Electra Battery Materials Enhances Exploration Strategy in Idaho
Exploration Update on Electra’s CAS Property
Electra Battery Materials Corporation (NASDAQ: ELBM; TSX-V: ELBM) is excited to provide an overview of its recent exploration initiatives at the CAS Property, located within the notable Idaho Cobalt Belt. The findings from both recent and historical investigations present encouraging high-grade gold occurrences that significantly enhance Electra's exploration strategy in the region.
Importance of High-Grade Gold Discovery
With gold prices approaching their historical peaks and expectations remaining robust, the identified high-grade gold mineralization at CAS is a critical asset for Electra. The exploration undertakings from 2003 to 2006 amassed over 2,600 meters of drilling, which has recognized substantial gold concentrations. Additionally, nearby copper-rich massive sulfide boulders were located. However, the source of this mineralization remains undiscovered. A few notable drilling results include:
Significant Drilling Results
- IC03-02: 6.2m from 77.4m at 8.3 g/t Au and 0.51% Co
- IC03-03: 1.5m from 72.8m at 8.5 g/t Au and 0.54% Co
- IC03-04: 4.6m from 128.0m at 8.3 g/t Au and 0.34% Co
- IC03-07: 3.0m from 41.1m at 9.2 g/t Au and 0.08% Co
Electra’s Commitment to Critical Minerals
Electra CEO, Trent Mell, emphasized the company's commitment to securing essential minerals that bolster the resilience of domestic supply chains. He noted the necessity of domestically sourced cobalt and copper for the U.S. industrial and military strategies. The presence of high-grade gold combined with these critical minerals reinforces the economic viability of the Idaho Cobalt Belt properties, increasing potential for future funding and development strategies. The CAS Property's mineralization extends over several kilometers adjacent to the Iron Creek deposit and the Ruby property, much of which remains unexplored, presenting an exciting opportunity for resource expansion.
Significant Land Position in Idaho
Electra's footprint in the Idaho Cobalt Belt is substantial, comprising not just the Iron Creek deposit but also the highly promising Ruby target area. Strategically, the addition of the CAS Property further strengthens this footprint and allows for potential collaborations with gold-focused exploration companies.
Insights from the Idaho Cobalt Belt
The Idaho Cobalt Belt is noted by the U.S. Geological Survey as the largest undeveloped primary cobalt resource in the country. It contains various mineral deposits, some of which were historically extracted. The mineralization at CAS aligns closely with the Black Pine deposit, located approximately 20 kilometers from CAS, and the breccia-style mineralization at Glencore’s historic Blackbird mine, the largest cobalt-copper-gold deposit in the area.
Permits and Exploration Plans
Recently, Electra secured an exploration permit valid for ten years across properties in the Idaho Cobalt Belt, encompassing 91 designated drilling locations and numerous potential drill sites. The Idaho properties cover an area of 73.15 km2 and extend along the geological layers that host cobalt-copper sulfide mineralization.
Exploration Techniques at CAS Property
The CAS target area, located about two kilometers north of Electra’s Iron Creek Project, features promising mineralization, including several cobalt-gold veins recognized since the early 1970s. While there is a technical report on the CAS Property filed in 2017, systematic exploration activities remain limited, despite promising indicators showing mineralization extending beyond the areas that have been drilled.
Future Exploration and Development
Upcoming efforts by Electra include detailed bedrock mapping, structural assessments, and resampling of areas with anomalous mineralization. Additional geophysical surveys are proposed, as methods such as ground-based induced polarity and resistivity have not been performed at CAS since the 1970s. These techniques previously proved effective at Iron Creek and Ruby in identifying potential drill targets.
Strategic Role in North American Supply Chain
Electra’s top priority remains the completion of North America’s initial battery-grade cobalt refinery located in Canada, which plays a crucial role in developing Idaho's cobalt deposits. The company envisions not only expanding cobalt refining but also enhancing capabilities for battery recycling and nickel production. Efforts in the Idaho Cobalt Belt align perfectly with Electra’s goal of securing domestic critical minerals, which is vital for bolstering the onshore supply chain for its refining activities.
Prioritizing Domestic Mineral Resources
The strategic necessity of domestic critical minerals was highlighted during the previous administration’s focus on securing these resources, emphasizing the importance of domestic exploration like that undertaken by Electra. The ongoing exploration in Idaho contributes to the sustainability and security of the critical minerals supply chain in North America.
Qualified Person Statement
The scientific and technical content of this report regarding mineral exploration has been examined and approved by Dr. Frank Santaguida, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and the Lead Geoscientist at Electra.
About Electra Battery Materials
Electra is a pioneer in the advancement of North America’s critical minerals supply chain for lithium-ion batteries. The company is focusing on developing the continent’s singular cobalt sulfate refinery, which supports its mission to establish domestic critical minerals refining and lessen dependence on foreign supply. In tandem with its cobalt endeavors, Electra is also exploring nickel refining and implementing battery recycling methods. Growth initiatives encompass integrating black mass recycling into its current refining setup, assessing cobalt production possibilities in Bécancour, Quebec, and evaluating nickel sulfate production potential in North America.
Contact
Heather Smiles
Vice President, Investor Relations & Corporate Development
Electra Battery Materials
info@ElectraBMC.com
1.416.900.3891
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Electra Battery Materials Corporation focused on?
Electra Battery Materials Corporation is concentrated on developing North America's lithium-ion battery supply chain, focusing on critical mineral refining and recycling.
2. What exploration activities are taking place at the CAS Property?
Recent exploration at the CAS Property includes additional drilling, geochemical sampling, and mapping to locate high-grade mineralization.
3. How does Electra's work align with U.S. policies?
Electra’s exploration efforts support the U.S. strategy for securing domestic mineral resources, which prioritize reducing reliance on foreign supply.
4. What are the mineralization highlights found at CAS?
Drilling results at the CAS Property highlighted significant gold and cobalt values, with several notable intervals recorded from past explorations.
5. Who oversees the geological exploration at Electra?
The exploration activities are led by Dr. Frank Santaguida, P.Geo., who is the Qualified Person and Lead Geoscientist at Electra.
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