Highlights:
- Vertical Diamond Drill Hole (DDH) PL-023-15 was terminated after intersecting 95.45 m of 1.98% Li2O 155 m below surface verifying the pegmatite body is plunging to the east-south-east;
- DDH PL-024-15 intersected 40m of pegmatite averaging 2.59% Li2O from 264m to 304m;
- DDH PL-024-15 includes a lithium zone (Upper Intermediate Zone) averaging 3.65% Li2O over 9.1 m from 265.9 to 375.0m and;
- Mineralization remains open to depth and along strike to the northwest and appears to be opening up to the east-south-east.
SUDBURY, ON / ACCESSWIRE / December 15, 2015 / Houston Lake Mining Inc. (HLM.V) HLM is pleased to announce the results the Phase IV drill program of two (2) drill holes targeting the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite. The objectives of the program were to test the orientation of the eastern extension of the pegmatite by intersecting the pegmatite at a predicted depth with a vertical hole and then to step back and intersect the pegmatite with an angle hole in order to substantiate the hypothesized southeasterly plunge of the deposit. The program was a success, firstly, by intersecting the pegmatite body with the vertical hole at the predictive depth of 155m below surface subsequently stopping the hole while still in mineralization after intersecting 95.45m of the PAK pegmatite. The program, secondly, transected 40m of pegmatite with the step-back follow-up hole despite the hole deviating away from its planned target.
The assay and collar data for the 2 holes reported are presented in Tables I and II, respectively.
The intersection summaries including the two drill holes general location and purpose are outlined in Table I below. The table also summarizes the lithium, cesium, tantalum and rubidium grades for the two drill holes by mineralogical zones for the pegmatite intersections.
The Upper Intermediate (UIZ), Central Intermediate (CIZ), Lower Intermediate Zones (LIZ) and Wall Zone (WZ) were previously described in the July 2, 2013 Press Release. Zones of sodic aplite are present in all holes and vary in width from tens of centimetres to several metres, and contain significant concentrations of Ta, Rb and Cs.
Noteworthy observations are that the NNE (footwall) boundary with the metasediments is consistent and predictable while the SSW (hanging wall) contact with the granite is somewhat erratic and complicated by granitic blocks and rafts, and appears to have been variably affected (metasomatized) by the pegmatite intrusion event(s). The mineralized pegmatite remains open along strike to the WNW and ESE, and at depth. Granitic blocks/rafts mapped on surface appear to diminish with depth. The success of the Phase IV indicates the pegmatite may be increasing in grade-thickness and consistency (no apparent dilutive granitic or medasediment blocks or rafts) to the ESE.
"We are extremely pleased with these results from the Phase IV Diamond drill program as they prove the pegmatite is plunging to the ESE", commented Trevor R. Walker, President of HLM. "The program is a positive test of our plunge theory, resulting in increased predictability for intersecting the deposit. This predictability, along with the high grade thicknesses intersected to date, and mineralization that remains open to depth and along strike, suggests this pegmatite could be significantly more robust than is currently known."
Due Diligence
All scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Peter J. Vanstone, P.Geo., the qualified person (QP) under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101. Under HLM's QA/QC procedures, the Diamond drill contract specified NQ-sized drill core providing a 47.6 mm diameter sample. Drill hole PL-023-15 was drilled vertically to determine the depth and plunge of the pegmatite. Drill hole PL-024-15 was oriented perpendicular to the strike of the pegmatite and drilled continuously across it. Sample security and chain of custody started with the removal of core from the core tube and boxing of drill core at the drill site. The boxed core remained under the custody of the drill contractor until it was transported from the drill to the secure on-site Core Shack facility by either the drill contractor or one of the Company's designated personnel. At the on-site Core Shack, core boxes were opened and inspected to ensure correct boxing and labelling of the core by the drill contractor, photographed and then re-closed. The core was stored securely until moved into the Core Shack for processing. The company geologists logged the core, and then marked and tagged it for sampling and splitting. Each core sample was assigned a tag with a unique identifying number. Sample lengths are typically one meter, but can be less depending on zone mineralogy and boundaries. Core marked for splitting was cut using a Diamond core saw on site and cut lengthwise into equal halves. Half of the core was sent to an analytical laboratory for quantitative analysis of select elements. The remaining half of the core is retained and replaced in the core box. All core remains securely in a locked sea-container on site.
All samples were assayed by AGAT Laboratories Ltd. ("AGAT"), an ISO accredited laboratory in Rosslyn, Ontario. Sample blanks along with tantalum, lithium, rubidium and cesium certified reference material was routinely inserted into the sample stream in accordance with industry recommended practices. Field duplicate samples were also taken in accordance with industry recommended practices.
About the PAK Lithium Project
The PAK Lithium Project lies close to the boundary between two geological sub-provinces of the western Superior geologic province in northwestern Ontario and hosts a rare metals pegmatite deposit. The deposit is an LCT (lithium- cesium- tantalum) type pegmatite. These types of pegmatites have been the principal source of hard rock lithium, tantalum, rubidium and cesium ores mined in the world but there are comparatively few commercially-viable deposits.
HLM is actively exploring its 100% owned and optioned project which contains the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite. The deposit is one of the highest grade lithium deposits in North America which has a current Indicated Resource of 2.45 million tonnes of 1.81% Li2O Eq. and Inferred Resource of 5.91 million tonnes of 2.01% Li2O Eq. which has a technical/ceramic grade spodumene with low inherent iron (below 0.1% Fe2O3). The deposit has adjacent zones that are enriched in rubidium and tantalum. HLM is also evaluating the phased co-production of rubidium and tantalum concentrates once lithium mineral production has been commercialized.
The deposit now has a known 480m strike length with an estimated true width varying from 10m to 125m with a sub-vertical orientation. The resource remains open to depth and along strike to the northwest and southeast. The Phase III and IV, Diamond drill programs were conducted with the objectives to extend the known strike length and to upgrade the lithium Indicated mineral resource to a Measured category, and to possibly upgrade the Inferred mineral resource to a Measured and Indicated category.
About Houston Lake Mining Inc.
HLM's goal is to become a fully integrated lithium, rubidium and tantalum producer through the development of the PAK Rare Metals Project in Ontario, Canada . The Company's strategy is to take advantage of the global shift towards electric/hybrid vehicles and high quality consumer electronics by becoming a raw material supplier of the elements required for the pursuit of sustainable energy and other applications in high-tech electronics and metal alloys.
HLM has a total of 108,757,748 common shares issued and outstanding. For additional information, please visit the company website at www.houstonlakemining.com.
Company Contact Information
Trevor R. Walker, President
2736 Belisle Drive
Val Caron, ON.
P3N 1B3 CANADA
T. +001 705.897.7622
F. +001 705.897.7618
Henry J. Kloepper, CEO
T. +001 416.520.0187
Forward-looking Statements
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's registered filings what are available at www.sedar.com.
See HLM Press Release January 28, 2015 titled "HLM Announces an Upgraded NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the PAK Rare Metals Project in Ontario, Canada.
SOURCE: Houston Lake Mining