Zigzag Lithium-High Grade Grab Samples
The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
31st October 2023 – 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 an update on the progress on the Zigzag property which is currently focussed on the lithium potential.
Highlights:
- Final results from the initial thirty-nine samples from the first phase of exploration received with significant number of results over 1% Lithium (Li2O). (see table 1).
- Grab samples identify a strike of over 350m with >1% Li2O and remains open in both directions.
- Channels sampling completed in central area of property, results pending from over 80 samples cut from almost 60m of channels over strike of 150m.
- Prospecting continues on the main trend and subparallel zones.
First Class Metals’ stated aim was to bring four properties to drill ready status with the intention of drilling one property this field season. The Zigzag property is maintaining this intention as it is advanced towards ‘drill ready’.
Marc J. Sale First Class Metals CEO commented: “I am buoyed by the progress we are making at Zigzag. The excellent results from these initial systematic grab samples have further supported our confidence in the property’s potential. We await with confident anticipation the results from the channel sampling. The grab samples have I feel ‘proved-up’ a core area of the known structure which remains open in both directions and has yet to be explored at depth.’’
Figure 1 showing the Zigzag property with the recent work conducted, focussing on the central portion of the claim block.
The final results from the 39 grab samples from recent prospecting are considered very encouraging and the full results are now available: there are 19 samples reporting over 1% Li2O and a further 3 over 0.5% Li2O defining almost 400m of strike of >1% Li2O in the central portion of the property. The structure remains open along strike in both directions.
Furthermore, there were, (some in coincident samples) 6 samples >250ppm tantalum (Ta) . Nine samples reported >1000ppm rubidium (Rb) with the highest reported valuer being 3800ppm Rb. Several samples were also anomalous in caesium (Cs). See table of the more significant values. Note some samples were of iron formations not pegmatite and are not included.
Sample_No.
Caesium
Cs_ppm
Gallium Ga_ppm
Lithium Li_ppm
Rubidium
Rb_ppm
Tantalum
Ta_ppm
F006543
92.6
107
17000
820
75.2
F006544
109
105
16300
1200
235
F006545
128
101
16500
1190
115
F006547
48.3
92.2
11500
695
162
F006548
100
87
12300
1110
50.3
F006549
77
118
21200
302
80.6
F006550
128
69.9
13200
795
90.9
F006572
146
81.6
12600
1630
84.3
F006573
85
112
17800
536
179
F006574
102
152
29700
404
57.3
F006575
256
133
469
3810
136
F006576
81.7
124
22300
514
467
F006579
96.8
95.9
236
1390
104
F006580
70
113
18500
650
145
F006581
82.3
99
10900
2000
51.3
F006582
19.4
87.1
16200
277
79.6
F006583
36.5
108
20100
255
235
F006584
89.6
100
8250
1510
5220
F006585
54.3
84
13200
938
67.4
F006586
44.5
117
18300
846
724
F006592
66.9
153
27500
587
54.3
F006593
65
77.4
7240
736
246
F006594
46.4
60.8
5820
748
69.3
F006596
34.5
78
10200
458
126
Table 1, showing the higher Li2O, results reported. All samples are of pegmatite with varying amounts of visible spodumene. Highlighted samples are those of selected spodumene crystals.
Two of the grab samples submitted (F006574 F006592) were ‘benefaction’ samples constituting almost entirely of spodumene crystals. They returned 2.97% and 2.75% Li2O, (maximum for spodumene is about 8% Li2O). One ‘ordinary’ pegmatite sample retuned 2.23% Li2O by comparison. Other potential lithium minerals have not yet been positively identified.
Photo 1 showing sample F006576 an ‘ordinary pegmatite which reported 2.23% Li2O.
Further Exploration
Following the successful completion of the systematic grab sampling, we are pleased to confirm that our channel sampling program has also concluded. A total of over 80 samples, obtained from nearly 60m of channels, are currently undergoing analysis at the laboratory. We anticipate receiving the results of the analysis next month.
Visually, we have observed significant encouragement during the channel sampling process, most notably due to the presence of spodumene, which was previously reported. This adds further to our enthusiasm for the project's potential.
Hand stripping and channel sampling does not allow continuous sampling of the structure as it is obscured by soil, moss and other vegetation. It is believed that once mechanical stripping is undertaken the continuity of outcrops will be further enhanced.
Photo 2 showing outcrop of the main pegmatite after removal of the moss cover. Note the scale of the large spodumene crystals, (pale grey / green).
There is currently a prospecting team still onsite which is undertaking ground reconnaissance to the north and south of the main trend with >50 grab samples taken to date during this programme, some of which are from a sulphitic iron formation subparallel to the pegmatite. The programme also included 6 lines of soil samples covering both strike extensions of the main zone as well as an inferred subparallel structure to the south.
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive Chairman
JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
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.