Update to Reflex Advanced Materials Corp Initial Drill Program at Ruby Graphite Project
November 14th, 2023 – Vancouver, B.C. – Reflex Advanced Materials Corp. (CSE: RFLX), (OTCQB:RFLXF), (FSE:HF2) (“Reflex” or the “Company”), announced the completion of the Company’s 2023 Phase One drill program (the “Program“) at its Ruby Graphite Project (the “Project“) near Dillon, Montana in a recent news release dated October 24, 2023. The Property is road accessible and is situated 22km southeast of Dillon. The program’s impressive efficiencies allowed the Company to complete 24 holes from 8 drill pads, with a total length of 3391m giving an average depth of 141 meters. The Company would like to provide supplemental information and correct certain inaccuracies announced in the previous news release.
Drill Program Highlights:
- A total of 24 diamond drill holes were completed, totaling 3391m for the inaugural HQ-size drill program on the Property;
- Average drilling depth was only 141m due to presence of graphitic carbon (Cg) mineralization at surface and in shallow historical workings in the drill target area;
- First-pass drilling tested an extended conductivity anomaly along an east-northeast striking marble, with plans to follow up on the areas that return the best Cg grades;
- Graphite mineralization was found in every completed hole, ranging from 10’s of meters of disseminated graphite flake to multiple veins of graphite, with individual veins typically 1 to 5-cm in zones up to 30-cm thick (assays pending); and
- Drilling and surface mapping also confirmed the extension of the marble and calc silicate units that may represent a source of carbon to the west of where they had been previously recognized and into the area above the historical workings.
The geologic team provided by Childs Geoscience Inc. (CGI) has completed detailed descriptive logging and photography of the core, and is proceeding with an analysis program that includes the following:
- The entire lengths of mineralized intervals will be split and sampled;
- Samples will be analyzed by ALS Laboratory with complete results expected in Q1 2024;
- As part of the assaying protocol, multi-element analysis will also be initiated to test the geochemical association of the Cg mineralization; and
- Carbon isotope and related studies are being pursued to better understand the origin and exploration footprint of the mineralization.
The holes were generally drilled in a vertical-fan arrangement with inclinations of 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° from horizontal. All holes were surveyed to determine azimuth and inclination. The acquired data allows the team to better understand the structural trends for targeting in future drill programs. Figure 1 shows the orientation of holes drilled across the target area, typically with 2 to 3 holes per pad and up to 5 holes near the existing mine workings.
Figure 1: Map of Ruby Graphite Project with Drill Hole placements
The drilling proceeded from the existing Ground Hog mine workings along a northeast trend toward the Bird’s Nest graphite mines. The S21, B04 and B03 drill pads showed the best and most consistent visual mineralization. The host rock is a sequence of marble, calc silicate, gneiss and schist, with lesser pegmatite and amphibolite.
The drilling program was designed to test one of the several conductivity anomalies identified during the Company’s GEM-2 and IP geophysical surveys conducted during 2022 (see March 2, 2023 news release), plus a heliborne TDEM survey flown earlier in the 2023 exploration season (see June 20th, 2023 news release) and a more recent MaxMin survey conducted by Big Sky Geophysics.
Figure 2 presents a photograph of one of the visibly richest graphite-bearing intervals from drill hole RG23‑010. Note the centimeters-thick vein graphite as well as a mottled-appearing zone which is thought to be ‘clotty’ graphite likely resulting from biotite or possible garnet replacement. There is also abundant disseminated flake graphite observed throughout this core. This is an example of the three most common types of mineralization within a 3m interval.
Note that the general descriptions presented here are based on geologist’s visual observations and all assays are still pending. Figure 2 shows some of the best observed mineralization; other holes or drill pads show less visible mineralization.
All mineralized sections of core are currently being sawed in half, and one half will be sent to ALS analytical laboratory for determination of graphite content, specific gravity, and multi-element analysis of selected intervals. Due to the late start of the 2023 drilling program, it is unlikely that analytical results will be returned before Q1 2024. Concurrently, the drill data, surface geologic mapping, geophysical surveys and limited information available from the historical Ground Hog workings are being used to create a 3D model, and ultimately a preliminary assessment of the quantity of graphite. However, an NI 43‑101 compliant resource estimate is not expected from this maiden drilling phase of the project.
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Greg Bell, P.Eng., General Manager of the Ruby Graphite Project, who is not independent of the issuer, and Dr. John Childs, R.Geo., President and Senior Geologist at Childs Geoscience Inc., who is independent of the issuer. Both individuals are “Qualified Persons” as defined in National Instrument 43‑101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
For more information on Reflex Advanced Materials Corp and its mineral projects, please visit the Company’s website at www.reflexmaterials.com.