Beyond Lithium's Exploration Results at Ear Falls Confirm Spodumene Project Potential

2023-12-19

CSE - Canadian National Stock Exchange · Lithium · Rare Earth Elements · Lead · Zinc · Copper · Molybdenum · Gold · Silver · Canada

Highlights

Channel Sampling Program Summary

Results of channel samples delineated continuous grades higher than 1.0% Li2O zones enveloped by wider intervals. Discovery of additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites extends original spodumene bearing pegmatite zone (the "Wenasaga North Zone") by 50% (from 1.0 km to 1.5 km). Channel samples demonstrate the continuity of the lithium-bearing pegmatites system. The Wenasaga North Zone represents only 1.0% of the total Ear Falls project.

Drilling Summary

Completed seven AQ sized diamond drill holes totalling 329.59m from three different drilling sites testing up to 150 m strike length and 50 m dip continuity of pegmatites. Five holes intersected spodumene mineralization, including one dyke not exposed on surface. Model for stacked pegmatites system intercepting multiple subparallel spodumene-bearing pegmatites at depth confirmed. System remains open to all directions. Over 240 drilling samples results expected in the first half of January.

Expansion of 13 km Exploration Corridor Summary

Discovery of a 100-meter-wide ridge with numerous pegmatite outcrops with grab samples assaying over 0.1% Li2O and up to 0.4% Li2O on the northwest side of the Wenasaga Zone confirms the potential of the 13 km exploration corridor. Over 75% of grab samples assayed along the exploration corridor showed elevated background lithium averaging 1,279 ppm Li confirming this extensive strike length.

Winnipeg, Manitoba--(Newsfile Corp. - December 19, 2023) - Beyond Lithium Inc. (CSE: BY) (OTCQB: BYDMF) (the "Company" or "Beyond Lithium") is pleased to announce the results of a comprehensive exploration program at its Ear Falls spodumene project which confirm the potential of this recent discovery. The work recently completed at Ear Falls consisted of:

A stripping program designed to expose the extension of the spodumene pegmatites in all-directions and to potentially uncover more subparallel dykes; A drilling program targeted to further understand and delineate the characteristics and the densities of these subparallel spodumene pegmatite dykes; and An exploration and sampling program along the identified 13 km lithium exploration corridor.

Allan Frame, President and CEO of Beyond Lithium, commented, "Beyond Lithium announced the discovery of the spodumene-bearing pegmatites zone at Ear Falls Project in September (see press release dated September 17, 2023). Grab samples from the area where the initial discovery was made (named the Wenasaga North Zone) assayed up to 4.54 per cent lithium oxide ("Li2O"). Given the promising results announced at the time, our team went back to the property and made significant additional discoveries. We are delighted that, in less than three months of field work, we have completed a prospecting program, a stripping and channel sampling program, and a drilling program and we have extensively sampled new areas."

He added: "Our field crew continued exploration was based on the geological data we collected from the early field work. They were able to expand the Wenasaga North Zone by over 50% from 1.0 km to 1.5 km by locating additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites. Yet, the footprint of the Wenasaga North Zone accounts for only 1.0% of the total Ear Falls Project size of 20,623 hectares."

"Concurrently, the field team explored towards the southwest along the 13 km exploration corridor and discovered a 100-meter-wide ridge with numerous pegmatite outcrops with grab samples assaying over 0.1% Li2O and up to 0.4% Li2O. This wider and denser pegmatites field, along with their associated K/Rb ratio (Figure 8) confirm the extensive 13 km strike length of the lithium mineralization all the way to the southwest of the property, an area named the Sandy Creek West Zone."

Mr. Frame concluded: "We expect to receive all the drilling assays from the lab in the first half of January at which point we will review all the data collected in 2023 and finalize a comprehensive drilling program to begin once permits are received."

Stripping and Channel Sampling Program

The channel sampling program consisted of a total of 64 channel samples from 15 channel locations ranging from 0.67m to 10.77m. The channel samples were collected from three different zones, EF-1, EF-2 and EF-3, along the Wenasaga North Zone (Figure 1). The stripping and channel sampling program was designed to further understand the grade distribution and continuity in the pegmatites and the host rocks for designing the follow-up exploration program to explore for additional and subparallel spodumene-bearing pegmatites.

Lawrence Tsang, Beyond's VP of Exploration stated: "We are glad that the prospecting, the stripping and channel sampling, and the drilling program completed at Ear Falls were successful at reaching the programs' objective which was to gather geological data to understand the characteristics of the Ear Falls system for planning the next exploration program, including drilling."

"In short, we now understand the Ear Falls Project is a stacked and zoned pegmatites system which includes the potential of discovering additional subparallel dykes by drilling deeper holes and doing more stripping along the different pegmatites. The vectoring of the dykes' width and grade continuity we have established at Ear Falls from the prospecting program also indicates a great opportunity to explore for wider spodumene-bearing pegmatites towards the Sandy Creek West Zone. In the meantime, we remain on track to submit the exploration permit application for the Ear Falls Project for over 30 drill sites before the end of the week."

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Figure 1 Zones EF1 to EF3 along the Expanded 1.5 KM Spodumene Zone - Wenasaga North Zone

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Table 1 Zone EF1 Channel Samples Highlights

| Type | ID | Width (m) | Li2O % | Cs ppm | | Local individual | EF-C-01 | 1.00 | 1.88 | 77 | | Local individual | EF-C-02 | 1.20 | 1.05 | 204 | | Continuous | EF-C-03 | 9.52 | 0.54 | 186 | | | incl. | 2.47 | 0.83 | 168 | | | incl. | 6.77 | 0.45 | 199 | | | or | 2.45 | 0.85 | 157 | | Continuous | EF-C-05 | 2.09 | 0.58 | 281 | | | incl. | 1.04 | 1.06 | 436 | | Local individual | EF-C-09 | 0.70 | 1.58 | 59 |

Table 2 Zones EF2 and EF 3 Channel Samples Highlights

| Type | Zone | ID | Width (m) | Li2O % | Cs ppm | | Continuous | EF2 | EF-C-14 | 2.00 | 1.25 | 56 | | Local individual | EF3 | EF-C-15d | 0.20 | 1.03 | 63 |

[](https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/191500_77719170346b8b33_003full.jpg)

Figure 2 2023 Channel Locations and Highlights in Relation to the 2023 Drill Holes Locations and Traces - Wenasaga North Zone

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The channel samples collected along the initial one-kilometer spodumene-bearing pegmatite trend known as the Wenasaga North Zone were divided into three zones: EF-1, EF-2 and EF-3 (Figure 1). Zone EF-1 primarily tested the initial 150m strike length of the spodumene-bearing pegmatites zone. Channel sampling at zones EF-2 and EF-3 were step-outs samples testing the extent of the one-kilometer long spodumene zone.

Since the spodumene discovery announced in September, Beyond Lithium field crew continued to explore for additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites following the strike orientation of the Ear Falls spodumene-bearing pegmatite system. They were able to locate additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites towards the northeastern extension grading up to 1.00% Li2O and 107ppm Cs in grab sample mineralized with spodumene, muscovite, and fluorapatite. With the recognition of additional spodumene-bearing pegmatites towards the northeast direction, the Wenasaga North Zone at Ear Falls has now been extended by over 50%, from 1.0 km to 1.5 km (Figure 1) at the northeast region of the 13 km exploration corridor.

Zone EF-1

A pegmatite in the northern part of the EF-1 zone was mechanically stripped by a backhoe for a more continuous channel sampling across the spodumene-bearing pegmatite, EF-C-03 (Table 1). This channel graded 0.54% Li2O and 186ppm Cs over 9.52m including 0.83% Li2O and 168ppm Cs over 2.47m and 0.85% Li2O and 157ppm Cs over 2.45m (Figure 3). The spodumene-bearing pegmatite is formed along the contact between the granite and the metasediments with local sliver of older micaceous granite. Generally, the pegmatites strike at 030 to 070 degrees azimuth and dip moderately at 60 to 70 degrees towards the northwest. Based on field observation, the spodumene-bearing pegmatites at Ear Falls are strongly controlled by the orientation of the granite and the metasediments contact.

Lawrence added: "From where we were able to cut a more complete line across the mechanically stripped pegmatite in zone EF-1, the channel samples outlined a couple of continuous higher-grade (greater than 1% Li2O) zones enveloped by wider intervals of pegmatite (Figures 2 & 4). Pegmatite dykes in nature pinch and swell from one area to another. It is significant to have good continuity in grade within a pegmatite zone to better correlate between pegmatites and potentially outline larger zones for future estimation. Furthermore, the stripping and channel sampling program effectively confirmed the strike projection of spodumene-bearing pegmatites exposed at surface along the Wenasaga North Zone. Mechanized stripping is a cost-effective exploration tool, that we will continue to implement in our exploration programs to strip in different zones, and to delineate and prioritize targets for drilling."

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Figure 3 Zone EF1 Channel Samples of Zoned Pegmatite with high-grade core of greater than 1.00% Li2O - Wenasaga North Zone

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[](https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/191500_77719170346b8b33_005full.jpg)

Figure 4 Greater than 1.00% Li2O Continuous Higher-Grade Zone Enveloped by Wider Interval in Pegmatite - Wenasaga North Zone

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Zone EF-2 & EF-3

The channel sampling at Zones EF-2 and EF-3 were designed to test the step out zones from the EF-1 zone (Figure 1). Both EF-2 and EF-3 zones have channel samples with grades over 1.0% Li2O consistent with the results from the Phase 1 grab samples in the same areas. EF-2 channel sample assayed 1.25% Li2O over 2.0m (Table 2). The channel sampling at the zones at EF-2 and EF-3 was hand stripped and cut by a rock saw instead of mechanized stripped due to time and weather constraints. When weather permits, Beyond Lithium will resume mechanized stripping and prospecting programs at Ear Falls.

Drilling Program Summary

In November 2023, Beyond Lithium completed seven AQ sized drill holes totaling 329.59 m from three drill sites. This program was designed to drill test 150 meters strike length of the spodumene-bearing pegmatites zone and up to 50m dip continuity below surface (Figure 2). The first five holes, EF23-01 to 05, were drilled towards the southeast targeting below the surface exposed spodumene-bearing pegmatites. All five holes intercepted spodumene-bearing pegmatites mineralization at depth projected from the surface exposed pegmatites (Figure 5). Hole EF23-04 intercepted a new subparallel pegmatite (Peg Zone 5) at depth which is not exposed on surface. This suggests the possibility of intercepting more pegmatites at depth from longer drill holes (Figure 6).

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Figure 5 EF23-04 Drill Core Pic of Spodumene-bearing Pegmatite Intercepted at 25.16m at depth - Wenasaga North Zone

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Graeme Evans, Senior Advisor to Beyond Lithium, remarked: "In 2023 early-stage work has defined a thirteen-kilometre trend with high prospectivity along the entire length. I was expecting zonation to limit the strike potential but clearly not here! This sets up an ambitious 2024 season to outline higher grades and widths in this large brand new LCT system. We keep mentioning these targets are at an early stage but we haven't even looked at 1.0% of the system so do the math!"

The first five holes confirmed that the Ear Falls structure is a stacked pegmatites system and have successfully tested up to 50m dip continuity. All pegmatites remain open in all directions. The last two holes, EF23-06 to 07 were exploratory and step-out holes attempting to extend the strike length of the system at depth. EF23-06 was mainly hosted in metasediment. EF23-07 was drilled in the opposite direction and relocated the pegmatites at depth along strike showing good continuity. Over 240 drilling samples are currently pending in the lab and are expected to be announced in the first half of January.

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Figure 6 Cross Section Pegmatite Zone Interpretation from Drilling at Ear Falls - Wenasaga North Zone

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Lawrence Tsang commented: "This initial drilling program at Ear Falls demonstrated the pegmatites have good strike and dip continuities. In addition, the system remains open in all directions. The drilling has shown the potential to uncover more subparallel pegmatites at depth. In other words, more pegmatites are potentially covered by vegetation or overburden which can only be discovered by stripping or drilling. The Wenasaga North Zone discovery provided us with a starting point for exploration drilling at Ear Falls. The combination of wider and denser pegmatites with lithium mineralization in the Sandy Creek West Zone and the geological data collected from the prospecting and the channel sampling programs in the Wenasaga North Zone establishes a strong vector towards the Sandy Creek West Zone for further follow up exploration at Ear Falls."

Extension of 13 km Exploration Corridor

"When we announced the initial spodumene discovery at Ear Falls, we mentioned the Sandy Creek beryl-bearing pegmatites that were discovered in the early 1960s (located seven kilometres southwest of the Wenasaga North Zone) and the fact that very limited to no exploration work was done in the area since the discovery of these pegmatites over 60 years ago," said Lawrence Tsang.

"Beyond Lithium recognized this area to be favourable for LCT pegmatites because of the well-established Wenasaga Lake batholith as the potential source of LCT pegmatites of the area and the higher fractionated Sandy Creek beryl occurrence in the area. The Sandy Creek Beryl area then became a major focus of exploration for our technical team which led to the discovery of a 100-meter-wide ridge with numerous pegmatite outcrops with grab samples assaying over 0.1% Li2O and up to 0.4% Li2O, now known as the Sandy Creek West Zone."

To date, a total of 92 grab samples have been collected at Ear Falls and 70 of them were collected along the main 13 km long exploration. Out of the 70 samples, over 75% of the grab samples (55 out of 70) assayed over 50 ppm Li with an average of 1,279 ppm Li or 170 ppm Li (without outliers of >1,000 ppm Li) and the samples outside of the corridor averaged 26.5 ppm Li (Figure 7).

This background lithium contrast from grab samples between inside and out of the 13 km exploration corridor further confirms the extent and the orientation of this 13 km strike length. It suggests the rare-element lithium volatiles/fluid concentrated and fractionated within this prospective structure acting as a permeable and favorable conduit for lithium-indicator minerals like spodumene, cleavelandite, and petalite identified in the completed drilling program to mineralize.

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Figure 7 13 KM Exploration Corridor in Relation with the Sandy Creek West Zone and the Expanded Spodumene Zone

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Based on the preliminary findings from the field, the pegmatites at Ear Falls trend wider and denser towards the southwest orientation. A grab sample from pegmatite of over 5 meters in width located two kilometers southwest of the Wenasaga North Zone assayed up to 0.24% Li2O. The Sandy Creek West Zone located about seven kilometers southwest of the Wenasaga North Zone included three grab samples assaying over 0.10% Li2O and up to 0.40% Li2O (Figure 7).

The Sandy Creek West Zone is located on a ridge that was uncovered after a recent clear cut in the area. As pegmatites are more resistant to erosion, this topographic high landscape was quickly located by our Senior Geologist, Paul Baxter, after Beyond Lithium expanded the Ear Falls Project in September. The Sandy Creek West Zone trends east-west and covers an area of about 350 meters in length by 100 meters in width in an area with numerous of pegmatites exposed on surface ranging from 2 to 15 m in width.

[](https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8620/191500_77719170346b8b33_009full.jpg)

Figure 8 Log base 10 K/Cs Vs K/Rb Plot of Fractionation Intensity of Ear Falls Samples

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Measuring the ratio variations between potassium ("K"), cesium ("Cs"), rubidium ("Rb") in samples collected from the same region is a common and useful exploration tool to display the fractionation trend or the relative degree of evolution of S-type, peraluminous granites and related pegmatite granites and the rare-element pegmatite groups that fractionated from the parent granitic rocks. With increasing fractionation of the pegmatite-forming melt, the compositions of the potassium feldspar and mica become more enriched in rubidium and cesium thus the fractionation trend point to the lower left corner in the plot as the higher fractionated area (Breaks 2004).

The fractionation intensity plot of all the samples collected to date at Ear Falls clearly distinguished into two groups: the samples within the 13 km exploration corridor and the samples from outside the exploration corridor. The samples within the 13 km exploration corridor were plotted higher in fractionation intensity than the samples from outside the exploration corridor (Figure 8). Furthermore, both populations of samples collected from the Wenasaga North and the Sandy Creek West Zones were plotted in the same area of fractionation intensity in the plot which suggests both zones are equally fractionated. In other words, the potential of discovering spodumene-bearing pegmatites at the Sandy Creek West Zone is equally as high as the Wenasaga North Zone where several spodumene-bearing pegmatites had been discovered.

Also, two grab samples from the same pegmatite at the Wenasaga North Zone assaying 0.30 and 4.54% Li2O were plotted as the highest fractionated samples along with a few samples collected form the Sandy Creek Beryl and the Sandy Creek West Zones assaying around 0.13 to 0.40% Li2O (Figure 8). The pegmatites associated with these few samples at the Sandy Creek Beryl and the Sandy Creek West Zones will be prioritized in the next exploration program as these pegmatites are highly fractionated and have the higher potential to finding nearby spodumene mineralization.

Paul Baxter, Beyond Lithium's Senior Field Geologist highlighted the significance of this newly discovered zone: "A stripping program will be useful to determine the true width of the pegmatites in the Sandy Creek West Zone to see if the ridge is essentially one large pegmatite (Figure 9)."