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James Bay History
This property was first staked in 1966 by Mr J. Cyr after his discovery of spodumene pegmatite outcrops on the property in 1964. The property was optioned by Societe De Developement de La Baie James (SDBJ) in 1974, who after conducting some exploration on the property, returned it to Mr. Cyr on June 10, 1986.
A consultant, Mr. G. Valiquette, prepared a preliminary evaluation report on the property in 1974. This report described a ridge-like occurrence of spodumene pegmatite dyke outcrops that rose 15 metres above the surrounding swamp and extended for approximately 500 metres.
Starting in 1974, SDBJ conducted an exploration program that consisted of geological mapping, systematic sampling and diamond drilling of the mineralized outcrops to evaluate the lithium potential of the property. The mapping defined an area of 45,000 square metres of outcropping spodumene dykes. According to a 1977 report by SDBJ, the pegmatites contain 25% spodumene. The dykes reportedly dip at 65° and the potential of the outcropping area has been estimated at 121,500 tonnes per vertical metre. The geological mapping suggested a possible extension of the spodumene pegmatites into an irregular east-west trending "corridor" 4 kilometres in length with lenses or sill-like bodies up to 300 metres in length. Three diamond drill holes, totalling 383 metres, were completed on the property in 1977 and these confirmed the presence of spodumene mineralization to a depth of approximately 100 metres. The three holes were drilled along the axis of the "corridor", across the pegmatite lenses, and they intersected a sequence of inter-layered spodumene pegmatite and biotite schist. The pegmatite contained up to 35% spodumene locally and several lithium oxide intersections were reported.
The average grade obtained from the 277 powder samples recovered by SDBJ in 1974 was found to be 1.7 +/-0.1 weight % Li2O (95% confidence limits), the standard deviation being 0.8% Li2O. The SDBJ analyses also indicated low concentrations of beryllium (<200 ppm), cesium (<100 ppm), niobium, and tantalum.
In 1975, SDBJ, produced a geological map of the property which indicated typical rock types for greenstone belts of the northern Superior Province: biotite schists, gneiss, mafic metavolcanics, dacites, quartzites, meta-conglomerates, meta-gabbros, granites and pegmatites. The pegmatite occurs as northwest to northeast trending irregular dykes or lenses which are inter-layered with biotite schist and greenstone inclusions. The spodumene occurs as bladed crystals with lengths varying from a few centimetres to over a metre.
Historical Resource
In 1989, G.J. Boisvert, P. Eng., wrote a summary of the Mineral Potential of the James Bay Lithium Project and stated;
"Past mapping has outlined 45,000 square metres of outcrop exposure and the systematic sampling of 75% of the pegmatite outcrops has indicated an average grade of 1.7% Li20. This would imply outcrop defined lithium reserves at 121,500 tonnes per vertical metre, grading at 1.7% Li20. Based on these figures, a hypothetical deposit with a depth of only 100 metres would contain in excess of 12 million tonnes of lithium ore.
Much of the property remains unexplored due to overburden cover, although past mapping has helped outline a possible extension of the spodumene pegmatite body over a 4 kilometre length and 300 metre width. Because of the very large dimensions involved, the potential reserves on this property could be in the order of 300 million tonnes or more.
Previous diamond drilling has confirmed the persistence of the spodumene mineralization at depth and across widths ranging up to 33.9 metres. This large extent of the mineralization could make this deposit amenable to open pit mining.
Preliminary metallurgical tests of the lithium ore are un-conclusive although they suggest that "ceramic" grade spodumene concentrates are achievable with little or no beneficiation treatment."
All resource estimates quoted herein are based on data and reports obtained and prepared by previous operators. This historic resource estimate is considered to be relevant, and is believed to be reliable based on the amount and quality of historic work completed. However the Company has not completed the work necessary to independently verify the classification of these mineral resource estimates. The Company is treating the mineral resource estimates as National Instrument 43-101 defined resources verified by a qualified person. The historical estimates should not be relied upon. The properties will require considerable further evaluation which the Company's management and consultants intend to carry out in due course.
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