Phase II HLS Testwork Across CV5 Indicates Applicability of DMS Flowsheet
Patriot Battery Metals Inc.
Suite 700 - 838 W. Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C 0A6
www.patriotbatterymetals.com TSX-V: PMET / ASX: PMT / OTC: PMETF / FSE: R9GA
Phase II HLS Testwork Across CV5 Indicates Applicability of DMS
Flowsheet
February 21, 2023 – Vancouver, BC, Canada February 22, 2023 – Sydney, Australia
Highlights
• Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) testwork on eleven (11) core sample composites indicate that a Dense
Media Separation (“DMS”) process is applicable to the greater CV5 Pegmatite body.
o HLS sample h ead grades rang ed from 0.67% to 2.73% Li 2O, resulting in an average spodumene
concentrate grade of 5.98% Li2O at 77% recovery.
• Results affirm previous HLS and DMS results and bolster confidence that a simple DMS driven flowsheet,
without the need of flotation, is applicable to the greater CV5 Pegmatite.
• Testwork indicates that a marketable spodumene concentrate exceeding 5.5% Li 2O at high 70’s recovery is
achievable using a DMS process.
• Five (5) composite samples have been selected from the CV13 Pegmatite for H LS testing to evaluate the
potential of DMS on this material.
Mineral Process Consultant and Project Steering Group member, Brett Grosvenor, comments: “The results of this
HLS testwork, which encompasses a wider sampling of the overall CV5 Pegmatite, are very positive and give u s a
strong confidence that DMS will be applicable to the CV5 Pegmatite as a whole. These results demonstrate similar
liberation and process characteristics are present across the pegmatite body at various depths along its length, along
with high lithium recoveries in-line with the prior HLS and DMS work . Collectively, the results of the test program
provide a strong ‘vote of confidence’ in a simple DMS process plant design without the need for flotation.”
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) ( TSX-V: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQ X: PMETF)
(FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the results of the Heavy Liquid Separation (“HLS”) Phase II testwork program
on CV5 Pegmatite material, completed as follow -up to the successful Phase I HLS and Dense Media Separation
(“DMS”) testwork program (see news release dated December 19th, 2022).
The prior Phase I HLS and DMS testwork, completed on CV5 Pegmatite material from drill holes CF21-001 and 002,
affirm that bench scale HLS testing is a cost -effective way to rapidly assess the applicability of larger scale DMS
processing, which is more reflective of an operating and continuous process (Table 1). As a next step, the HLS testwork
program was expanded (i.e., Phase II) with the objective to assess the liberation and recovery characteristics of
spodumene at different locations within the CV5 Pegmatite – along strike and at depth – which in turn would assess
the applicability of DMS to the CV5 Pegmatite as a whole . To accomplish this, a total of eleven (11), ~10 m core
length, quarter -core composite samples were selected from varied depths and locations laterally along the CV5
Pegmatite and each run through an HLS plus magnetic separation process.
Head grades for the samples ranged from 0.67% to 2.73% Li2O, averaging 1.48% Li2O, and included varied amounts
of mica and tourmaline to further assess their impact on the process. In order to provide a baseline assessment of HLS
performance, a single cut size of 2.85 SG was used , with the sink product (spodumene fraction) then run through a
simple magnetic separation circuit to remove lingering high-iron gangue minerals (e.g., amphibole). The test program
was completed by SGS Canada Inc. at their facility in Lakefield, ON , where the prior testwork for the Project was
also completed.
The results, presented in Table 1, are very encouraging with all but the lowest grade sample exceeding 5.5% Li 2O to
a peak of 6. 58% Li2O spodumene concentrate, with recoveries ranging from 73 to 86%. Including the lowest grade
sample, the average over all eleven (11) core composites graded 5.98% Li2O at 77% recovery, in line with the prior
DMS results of 5.8% Li2O and 79% recovery . The targeted objective w as to achieve a 5.5%+ Li2O spodumene
concentrate at >70% recovery, and therefore the test program was highly successful. Further the conditions remain
unoptimized for this testwork with no blending considered.
Collectively, the Phase II HLS testwork demonstrates that the CV5 Pegmatite shares s imilar liberation and process
characteristics across the majority of the pegmatite body defined to date, at various depths along its length. Further,
the work indicates that a marketable spodumene concentrate exceeding 5.5% Li2O at high recovery is achievable using
a DMS process. With the ability to produce marketable spodumene concentrate at recoveries between 70 and 80% ,
the results of the test program provide a strong indication that a simple DMS processing plant design, without the need
for flotation, will be the base case for the Project.
Table 1: Summary of HLS testwork results at the CV5 Pegmatite
The coarse-grained nature of the mineralization at CV5 allows for strong mineral liberation and recovery at relatively
coarse crush sizes. For the CV5 Pegmatite this has resulted in high spodumene recoveries into the final DMS (+ non-
magnetic) concentrate at a coarse crush size of -9.5 mm. In lithium pegmatite mineral processing, a coarse crush size
is strongly preferred to a smaller crush size ( or grinding) as it requires a reduced power consumption and less
Head
Grade
Sample ID Drill Hole Test Method Li2O (%) Li2O (%) Fe2O3 (%) Li Recovery
HLS-COMP-001 CV22-017 HLS 1.40 6.15 0.61 80.5
HLS-COMP-002 CV22-019 HLS 1.16 6.13 0.78 76.0
HLS-COMP-003 CV22-025 HLS 1.14 5.74 1.14 79.3
HLS-COMP-004 CV22-035 HLS 1.33 5.93 0.52 80.0
HLS-COMP-005 CV22-038 HLS 1.68 6.17 0.71 81.6
HLS-COMP-006 CV22-040 HLS 0.67 5.03 0.93 56.5
HLS-COMP-007 CV22-042 HLS 1.57 6.21 0.56 74.7
HLS-COMP-008 CV22-048 HLS 1.35 6.04 0.62 77.3
HLS-COMP-009 CV22-052 HLS 2.04 6.58 0.72 86.0
HLS-COMP-010 CV22-054 HLS 1.20 5.50 1.04 72.7
HLS-COMP-011 CV22-070 HLS 2.73 6.34 0.95 85.6
AVERAGE 1.48 5.98 0.78 77.3
CF21-001Met +
CF21-002Met
Composite
CF21-001 &
002 HLS 1.08 6.22 0.60 77.7
CF21-001Met +
CF21-002Met
Composite
CF21-001 &
002 DMS 1.08 5.77 0.62 79.0
(1) Feed samples quarter-core NQ at ~9.5 mm crush size, +850 µm fraction
2.85 SG (Sink) Followed by
Magnetic Separation
Phase II
Phase I
equipment. Additionally, the benefits of DMS (± magnetic separation) compared to flotation are considerable and
include relatively lower CAPEX and OPEX, reduced reagent needs, coarser product and tailings, quicker operational
start-up, and overall, less technical risk. Additionally, DMS is a much more environmentally sustainable process when
compared to traditional flotation intensive processes.
The next phase of the flowsheet development is anticipated to be completed on a 1-2 tonne composite sample
comprised of drill core from the CV5 Pegmatite. The location of this area is not yet confirmed as the CV5 Pegmatite
remains to be fully delineated and, therefore, advanced pit shells are not yet complete.
Additionally, d ue to the positive results of the initial drill testing at the CV13 Pegmatite cluster as well as the
interpreted potential present (see news release dated February 13 th, 2023), the Company has selected five (5) ~10 m
core-length sample composites for preliminary HLS testing. The data collected will provide a preliminary evaluation
of process variability (spodumene liberation and recovery) at a coarse crush size using the same HLS parameters from
the CV5 Pegmatite test program. The results will also provide an indication as to the applicability of a DMS process
at the CV13 Pegmatite and if joint processing with the CV5 Pegmatite material may be possible.
Figure 1: Distribution of samples collected for Phase I and II HLS/DMS testwork
.
About the CV Lithium Trend
The CV Lithium Trend is an emerging spodumene pegmatite district discovered by the Company in 2017 and spans
more than 25 -km across the Corvette Property. The core area includes an approximate 2. 6 km long spodumene
pegmatite (the ‘CV5 Pegmatite’) and multiple proximal secondary spodumene pegmatite lenses. This corridor has
returned drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li 2O, including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li 2O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li 2O
(CV22-083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li 2O (CV22-042), 131.2 m at 1.96% Li 2O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li 2O,
including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li2O (CV22-093).
To date, six (6) distinct clusters of lithium pegmatite have been discovered across the Property – CV5 Pegmatite and
associated lenses, CV4, CV8 -12, CV9, CV10, and the recently discovered CV13. Given the proximity of some
pegmatite outcrops to each other, as well as the shallow till cover in the area, it is probable that some of the outcrops
may reflect a discontinuous surface exposure of a single, larger pegmatite ‘outcrop’ subsurface. Further, the high
number of well -mineralized pegmatites along the trend indicate a strong potential for a series of relatively closely
spaced/stacked, sub -parallel, and sizable spodumene -bearing pegmatite bodies, with significant lateral and depth
extent, to be present.
Qualified/Competent Person
The information in this news release that relates to exploration results for the Corvette Property is based on, and fairly
represents, information compiled by Mr. Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101, and member in good standing with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec (Geologist Permit
number 1968), and with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (member number
87868). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.
Mr. Smith is Vice President of Exploration for Patriot Battery Metals Inc. and Nevada Lithium Resources Inc., Vice
President of Exploration and Director for Ophir Gold Corp, and a Senior Geologist and Project Manager w ith
Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd. Mr. Smith holds common shares and options in the Company.
Mr. Smith has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralization, type of deposit under
consideration, and to the activities being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as described by the JORC Code,
2012. Mr. Smith consents to the inclusion in this news release of the matters based on his information in the form and
context in which it appears.
About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral
properties containing battery, base, and precious metals.
The Company’s flagship asset is the 100% owned Corvette Property, located proximal to the Trans- Taiga Road and
powerline infrastructural corridor in the James Bay Region of Québec. The land package hosts significant lithium
potential highlighted by the 2. 6 km long CV5 spodumene pegmatite with drill intercepts of 156.9 m at 2.12% Li 2O,
including 25.0 m at 5.04% Li 2O or 5.0 m at 6.36% Li 2O (CV22-083), 159.7 m at 1.65% Li 2O (CV22-042), 131.2 m
at 1.96% Li2O (CV22-100), and 52.2 m at 3.34% Li 2O, including 15.0 m at 5.10% Li 2O (CV22-093). Additionally,
the Property hosts the Golden Gap Trend with grab samples of 3.1 to 108.9 g/t Au from outcrop and 7 m at 10.5 g/t
Au in drill hole, and the Maven Trend with 8.15% Cu, 1.33 g/t Au, and 171 g/t Ag in outcrop.
The Company also holds 100% ownership of the Freeman Creek Gold Property in Idaho, USA which hosts two
prospective gold prospects - the Gold Dyke Prospect with a 2020 drill hole intersection of 12 m at 4.11 g/t Au and
33.0 g/t Ag, and the Carmen Creek Prospect with surface sample results including 25.5 g/t Au, 159 g/t Ag, and 9.75%
Cu.
The Company’s other assets include the Pontax Lithium -Gold Property, QC; and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property,
NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada.
For further information, please contact us at [email protected] Tel: +1 (604) 279- 8709, or visit
www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Company’s continuous disclosure filings, available under its
profile at www.sedar.com and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data.
This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors,
“BLAIR WAY”
Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director
Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward -looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward -looking statements are often
identified by terms such as “will”, “may”, “should”, “anticipate”, “expects” and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of
historical fact, included in this news release are forward -looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that
such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events c ould differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include the results of further exploration
and testing, and other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, available at www.sedar.com.
The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward- looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or
circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties,
and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance o n any forward-
looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and
actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by
this cautionary statement. The forward -looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the
Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
No securities regulatory authority or stock exchange has reviewed nor accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of the content of this
news release.
Appendix 1 – JORC Code 2012 Table 1 information required by ASX Listing Rule 5.7.1
Section 1 – Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Sampling
techniques
• Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut
channels, random chips, or specific
specialised industry standard
measurement tools appropriate to the
minerals under investigation, such as down
hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF
instruments, etc). These examples should
not be taken as limiting the broad meaning
of sampling.
• Include reference to measures taken to
ensure sample representivity and the
appropriate calibration of any
measurement tools or systems used.
• Aspects of the determination of
mineralisation that are Material to the
Public Report.
• In cases where ‘industry standard’ work
has been done this would be relatively
simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was
used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3
kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g
charge for fire assay’). In other cases
more explanation may be required, such
as where there is coarse gold that has
inherent sampling problems. Unusual
commodities or mineralisation types (eg
submarine nodules) may warrant
disclosure of detailed information.
• Core sampling protocols met or exceeded industry
standard practices.
• The HLS samples were comprised of saw-cut,
quarter-core intervals and collected from eleven
(11) different holes as presented in Table 1 herein
this news release.
• The HLS samples are collectively considered an
appropriate test approach to evaluate DMS at the
greater CV5 Pegmatite as a whole. Samples were
selected to be as representative as practical.
Drilling
techniques
• Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation,
open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger,
Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core
diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of
diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other
type, whether core is oriented and if so,
by what method, etc).
• The samples utilized quarter-core NQ size drill
core
Drill sample
recovery
• Method of recording and assessing core
and chip sample recoveries and results
assessed.
• Measures taken to maximise sample
recovery and ensure representative
nature of the samples.
• Whether a relationship exists between
sample recovery and grade and whether
sample bias may have occurred due to
preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse
material.
• N/a – metallurgical testing reported in this release
Logging • Whether core and chip samples have
been geologically and geotechnically
• N/a – metallurgical testing reported in this release
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
logged to a level of detail to support
appropriate Mineral Resource estimation,
mining studies and metallurgical studies.
• Whether logging is qualitative or
quantitative in nature. Core (or costean,
channel, etc) photography.
• The total length and percentage of the
relevant intersections logged.
Sub-
sampling
techniques
and sample
preparation
• If core, whether cut or sawn and whether
quarter, half or all core taken.
• If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled,
rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet
or dry.
• For all sample types, the nature, quality
and appropriateness of the sample
preparation technique.
• Quality control procedures adopted for all
sub-sampling stages to maximise
representivity of samples.
• Measures taken to ensure that the
sampling is representative of the in situ
material collected, including for instance
results for field duplicate/second-half
sampling.
• Whether sample sizes are appropriate to
the grain size of the material being
sampled.
• Core sampling protocols met or exceeded industry
standard practices
• The HLS samples were comprised of saw-cut,
quarter-core intervals and collected from eleven
(11) different holes as presented in Table 1 herein
this news release.
• Sample size is considered appropriate for the test
method at lab scale
Quality of
assay data
and
laboratory
tests
• The nature, quality and appropriateness
of the assaying and laboratory procedures
used and whether the technique is
considered partial or total.
• For geophysical tools, spectrometers,
handheld XRF instruments, etc, the
parameters used in determining the
analysis including instrument make and
model, reading times, calibrations factors
applied and their derivation, etc.
• Nature of quality control procedures
adopted (eg standards, blanks,
duplicates, external laboratory checks)
and whether acceptable levels of
accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision
have been established.
• All core samples collected were shipped to SGS
Canada’s Metallurgical laboratory in Lakefield, ON
• SGS (Lakefield) was responsible for selecting the
appropriate analytical method (NaO2 fusion
followed by ICP-OES) and ensuring adequate
QAQC was satisfied, and the Company has relied
upon such practice. SGS (Lakefield) is a well-
established metallurgical and analytical laboratory
serving mineral exploration industry and is
independent of the Company
• The assay techniques are considered appropriate
for the nature and type of mineralization present,
and result in a total digestion and assay for the
elements of interest
Verification
of sampling
and
assaying
• The verification of significant intersections
by either independent or alternative
company personnel.
• The use of twinned holes.
• Documentation of primary data, data entry
procedures, data verification, data storage
(physical and electronic) protocols.
• Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
• Assays were compiled and verified by SGS
Canada, an analytical laboratory that is
independent of the Company
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Location of
data points
• Accuracy and quality of surveys used to
locate drill holes (collar and down-hole
surveys), trenches, mine workings and
other locations used in Mineral Resource
estimation.
• Specification of the grid system used.
• Quality and adequacy of topographic
control.
• N/a – metallurgical testing reported in this release
Data
spacing
and
distribution
• Data spacing for reporting of Exploration
Results.
• Whether the data spacing and distribution
is sufficient to establish the degree of
geological and grade continuity
appropriate for the Mineral Resource and
Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and
classifications applied.
• Whether sample compositing has been
applied.
• The HLS samples were comprised of ~10 m core-
length, quarter-core composites at targeted
locations within the CV5 Pegmatite, which would
allow assessment of liberation and recovery
characteristics at varied depths and locations
along strike.
Orientation
of data in
relation to
geological
structure
• Whether the orientation of sampling
achieves unbiased sampling of possible
structures and the extent to which this is
known, considering the deposit type.
• If the relationship between the drilling
orientation and the orientation of key
mineralised structures is considered to
have introduced a sampling bias, this
should be assessed and reported if
material.
• N/a – metallurgical testing reported in this release
Sample
security
• The measures taken to ensure sample
security.
• Samples were collected by Company staff or its
consultants following specific protocols governing
sample collection and handling. Core samples
were bagged, placed in large supersacs for added
security, palleted, and shipped by third party
transport to SGS Lakefield, ON, being tracked
during shipment. Upon arrival at the laboratory,
the samples were cross-referenced with the
shipping manifest to confirm all samples were
accounted for. At the laboratory, sample bags are
evaluated for tampering.
Audits or
reviews
• The results of any audits or reviews of
sampling techniques and data.
• N/a – metallurgical testing reported in this release
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results
(Criteria listed in the preceding section also apply to this section.)
Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary
Mineral
tenement
and land
• Type, reference name/number, location
and ownership including agreements or
material issues with third parties such as
• The Corvette Property is comprised of 417 claims
located in the James Bay Region of Quebec with
all claims registered to the Company. The