American Lithium Corp. (“American Lithium” or the “Company”)
(TSX-V:LI | NASDAQ:AMLI | Frankfurt:5LA1) is pleased to announce an
updated Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) that significantly
increases the contained lithium (“Li”) for the Falchani Lithium
deposit (“Falchani”) located in Puno, southwestern Peru from the
previous March 2019 MRE. The updated MRE update was completed by
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. (“Stantec”) as part of the process
of updating the preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) for
Falchani and will be incorporated into the mine plan within the
updated PEA. DRA Global (Lead Engineer for the updated PEA and PFS
on Falchani) is now finalizing the updated PEA with completion
expected during November.
Stantec is preparing a NI-43-101 Technical
Report for the updated Falchani Project MRE which is expected to be
published within 45 days.
Highlights:
(see Table 1 - New Falchani MRE and Table 2 - Original Falchani
MRE)Link to: Figure 1 – Falchani Project Mineral Classification and
Drill Platform Location Map
- Measured +
Indicated – 5.53 million tonnes (“Mt”) Lithium Carbonate Equivalent
(“LCE”) (447 Mt @ 2,327 ppm Li) an increase of 476%;
- Measured
Resource – 1.01 Mt LCE (69 Mt @ 2,792 ppm Li);
- Indicated
Resource – 4.52 Mt LCE (378 Mt @ 2,251 ppm Li);
- Inferred
Resource – 3.99 Mt LCE (506 Mt @ 1,481 ppm Li);
- Base Case
cut-off has been lowered to 600 ppm Li from previous 1,000 ppm
cutoff based on strong project economics specifically updated
operating costs and $20,000/tonne (“t”) LC selling price;
- At 1,000 ppm
cut-off, the updated Measured + Indicated Resource is 5.32 Mt LCE
versus 0.96 Mt LCE from previous March 2019 MRE – an increase of
455%; and
- Increased size
and grade of resource supports long production potential at
Falchani.
Simon Clarke, CEO of American Lithium
states, “We are extremely pleased with the results of our
EIA drill program and the very large increase in resources at
Falchani which includes, doubling the contained lithium. Falchani
is now one of the largest hard rock lithium projects globally with
the ability to produce high purity battery grade lithium carbonate.
The inclusion of potassium, cesium and rubidium in the resource
block model provides the opportunity to include Sulfate of Potash
(SOP) and Cs-Rb potential by-products into future financial
modelling of Falchani. DRA Global has commenced mine plan modelling
and updating capital and operating costs for the updated PEA,
expected within the next several weeks. These strong and strategic
updates to the PEA will enable us to fast-track the completion of
the PFS.”
Table 1 – New Falchani Mineral Resource
Estimate (October 23, 2023)
Cutoff |
Volume |
Tonnes |
Li |
Million Tonnes (Mt) |
Cs |
K |
Rb |
Li (ppm) |
(Mm^3) |
(Mt) |
(ppm) |
Li |
Li2CO3 |
LiOH*H2O |
(ppm) |
(%) |
ppm |
Measured |
600 |
29 |
69 |
2792 |
0.19 |
1.01 |
1.15 |
631 |
2.74 |
1171 |
1000 |
27 |
65 |
2915 |
0.19 |
1.01 |
1.15 |
647 |
2.71 |
1208 |
1200 |
25 |
61 |
3142 |
0.18 |
0.96 |
1.09 |
616 |
2.74 |
1228 |
Indicated |
600 |
156 |
378 |
2251 |
0.85 |
4.52 |
5.14 |
1039 |
2.92 |
1055 |
1000 |
136 |
327 |
2472 |
0.81 |
4.31 |
4.9 |
1095 |
2.87 |
1104 |
1200 |
129 |
310 |
2549 |
0.79 |
4.20 |
4.78 |
1069 |
2.86 |
1146 |
Measured +Indicated |
600 |
185 |
447 |
2327 |
1.04 |
5.53 |
6.29 |
976 |
2.90 |
1072 |
1000 |
163 |
392 |
2551 |
1.00 |
5.32 |
6.05 |
1021 |
2.84 |
1121 |
1200 |
154 |
371 |
2615 |
0.97 |
5.16 |
5.87 |
1009 |
2.84 |
1130 |
Inferred |
600 |
198 |
506 |
1481 |
0.75 |
3.99 |
4.54 |
778 |
3.31 |
736 |
1000 |
138 |
348 |
1785 |
0.6 |
3.3 |
3.75 |
886 |
3.18 |
796 |
1200 |
110 |
276 |
1961 |
0.54 |
2.87 |
3.27 |
942 |
3.10 |
850 |
- CIM definitions
are followed for classification of Mineral Resource.
- Mineral Resource
surface pit extent has been estimated using a lithium carbonate
price of US20,000 US$/tonne and mining cost of US$3.00 per tonne, a
lithium recovery of 80%, fixed density of 2.40 g/cm3 for the
mineralized Upper Breccia, Lithium Rich Tuff and Lower Breccia
Geological Units and a fixed density of 2.70 g/cm3 for the
mineralized Coarse Felsic Intrusion.
- Tonnes are
Metric
- Conversions:
Li2CO3:Li ratio = 5.32, LiOH.H2O:Li ratio =6.05
- Totals may not
represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.
- The Mineral
Resource estimate has been prepared by Mariea Kartick, P. Geo., and
Derek Loveday, P. Geo. Of Stantec Consulting Services Inc. in
conformity with CIM “Estimation of Mineral Resource and Mineral
Reserves Best Practices” guidelines and are reported in accordance
with the Canadian Securities Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral
resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability. The effective date of the Mineral Resource
Estimate is October 30, 2023. There is no certainty that any
mineral resource will be converted into mineral reserve.
Table 2 – Previous Falchani Mineral
Resource Estimate (March 1, 2019)
Cutoff |
Tonnes |
Li |
Million Tonnes (Mt) |
Li (ppm) |
(Mt) |
(ppm) |
Li2CO3 |
LiOH*H2O |
Measured |
1000 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
Indicated |
1000 |
60.92 |
2954 |
0.96 |
1.09 |
Measured +Indicated |
1000 |
60.92 |
2954 |
0.96 |
1.09 |
Inferred |
1000 |
260.07 |
2706 |
3.75 |
4.26 |
- CIM definitions
are followed for classification of Mineral Resource.
- Minor
discrepancies due to rounding may occur.
- Cut-off 1,000
ppm Li
- Tonnes are
Metric
- Li Conversion
Factors as follows: Li:Li2O=2.153; Li:Li2CO3=5.323;
Li2O:Li2CO3=2.473
- Geological
losses of 5% or 10% have been applied, based on geological
structure and data density. The average geological loss is 6%.
- Mineral Resource
surface pit extent has been estimated using a lithium carbonate
price of US12,000 US$/tonne and mining cost of US$3.00 per tonne, a
lithium recovery of 90%, fixed density of 2.40 g/cm3
- The Mineral
Resource estimate was prepared by Mr. Stewart Nupen (“QP”) of The
Mineral Corporation effective November 1, 2019.
Figure 1 – Falchani Project Mineral
Classification and Drill Platform Location Map
Mineral Resource Estimation Calculation
MethodologyThe geologic model used for reporting of
lithium resources was developed using Seequent’s Leapfrog
geological modelling software, Leapfrog Geo version 2023.1. and
Hexagon Mining’s resource modelling and mine planning software,
MinePlan version 16.1.1. The geologic model from which lithium
resources are reported is a 3D block model developed using the
World Geodetic System (WGS) 1984 UTM Zone 19S and is in metric
units. Block size is 20m-X, 20m-Y and 5m-Z. Modeling method and
approach is development of a multiple ore percent standard block
model with interpretation of geologic controls on mineralization
based on exploration data. A significant new addition to the
resource is the recognition of an additional mineralized basement
lithological unit below the lower mineralized volcanic breccia
horizon.
A base case lithium resource cut-off grade has
been calculated based on the economics of a medium size (100 Mtpa)
run-of-mine (ROM) surface mining operation. Processing of the
mineralized material would be onsite extracting lithium from
volcanic tuffs, volcanic breccias and a coarse felsic intrusion
using an acid digestion method. Resources are reported from within
an economic pit shell at 45-degree constant slope using Hexagon
mining pseudoflow algorithm. Maximum pit depth is limited to 300
metres (“m”) below surface. No underground mining is
considered.
The following mining, processing, royalty, and
recovery costs, in US$, were used to derive a base case cut-off
grade to produce a lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) equivalent
product:
- Mining costs US$2.5/tonne;
- Processing costs US$50/tonne;
- General and administration
US$1/tonne; and processing recovery of 80%.
Revenue from a lithium carbonate product is
estimated to be US$20,000/t for the cutoff grade calculation. Using
the above inputs and Li2CO3: Li ratio of 5.32, a base case cut-off
grade for lithium is estimated to be 600 ppm. The base case cut-off
grade of 600 ppm lithium is lower than the previous MRE (Riordan et
al., 2020) cut-off grade of 1,000 ppm lithium, mostly due to an
increase in the assumed LC price.
Resource Update Effective Date – October 30,
2023:
Exploration Data:
- 3,075 m of additional drilling from
15 drill holes (2022 to 2023);
- New total of 12,317 m from 67 drill
holes from 35 platforms (2017 to 2023);
- 15 vertical piezometer core holes
from 10 platforms (2022 to 2023);
- 52 Core holes
(vertical and inclined) from 25 platforms (2017 to 2019).
Quality Assurance, Quality Control and
Data VerificationDiamond drilling is being conducted using
Company-owned drill rigs with local contract personnel. Drill core
samples are cut longitudinally with a diamond saw, with one-half of
the core placed in sealed bags and shipped to Certimin’s sample
analytical laboratory in Lima for sample preparation, processing
and ICP-MS/OES multi-element analysis. Certimin is an ISO 9000
certified assay laboratory. The program is designed to include a
comprehensive analytical quality assurance and control routine
comprising the systematic use of Company inserted standards, blanks
and field duplicate samples, internal laboratory standards and has
also included check analyses at other accredited laboratories.
Downhole thicknesses for vertical drill holes are considered
accurate true thickness intersections.
Mineral Resource Estimate
PreparationThe MRE has been prepared by Mariea Kartick,
P.Geo. and Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting Services
Inc. in conformity with CIM “Estimation of Mineral Resource and
Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines and are reported in
accordance with NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral
reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is
no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into
mineral reserve.
Qualified PersonsMs. Mariea
Kartick, P. Geo. and Mr. Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec
Consulting Services Inc. are Qualified Persons as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, have prepared or supervised the preparation of, or have
reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining
to the MRE contained in this release, and will be preparing the
NI-43-101 Technical Report for filing on SEDAR within 45 days.
Mr. Ted O’Connor, P.Geo., Executive Vice
President of American Lithium, and a Qualified Person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical
information contained in this news release.
About American
LithiumAmerican Lithium is actively engaged in the
development of large-scale lithium projects within mining-friendly
jurisdictions throughout the Americas. The Company is currently
focused on the continued development of its strategically located
TLC Lithium Claystone Project in the richly mineralized Esmeralda
lithium district in Nevada, as well as continuing to advance its
Falchani Hard-rock Lithium Project and Macusani Uranium Project in
southeastern Peru. All three projects, TLC, Falchani and Macusani
have been through robust preliminary economic assessments, exhibit
strong significant expansion potential and enjoy strong community
support. Pre-feasibility work is advancing well at Falchani and at
TLC.
For more information, please contact the Company
at info@americanlithiumcorp.com or visit our website
at www.americanlithiumcorp.com for project update videos and
related background information.
Follow us
on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of
American Lithium Corp.
“Simon Clarke”
CEO & Director
Tel: 604 428 6128
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 press release.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward
Looking InformationThis news release contains certain
forward-looking information and forward-looking statements
(collectively “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of
applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than
statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are
not limited to, statements regarding the ability to appeal the
judicial ruling, the anticipated completion of pre-feasibility
work, and any other statements regarding the business plans,
expectations and objectives of American Lithium. Forward-looking
statements are frequently identified by such words as "may",
"will", "plan", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend",
“indicate”, “scheduled”, “target”, “goal”, “potential”, “subject”,
“efforts”, “option” and similar words, or the negative connotations
thereof, referring to future events and results. Forward-looking
statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of
management and are not, and cannot be, a guarantee of future
results or events. Although American Lithium believes that the
current opinions and expectations reflected in such forward-looking
statements are reasonable based on information available at the
time, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking
statements since American Lithium can provide no assurance that
such opinions and expectations will prove to be correct. All
forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to
a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including risks,
uncertainties and assumptions related to: American Lithium’s
ability to achieve its stated goals;, which could have a material
adverse impact on many aspects of American Lithium’s businesses
including but not limited to: the ability to access mineral
properties for indeterminate amounts of time, the health of the
employees or consultants resulting in delays or diminished
capacity, social or political instability in Peru which in turn
could impact American Lithium’s ability to maintain the continuity
of its business operating requirements, may result in the reduced
availability or failures of various local administration and
critical infrastructure, reduced demand for the American Lithium’s
potential products, availability of materials, global travel
restrictions, and the availability of insurance and the associated
costs; the judicial appeal process in Peru, and any and all future
remedies pursued by American Lithium and its subsidiary Macusani to
resolve the title for 32 of its concessions; the ongoing ability to
work cooperatively with stakeholders, including but not limited to
local communities and all levels of government; the potential for
delays in exploration or development activities; the interpretation
of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral
deposits; the possibility that any future exploration, development
or mining results will not be consistent with our expectations;
risks that permits will not be obtained as planned or delays in
obtaining permits; mining and development risks, including risks
related to accidents, equipment breakdowns, labour disputes
(including work stoppages, strikes and loss of personnel) or other
unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration and
development; risks related to commodity price and foreign exchange
rate fluctuations; risks related to foreign operations; the
cyclical nature of the industry in which American Lithium operates;
risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely
basis and on acceptable terms or delays in obtaining governmental
approvals; risks related to environmental regulation and liability;
political and regulatory risks associated with mining and
exploration; risks related to the uncertain global economic
environment and the effects upon the global market generally, any
of which could continue to negatively affect global financial
markets, including the trading price of American Lithium’s shares
and could negatively affect American Lithium’s ability to raise
capital and may also result in additional and unknown risks or
liabilities to American Lithium. Other risks and uncertainties
related to prospects, properties and business strategy of American
Lithium are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of American
Lithium’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed on May 29,
2023, and in recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com.
Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected
in the forward-looking statements. American Lithium undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required
by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking statements.
Cautionary Note Regarding Macusani
ConcessionsThirty-two of the 169 concessions held by
American Lithium’s subsidiary Macusani, are currently subject to
Administrative and Judicial processes (together, the “Processes”)
in Peru to overturn resolutions issued by INGEMMET and the Mining
Council of MINEM in February 2019 and July 2019, respectively,
which declared Macusani’s title to 32 of the concessions invalid
due to late receipt of the annual validity payments. In November
2019, Macusani applied for injunctive relief on 32 concessions in a
Court in Lima, Peru and was successful in obtaining such an
injunction on 17 of the concessions including three of the four
concessions included in the Macusani Uranium Project PEA. The grant
of the Precautionary Measure (Medida Cautelar) has restored the
title, rights and validity of those 17 concessions to Macusani
until a final decision is obtained at the last stage of the
judicial process. A Precautionary Measure application was made at
the same time for the remaining 15 concessions and was ultimately
granted by a Court in Lima, Peru on March 2, 2021 which has also
restored the title, rights and validity of those 15 remaining
concessions to Macusani, with the result being that all 32
concessions are now protected by Precautionary Measure (Medida
Cautelar) until a final decision on this matter is obtained at the
last stage of the judicial process. The favourable judge’s ruling
confirming title to all 32 concessions from November 3, 2021
represents the final stage of the current judicial process.
However, this ruling has recently been appealed by MINEM and
INGEMMET. American Lithium has no assurance that the outcome of
these appeals will be in the Company’s favour.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bda6cb9b-9f4b-4b09-94ee-1272e2f93c23
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