1
July, 2024
Bradda Head Lithium
Ltd
("Bradda
Head", "Bradda", "BHL" or the "Company")
Updated Mineral
Resource Expansion, Basin Clay
Project
Bradda Head Lithium
Ltd (AIM:BHL, TSX-V:BHLI), the North America-focused
lithium development group, is pleased to announce a
new Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") at the Company's 100% owned
Basin Project, Arizona (see Table 1 below). The updated MRE
was prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101
(Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects) ("NI-43-101") by ABH Engineering
Inc. ("ABH").
The Company is reporting a new MRE consisting
of 99kt of of lithium carbonate equivalent ("LCE") at an average
grade of 929 ppm lithium in Measured classification, 560kt of LCE
at 860ppm Li in the Indicated classification; and 2,175kt of LCE at
808ppm Li in the Inferred classification following the completion
of drilling, reception and analysis of geochemical results, and new
modeling of the Basin project. As per the Gross Overriding Royalty
Agreement ("Royalty Agreement") with the Lithium Royalty Company
("LRC"), the new contained LCE Tonnage surpassed the contracted threshold of
2.5Mt and has enabled the
Company to trigger the payment of US$3.0 million from LRC to
Bradda Head. The Company has requested this payment be made,
and therefore expects to be well funded for the future, including
our drilling plans at San Domingo Arizona, our near surface
Spodumene bearing pegmatite opportunity.
Highlights:
·
The total new Mineral Resource now comprises
20 million tonnes
in the Measured category at 929ppm Li consisting of 99kt LCE, 122
million tonnes in the Indicated category at 860 ppm Li consisting
of 560kt LCE and 506 million tonnes in the Inferred
category at 808 ppm Li, carrying 2,175 kt LCE
· The
resource now contains 20 million tonnes of 929ppm lithium for
99Ktons of LCE in the Measured category, the first ever in this
category at Basin
· As
per the Royalty Agreement, BHL has formally requested payment of US
$3.0 million from LRC; documentation has been submitted per
verification by ABH Engineering Inc.
("ABH")
·
The results of the 2024 drilling programme
demonstrate extensive lateral continuity from Basin East through to
Basin North, identifying impressive consistency in the
stratigraphic continuity of the Upper Clay and grade profile over a
3.0 x 2.0 km area that remains open to the north, east,
and west
·
It's important to note that the
Upper Clay Unit includes a continuous
High-Grade layer which has an average grade
of some 1,190 ppm Li, and is on average 15m
thick and crops-out in Basin East potentially forming part of a
phased mining processing operation
that would clearly enhance early stages of mining and
overall project economics
·
Five out of the eight drill holes encountered lithium
mineralized "Lower Clay" which makes a significant contribution to
the overall resource, particularly as the Company is able to
connect the Lower Clay mineral resource from Basin East to the
northern edge of Basin North, a distance of 3.0km
· The
average in-situ grade of the Inferred Basin East Mineral Resource
has decreased slightly from 900 to 822 ppm Li, a 9%
decrease
· ABH
applied a new cut off grade of 550ppm Li to report the Mineral
Resources and demonstrate reasonable prospects of eventual economic
extraction ("RPEEE"). This is the same cut off grade previously
used by SRK (550 ppm; effective 28th September
2023)
· ABH
were selected to complete the Mineral Resource Update analysis
based upon their prior work in clay deposits across Nevada, having
significant expertise and knowledge. They applied a robust approach
to both the in-situ density measurement and the cut off grade
utilised. The in-situ density measurement was based upon several
hundred core sample measurements using best practices
·
Table 2 below highlights the 'grade vs. tonnage'
sensitivities with the orebody and reflects a significant amount of
flexibility in potential open pit mining scenarios
·
Following the 2024 drill program and new geologic
mapping, the Company's understanding of the Basin project has
increased significantly, resulting in renewed encouragement of
extensive exploration opportunities for growth over the remainder
of Basin North and all of Basin West where the Company continue
working on permits
· The
complete NI43-101 Technical Report by ABH will be available on the
Company's website and SEDAR by or before August 12, 2024
Ian
Stalker, non-Executive Chair of Bradda Head,
commented:
"This is a remarkable increase in LCE at Basin North and
highlights the ever-growing potential that we continue to believe
is inherent at the Basin Project. We have delivered on our
objective to increase our resource to over 2.5MT, successfully
triggering the US$3 million royalty payment from the LRC, which we
have now formally requested be paid. The total drilled area at
Basin East/Basin East Extension/Basin North covers only
4.0km2 of our 20.8km2 license area at Basin.
The surface geology and geochemistry across the entire property
strongly suggest further and extensive opportunities to continue
expanding the Resource."
"We are committed to continue on our strategy of permitting
drill sites at Basin West and Basin North, where we believe
extensive opportunities are obvious with a view to substantially
building on the MRE and further proving up what an excellent
project Basin is."
Mineral Resource Estimation
The updated 2024 Mineral Resource
Estimate ("MRE") at Basin authored by ABH Engineering
Inc ("ABH"), is reported in accordance with the terminology
and definitions given in the Canadian Institute of Mining,
Metallurgy and Petroleum guidelines, comprising: a Measured Mineral
Resource of 20 million tonnes at an average grade of 929ppm for a
total of 99kt of LCE, an Indicated Mineral Resource of 122 million
tonnes at an average grade of 860ppm Li for a total of 560 kt
LCE and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 506 million tonnes at an
average grade of 808 ppm Li for a total of
2,175 kt LCE. The statement, presented
in Table 1, was
prepared by Mr. Damir Cukor of ABH, who is considered a
Qualified Person for this style of mineralisation.
ABH has applied basic technical and
economic assumptions for open pit mining (mining and selling costs,
mining recovery and dilution, pit slope angles) and processing
factors (Li recovery, processing costs), to determine which portion
of the block model has reasonable prospects for eventual economic
extraction as required by CIM. To achieve this, the Mineral
Resource has been subject to a pit optimisation study and cut-off
grade analysis.
2024 Mineral Resource Estimate Statement
Table 1: Mineral Resource Statement for Basin
East, Basin East Extension and Basin North effective 11 June,
2024.
Classification
|
Domain
|
Tonnes
|
Mean Grade
|
Contained Metal
|
Mt
|
Li (ppm)
|
LCE (kt)
|
Measured
|
Upper Clay
|
13
|
720
|
48
|
Upper Clay HG
|
7
|
1,316
|
49
|
Lower Clay
|
1
|
687
|
2
|
SubTotal
|
20
|
929
|
99
|
Indicated
|
Upper Clay
|
90
|
794
|
382
|
Upper Clay HG
|
18
|
1,302
|
126
|
Lower Clay
|
14
|
712
|
52
|
SubTotal
|
122
|
860
|
560
|
Inferred
|
Upper Clay
|
318
|
740
|
1,254
|
Upper Clay HG
|
90
|
1,154
|
555
|
Lower Clay
|
97
|
709
|
366
|
SubTotal
|
506
|
808
|
2,175
|
|
|
|
|
o Mineral Resource statement
has an effective date of 11th June
2024.
o The Mineral Resource is
reported using a cut-off grade of 550 ppm Li and is constrained to
an optimised open pit shell, which was generated using the
following assumptions: lithium carbonate metal prices of $17,200
USD/t LCE; State of Arizona royalty (selling cost) of 6%; operating
costs of $35 USD/ tore; Li recovery of 72%; mining dilution and
recovery of 0% and 100%; and pit slope angle of
45°.
o Tonnages are reported in
metric units.
o Rounding as required by
reporting guidelines may result in apparent summation differences
between tonnes, grade and contained metal content which are not
considered material.
o Conversion factor of Li
metal to lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) =
5.323
o The figures above are
reported on a gross basis given Bradda's 100% interest in the
property
o Bradda is the Operator at
Basin and 100% owner
High Grade
Over one quarter, or 115 million
tonnes of the contained LCE, is in a High-Grade zone within the
Upper Clay zone with an average grade of some 1,190 ppm
Li. This High-Grade zone gives Bradda Head further optionality
and could have important economic implications for a potential
future mining operation. The shallow nature of the High-Grade zone,
which crops out in Basin East, would likely result in a low strip
ratio, enabling High-Grade ore to be scheduled early in a possible
mine plan as it sits in the upper part of the deposit.
Graph 1: Growth of resource, grade average, tonnes of LCE,
since 2018
The graph above illustrates the
growth of the Basin resource since 2018 and the near exponential
growth since 2023 when the total LCE grew significantly in the
inferred and indicated categories, not to mention the new measured
category.. Additional growth is anticipated once additional permits
are obtained for Basin West and expansion of existing permit for
Basin North.
Exploration Potential
The Upper Clay, Upper Higher-Grade
and Lower Clay horizons show remarkable extent and continuity
throughout the drilled parts of the Basin Project and remain open
to the north, west, and east indicating significant exploration
potential in the overall Basin property. Geological mapping,
surface samples assayed for lithium and geophysical (Ground
Penetrating Radar) survey work also indicate similar clay layers
are likely present throughout the majority of the Basin West
license area. Recent surface mapping over Basin West has identified
substantial Upper and Lower Clay horizons, separated by tuff and
basalt layers, providing stratigraphic context. Both tuff and
basalt layers are found above the Upper and Lower Clays, indicating
strong optimism in discovering additional clays in the northwest
quadrant of Basin West. As such, with further wide-spaced
drilling Bradda Head sees excellent potential to increase the
resource base substantially.
Related Tables
The following table is for
information and context, comparing Q4 2022, Q1 2022 and 2018 totals
in relation to the areas on which work had been conducted at each
time.
Comparison of updated 2024 to Q4 2023 MRE:
2024 model sensitivity of LCE to cut-off
grade:
Table 2:
Grade-Tonnage sensitivity* to cut-off grade
Li cut-off grade
(ppm)
|
Measured
|
Indicated
|
Inferred
|
Tonnage above
cut-off
|
Average grade above
cut-off
|
Contained metal above
cut-off
|
Tonnage above
cut-off
|
Average grade above
cut-off
|
Contained metal above
cut-off
|
Tonnage above
cut-off
|
Average grade above
cut-off
|
Contained metal above
cut-off
|
Mt
|
Li (ppm)
|
LCE (kt)
|
Mt
|
Li (ppm)
|
LCE (kt)
|
Mt
|
Li (ppm)
|
LCE (kt)
|
450
|
21
|
916
|
101
|
127
|
847
|
573
|
546
|
785
|
2,283
|
550
|
20
|
929
|
99
|
122
|
860
|
560
|
506
|
808
|
2,175
|
650
|
17
|
992
|
88
|
112
|
884
|
526
|
432
|
842
|
1,938
|
750
|
11
|
1,130
|
69
|
84
|
944
|
420
|
266
|
929
|
1,315
|
850
|
8
|
1,248
|
56
|
44
|
1,071
|
253
|
124
|
1,084
|
716
|
1000
|
7
|
1,319
|
49
|
20
|
1,282
|
136
|
80
|
1,182
|
501
|
*This table does not constitute a Mineral Resource, as defined
by the CIM but is an expression of the sensitivity of
the
average grade and contained tonnage of LCE to a
selection of different Li cut-off grades
For further information please visit
the Company's website: www.braddaheadltd.com
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes
of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014, as
it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. Upon the
publication of this announcement, this inside information is now
considered to be in the public domain.
Qualified Person (ABH)
The Mineral Resource statement has
been authored by Mr. Damir Cukor, Qualified Person who works
for ABH Engineering Inc, an independent mining
consultancy. Mr. Cukor has over 28 years' experience as a
professional geologist (P.G.) and 20 years as a Qualified Person
(QP), undertaking and reviewing Mineral Resource Estimates and has
worked on lithium clay estimates for over 5 years. Mr.
Cukor consents to the inclusion of the technical information
in this release and context in which it appears.
Qualified Person (BHL)
Joey
Wilkins, B.Sc., P.Geo., is Head of North
America at BHL and the Qualified Person who reviewed and
approved the technical disclosures in this news release. Mr.
Wilkins is a graduate of the University of
Arizona with a B.Sc. in Geology with more than 38 years
of experience in mineral exploration and is a qualified person
under the AIM Rules and a Qualified Person as defined under
NI-43-101. Mr. Wilkins consents to the inclusion of the
technical information in this release and context in which it
appears.
Reference is made to the report
entitled "Technical Report on the Mineral Resource and Exploration
Target Estimates For the Basin Lithium Project, USA" (the Report)
dated 1 September 2023with an effective date of 9
November, 2023. The Report was prepared by Martin Pittuck,
CEng, MIMMM, FGS, and Kirsty Reynolds MSci, PhD.. The Report
is available for review on SEDARplus (https://www.sedarplus.ca) and
the Company's website www.braddaheadltd.com.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES
OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU No. 596/2014) AS IT FORMS PART
OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN
UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018. UPON THE PUBLICATION OF THIS
ANNOUNCEMENT VIA A REGULATORY INFORMATION SERVICE, THIS INSIDE
INFORMATION IS NOW CONSIDERED TO BE IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND SUCH
PERSONS SHALL THEREFORE CEASE TO BE IN POSSESSION OF INSIDE
INFORMATION.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
ENDS
Contact:
Bradda Head
Lithium Limited
|
+44 (0) 1624 639 396
|
Ian Stalker, Executive Chairman
Denham Eke, Finance Director
|
|
|
|
Beaumont
Cornish (Nomad)
James Biddle/Roland Cornish
|
+44 20 7628 3396
|
|
|
Panmure
Liberum (Joint Broker)
|
+44 20 3100 2000
|
Kieron Hodgson
|
|
|
|
Shard Capital
(Joint Broker)
|
+44 207 186 9927
|
Damon Heath / Isabella Pierre
|
|
|
|
Red Cloud
(North American Broker)
|
+1 416 803 3562
|
Joe Fars
|
|
|
|
Tavistock
(PR)
|
+ 44 20 7920 3150
|
Nick Elwes / Josephine Clerkin
|
braddahead@tavistock.co.uk
|
About Bradda Head Lithium Ltd.
Bradda Head Lithium Ltd. is
a North America-focused lithium development group. The Company
currently has interests in a variety of projects, the most advanced
of which are in Central and Western Arizona: The Basin
Project (Basin East, Basin North, and Basin West targets)
and the Wikieup Project. The Basin East Project has a
Measured Mineral Resource of 20 million tonnes consisting of 929ppm
lithium for 99kt LCE, an Indicated Mineral Resource of
122 million tonnes at an average grade of
860 ppm lithium for 560 kt LCE and an Inferred Mineral
Resource of 506 million tonnes at an average grade of
808 ppm lithium for a total of 2,175 kt LCE.
The Group intends to continue to develop its three phase one
projects in Arizona, whilst endeavouring to unlock value at
its other prospective pegmatite and brine assets
in Arizona, Nevada, and Pennsylvania. All of Bradda
Head's licences are held on a 100% equity basis and are in close
proximity to the required infrastructure. Bradda Head is
quoted on the AIM of the London Stock Exchange with the
ticker of BHL, on the TSX Venture Exchange with a ticker
of BHLI, and on the US OTCQB market with a ticker of
BHLIF.
Technical Glossary
kt
|
Thousand tonnes
|
ppm
|
Parts per million
|
Exploration
Target
|
An estimate of the exploration potential of a mineral
deposit in a defined geological setting where the statement or
estimate, quoted as a range of tonnes and a range of grade (or
quality), relates to mineralisation for which there has been
insufficient exploration to estimate a Mineral Resource.
|
Inferred Mineral
Resource
|
That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity
and grade (or quality) are estimated on the basis of limited
geological evidence and sampling. Geological evidence is sufficient
to imply but not verify geological grade (or quality) continuity.
It is based on exploration, sampling and testing information
gathered through appropriate techniques from locations such as
outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes. An
Inferred Mineral Resource has a lower level of confidence than that
applying to an Indicated Mineral Resource and must not be converted
to an Ore Reserve. It is reasonably expected that the
majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to
Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
|
Indicated Mineral
Resource
|
That part of a Mineral Resource for which quantity,
grade (or quality), densities, shape and physical characteristics
are estimated with sufficient confidence to allow the application
of Modifying Factors in sufficient detail to support mine planning
and evaluation of the economic viability of the deposit.
Geological evidence is derived from adequately detailed and
reliable exploration, sampling and testing gathered through
appropriate techniques from locations such as outcrops, trenches,
pits, workings and drill holes, and is sufficient to assume
geological and grade (or quality) continuity between points of
observation where data and samples are gathered.
|
Measured Mineral
Resource
|
That part of a Mineral Resource for which
mineralization or other natural material of economic interest may
be classified as a Measured Mineral Resource by the Qualified
Person when the nature, quality, quantity and distribution of data
are such that the tonnage and grade or quality of the
mineralization can be estimated to within close limits and that
variation from the estimate would not significantly affect
potential economic viability of the deposit. This category requires
a high level of confidence in, and understanding of, the geology
and controls of the mineral deposit.
|
Forward-Looking Statements
This News
Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not
comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include
estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans,
objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company
or management expects a stated condition or result to occur.
Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as
"believes", "anticipates", "intends to", "expects", "estimates",
"may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking
statements are based on assumptions and address future events and
conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and
uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information
currently available to the Company, the Company provides no
assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations.
Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with
forward-looking information could cause actual events, results,
performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.
Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is
not limited to, following: The Company's objectives, goals or
future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from such forward-looking information include, but are
not limited to: failure to identify mineral resources; failure to
convert estimated mineral resources to reserves; delays in
obtaining or failures to obtain required regulatory, governmental,
environmental or other project approvals; political risks; future
operating and capital costs, timelines, permit timelines, the
market and future price of and demand for lithium, and the ongoing
ability to work cooperatively with stakeholders, including the
local levels of government; uncertainties relating to the
availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes
in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates,
fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of
projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from
estimates; an inability to predict and counteract the effects of
COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited
to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital
market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel
and supply chains; and the other risks involved in the mineral
exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in
the Company's public documents filed on SEDARplus. Although the
Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing
the forward-looking information in this news release are
reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such
information, which only applies as of the date of this news
release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur
in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any
intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
information, whether as a result of new information, future events
or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Nominated Adviser
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont
Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and
regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the
Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise
and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules
for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely
to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for
and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing
protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for
advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in
this announcement or any matter referred to in it.