RNS Number : 1070X
First Class Metals PLC
18 December 2023
 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed to constitute inside information as stipulated under the retained EU law version of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 (the "UK MAR") which is part of UK law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018. The information is disclosed in accordance with the Company's obligations under Article 17 of the UK MAR. Upon the publication of this announcement, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.

 

FIRST CLASS METALS PLC

18th December 2023

Spodumene visible in all nine drill intersections at Zigzag

 

First Class Metals PLC ("First Class Metals" "FCM" or the "Company") the UK listed metals exploration company seeking economic metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo, Sunbeam and Zigzag land holdings is pleased to announce that spodumene-bearing pegmatites have been intersected in every targeted hole drilled at First Class Metals' Zigzag lithium Property. The identified mineralization remains open along strike and down dip.

HIGHLIGHTS

·      Spodumene (a high-grade lithium mineral - Li[AlSi 2O6].) bearing pegmatite intersected in all nine targeted holes drilled.

·      Over 50m of pegmatite intersections recorded (see figure 1 for area of drilling)

·      Multiple mineralised pegmatite zones were intersected in holes targeting 400m of the known 800m strike.

·      Pegmatite thickness exceeded 5m thick, down hole, and the potentially multiphase mineralised system remains open along strike and down dip / plunge.

·      All holes are being systematically logged and marked up for sampling before cutting / sample collection.

First Class is pleased to announce the completion of the final hole of its inaugural drill programme at the Company's Zigzag Property (the "Property"), located in the Seymour-Falcon corridor in northwestern Ontario, Canada. The drill programme included 9 holes targeting the pegmatite bearing zone and one hole (the tenth, final hole) being a scissor to ZIG-23-06, to confirm the interpreted dip of the structure. The 10-hole, 450-metre drill programme was completed successfully on the 16th December within budget and time schedules

 

Photo 1 Drill rig completing FCM-23-09, step back to FCM-23-05

The drilling targeted the 400m central section of the property which had been subject to a non-mechanised stripping and channel sampling programme reporting up to 2.36% lithium (Li2O) over 5.5m (See RNS 28th November), see figure 1. Historic drill holes also reported an intersection grading 1.08% Li2O over 6.1m from 12.45m and a separate intersection of 399.8ppm Ta2O 5 over 2.92m from 15.50m.

 

Figure 1-Drilling covered the area of channel sampling and 'grabs' on roughly 50 m centres (note historic grid lines are on 200ft (60m) centres).

Visual observations undertaken whilst logging the core have recorded spodumene-bearing pegmatite in all holes which targeted the pegmatite, (see Photo 2-drill hole FCM-23-01) The core is now being logged in detail then it will be 'marked-up' for cutting (sampling), it is anticipated that circa 100 samples will be sent for analyses in Thunder Bay. Results from the initial batch are expected in early Q1 2024.

 

A group of rectangular objects in a wooden box Description automatically generated

Photo  2-Shallow intersection of pegmatite hosting spodumene (pale green 'blades' in hole ZIG-23-01).

Marc J Sale Chief Executive Officer Commented-

"The completion of the drilling at Zigzag has consolidated the undertaking to shareholders / investors that FCM would bring 4 properties to 'drill ready status' and drill one this season. I am extremely pleased with the (visual) indications of the drill core and the robust intersections that I have seen so far. I look forward with positive anticipation to the first results. We are already planning the next stages of exploration."

For further information, please contact:

 

James Knowles, Executive Chairman

JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com

07488 362641

Marc J Sale, CEO

MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com

07711 093532

 

First Equity Limited

(Financial Adviser & Broker)

 

Jonathan Brown


0207 3742212

Jason Robertson


0207 3742212




 

First Class Metals PLC - Background

 

First Class Metals is focussed on exploration in Ontario, Canada which has a robust and thriving junior mineral exploration sector. Specifically, the Hemlo 'camp' is a proven world class address for gold /VMS exploration. This geological terrane has significant production, both base / precious metals and a prolific number of exploration projects and numerous prospector's 'showings'.

 

FCM currently holds 100% ownership of seven claim blocks covering over 180km² along a 150km strike of the Hemlo-Schreiber-Dayohessarah greenstone belt which also contains the >23M oz shear hosted Hemlo gold mine operated by Barrick Gold. Late last year FCM completed the option to purchase the historical high grade (gold) Sunbeam past producing mine

 

The significant potential of the properties for precious, base and battery metals relate to: 'nearology' insomuch that all properties lie close to identified mineral anomalism, for example Palladium One's RJ and Smoke Lake nickel projects are close to the FCM's West Pickle Lake drill proven Ni-Cu project. This also demonstrates the second critical asset the properties hold: vector, anomalies, be they geological, geochemical, or geophysical that have demonstrated mineral potential extend on to FCM's properties.

 

The inferred shear on the Esa property is being explored by neighbours both to the west and east where it crosses into their properties. Furthermore, the properties have not been extensively explored either historically or more contemporaneously. This is attributable to the overall lack of outcrop. However, modern exploration techniques are better able to 'see through' the ground cover and to identify anomalies.

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

Certain statements in this announcement may contain forward-looking statements which are based on the Company's expectations, intentions and projections regarding its future performance, anticipated events or trends and other matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate only to historical or current facts. Forward-looking statements sometimes use words such as 'aim', 'anticipate', 'target', 'expect', 'estimate', 'intend', 'plan', 'goal', 'believe', or other words of similar meaning. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, prospective investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of such statements and, except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our Privacy Policy.
 
END
 
 
DRLDDBDDCGBDGXR