MAX Power Mining Corp. (
CSE: MAXX; OTC: MAXXF;
FRANKFURT: 89N) (“
MAX Power” or
the “
Company”) is pleased to confirm the discovery
of near-surface lithium-rich clays over a broad area of
state-leased ground in first-ever diamond drilling at the Willcox
Playa in southeast Arizona.
Notably, the high-grade hectorite-saponite mix
of lithium in the clays within the sediments at Willcox is amenable
to a straightforward separation process as demonstrated by the
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California (“Berkeley
Lab”) where samples in the clay fraction from the Discovery Zone
also averaged 1,243 ppm lithium through initial
testing using a particle size that can be reasonably expected to
gravitationally separate in a full-scale commercial mining
process.
MAX Power’s land package (the “Property") covers
a 6-mile-long northeast trending corridor (3,754 acres) along the
eastern side of the broader 50 sq. mile Playa. Much of the rest of
the Playa is leased by the U.S. Defense Department from the Bureau
of Land Management (BLM). The entire Playa, which up until MAX
Power’s program had never been previously diamond drilled, is now
believed to be prospective for a potentially very large lithium
deposit surrounded by top tier infrastructure including roads,
rail, power and services located immediately off Interstate 10 in
southeast Arizona, leading to Tucson and Phoenix.
Bulls-Eye Target On Southern Claim
Block
The next drill holes at Willcox are planned for
the southern portion of the Property where the largest and most
intense low resistivity anomaly has been detected, overlain by a
very low gravity anomaly. Drill results from the Discovery Zone
confirm that this type of geophysical signature is an excellent
target for lithium mineralization at Willcox. This fact highlights
the strong potential of the southern BLM claims to significantly
expand this grassroots discovery. BLM has granted MAX Power drill
permits for this area.
Highlights:
- Each of the
first three triangular-spaced drill holes in the northern section
of MAX Power’s property, the Discovery Zone covering an area
1,640 feet x 1,640 feet x 2,300 feet, intersected
lithium at shallow levels over significant widths, including 15.5
feet grading 774.8 ppm lithium within a broader whole rock interval
of 184 feet averaging 570.8 ppm lithium in drill hole
WP-23-02;
- When separating
the clay fraction from the sand/silt fraction, lithium assays
increased markedly, by as much as 47%, assaying up to 1,447 ppm
lithium;
- This early-stage
discovery remains open in all directions with MAX Power also
exploring options to expand its land package;
- Based on a
compilation of MAX Power’s work to date, and historical data,
geologists believe the Discovery Zone represents just a fraction of
the scale potential of Willcox with higher-grade mineralization
expected in areas of increased clay content.
Dr. Michael Whittaker, Research Scientist in the
Energy Geoscience and Materials Science Divisions at Lawrence
Berkeley National Laboratory, stated: “Lithium concentrations at
Willcox increase when coarse particles are removed. This is
consistent with features of clays found in shallow lacustrine
sediments in other resources our team has examined. Bespoke
processes aimed at precision separation of the clays at Willcox are
likely to improve lithium grades further based on the
characteristics of silt and sand that are distinct from otherwise
similar deposits. Further research and development on clay
mineralogy and separations processes are needed in this promising
and under-explored deposit.”
Mr. Peter Lauder, MAX Power Senior Geologist,
commented: “We have successfully advanced the geological
understanding of the Willcox Playa, demonstrating through
first-ever diamond drilling and clay separation at Berkeley that
the Playa may host a top-tier lithium deposit extending from MAX’s
ground through claims leased by the Defense Department. Our BLM
claims to the south provide some of the most compelling targets on
the property, so we are eager to start Phase 2 drilling there while
also expanding the Discovery Zone.”
MAX Power CEO Rav Mlait added: “I congratulate
our team for a commendable job confirming through first-ever
diamond drilling and clay analysis that the Willcox Playa is
prospective for a large-scale lithium deposit as the U.S.
Geological Survey postulated half a century ago when they carried
out some limited work. We look forward to the next steps at Willcox
and executing on our broader strategy of capturing unique
opportunities in North America’s shift to decarbonization.”
Willcox Playa Project Map
MAX Power submitted all samples from Phase 1
drilling to ALS Global Labs (“ALS”) in Tucson for analysis. In
addition to ALS, the Company also submitted representative samples
for an in-depth analysis to the Earth and Environmental Sciences
Divisions at the Berkeley Lab. Berkeley Lab has made significant
contributions to the Company’s understanding of lithium
mineralization at the property and the importance of focusing on
the clay fraction. The Berkeley Lab analysis discovered lithium
grades increase by an average of 31.8% when only the clay fraction
is analyzed as seen in Figure 1. Berkeley Lab used 1 micron (µm) as
a cut-off particle size to separate the clay fraction. As noted
earlier in this news release, this is the particle size that can be
reasonably expected to gravitationally separate in a full-scale
commercial mining process. Figure 2 is a summary of selected
lithium intercepts of the combined clay and sand fractions from the
2023-2024 program at the Willcox Property.
Figure 1: Comparison of Lithium in the
Clay Fraction to Lithium in the Entire Sample
SampleNumber |
Lithium(Clay
Only)(ppm) |
Lithium (Clay +
Sand)(ppm) |
Increase in Lithium Grade(Clay Only vs
Clay + Sand)(ppm) |
Increase in Lithium Grade(Clay Only vs
Clay + Sand)(percent) |
K360997 |
1447.1 |
986 |
+ 461.1 |
+ 47% |
|
G375085 |
1428.1 |
1000 |
+ 428.1 |
+ 43% |
|
K360986 |
1021.4 |
880 |
+ 141.4 |
+ 16% |
|
K360989 |
1075.5 |
887 |
+ 188.5 |
+ 21% |
|
Averages |
1243.0 |
938.3 |
+ 304.8 |
+ 31.8% |
|
Figure 2: Summary of Significant
Intercepts of Lithium in Clays & Sand
Drill HoleNumber |
From(feet) |
To(feet) |
Thickness(feet) |
Lithium(ppm) |
WP 23-02 |
142.0 |
326.0 |
184.0 |
570.8 |
Including |
164.0 |
179.5 |
15.5 |
774.8 |
|
WP 23-03 |
158.0 |
308.0 |
150.0 |
507.0 |
Including |
168.0 |
198.0 |
30.0 |
620.0 |
Including |
273.0 |
278.0 |
5.0 |
850.0 |
|
WP 23-01 |
260.5 |
302.0 |
41.5 |
659.2 |
Including |
292.0 |
302.0 |
10.0 |
755.0 |
|
WP 23-01 |
152.0 |
172.8 |
20.8 |
663.3 |
Including |
157.0 |
162.0 |
5.0 |
750.0 |
Figure 3: Diamond Drill Hole Collar
Coordinates
DDH |
UTM NAD 83 z12 |
|
Azimuth |
Dip |
Depth (feet) |
|
East |
North |
|
|
|
WP 23-01 |
613420 |
3556290 |
0 |
-90 |
1657 |
WP 23-02 |
612990 |
3556299 |
0 |
-90 |
998 |
WP 23-03 |
612521 |
3555690 |
0 |
-90 |
1007 |
WP 23-04 |
610132 |
3551399 |
0 |
-90 |
1200 |
WP 23-05 |
610131 |
3550899 |
0 |
-90 |
1200 |
Potential for Lithium in Brines
Liquids were present and sampled at multiple
depths in every drill hole on the Property. Based on this initial
study, lithium grades in brines increase from holes drilled at the
Playa margin moving towards the centre. The number of current data
points are not yet of a significant sample size to determine the
size and scope of the potential for liquids under the Willcox Playa
to host economic grades of lithium. Further drilling will assist in
this analysis.
Geological Strata Observed at
Willcox
The claystone strata were capped by a light
brown clay at the top of the section, the current land surface of
the Playa. Below this top clay, a distinct black clay with a strong
sulphur odour was observed in the northern drilling area. This
black clay was also noted by the historical drill hole USGS W-1
completed in 1978 by the U.S. Geological Survey. Below the black
clay, the claystone became dominated by a grey to grey-green clay.
Below the grey clays the sequence was dominated by a thick
red-brown claystone. Gypsum was commonly observed most in this
red-brown claystone in both the Discovery Zone and in two holes
further to the south (WP-23-04 and WP-23-05) where theories around
fluid sequences were a key part of the focus.
A series of sandstone layers were also observed
within the claystones. The liquids the Company encountered were
primarily observed within these internal sandstones. Locally,
conglomerates were also observed.
Depths of the claystones range from 900 feet in
hole WP-23-01, 938 feet in hole WP-23-02 and 931 feet in hole
WP-23-03. The base of the claystone package was not observed in
holes WP-23-04 and WP 23-05.
The geology beneath the claystone sequence was
somewhat variable, indicating deposition of various intensities and
variable sources from the surrounding mountain ranges.
Sample Handling and Analysis
Procedures
All the core samples were logged and sampled
using a full QAQC protocol. QAQC samples were inserted
approximately every 20 core samples. The QAQC samples included a
duplicate laboratory standard for lithium as well as a blank. The
core was brought directly from the drill rig to the Godbe Drilling
office in Willcox, Arizona. The core was then logged, photographed,
sampled, and prepared to be shipped at this location. The drill
core was shipped from Willcox directly to ALS. The Company followed
a full chain of custody protocol for all the sample dispatches to
ALS. Samples were sent in batches to ALS. Sample analysis (assays)
were sent to the Company by the individual batches.
When at ALS, samples were prepared by crushing
to 70% less than 2 mm, riffle split off 1 kg. Following crushing,
samples were pulverized split to better than 85% passing 75
microns. Once the sample preparation was completed the core samples
were roasted as a pre-treatment. Following roasting, the samples
were analyzed using a four-acid digestion and an ICP-AES finish.
This method has been said to be the best method to analyse lithium
in sediments.
Representative samples from the drill core were
sent to Berkeley Lab for analysis and further study. The drill core
samples comprised both clay and sand fractions. The clay fraction
was separated using the five-step method below:
- Comminution using a mortar and
pestle.
- Sieving to retain <5 µm
fraction.
- Suspension in water and sonication
to disaggregate and re-suspend.
- Sequential centrifugation following
Stokes law.
- Particle size and density
confirmation with dynamic light scattering.
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release
has been reviewed and approved by Thomas Clarke, P.Geo.,
Pr.Sci.Nat., and Director for MAX Power Mining Corp. Mr. Clarke is
the Qualified Person responsible for the scientific and technical
information contained herein under National Instrument 43-101
standards.
About MAX Power
MAX Power is a dynamic exploration stage
resource company targeting domestic lithium resources to advance
North America’s renewable energy prospects while reviewing other
strategic opportunities in the global shift to decarbonization. MAX
has also entered into a cooperative research and development
agreement with the University of California Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory (LBNL) to develop state-of-the-art direct
lithium extraction (DLE) technologies for brine resources.
On behalf of
the Board of Directors |
|
|
|
“Rav Mlait”- CEO |
MarketSmart Communications |
MAX Power Mining Corp. |
Tel: 877-261-4466 |
info@maxpowermining.com |
|
Tel: 778-655-9266 |
|
|
|
Forward-Looking Statement
Cautions
This press release contains certain
“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Canadian
securities legislation, relating to exploration, drilling,
mineralization and historical results on the Willcox Property; the
interpretation of drilling and assay results, the results of any
future drilling program, mineralization and the discovery
mineralization (if any); plans for future exploration and drilling
and the timing of same; the merits of the Willcox Playa
Property; the potential for lithium within the Willcox
Playa region; ability to access Property; ability to extract
resources from the Property, commentary as it relates to the
opportune timing to carry out lithium exploration, and any
anticipated increasing demand for lithium; any results and updates
thereto as it relates to any future drill program, and the funding
of that program; and upcoming press releases by the Company.
Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable,
it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be
correct. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not
historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by
the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes,"
“interpreted,” "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims,"
“suggests,” “often,” “target,” “future,” “likely,” “pending,”
"potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," “possibly,”
“preliminary”, and similar expressions, or that events or
conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should"
occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to
future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements
are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's
management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a
number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no
assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and
actual results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by
applicable securities laws and the policies of the CSE, the Company
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors,
should change. Factors that could cause future results to differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking
statements include risks associated with possible accidents and
other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the
risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological
factors, risks associated with the interpretation of assay results
and the drilling program, the possibility that the Company may not
be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances
necessary to carry out its exploration plans, the risk that the
Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its
business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and
regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's
business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the
Company's Management’s Discussion and Analysis, publicly available
through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for
Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR)
at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such
risk factors and their potential effects.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee7245fe-262e-46c7-afec-94f7b2e66761