Patriot Battery Metals, High-Grade Pollucite Confirmed as Main Caesium Host Mineral at the Vega and Rigel Zones
Sydney, Australia – Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSX: PMET, ASX: PMT, OTCQX: PMETF, FSE: R9GA) is excited to share an update regarding its exploration activities focused on caesium— a strategic and high-demand metal—discovered within the CV13 spodumene pegmatite at the fully-owned Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Quebec. This area is gaining attention due to its unique geological features that promise significant mineral enrichment.
### Location and Geological Significance
The CV13 Spodumene Pegmatite is strategically situated approximately 3 km from the CV5 Pegmatite, about 13 km south of the well-established Trans-Taiga Road and its associated powerline corridor, ensuring year-round access. This accessible location is vital for potential future developments in mineral extraction.
The Shaakichiuwaanaan property hosts a variety of lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites. These pegmatites undergo a complex formation process called crystal fractionation, where mineral crystallization alters the chemistry of the melt over time. While typical pegmatite formations lead to modest deposits of lithium and other critical metals, those at Shaakichiuwaanaan showcase a remarkable concentration of lithium along with significant amounts of caesium, tantalum, and potentially gallium. This high-grade mineralization positions the property as a front-runner in the global lithium market.
### Exploring the Caesium Opportunity
Recent announcements from Patriot Battery Metals highlighted substantial caesium mineralization discovered in drill samples from the CV13 Pegmatite, with remarkable initial findings indicating variations such as 11.1 meters at 4.87% Cs2O, and peaks like 2.0 meters at 22.90% Cs2O. These results have not only invigorated interest in the site but also confirm the economic potential of the mineralization.
A major milestone has been achieved with XRD-Rietveld mineralogical analysis confirming pollucite as the primary caesium-bearing mineral in the Vega and Rigel zones. Drill holes revealed an impressive 74.2% pollucite in a 1.1-meter sample, translating to 26.6% Cs2O. Pollucite’s exceptional caesium content (normally above 30%) along with its straightforward recovery options make it a prime candidate for extraction using standard ore sorting methods.
### Next Steps in Development
Patriot Battery Metals has initiated a focused exploration program specifically targeting pollucite at the Vega Zone, aiming to assess the mineral’s recoverability via ore sorting tests. These tests will precede the broader recovery processes typically applied to lithium and tantalum.
Using a detailed exploration strategy, the company has refined the caesium mineralization envelope, tracing the Vega Zone’s mineral footprint over an approximate area of 800 x 250 meters, at a depth of 110 meters. This significant lateral extent showcases the potential scale of operations.
### Conclusion
Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is paving the way for a potential boon in the lithium and caesium markets by unlocking the mineral riches located in Quebec’s Shaakichiuwaanaan Property. As developments unfold, further insights into tantalum and gallium by-products are anticipated, underscoring the strategy to optimize resource extraction and add value to the planned lithium operation. The ongoing exploration efforts firmly place Patriot in an advantageous position to harness the growing demand for critical minerals, vital for technology and sustainable energy solutions.