(TheNewswire)
Toronto, O N - TheNewswire - December 15, 2022 - Tantalex Lithium Resources Corp. (CSE:TTX ) – ( FSE:DW8 ) – ( OTC:TTLXF) (“ Tantalex ” or the“ Corporation ”), is pleased toannounce a Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate forits majority owned Manono Lithium Tailings project in the DemocraticRepublic of Congo.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
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5,46 million tonnes at0,72% Li2O in the Measured and Indicatedcategory;
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6.63 million tonnes in total InferredMineral Resources at a grade of 0,49% Li2O
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Lithium contained in spodumene andamenable for production of 6% L i2 O Spodumene Concentrate(SC6)
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Mineral Resource defined by 11 922 mof drilling in a total of 368 drillholes
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Quick path to production: material onsurface, already crushed; no strip ratio, low mining costs
MANONO TAILINGS MINERAL RESOURCESTATEMENT
The Mineral Resource was estimated using the CanadianInstitute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Best PracticeGuidelines and is reported in accordance with the 2014 CIM DefinitionStandards, which have been incorporated by reference into NationalInstrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI43-101).
A summary of the Mineral Resource estimates per depositas well as the total Measured, Indicated and Inferred MineralResources is shown in Table 1.
Table 1 : Manono Mineral Resources at a 0.20% Li 2 O cut-off grade – 13 December 2022 | |||
Deposit | Classification | Tonnes (Mt) | Li 2 O % |
Cc | Inferred | 2.99 | 0.32 |
Ic | Inferred | 0.67 | 0.42 |
Gc | Indicated | 0.29 | 0.78 |
Inferred | 0.51 | 0.84 | |
Gf | Indicated | 1.39 | 0.35 |
Inferred | 0.13 | 0.33 | |
K | Measured | 3.77 | 0.86 |
Inferred | 2.33 | 0.67 | |
Total | Measured | 3.77 | 0.86 |
Indicated | 1.69 | 0.42 | |
Measured & Indicated | 5.46 | 0.72 | |
Inferred | 6.63 | 0.49 |
The Mineral Resource is classified into the Measured,Indicated and Inferred categories and is reported at a cut-off gradeof 0.20% lithium oxide (Li 2 O). The cut-off grade and reasonableprospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE) were determinedusing the following assumptions:
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Mining will be undertaken using bulldozers andloaders.
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Mining cost: USD2.17 per tonne of rock
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Mining Recovery: 99%
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Processing cost: USD 11.18 pertonne processed (RoM)
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Revenue Royalty: 3%
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Payability: 98.5%
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Process Recovery Li O: 50% to 70%
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Lithium Price: 4 000 USD/tonne(SC6 – Spodumene Concentrate)
The assessment to satisfy the criteria of RPEEE is ahigh-level estimate and is not an attempt to estimate MineralReserves.
Eric Allard, President and CEOcommented: ‘’ With this Mineral ResourceEstimate, Tantalex Lithium now enters a select group of near-termlithium producers. Our relatively easy and low-cost mining processgives us an incredible advantage on our speed to market compared toother lithium peers.
With SC6 lithium prices likely set to remain above$4,000 USD/t for the next 6-8 years, our focus is now to bring aninitial production of 100,000 tons per annum of SC6 to market by 2025.With no offtake agreements yet entered into, our project is currentlyattracting important offtaker interest.’’
Figure 1: Licence Boundary of PER13698 and Tailings locations
The Manono Tailings Project is composed of eleventechnogenic deposits made up of the reject LCT(Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum) pegmatite material processed at theManono-Kitotolo mine from 1919 to the mid-1980s.
Tailings from the Manono-Kitotolo mine were depositedon ground adjacent to the various open pits. The coarse tailings weredeposited over several years into raised heaps that reach, in somedumps, a maximum height of 70 m above surface. The fine tailingsmaterial was deposited into flat terraces adjacent to the coarsetailings dumps.
Geology and Mineralization
The lithium mineralization is contained withintechnogenic deposits, consisting of eleven individual tailings dumps,of which five form part the Mineral Resource, namely Cc, Ic, Gc, Gfand K. The tailings deposits consist of a combination of processedpegmatite, laterite and clay material sourced from the historicalManono-Kitolo mine which operated from 1919 to the mid-1980s. Thedeposits vary in shape and size, with Cc, Ic and Gc being lobate inshape, extending 815 m by 580 m for the Cc dump, 530 m by 315 m forthe Ic dump and 500 m by 320 m for the Gc dump. The height of eachdump varies, with some stacked up to 78 m high above the surroundingplanes. The Gf and K dumps occupy a larger footprint, with the Gfextending 760 m by 530 m, up to a maximum thickness of 33m, while theK dump has an extent of 700 m by 630 m, up to a maximum depth of 24 m.The K dump contains stacked tailings located in the northeast andeastern portions with a maximum vertical thickness of 45 m. Spodumeneis the main lithium bearing mineral.
Many of the tailings deposits are composite in nature,consisting of layers of pegmatite, laterite and/or clay layers. Theselayers were deposited by mechanical means, including most of thedeposits denoted as “fines”, for the exception of the Hf and Gfdeposits. These are assumed to have formed due to the settling of finematerial in standing ponds of water as evidenced by the presence ofclay layers in these deposits.
Figure 2 is a photograph of the coarse material (1 mmto 5 mm gravel size) that represents the dominant tailings dumpmaterial in the Project area.
Few deposits appear to consist of a single materialtype, the exception to this being the K dump which is primarilycomposed of pegmatite. Figure 3 shows the white, pegmatite tailingsand the partially vegetated cone-like feature of the stacked K dumptailings, looking south.
Figure 2: Coarse tailingssize
Figure 3: K dump crescent
Sampling and Mineral Resourceestimation techniques
The Mineral Resource estimate was based on geochemicalanalyses of samples obtained by aircore drilling undertaken byTantalex from September 2021 to July 2022. A total of 368 drillholeshave been drilled across nine tailings deposits, totaling 11 922.24metres of drilling. The majority of the drillholes were collared onthe K dump, with 2 120 metres drilled from 156 drillholes. Fiftydrillholes were collared on the Gf dump, 34 on the Ic dump, 25 on theGc dump and 20 drillholes were collared on the Ic dump.
Due to the nature and angle of repose of the stackedtailings, drilling on the slopes was not possible. Hence a majority ofthe material in the slopes has been included in the inferredcategory.
Samples were taken in one metre intervals andcomposited to three metres. Three sample preparation protocols wereused during the drilling campaign. The first protocol was used earlyin the programme and involved crushing the sample down to 2 mm using aroll crusher, after which a 200 g sub-sample was obtained from a JonesRiffle splitter. This 200 g sample was then sub-sampled by thecone-and-quartering method to obtain a 100 gsample which was pulverised to better than 80% passing 75 ?m. Thecrushing, splitting and pulverising were carried out on-site byTantalex. The second sample preparation protocol involved the crushed200 g sub-sample being prepared on-site and then transported to theCongolese Analytical Laboratory (COAL) in Lubumbashi where thesub-sample was pulverised to 85% passing 75 ?m. For the thirdprotocol in the latter part of the project, 400 g of sample weresubmitted to COAL where it was crushed to a 2 mm size fraction using abenchtop jaw crusher and then pulverised to 85% passing 75 ?m.
The samples were subjected to a quality assurance andcontrol (QAQC) programme consisting of the insertion of certifiedreference materials (CRMs), blanks and the inclusion of coarseduplicates. The primary laboratory assay results were confirmed byduplicate samples assayed at a second laboratory. Check samplesselected by the QP were used for further confirmation of the lithiumassay values and the QP is satisfied that the results are ofsufficient accuracy and precision for use in Mineral Resourceestimation.
Three-dimensional volumes of the tailings wereconstructed using drill hole data. The lithium grades were estimatedinto block models using ordinary kriging for the low-lying material ofthe K dump. The stacked material of the K dump and the Cc, Gc, Gf andIc dumps were estimated using inverse distance weighting. Averagedensities were assigned to each material type.
Metallurgical Testing
A summary of the HLS results is available in 2. The HLStest produced concentrate grades of 6.5% Li 2 O spodumene at overall recoveriesacross the size range of 47% and 63% for G-dump and K-dumprespectively. The testwork did not produce a SC6 product from theC-dump this requiring further investigation. These results are for allthe dump material with a PSD smaller than 5mm.
The lithium recoveries increased with size fractionwhile the tin and tantalum required further liberation to improverecoveries.
Table 2 :HLS Summary Results
Mineral | Item | Unit | C- Dump | G - Dump | K - Dump |
Li2O | Head Grade | % | 0.33 | 0.61 | 1.05 |
Recovery | % | 28 | 47 | 63 | |
Concentrate Grade | % | 4.9 | 6.5 | 6.5 | |
Sn | Head Grade | ppm | 443 | 464 | 486 |
Recovery | % | 34 | 41 | 24 | |
Ta | Head Grade | ppm | 38 | 32 | 34 |
Recovery | % | 43 | 20 | 10 |
Filling of Report
The NI43-101 compliant technical report (“Report”)will be filed on SEDAR within the next 45 days.
The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource estimateis Mr. Rui Goncalves (BSc Hons, MSc (Eng.)) who is a geologist with 13years of experience in base and precious metals exploration, mininggeology and Mineral Resource estimation. He is a Senior MineralResource Consultant for The MSA Group (an independent consultingcompany), is registered with the South African Council for NaturalScientific Professions (SACNASP) and is a Member of the GeologicalSociety of South Africa (GSSA). Mr. Goncalves has the appropriatequalification and experience to be considered a “Qualified Person”for the style and type of mineralisation and activity being undertakenas defined in National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure ofMineral Projects.
Neither Mr. Goncalves nor any associates employed inthe preparation of the Mineral Resource report (“Consultants”)have any beneficial interest in Tantalex Lithium ResourcesCorporation. These Consultants are not insiders, associates, oraffiliates of Tantalex. The results of the report are not dependentupon any prior agreements concerning the conclusions to be reached,nor are there undisclosed understandings concerning any futurebusiness dealing between Tantalex and the Consultants. The Consultantsare to be paid a fee for their work in accordance with normalprofessional consulting practices.
Qualified person
Mr. Rui Goncalves, Pr. Sci Nat, is the Qualified Personand has reviewed and approved this press release. The information inthis press release that relates to the estimate of the MineralResources for the Manono Tailings Project is based upon, and fairlyrepresents, information and supporting documentation compiled by Mr.Goncalves.
About Tantalex Lithium ResourcesCorporation
Tantalex Lithium is an exploration and developmentstage mining company engaged in the acquisition, exploration,development and distribution of lithium, tin, tantalum and otherhigh-tech mineral properties in Africa.
It is currently focused on developing its lithiumassets in the prolific Manono area in the Democratic Republic ofCongo; The Manono Lithium Tailings Project and the Pegmatite CorridorExploration Program.
Cautionary Note Regarding ForwardLooking Statements
The information in this news releaseincludes certain information and statements about management's view offuture events, expectations, plans and prospects that constituteforward looking statements. These statements are based uponassumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties.Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a varietyof factors, the actual results, expectations, achievements orperformance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicatedby these forward looking statements. Although Tantalex believes thatthe expectations reflected in forward looking statements arereasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of anyforward looking statements will prove to be correct. Except asrequired by law, Tantalex disclaims any intention and assumes noobligation to update or revise any forward looking statements toreflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes inassumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward lookingstatements or otherwise.
The Canadian Securities Exchange(CSE) has not reviewed this news release and does not acceptresponsibility for its adequacy or accuracy.
For more information, please contact:
Eric Allard
President & CEO
Email: ea@tantalex.ca
Website: www.tantalexlithium.com
Tel: 1-581-996-3007
APPENDIX 1: CHECK LIST OF ASSESSMENT AND REPORTING CRITERIA
Drilling techniques | Aircore drilling using a track mounted aircore/RC rig with an onboard compressor was used to collectthe core samples using an 80 mm outer core bit and a 30 mm inner corediameter bit. |
Logging | All drillholes were geologically logged by qualified geologists. The logging is of an appropriatestandard for Mineral Resource estimation. |
Drill sample recovery | The weight of the aircore sample was used as a proxy for recovery. The weight of each sampleranged from 2.5 kg to 5.0 kg. |
Sampling methods | The drillhole cores were collected at a 1 m nominal length. Samples were composited to 3 m at the Tantalex samplepreparation facility in Manono. The samples were bagged and sealedand despatched to the COAL laboratory in Lubumbashi. |
Quality of assay data and laboratory tests | Sample preparation is divided into three protocols. Thefirst protocol made use of the on-site pulveriser, where a 100 gsample was pulverised to better than 80% passing 75 µm. Following thebreakdown of the on-site pulveriser, a 200 g sample crushed to less than 2 mm was dispatched to the COAL lab,where these were pulverised to better than 85% passing 75 µm. A breakdown of the on- site rollcrusher led to the implementation of a third sampling protocol, wherea 400 g sample was submitted to the COAL lab forcrushing down to a 2 mm size fraction and pulverised to 85% passing 75µm. Samples were initially assayed at ALS Ireland using a sodium peroxide fusion and InductivelyCoupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). Subsequently, samples were sent to SGS South Africa for analysis by sodium peroxide fusion with anitric acid digest and a combination of ICP-MS and Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Check samples from the ALS assaying were sent to SGSSouth Africa for second laboratory verification. QC samples, consisting of certified reference material (CRM), blanks and coarse duplicates were routinely inserted aspart of a QAQC external to the laboratories own internal QAQCprocess. The QAQC measured revealed the following:
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Verification of sampling and assaying | MSA observed the lithium mineralization in the sample chips and field checked a selection of drillhole collars. Check sampleswere taken for 16 samples from three different drillholes. |
Location of data points | The drillhole collars were surveyed using differentialGPS. A topographic modelwas constructed using 1 m contour intervals. Surveyed collar positions correlated well with the topographic model. |
Tonnage factors (in situ bulk densities) | Density measurements were taken from five different tailings dumps by driving a steel cylinderinto compacted tailings with the assistance of an excavator. Densitywas calculated as the dry weight divided by the volume of thecylinder. |
Data density and distribution | A total of 368 holes were drilledacross 9 tailings deposits. The K dump was drilled at 40 m by 40 mspacing, with a total of 156 holes collared. The Gf dump was drilled at 80 m by 80 m spacing, totalling 50 drillholes. The Cc, Gc and Ic dumps were drilledat variable spacing with 34, 25 and 20 holes collared in eachrespective deposit. |
Database integrity | The Tantalex data is stored in Microsoft Excel files. MSA undertook audits on the database and NREaddressed all identified errors. The QP considers that the database is an accurate representation of the original datacollected. |
Dimensions | The lithium mineralisation is fully contained withinthe tailings deposits. The dimensions for the K deposit are 700 m by630 m for the low-lying material, to a maximum thickness of 24 m. Thestacked material on the northeast and eastern side of the K depositattain a maximum thickness of 45 m. The Gf hasan extent of 760 m by 530 m to a maximum thickness of 33 m. The Cc, Ic and Gc dumps are stacked up to a maximum thickness of 78 m, with the dimensions of Cc being 815 m by 580 m, 530 m by315 m for the Ic dump and 500 m by 320 m for the Gc dump. |
Geological interpretation | A three-dimensional geological model of the tailings volume was constructed from drillhole data and using lithology data as aguide. |
Domains | Domains are based on lithology, namely pegmatite, laterite and clay. |
Compositing | Samples were composited to 3 m by length weighting. |
Statistics and variography | Statistical analyses of the composite grade dataindicated higher lithium grades are present at the K dump whichconsists of pegmatite material. The Cc, Ic, Gf and Gc deposits havelower lithium grades and consist of multiple layers of pegmatite andlaterite. Isotropic variograms were modelled for the K dump withranges of 170 m in the X and Y and 8 m in the Z direction. |
Top or bottom cuts for grades | Grade top caps were applied to some estimationdomains. |
Data clustering | Data in the K and Gf dump were drilled at regular gridsof 40m and 80 m respectively. Data for the Gc, CC and Ic was drilledon variable grid, due to constraints related to the shape andelevation of these deposits. The degree of clustering is minimal,although the drilling grid in some deposits is impacted by accesslimitations. |
Block size | A block model of 20 m N by 20 m E by 3 m RL was createdwith a minimum sub-cell of 2 m N by 2 m E by 0.5 m RL. |
Grade estimation | Grades were estimated into parent cells using ordinarykriging for the K dump and inverse distance weighting for the Cc, Ic,Gc and Gf dumps. A minimum number of 5 and a maximum of 10 compositeswere required for each estimate. Elliptical searches set to thevariogram ranges were used to estimate lithium for the K dump. For theother dumps that were estimated using inverse distance, the searchvolume considered the data spacing. The Gf deposit was estimated usinga search volume 100 mX by 100 mY by 3 mZ and Cc, Ic and Gc wereestimated using a search volume 60 mX by 60 mY by 6 mZ. Whereinsufficient samples were available for estimation in the first searchpass, the search was increased by a factor of 1.5. A third pass usinga search 110 times the first search was used to ensure the entiremodel was estimated. Density was assigned to the block model based on theaverage value per material type. |
Resource Classification | The classification was based on the degree ofgeological uncertainty of the material constituting each deposit,grade continuity and variability and the frequency of the drillingdata informing the estimates. Mineral Resources were classified as Measured wheredrillhole spacing is 40 m apart and where sufficient grade continuityis observed. This corresponds to the low-lying material of the Kdump. Areas informed by a nominal grid spaced 40 m to 80 mapart and extrapolated 40 m from the nearest drillhole were classifiedas Indicated Mineral Resources, corresponding tothe Gf dump and densely drilled areas of the Gc dump. Inferred MineralResources correspond to those areas where confidence in the estimatesis low, namely the Cc, Ic and large areas of the Gc dump. |
Metallurgical factors or assumptions | Initial metallurgical testwork was undertaken in 2022with the purpose of characterising the material of each dump in termsof particle size distribution (PSD) and grade and determining themineralogy of the tailings material. Beneficiation testwork usingheavy liquid separation produced a Li2O concentrate grade of 4.9% forthe C dump and 6.5% for the G and K dumps. |
Audits, reviews and site inspection | The Manono Tailings was visited by Rui Goncalves, whois a Senior Mineral Resource Consultant with MSA and the QualifiedPerson for this Mineral Resource Estimate, from 29 to 30 April 2022.The occurrences and setting of the lithium mineralisation wereobserved in the field as well as the drillhole samples completed atthe time. The QP was satisfied that the procedures and protocols areappropriate for the style of mineralisation at the Manono tailingsproject. No external reviews of the Mineral Resource Estimatehave been completed |
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