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#FCM First Class Metals – Zigzag exploration update – drilling commences
6th December 2023 / Leave a comment
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK listed metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings is pleased to announce a that drilling has commenced on the Zigzag property which is currently focussed on the lithium (Li), tantalum (Ta) rubidium (Rb) and gallium (Ga) potential.
Highlights:
· An Early Exploration Agreement (EEA) has been signed with Whitesand First Nation (WFN).
· A contract to undertake up to 500m of drilling has been signed with Rodren Drilling a Whitesand FN approved ‘service provider’.
· Channel sample results identify a >1% Li2O zone on the western portion of the ‘core’ 400m zone. Significant number of channel samples returned >1% Li2O, including:
Channel 7 2.36% lithium (Li2O) over 5.5m
· Drill operations have commenced on the Company’s Zigzag hard rock lithium (Ta/ Rb/ Ga) prospect.
Marc J. Sale First Class Metals CEO commented:
“The signing of the EEA with Whitesand exemplifies the positive relationship FCM is building with the First Nations. This agreement has paved the way for FCM’s inaugural drill program, marking an exciting milestone for our company. We are thrilled to begin drilling at Zigzag, making it the first property where FCM will undertake drilling. This demonstrates our commitment to advancing our exploration efforts and emphasizes our dedication to responsible resource development.“
Figure 1 showing the Zigzag property with the recent sampling, both grabs and channels, focussing on the central portion of the claim block, where drilling has commenced.
An Early Exploration Agreement (EEA) has been signed between Whitesand First Nation and First Class Metals. Under the agreement FCM is allowed to undertake activities requiring and Exploration Permit, as awarded by the Province. FCM has agreed to support the Whitesand community.
Whitesand First Nation Economic Development representative commented:
“Whitesand First Nation is looking forward to working with First Class Metals, and the positive relationship that is evolving. We wish them luck on their drilling program and are excited to see what the New Year brings.“
Drilling Plan
The drill programme preparation commenced on Monday with core expected today, this maiden programme will be focussed in the central 400m to explore the areas of high channel sample results, particularly Channel 7.
Initially 7 drillholes of over 50m are planned with the provision for a deeper ‘step-back’ based on visual, encouragement. The basis for the drilling is the encouraging grab samples and channel sample results previously reported. Nine channels were cut with lengths of under 5m to over 10m, channel lengths were usually controlled by overburden and not necessarily by cessation of pegmatite geology.
Figure 2 showing the location of the channels relative to the ‘core 400m’ zone, drilling will extend further to the east of the channel sample area where >1% Li2O grabs samples were collected.
The results from the channels are very encouraging. It must be stressed that only hand stripping of vegetation was undertaken and often, exemplified by channels 5 and 7, the outcrop persisted but the vegetation cover was too onerous to be removed by hand.
The results have not only vindicated the grab samples in respect to the lithium oxide content but also highlighted again the presence of other important, critical minerals such as tantalum, gallium and rubidium.
Photo 2 Rodren equipment being mobilised to the Zigzag property
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
|
Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
|
Ayub Bodi, Executive Director |
07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
Jonathan Brown |
0207 3742212 |
|
Jason Robertson |
0207 3742212 |
|
First Class Metals PLC – Background
First Class Metals is focussed on exploration in Ontario, Canada which has a robust and thriving junior mineral exploration sector. Specifically, the Hemlo ‘camp’ is a proven world class address for gold /VMS exploration. This geological terrane has significant production, both base / precious metals and a prolific number of exploration projects and numerous prospector’s ‘showings’.
FCM currently holds 100% ownership of seven claim blocks covering over 180km² along a 150km strike of the Hemlo-Schreiber-Dayohessarah greenstone belt which also contains the >23M oz shear hosted Hemlo gold mine operated by Barrick Gold. Late last year FCM completed the option to purchase the historical high grade (gold) Sunbeam past producing mine
The significant potential of the properties for precious, base and battery metals relate to: ‘nearology’ insomuch that all properties lie close to identified mineral anomalism, for example Palladium One’s RJ and Smoke Lake nickel projects are close to the FCM’s West Pickle Lake drill proven Ni-Cu project. This also demonstrates the second critical asset the properties hold: vector, anomalies, be they geological, geochemical, or geophysical that have demonstrated mineral potential extend on to FCM’s properties.
The inferred shear on the Esa property is being explored by neighbours both to the west and east where it crosses into their properties. Furthermore, the properties have not been extensively explored either historically or more contemporaneously. This is attributable to the overall lack of outcrop. However, modern exploration techniques are better able to ‘see through’ the ground cover and to identify anomalies.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements which are based on the Company’s expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’, ‘target’, ‘expect’, ‘estimate’, ‘intend’, ‘plan’, ‘goal’, ‘believe’, or other words of similar meaning. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
#FCM First Class Metals PLC – MoU with Whitesand FN – Zigzag Lithium Property
16th August 2023 / Leave a comment
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo & Sunbeam land holding is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement (the “Memorandum of Understanding” or “MoU“) with the Whitesand First Nation (WFN) for initial exploration on the Zigzag lithium project.
Highlights:
- MoU signed for a three-year term with the Whitesand First Nation provides for the formal commencement of exploration work on the Zigzag property.
- The Zigzag lithium property is situated in the Armstrong area of Canada in a locality that hosts several developing hard-rock pegmatite lithium projects, including Green Technology Metals Limited (ASX:GT1) owned Seymour Lake Project and Battery Age Minerals Limited (ASX:BM8) owned Falcon Lake Project.
Whitesand First Nation MOU
FCM has optioned the Zigzag property from Nuinsco who were successfully awarded an Exploration Permit. However, as no agreement was needed nor discussed with the First Nations at that time, FCM took the step of entering into discussions with the Whitesand First Nation. FCM is now pleased to announce that, following continued positive discussions and consultation with Whitesand First Nation, FCM has executed a MoU, by which the Company will commence formal exploration activities on the Zigzag lithium property in Ontario, Canada in collaboration with the Whitesand First Nation.
First Class Metals is grateful for the support and endorsement of Whitesand First Nation and is committed to continuing to work closely with Whitesand throughout all stages of the Zigzag project. The Company believes that, by working with indigenous communities in Ontario, it can create long lasting and mutually beneficial partnerships that generate significant economic opportunities and contribute to the sustainable development of local communities.
In the meantime, FCM intends to advance the discussions with Whitesand First Nation to formalise an Early Exploration Agreement (EEA).
Figure 1-Zigzag Lithium Location in key Ontario ‘Battery Metals Belt’
Recent activity by Battery Age Minerals Limited as reported in their news release of 26th July 2023, indicates that widths of plus 20m with grades of over 1% even 2% Li2O are attainable in this lithium belt. Historical sampling and limited drilling at Zigzag has proved that grades of >1% Li2O exist and FCM will be focussing exploration efforts to confirm the width of the pegmatite as being in the order of 20m and extending over 800m as previously reported, .
Figure 2- the historical work conducted by and pre-Nuinsco
Background-Zigzag Lithium
Historic grades at surface up to 1.68% lithium (Li20) over 7.9m and 0.168% tantalum (Ta205) over 2.54m. The claim group covers the historic Tebishogeshik occurrence as well as other mineralised occurrences.
The pegmatite hosting the deposit is reported to be more than 800m in length and 20m thick at surface.
Sampling by Nuinsco (previous operator) returned strongly anomalous lithium, tantalum, and rubidium, peaking at 3.55% Li20 with significant tantalum, and rubidium results at 836 ppm Ta₂O5, and 4,003 ppm Rubidium Rb₂2O.
The project is a little over 50km from Armstrong in northwest Ontario in the Seymour Lake area, a district already proved to be prospective for hard rock, pegmatite hosted lithium. Existing infrastructure currently in place in the local area is expected to be further bolstered in the future by the planned Jackfish Hydro project and a Spodumene Process Plant at the Green Technology Metals, Seymour site which is just over 10km away.
The six-unit claim group includes a mapped structure of 800m which (Tebishogeshik occurrence) and is wholly contained within the claim block, the lithium-tantalum mineralization is pegmatite-hosted with significant rubidium and cesium mineralization also reported. All of which are ‘critical minerals’ as identified by the 1Canadian and United Kingdom Governments.
Previous workers of the Tebishogeshik occurrence have identified Li2O and Ta2O5 mineralization along the entire length of the showing from sampling at surface, grading up to 1.68% Li2O over 7.9m and 0.168% Ta2O5 over 2.54m in separate channels samples. Several shallow historic drill holes along the occurrence have returned significant intersections, including, (in separate drill holes) an intersection grading 1.08% Li2O over 6.1m and a separate intersection of 399.8ppm Ta2O5 over 2.92m. Both intersections were less than 20m down hole. The structure is open along strike and to depth and remains to be fully evaluated.
Lithium-ion battery production capacity pipeline globally to 2030 increases up to 8.1 TWh and North American EV battery production is forecast to reach 1 TWh annually by 2030. Even if production from known current assets were to double against planned capacities, expected North American demand alone would exceed supply by 40%.
Resilience for the Future: The United Kingdom’s Critical Minerals Strategy (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Figure 3-Photo of specimen samples of Zigzag lithium bearing pegmatite taken from the Zigzag property near to where historic as well as recently reported samples by FCM were collected, (see RNS of June 8th 2023). Note very coarse crystalline fabric.
Marc Sale First Class Metals CEO Commented:
“I am delighted that having now visited the property and seen a ‘snapshot’ of Zigzag’s potential I am pleased that the exploration of the Zigzag property will now commence in earnest. More so that it is with the support of the Whitesand First Nation. We will shortly have a team on the ground prospecting in advance of a sawn channel sampling programme aimed at identifying sections of the pegmatite for a focussed drill programme.
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive Chairman | JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07488 362641 |
Marc J Sale, CEO | MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07711 093532 |
Ayub Bodi, Executive Director | AyubB@Firstclassmetalsplc.com | 07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
Jonathan Brown | 0207 3742212 | |
Jason Robertson | 0207 3742212 |
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