ROUYN-NORANDA, QC, Jan. 17,
2024 /CNW/ - Comet Lithium Corporation (TSXV: CLIC)
(FSE: 8QY) ("Comet Lithium" or the "Corporation") is pleased to
provide a summary of the key exploration developments in 2023 as
well as its exploration perspective for 2024.
As we enter 2024, and following the significant work completed
by the Corporation in 2023, Comet Lithium is well positioned
to stand out as a significant explorer due to its extensive
portfolio of assets within the very active James Bay region of Québec.
Our key lithium assets include (i) the Liberty property
("Liberty"), a 19.5 km2 property located in the Trieste
Formation greenstone belt; (ii) the Troilus East property ("Troilus
East"), a 92 km2 property located on the Frotêt-Evans
greenstone belt; (iii) the Pontax East and South blocks, two
properties totalling 41 km2 located in the Pontax
greenstone belt; (iv) the Galli property ("Galli"), a 20
km2 property located 15 km along strike with the La
Grande greenstone belt; and (v) the Triple Lithium property
("Triple Lithium"), a 106 km2 property located within
the Rupert-Cabot structural corridor. The Comet Lithium portfolio
of assets holds sizable prospective ground within the James Bay region, which continues to
demonstrate excellent potential for discovery of new spodumene
bearing pegmatites, and where several new major lithium discoveries
were made in the last few years.
Key Accomplishments in 2023:
Liberty:
- Completed a gravity survey which covered an area of
approximately 2.5 km2 for a total of about 1,219
stations, which followed a 20 metre x 100 metre grid pattern. The
Corporation will be using the collected data to better interpret
the subsurface geology and structures of Liberty and detect
potential pegmatite contacts in amphibolitized basalt. The data
will enable drill target generation and assist in validating the
possibility that Liberty and Winsome Resources Limited's
("Winsome") Adina project ("Adina") together may potentially be
part of a similar corridor. Data processing is ongoing, and results
and interpretation are pending.
- Identified numerous pegmatite veins in outcrop during a 2-phase
field exploration program on Liberty. The exploration team covered
approximately 90% of the ground and collected a total of 224 rock
samples and 273 till samples, which were sent to the laboratory in
September 2023 for further analysis.
Assays and data interpretation are pending.
- Completed a LIDAR survey. The objective of the LIDAR survey was
to obtain a ground image that ignores the vegetation masking effect
to facilitate the interpretation of structures possibly related to
pegmatite emplacement.
- Completed a high-resolution magnetic survey outlining a
potential structural connection between Liberty and the Adina
projects contiguous to the western border of Liberty. Two trends
were identified, an important 2.75 km long (east-west) by 500 metre
wide (north-south) low magnetic corridor at Liberty is on strike
with Adina's pegmatite system. The high-resolution magnetic survey
also identified a second strong magnetic contrast extending for 6.5
km in the northern half of Liberty. These two trend orientations
clearly connect to the west with the Adina pegmatite system. The
area is entirely covered by glacial glaciofluvial sediments.
- Submitted and received a drill permit for a potential program
on the southwestern block of Liberty.
Troilus East:
- Completed an Induced Polarization ("IP") survey on Troilus
East. The IP survey was conducted on a 100-metre line spacing and
totaled 16.7-line kilometres. The program covered three unique
grids, which were centered on a strong conductor coincident with a
kilometric gold in soil anomaly combined with a polymetallic
copper, silver, scandium, and tungsten signature identified during
the 2020 field work and partially covered during the 2021 IP
survey. Data processing is ongoing, and results are pending.
- Identified five lithium target areas based on clusters of
lithium values. All five targets follow a northeast alignment along
the south-eastern flank of the Parker granite intrusion over a
strike length of about 20 kilometres. Two targets are located
inside the Parker granite, two others are located close to
lenticular granitic intrusion-hosted mafic terrains. Further, the
targets generated from the historical results are based on a
collection of samples that carried lithium values up to 248 ppm
(see Comet Lithium's press release dated October 16, 2023, available on SEDAR+). The past
exploration programs completed at Troilus East did not take lithium
into consideration, but it succeeded in identifying lithium
anomalies. A new work program, anticipated to be conducted in 2024,
will target these prospective areas.
Galli:
- Completed a preliminary field program on Galli and collected 39
samples, samples were sent to the laboratory in September, 2023 for
further analysis. Assays and data interpretation are pending.
Pontax South and Pontax East:
- Completed a high-resolution magnetic survey of its Pontax South
and Pontax East properties, located in the west-central
James Bay. Results and
interpretation are pending.
2024 Exploration Perspectives:
The Trieste Formation greenstone belt is one of the most active
exploration areas within the James
Bay region of Québec and an emerging lithium district.
Several companies, including Winsome, Azimut Exploration Inc., Rio
Tinto, Midland Exploration Inc., and Loyal Lithium Limited have
extensive ongoing exploration programs on neighboring properties of
our Liberty lithium property, which are supporting our substantial
data collection and analysis. Data processing, and pending results
from Comet Lithium's 2023 exploration program, combined with the
ongoing results from the neighboring properties are contributing
greatly to increasing our knowledge and understanding of the
Corporation's Liberty lithium property and its context within the
Trieste Formation, which will ultimately support a future
comprehensive drilling program.
"We are incredibly excited for the year ahead. The Trieste
Formation is rapidly emerging as a significant lithium spodumene
region in Canada and witnessing
considerable work from key operators. Liberty is strategically
positioned to benefit from those developments and work programs,
aligning with Comet Lithium's extensive exploration program",
commented Vincent Metcalfe, Chair
and CEO of the Corporation. "Simultaneously, we are working hard on
bringing the entire portfolio to the forefront, with multiple
properties slated for work programs in 2024. The Troilus camp is
experiencing increased activity and Comet Lithium's 2024
anticipated field program will be exciting to follow as we get
'boots on the ground' to support our commitment to this highly
prospective area where, in addition to the very prospective
gold-copper targets, the lithium potential has simply never been a
focus of exploration until recently. Building a robust pipeline of
future prospective assets is also a key focus for 2024, prompting
planned exploration programs for properties such as Galli, Pontax,
and Triple Lithium. We aim to compile and analyze the existing data
and pending results to further enhance the Corporation's
exploration initiatives on those assets." added Mr. Metcalfe.
North American Lithium Market Perspectives:
While the current lithium market may be experiencing a softer
phase, the imperative to increase supply, particularly through
expanded spodumene production, remains unchanged in shaping the
future dynamics of North America's
lithium industry. As the region endeavors to enhance its role
in the global lithium supply chain, recent developments, such as
the noteworthy support from the Quebec and Canadian governments in
facilitating the construction of battery plants, exemplify the
collaborative efforts between governments and industry
stakeholders. Investments, technological advancements, and
strategic government initiatives will collectively contribute to
shaping the trajectory of the lithium industry, ensuring a more
robust and sustainable supply chain in North America.
Strengthening the Executive Management Team
In 2023, the Corporation saw Vincent
Metcalfe and Vincent
Cardin-Tremblay join the executive team, respectively in the
roles of Executive Chair and CEO and Vice-President, Exploration,
bringing to Comet Lithium a depth of experience and knowledge in,
all areas of exploration and mining, project management and
development and investor engagement, and M&A which Comet
Lithium and its shareholders will greatly benefit from.
Publicly Announced Planned Work Programs by Key Operators in
the Trieste Formation.
Operator
(Project)
|
Plan for
2024
|
2023
Activity
|
Recent
News
|
Winsome Resources
(Adina)(1)
|
+50,000m of planned
drilling at Adina. MRE Update in H1 2024. Initial project
development studies are ongoing.
|
~32,000m of assays
released, ~18,000m of assays to publish.
|
Released 59Mt @ 1.12%
Li2O Inferred mineral resource based on ~27,000m of
drilling.(1)
|
Azimut Exploration Inc.
(Galinée) (2)
|
A drill definition
campaign of the mineralized zone on Galinée. Prospecting phase in
summer 2024.
|
5,000m drill program;
4,543m of assays to publish.
|
Initial drill hole
assay returned 2.48% Li2O over 72.7 metres.
|
Rio Tinto / Midland JV
(Galinée) (3)
|
Maiden drilling
campaign planned on Galinée for 2024. Drill meters to be
confirmed.
|
Field work included
prospecting, geological mapping, and sampling. High-resolution
LiDAR survey.
|
Iceberg showing samples
grading up to 7.2 % Li2O; Iceberg Southwest showing
samples grading between 3.0% - 3.6% Li2O.
|
Loyal Lithium (Trieste)
(4)
|
Planning winter program
at Trieste. Drill meters to be confirmed.
|
Field work including
sampling and trenching; Inaugural 1,192m drill program; all assays
to be published. High resolution LiDAR survey.
|
Dyke #04 showing
grading assay results up to 7.60% Li2O. Hole DIS23-014
returned 74.77m of spodumene bearing pegmatite.
|
Source:
|
(1)
|
Winsome Resource
Limited press release dated December 11, 2023
(https://wcsecure.weblink.com.au/pdf/WR1/02752290.pdf)
|
(2)
|
Azimut Exploration Inc.
press release dated January 9, 2024
(https://azimut-exploration.com/site/assets/files/7158/azm_soquem_gal23-001_en_wfig.pdf)
|
(3)
|
Midland Exploration Inc
press release dated January 16, 2024 on the Rio Tinto / Midland
Exploration Joint Venture
(https://midlandexploration.com/en/2024/01/16/midland-confirms-high-grade-lithium-up-to-3-6-li2o-on-additional-spodumene-bearing-pegmatites-on-galinee-project/)
|
(4)
|
Loyal Lithium Limited
press release dated November 1, 2023
(https://yourir.info/resources/cb20d89a85ecfed1/announcements/lli.asx/6A1178431/LLI_Thick_Intercepts_of_Spodumene_Bearing_Pegmatite_at_Trieste.pdf)
|
Upcoming Events & Conferences
- Senior management will be present at the upcoming 2024
Vancouver Resource Investment Conference in Vancouver on January
21-22, 2024.
- The Corporation will be participating in BMO Capital Markets'
33rd Global Metals, Mining & Critical Minerals
Conference from February 25 to February 28,
2024 in Hollywood,
Florida.
Additional events and conferences are planned for
2024.
Shareholder Information
Comet Lithium's Investor Presentation is available here
Documents
Trieste Formation Greenstone Belt – 2024-01-17
Qualified Person
Vincent Cardin-Tremblay, P. Geo
(ogq #1386, PGO #3347), registered in the Provinces of Québec, and
Ontario is Vice President
Exploration to Comet Lithium, is a qualified person under
National Instrument 43‑101 - Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects. He has reviewed the technical contents of
this news release and has approved the disclosure of the technical
information contained herein.
About Comet Lithium Corporation
Comet Lithium is a dynamic lithium-focused exploration company
active in the prolific James Bay
District of Quebec. Comet
Lithium's flagship asset is its 100%-owned Liberty Property
contiguous to Winsome Resources' Adina deposit, a growing
high-grade lithium discovery. Comet Lithium is advancing Liberty to
first-ever drilling.
Cautionary Note regarding Winsome Mineral Resource
Estimate
The Winsome Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at its
wholly-owned Adina Property has been classified by Winsome as
Inferred resources and reported in accordance with the JORC Code,
2012 edition (the "JORC Code"). The JORC Code has been accepted for
current disclosure rules in Canada
under NI 43-101. The meaning of mineral resources under the JORC
Code differs from that of the CIM Definition Standards. There are
no technical report supporting the MRE as this is not required
under JORC Code. Readers must be aware that the technical
information relating to MRE has been obtained from a press release
of Winsome dated December 11, 2023
(the "Winsome Press Release") and such information has not been
verified by the Corporation's Qualified Person but is believed to
be reasonably reliable. While Comet has determined that the MRE is
relevant to the Liberty Property given that the Liberty Property
and Adina property are adjacent to each other and Liberty Property
is on strike with Andina's mineralized pegmatites in addition that
Winsome has identified pegmatite targets located less than 50
meters away from the Adina-Liberty claim border. Readers are
cautioned to not place undue reliance on the MRE as it is not
necessary indicative of the mineralization that may be encountered
on the Liberty Property and the MRE does not mean or imply that
economic deposits exist on the Liberty Property. Please refer
to the Winsome's press release dated December 11, 2023, for more details on the
MRE.
Readers are also cautioned that mineral resources are not
economic mineral reserves and that the economic viability of
resources that are not mineral reserves has not been demonstrated.
The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by
geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, socio-political,
marketing or other relevant issues. Under NI 43-101, estimates of
inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or
pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for a
Preliminary Economic Assessment as defined under NI 43-101. Readers
are cautioned not to assume that further work on the stated
resources will lead to mineral reserves on Winsome's Adina property
that can be mined economically. An inferred mineral resource has a
lower level of confidence than that applying to an indicated
mineral resource and must not be converted to a mineral
reserve.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains statements that may constitute
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information may
include, among others, statements regarding the future plans,
costs, objectives or performance of Comet Lithium, or the
assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release,
words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe",
"expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" and similar
words and the negative form thereof are used to identify
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not
be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will
not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at
or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance
can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking
information will transpire or occur, including the pending results
of assays and data interpretation from the 2023 exploration
programs conducted on the Corporation's properties during 2023, and
any planned exploration programs on the Corporation's properties
during 2024 and results thereon, or if it does so, what benefits
Comet Lithium will derive from any such exploration programs.
Forward-looking information is based on information available at
the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to
future events and are subject to known or unknown risks,
uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of
which are beyond Comet Lithium's control. These risks,
uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to the
risks, uncertainties and assumptions described under "Financial
Instruments" and "Risk and Uncertainties" in Comet Lithium's Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended December
31, 2022, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca, and could cause actual events or results to
differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking
statements. Comet Lithium does not intend, nor does it undertake
any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information
contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information,
events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by
applicable laws.
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 the release.
SOURCE Comet Lithium Corp.