Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the “Company” or “Patriot”) (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce the discovery of a new spodumene pegmatite cluster, CV15, from its 2024 surface exploration campaign at the wholly-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property (the “Property” or “Project”), located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec.
The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property hosts a consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) of 80.1 Mt at 1.44% Li2O Indicated and 62.5 Mt at 1.31% Li2O Inferred. The CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, which forms the bulk of the MRE, is accessible year-round by all-season road and is situated approximately 14 km from a major hydroelectric powerline corridor. The CV13 Pegmatite is located <3 km along geological trend from the CV5 Pegmatite, which hosts additional lithium and tantalum resources, as well as a recently discovered zone of cesium mineralisation.
The 2024 surface exploration campaign included geological mapping, regional prospecting, and surface sampling and was focused on discovery of new lithium pegmatite occurrences across the Property outside of the existing deposits. A total of 647 surface rock grab/chip samples were collected during the course of the program.
CV15 Spodumene Pegmatite Discovery & the Mickel Trend
The 2024 program resulted in the discovery of a significant new spodumene pegmatite cluster at surface, named CV15, with outcrop grab sample assays including 2.11% Li2O, 1.55% Li2O, and 1.02% Li2O. Additionally, grab sample assays from nearby boulders returned grades of 3.10% Li2O and 3.02% Li2O. The CV15 discovery is situated approximately 1.9 km southwest and along geological trend from CV14, and collectively now forms part of a larger ~5.5 km long prospective trend extending from the CV9 spodumene pegmatite cluster to CV15, now referred to as the Mickel Trend.
The CV15 discovery consists of multiple pegmatite outcrops spread over an approximate 400 m x 200 m area, with the largest measuring ~7 m x 6 m in size (Figure 3), and remains open in all directions. Like other spodumene pegmatite occurrences on the Property, spodumene crystals at CV15 are large and hosted in a smoky-quartz and feldspar groundmass. The discovery significantly enhances the prospectivity of the Mickel Trend – now ~5.5 km long – which also includes the CV9, CV10, and CV14 spodumene pegmatites.
Of the four (4) lithium pegmatite clusters situated along the ~5.5 km long Mickel Trend, only the CV9 Pegmatite – demarcating the currently known northeastern end of the trend (which remains open) – has been drill tested (see news release dated April 7, 2024). Results include 99.9 m at 0.39% Li2O, including 30.6 m at 0.80% Li2O (CV23-345), 10.8 m at 1.00% Li2O (CV23-267), and 7.7 m at 1.35% Li2O (CV23-333). The drilling confirmed the presence of widespread spodumene mineralization, which remains open along strike and to depth, while also demonstrating the potential for significant volumes with a thick (up to ~80 m true thickness) pegmatite dyke present.
