Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 11, 2019) - International Lithium Corp. (TSXV: ILC) (the "Company"
or "ILC") reports analytical results for the 2018 drill program at the Avalonia lithium pegmatite project in Ireland. The
results were received from the Company's joint venture partner, GFL International Co. Ltd., a subsidiary of Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium
Co. Ltd. ("Ganfeng Lithium" or "GFL"). GFL is the Operator of the project (see the Company's news release dated May 14, 2018 for
further details).
A total of 1947.6 metres of NQ diameter core drilling was completed in fifteen drill holes spanning a strike length of
approximately 400 metres at the Moylisha prospect of the Avalonia Project. The drilling to date suggests that the pegmatites,
including spodumene pegmatites, are open to the northeast and southwest along strike and at depth.
Current ownership of the Avalonia Project is through a joint venture company, Blackstairs Lithium Limited, a private company
registered in Ireland, owned 55% by Ganfeng Lithium and 45% by ILC. In addition, Ganfeng Lithium has an option to acquire another
24% by either incurring CAD $10 million expenditures on exploration activities or delivering a positive feasibility study on the
project, at which time the ownership will be 79% Ganfeng Lithum and 21% ILC.
2018 Drilling Highlights
Several of the drill holes have successfully intercepted multiple occurrences of spodumene bearing pegmatites. Table 1
summarizes intervals with the most significant lithium results. Note that the reported widths are drill intercept widths and do not
represent true thickness. See Table 2 for coordinate locations and orientation of the drill holes.
Sample intervals with ≥ 1.00% Li2O are reported (with the addition of one at 0.99%). All drill hole widths are drill intercepts
and do not represent true thickness of the mineralization. True thickness of the mineralization is not known at this time.
Adjacent samples were composited and shoulders or contained samples were included. Isolated samples with ≥ 0.50% Li2O were noted
as geologically significant anomalies that may aide in interpretation but are not included here as part of the summary results.
A review of the QA/QC data was conducted. No issues were noted in the results returned by blanks inserted for validation. None
of the eight CRM results fell outside the ±3 SD range, but two (adjacent) samples fell outside the ±2 SD range, although one was
only slightly outside. Four of the results were within ±1 SD range and the batch average falls within ±1 SD. All but one of the
CRMs were below the CRM value suggesting a slightly low bias in the lithium results.
Table 1: Significant lithium results from the 2018 Avalonia Project Drill Program
Hole ID |
Grade (%Li2O) |
Width* (m) |
From (m) |
To (m) |
MOY18-04 |
1.12 |
0.34 |
93.93 |
94.27 |
MOY18-06 |
2.55 |
2.05 |
75.17 |
77.22 |
MOY18-06 |
1.17 |
0.74 |
97.46 |
98.20 |
MOY18-08 |
2.17 |
0.71 |
9.77 |
10.48 |
MOY18-10 |
1.56 |
2.15 |
31.43 |
33.58 |
MOY18-11 |
1.03 |
12.29 |
86.27 |
98.56 |
MOY18-11 |
1.27 |
1.88 |
100.32 |
102.20 |
MOY18-11 |
1.49 |
1.40 |
105.45 |
106.85 |
MOY18-11 |
1.04 |
3.28 |
121.42 |
124.70 |
MOY18-13 |
1.35 |
4.28 |
68.32 |
72.60 |
MOY18-14 |
2.13 |
1.85 |
108.77 |
110.62 |
MOY18-14 |
0.99 |
1.18 |
112.52 |
113.70 |
MOY18-16 |
1.69 |
1.44 |
21.63 |
23.07 |
MOY18-16 |
1.06 |
1.59 |
40.83 |
42.42 |
MOY18-16 |
1.32 |
1.62 |
67.65 |
69.27 |
MOY18-17 |
2.08 |
3.14 |
44.34 |
47.48 |
MOY18-17 |
1.11 |
1.15 |
50.70 |
51.85 |
MOY18-17 |
1.18 |
1.01 |
53.15 |
54.16 |
MOY18-18 |
1.38 |
0.72 |
22.08 |
22.80 |
MOY18-18 |
2.78 |
0.72 |
49.83 |
50.55 |
MOY18-18 |
1.95 |
0.64 |
55.64 |
56.28 |
MOY18-18 |
2.13 |
0.65 |
81.21 |
81.86 |
*Reported widths are drill intercept widths and do not represent true thickness. True thickness is not known at this time.
Core processing procedure:
- Reconstruction of block interval and check block numbering
Blocks were placed by the driller on the drill site to mark the end of each run. These and the box numbering were
checked at the start of the geotechnical logging.
- Geo-tech
The core was reassembled with the bottom marks facing up. The box intervals, RQD, and recovery were recorded in the geotechnical
log.
- Trace core orientation if possible.
Bottom marks, which had been made by the drillers, were extended along the rest of the run. Marks between runs were compared and
the degree of offset was noted to determine the quality of the bottom mark. Oriented core measurements such as foliation and
contacts were taken off these bottom marks.
- Lithology log and markup
The drill core was described in a lithological log, which noted major and minor lithological variations, their intervals, and
assigned a lithological classification.
- Sampling markup
Sections of drill core of interest such as spodumene mineralization were marked for sampling and given a sample number. A blank
or CRM was inserted every tenth sample for QAQC. Sample widths were typically between 30-200cm.
- Photograph dry and wet
The core boxes were photographed three at a time on an inclined stand with a Pentax K3 DSLR camera and controlled light. They
were photographed both wet and dry with consistent camera settings. Box numbering, interval blocks, and sampling markings were all
made visible in these photos.
- Cut samples
Sections of drill core marked for sampling were cut in half using an electric core saw. The core was cut at an orientation so as
to preserve as much of the geological and marking information as possible. Half the core was taken for sampling and prepared for
shipping, while the remaining half was re-photographed along newly exposed cut surface.
Laboratory Methods and QA/QC
Core samples submitted to SGS Canada Inc. and were prepared by preparation code PRP90. This method includes crushing to 90%
passing through 2 millimetres and split with 250 grams being pulverized to 85% passing through 75 micrometres.
Sodium peroxide fusion was used on 1 gram of material to obtain a complete digestion of the sample in molten flux and the
analysis was finished by GE-ICM90A, a combined ICP-AES and ICP-MS (56 elements). Package GE-ICM90A (GE-IC90A + GE-IC90M).
Table 2: Drill hole collar location and orientation for the 2018 drill holes**
Hole ID |
Easting |
Northing |
Elevation (m) |
Azimuth (degrees) |
Dip (degrees) |
Length (m) |
MOY18-04 |
692934 |
667108 |
277 |
135 |
45 |
156 |
MOY18-05 |
693082 |
667048 |
259 |
315 |
45 |
106 |
MOY18-06 |
692934 |
667108 |
277 |
135 |
63 |
159 |
MOY18-07 |
693082 |
667048 |
259 |
315 |
75 |
95 |
MOY18-08 |
692924 |
667003 |
271 |
135 |
45 |
129 |
MOY18-10 |
692875 |
667012 |
272 |
135 |
45 |
138 |
MOY18-09 |
693011 |
666969 |
262 |
315 |
45 |
61 |
MOY18-11 |
693167 |
667131 |
260 |
315 |
45 |
139 |
MOY18-12 |
693099 |
667176 |
266 |
135 |
45 |
123 |
MOY18-13 |
693069 |
667192 |
273 |
125 |
50 |
130 |
MOY18-14 |
693069 |
667192 |
273 |
135 |
50 |
133 |
MOY18-15 |
693216 |
667163 |
254 |
315 |
45 |
171 |
MOY18-16 |
693265 |
667230 |
250 |
311 |
46 |
186 |
MOY18-17 |
693141 |
667225 |
273 |
125 |
75 |
117 |
MOY18-18 |
692855 |
667018 |
271 |
125 |
60 |
108 |
**Numbers have been rounded. |
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Afzaal Pirzada, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects and a consultant to the Company, has reviewed and approved the technical content in this news release.
About International Lithium Corp.
International Lithium Corp. has a significant portfolio of projects, strong management, and a strategic partner and key
investor, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd., ("Ganfeng Lithium") a leading China-based lithium product manufacturer.
The Company's primary strategic focus is now on the Mariana project in Argentina and on the Raleigh Lake project in Canada.
The Company has a strategic stake in the Mariana lithium-potash brine project located within the renowned South American
"Lithium Belt" that is the host to the vast majority of global lithium resources, reserves and production. The Mariana project
strategically encompasses an entire mineral rich evaporite basin, totalling 160 square kilometres that ranks as one of the more
prospective salars or 'salt lakes' in the region. Current ownership of the project is through a joint venture company, Litio Minera
Argentina S. A., a private company registered in Argentina, owned 82.754% by Ganfeng Lithium and 17.246% by ILC. In addition, ILC
has an option to acquire 10% in the Mariana project through a back-in right.
The Raleigh Lake project, now consisting of 3,027 hectares of adjoining mineral claims in Ontario, is now regarded by ILC
management as ILC's most significant project in Canada. It is 100% owned by ILC, is not subject to any encumbrances, and is royalty
free.
Complementing the Company's lithium brine project at Mariana and rare metal pegmatite property at Raleigh Lake, are interests in
two other rare metal pegmatite properties in Ontario, Canada known as the Mavis Lake and Forgan Lake projects, and the Avalonia
project in Ireland, which encompasses an extensive 50-km-long pegmatite belt.
The ownership of the Mavis Lake project is now 51% Pioneer Resources Limited (ASX:PIO, "Pioneer") and 49% ILC. In addition, ILC
owns a 1.5% NSR on Mavis Lake. Pioneer has an option to earn an additional 29% by sole-funding a further CAD $8.5 million
expenditures of exploration activities, at which time the ownership will be 80% Pioneer and 20% ILC.
The Forgan Lake project will, upon Ultra Lithium meeting its contractual requirements pursuant to its agreement with ILC, become
100% owned by Ultra Lithium, and ILC will retain a 1.5% NSR on Forgan Lake.
The ownership of the Avalonia project is currently 55% Ganfeng Lithum and 45% ILC. Ganfeng Lithium has an option to earn an
additional 24% by either incurring CAD $10 million expenditures on exploration activities or delivering a positive feasibility
study on the project, at which time the ownership will be 79% Ganfeng Lithum and 21% ILC.
With the increasing demand for high tech rechargeable batteries used in electric vehicles and electrical storage as well as
portable electronics, lithium has been designated "the new oil", and is a key part of a "green tech", sustainable economy. By
positioning itself with solid strategic partners and projects with significant resource potential, ILC aims to be one of the
lithium and battery metals resource developers of choice for investors and to continue to build value for its shareholders.
International Lithium Corp.'s mission is to find, explore and develop projects that have the potential to become world class
lithium, potash and rare metal deposits. A key goal is to become a well funded company to turn that aspiration into reality.
On behalf of the Company,
Anthony Kovacs
Director and COO
www.internationallithium.com
For further information concerning this news release please contact +1 604-449-6520
Neither 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.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning
of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information or forward-looking statements in this or other news releases may include:
the effect of results of the preliminary economic assessment of the Mariana Joint Venture Project, timing of publication of the PEA
technical report, anticipated production rates, the timing and/or anticipated results of drilling on the Raleigh Lake or Mavis Lake
projects, the expectation of feasibility studies, lithium recoveries, modeling of capital and operating costs, results of studies
utilizing membrane technology at the Mariana Project, budgeted expenditures and planned exploration work on the Avalonia Joint
Venture, satisfactory completion of the sale of mineral rights at Forgan Lake, satisfactory completion of the purchase of
additional mineral rights at Raleigh Lake, increased value of shareholder investments, and continued agreement between the Company
and Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium Co. Ltd. regarding the Company's percentage interest in the Mariana project. Such forward-looking
information is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to
those discussed in the sections entitled "Risks" and "Forward-Looking Statements" in the interim and annual Management's Discussion
and Analysis which are available at www.sedar.com. While management
believes that the assumptions made are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be
accurate. Should one or more of the risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking information. Forward-looking information
herein, and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on expectations, estimates and opinions of
management on the dates they are made that, while considered reasonable by the Company as of the time of such statements, are
subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may
prove to be incorrect and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Except as required by law, the
Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information should circumstances or management's estimates or opinions
change.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/44035