Q2 Metals Metallurgy Confirms Cisco Lithium Project Suitability for DMS Processing
Q2 Metals Metallurgy Confirms Cisco Lithium Project Suitability for DMS
Processing
Highlights
• Three (3) composite samples were provided to SGS Canada Inc. for Heavy Liquid Separation (HLS) testing to assess
the suitability of large-scale Dense Media Separation (DMS) processing.
• Composite 18 achieved a 74.1% recovery to produce a 5.69% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.42% Fe2O3.
• Composite 21 achieved a 69.6% recovery to produce a 5.08% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.55% Fe2O3.
• Composite 23 achieved a 71.6% recovery to produce a 5.60% Li2O concentrate with low iron of 0.46% Fe2O3.
• The next phase of metallurgy work will include additional HLS test work on other areas of the main mineralized zone at
the Cisco Project.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 20, 2025 -- Q2 Metals Corp. (TSX.V: QTWO | OTCQB: QUEXF | FSE: 458) (“Q2” or
the “Company”) is pleased to announce the successful results of the first phase of metallurgical test work on drill core
samples collected from the 2024 drill program at the Cisco Lithium Project (the "Project" or the "Cisco Project"), located within
the greater Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Quebec, Canada.
The objective of the preliminary test program was to achieve a spodumene concentrate at ~70% recovery with Heavy Liquid
Separation (“HLS”) test work to confirm the potential suitability of a Dense Media Separation (“DMS”) process. The results of
this test work confirms that strong recoveries can be achieved with a DMS circuit and as expected, the low iron content of the
head samples continues through to the concentrate.
"We’re extremely encouraged with the results of this first round of metallurgical testing that confirms that DMS driven
processing can be implemented at Cisco. Magnetic or flotation treatments were not utilized in this round due to the success of
the HLS tests. The strong recovery combined with low iron content are the highlights so far," stated Neil McCallum, Q2 Metals
VP of Exploration. "The next phase of metallurgy test work will be designed to expand upon these positive results and to
maximize the concentrate grade and recovery rates at increased scale."
The metallurgical test program for the Cisco Project was completed by SGS Canada Inc. (“SGS”) at their laboratory in Quebec
City, Quebec, Canada and is focused on industry standard and cost-effective processing techniques applicable to spodumene
pegmatite.
Sample Description:
Each of the three composite samples consisted of approximately 45 Kg of material derived from quarter-split drill core material
(Table 1). The composite samples were selected from approximately 43 metres of continuous mineralization from drill holes
CS24-018, 21 and 23. The material from each composite was blended prior to performing the test work.
Table 1. Composite Sample Description
Test Work Description:
A five-kilogram subset of the blended composite material was further crushed to -9.5 millimetres (“mm”) and -6.3 mm to test
the applicability of DMS. The -6.3mm was found to be an optimal crush size, and the results of which are summarized below.
A series of sink/float HLS tests were performed on each sample. No magnetic separation was performed on the samples.
At a crush size of -6.3mm, the lithium recovery ranged between 70% and 74% with a concentrate grade between 5.08% and
5.96% Li2O:
• Composite 18 achieved a 74.1% recovery with a specific gravity (“SG”) cut point of 2.80 to produce a 5.69% Li2O
concentrate with low iron of 0.42% Fe2O3.
• Composite 21 achieved a 69.6% recovery with a cut point of 2.80 SG to produce a 5.08% Li2O concentrate with low iron
of 0.55% Fe2O3.
• Composite 23 achieved a 71.6% recovery with a cut point of 2.80 SG to produce a 5.60% Li 2O concentrate with a low
iron of 0.46% Fe2O3.
Table 2. Summary of HLS Testing
Figure 1. Image of HLS sink/float products from Comp 18
Next Steps:
Further work by SGS will test both the necessity of magnetic separation to treat any wall-rock that may or may not be
included in the processing stream as well as assess the potential for a flotation circuit to the processing scenario to maximize
recovery of the fine material and the rejected middlings of the material of the primary DMS circuit.
Additional HLS test work will be completed on other areas of the main mineralized zone at the Cisco Project to confirm the
recoveries in other regions.
Qualified Person
Neil McCallum, B.Sc., P.Geol, a registered permit holder with the Ordre des Géologues du Québec and Qualified Person as
defined by NI 43-101 (“QP”) has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release. Mr. McCallum is a
director and the Vice President Exploration for Q2.
ABOUT Q2 METALS CORP.
Q2 Metals is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the Cisco Lithium Project located within the greater
Nemaska traditional territory of the Eeyou Istchee, James Bay, Quebec, Canada.
The Cisco Project is comprised of 801 claims, totaling 41,253 hectares, with the main mineralized zone just 6.5 km from the
Billy Diamond Highway, which transects the Project. The Town of Matagami, rail head of the Canadian National Railway, is
approximately 150 km to the south.
The Cisco Project has district-scale potential with an initial Exploration Target estimating a range of potential lithium
mineralization and grade of 215 to 329 million tonnes at a grade ranging from 1.0 to 1.38% Li 2O, based only on the
first 40 holes drilled.
Drill testing continues with mineralization open at depth and along strike with potential for significant expansion at the Cisco
Mineralized Zone. The 2025 Summer Program is ongoing, with rolling assay results anticipated in the coming weeks and
months as the Company works towards an initial resource estimate.
ABOUT SGS:
SGS is the world's leading testing, inspection and certification company. SGS is recognized as the global benchmark for
quality and integrity. With more than 99,500 employees, SGS operates a network of over 2,500 labs and business facilities
combining the precision and accuracy that define Swiss companies to help organizations achieve the highest standards of
quality, compliance and sustainability.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Alicia Milne Jason McBride Chris Ackerman
President & CEO Investor Relations Manager Corporate Development
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]
Telephone: 1 (800) 482-7560
E-mail: [email protected]
WWW.Q2Metals.com
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Sampling, Analytical Methods and QA/QC Protocols
All drilling is conducted using a diamond drill rig with NQ sized core and all drill core samples are shipped to SGS Canada’s
preparation facility in Val D’Or, Quebec, for standard sample preparation (code PRP92) which includes drying at 105°C,
crushing to 90% passing 2 mm, riffle split 500 g, and pulverize 85% passing 75 microns. The pulps are then shipped by air to
SGS Canada’s laboratory in Burnaby, BC, where the samples are homogenized and subsequently analyzed for multi-element
(including Li and Ta) using sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES/MS finish (code GE_ICM91A50). The reported Li grade will be
multiplied by the standard conversion factor of 2.153 which results in an equivalent Li2O grade. Drill core was saw-cut with half-
core sent for geochemical analysis and half-core remaining in the box for reference. The same side of the core was sampled to
maintain representativeness.
A Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) protocol following industry best practices has been incorporated into the
sampling program. Measures include the systematic insertion of quartz blanks and certified reference materials (CRMs) into
sample batches at a rate of approximately 5% each. Additionally, analysis of pulp-split and reject-split duplicates was
completed to assess analytical precision. The QP has verified the QA/QC results of the analytical work.
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statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the the objective of the metallurgy
test work, the next phase of metallurgical test work on other areas of the main mineralized zone at the Cisco Project, the
potential scale of the Cisco Project, the focus of the Company’s current and future exploration and drill programs, the scale,
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