Lithium Pegmatite Dike Swarm Drilled at Leinster

Technology Minerals PLC

14 August 2023

 

14 August 2023

Technology Minerals Plc 

("Technology Minerals" or the "Company") 

Lithium Pegmatite Dike Swarm Drilled at the Leinster Lithium Project in Ireland

Technology Minerals Plc (LSE: TM1), the first listed UK company focused on creating a sustainable circular economy for battery metals, is pleased to announce that Global Battery Metals Ltd ("GBML"), (TSXV: GBML; OTCQB: REZZF; Frankfurt: REZ), has provided an update on the ongoing drilling campaign at the Knockeen prospect (PLA 1597) on our North Leinster lithium project in Ireland. The project is progressing under an ongoing and successful option agreement between GBML and Technology Minerals which is being operated by GBML.

Key Highlights:

·    Drilling confirms Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite dike swarm at Knockeen Prospect.

·    Phase 1 drill holes (DDH-23-1597-01 - DDH-23-1597-04) completed for a total of 656m. Visual analysis of core suggests intervals of lithium mineralisation among pegmatite intersections from all four drill holes sent to ALS Laboratories for assaying.

·    Drilling of Hole Five (DDH-23-1597-05) is currently underway, with GBML announcing its intent to pursue drilling at all 10 permitted drill sites for a total of approximately 2,000m.

·    Sustainability consultant and critical raw materials policy expert to the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research & Innovation, Niall McManus, has been engaged to help steward public interaction programme development and stakeholder relations.

·    Commencement of 'district scale' expanded exploration and prospecting activity across Northern Block licenses at key primary target areas, including Aghavannagh, Sorrel, Tonygarrow, Scurlocks and Knocknaboley.

Drilling Confirms LCT Pegmatite Swarm at Knockeen Prospect   

GBML has completed four drill holes (DDH-23-1597-01 - DDH-23-1597-04) for a total of 656m, with drilling now underway at DDH-23-1597-05. Further to the GBML's 7 June, 2023 Program Update, several drilling adjustments have been applied based on the measured pegmatite dike geometries and orientations which were intersected in the first hole. GBML has succeeded in intersecting multiple dikes within the host granites to reveal a structurally controlled LCT pegmatite system, which importantly includes spodumene pegmatite intervals which continue to be logged, sampled and dispatched for analysis at ALS Laboratories. See Images 1-2 below.

Alex Stanbury, CEO of Technology Minerals, said: "We are pleased by the ongoing strides in drilling at our Leinster site in collaboration with Global Battery Metals. The GBML team remains steadfast in their drilling efforts, core sampling, and laboratory analyses, all of which are contributing to a progressively deeper comprehension of our primary target zones. The burgeoning success of our Leinster Property is evident as we forge ahead, confirming lithium mineralisation and exploring the exciting potential for expansive district-scale growth. The Leinster Property stands as a testament to our strategic commitment to advance emerging projects, entice prospective joint venture collaborators, and enhance the intrinsic value of Technology Minerals."

The drill programme has been approved under the government's detailed "appropriate assessment screening" process for up to 10 drill holes for a total of approximately 2,000m. No drilling has ever been carried out at the Knockeen Prospect previously, and intersecting potential lithium bearing pegmatites among the first four holes drilled would be considered a major technical success. Prior surface exploration activities identified and confirmed expansive surface boulder trains of lithium pegmatite lithologies in a number of areas across the Leinster property, with recent assay results of 66 rock samples analysed by ALS Laboratories earlier this year returning Li₂O% lithium contents ranging up to 3.75 % Li₂O / 17,410 ppm Li. The project is being managed on the ground by a technical team experienced in LCT pegmatite systems from exploration contracting company Aurum Global Exploration Services Limited.

Image 1: Spodumene pegmatite

 in drill core DDH 23-1597-01

Image 2: Spodumene pegmatite in drill core DDH 23-1597-02

Leading CRM Sustainability Consultant Engaged for Social License Development

Niall McManus, a sustainability consultant with EarthRoute and critical raw materials policy expert to the European Commission, has been engaged by GBML to help steward stakeholder relations and Social License development efforts related to GBML's advancing interests in the Leinster Lithium Project, global CRM supply chain needs and rising resource nationalism. Located in nearby Kilkenny and listed on Enterprise Ireland Directory of Green Service Providers, Niall brings 25 years of global raw materials value chain and sustainability experience in southern and East Africa, Southeast Asia, North America and Europe. Specialty areas include everything from natural resources, exploration and the circular economy, to sustainable development, senior stakeholder management, EU funding and program evaluation.

Technology Minerals and GBML recognise that the acceptance of a forward-thinking minerals  exploration company by community stakeholders and the general public to explore for critical raw materials for everyday use in electric vehicles, household appliances and mobile telephones - also extends to earning the respect of additional groups that are demanding stronger engagement and transparency, including ethical investors, international financial institutions and local and national governments.  GBML and Technology Minerals' Directors understand that such a corporate outlook is key to unlocking positive exploration outcomes by following low impact / low sound / low disturbance exploration programme best practice for environmental sensitivity.

All mineral exploration activities in Ireland take place under the auspices of the GSRO, a division within the Government Department of the Environment, Communications & Climate Change. Exploration is governed under the framework of both Irish and EU legislation that has been implemented to ensure that the environment is protected during exploratory work. Prospecting license holders must comply with all of the relevant legislation. GBML is pleased to confirm that it adheres to the highest standards of good practice in relation to its ongoing exploration activities having completed a detailed GSRO "Appropriate Assessment" process prior to commencement and which was reviewed, approved and signed off by the appropriate oversight authorities.

District-Scale Exploration & Prospecting Set to Commence Across Key Northern Targets

Located south of Dublin in the counties of Wicklow and South Carlow, the Leinster Lithium Project consists of 16 prospecting license areas situated along strike to the joint Ganfeng Lithium / International Lithium Corporation Blackstairs Lithium Project. The total license holding covers approximately 525 km² along and adjacent to the East Carlow Deformation Zone (ECDZ) and associated splay structures which are now recognized as the major controlling structures to pegmatite emplacement across the region. In addition to GBML's ongoing drill programme at Knockeen, a new and focused phase of associated exploration activities is in the advanced stage of planning and due to commence soon. These programmes will take place across the Northern License Block will include detailed prospecting and mapping programmes that will initially target the five known occurrences of lithium pegmatites discovered by GBML during previous phases of exploration (see Tables 1 and 2) and will extend out along interpreted structural corridors within the granite and at granite pluton margins with the Lower Paleozoic metasediments and metavolcanics.

SAMPLE	Li ppm	Li2O %	Area \ Target
AES63091	11700	2.52	Tonygarrow
AES63053	10580	2.28	Sorrel
AES63530	10400	2.24	Scurlocks
AES63088	9890	2.13	Tonygarrow
AES43343	8280	1.78	Aghavannagh
AES63089	8200	1.77	Tonygarrow
AES34326	7680	1.65	Sorrel
AES63090	6470	1.39	Tonygarrow
AES63064	5000	1.08	Scurlocks
AES43329	4630	1.00	Tonygarrow
AES63529	4140	0.89	Scurlocks
AES63092	3290	0.71	Tonygarrow
AX9021	3030	0.65	Scurlocks
AES63094	1470	0.32	Tonygarrow
AES63095	1360	0.29	Tonygarrow
AES63069	1000	0.22	Tonygarrow
AES63096	800	0.17	Tonygarrow
AES63097	700	0.15	Tonygarrow
AES63542	620	0.13	Knocknaboley
AES43370	590	0.13	Tonygarrow
AES63537	550	0.12	Sorrel
AES63098	540	0.12	Tonygarrow
AES49787	480	0.10	Scurlocks
AES43363	470	0.10	Sorrel

Table 1: List of analytical results to-date for prospecting on GBML's Northern License Block

Image 3: Northern Block Target Areas showing occurrences of Lithium Pegmatites shown in Table 1

Work has also commenced on a detailed remote sensing and structural interpretation of the Leinster Massif along with more detailed interpretations over the licenses held under the GBML-Technology Minerals agreement. This will be conducted by industry specialist consultants Frank Murphy & Associates, helping to further focus GBML's ongoing work programmes and identify additional targets for follow-up exploration programmes in the coming months.

Competent Person

All scientific and technical information in this announcement has been prepared under the supervision of and reviewed and approved by EurGeol Vaughan Williams, M.Sc., P.Geo., (Principal of Aurum Exploration Services currently providing exploration services to GBML and to LRH Resources Limited ("LRH")), a "qualified person" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.

Quality Assurance/Quality Control

Quality Assurance/Quality Control of drill core samples and associated assay results are monitored by GBML and Technology Minerals through a quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol which includes the insertion of blind standard reference materials, blanks, and duplicates at regular intervals.

Core is drilled in HQ core diameter and each 3 metres of core recovered is orientated by the drilling contractor on completion of each run drilled. Drill core is laid out in strong core boxes and transported by Company geologists from the drill rig to GBML's secure logging facility.

Drill core is then logged using an established logging procedure capturing detailed lithological data as well as measuring all structural elements using a Reflex IQ Logger for accurate orientation of all contacts and structures.

The core is marked up for sampling and sawn on site using a diamond core saw. Half core samples are then bagged and secured using plastic cable ties and the samples are then securely transported to ALS Laboratory ("ALS") facilities in County Galway, Republic of Ireland.

Samples are analysed for lithium as well as multi elemental trace elements using the specific LCT pegmatite analytical suite ME-MS89L offered by ALS.

ALS also performs its own internal QA/QC procedures to assure the accuracy and integrity of results.  

GBML and Technology Minerals are unaware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data referred to herein.

Enquiries

Technology Minerals Plc
Robin Brundle, Executive Chairman Alexander Stanbury, Chief Executive Officer	[phone]
Oberon Investments Limited
Nick Lovering, Adam Pollock	[phone]
Gracechurch Group
Harry Chathli, Alexis Gore, Rebecca Scott	[phone]

Technology Minerals Plc 

Technology Minerals is developing the UK's first listed, sustainable circular economy for battery metals, using cutting-edge technology to recycle, recover, and re-use battery technologies for a renewable energy future. Technology Minerals is focused on extracting raw materials required for Li-ion batteries, whilst solving the ecological issue of spent Li-ion batteries, by recycling them for re-use by battery manufacturers. With the increasing global demand for battery metals to supply electrification, the group will explore, mine, and recycle metals from spent batteries. Further information on Technology Minerals is available at www.technologyminerals.co.uk  

 

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