the private placement
remain unchanged.
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 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. 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 recently completed PEA reported an
after-tax NPV
8
% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US
$5,243/t LCE.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Greg Reimer"
Greg Reimer,
President & CEO
Contact Information
Email :
Phone :
604-662-8184
Website:
surgebatterymetals.com
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Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When
used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or
"planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or
expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. These forward-looking statements or
information may relate to future prices of commodities including lithium and nickel, the accuracy of
mineral or resource exploration activity, reserves or resources, regulatory or government requirements or
approvals including approvals of title and mining rights or licenses and environmental, local community or
indigenous community approvals, the reliability of third party information, continued access to mineral
properties or infrastructure or water, changes in laws, rules and regulations including in the United
States, Nevada or California or any other jurisdiction which may impact upon the Company or its
properties or the commercial exploitation of those properties, currency risks including the exchange rate
of USD$ 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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