Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: PMET) (ASX: PMT) has commenced mobilisation for the norther winter phase of its 2023 drill campaign at its wholly owned Corvette Property, located in the James Bay Region of Quebec.
Additionally, the company is in the final stages of construction of a winter road (approximately 20 km in length), extending site access from the all-season Trans-Taiga Road to the CV5 drill area.
The 2023 winter drill programme will be more expansive than the 2022 winter drill programme, beginning with three drill rigs in January and increasing to five drill rigs from early February through mid-April.
A minimum meterage of 20,000 m (NQ core size) is anticipated to be completed over the period. The primary objectives of the drill programme are to further delineate the extent of the CV5 Pegmatite, as well as infill drilling to improve the geological model to achieve indicated mineral resource confidence to support a future prefeasibility study. The winter drilling will primarily target the eastern extensions of the CV5 spodumene pegmatite and secondary lenses, moving towards the CV4 Pegmatite cluster situated approximately 2.5 km along strike. An understanding of the near-surface lateral behaviour of the CV5 Pegmatite is needed to refine locations of certain infrastructures required for Prefeasibility level advancement, as well as help define associated field programmes planned for 2023.
The construction of the approximately 20 km long winter road is nearing completion and will provide direct road access from the all-season Trans-Taiga Road, located north of the Property, to the primary drill area at CV5.
The road access will increase efficiency of the drill programme by reducing dependency on helicopters for drill rig, equipment, and personnel movements.
The overall 2023 field campaign will have multiple facets including advancing the CV5 Pegmatite to an initial mineral resource estimate, scheduled for the first half of 2023, in addition to further delineation at the CV13 Pegmatite Cluster.
The drill programmes will be coupled with numerous multi-disciplinary studies (environmental, hydrological, hydrogeological, geomechanical, metallurgical, etc.) as the Project advances aggressively towards Prefeasibility.
This is a significant milestone for the company as we embark on the second winter drill season on the Corvette Project. The 2022 drilling has defined something very special at Corvette and this winter season will further expand on this significant discovery,” President, CEO and Director, Blair Way, said.
“With five drill rigs we will be better positioned to continue to drill out the CV5 Pegmatite Cluster at an aggressive pace, while also further testing the CV13 Pegmatite Cluster. The year 2023 will be a transformative year for the company as we advance to an initial mineral resource at CV5.”
The first drill hole collar of the 2023 drill campaign is anticipated shortly, with the first three drill rigs and equipment currently on site and crews now being mobilised. The two additional drill rigs are anticipated to arrive on site later in early February as the winter freeze up continues and lake ice thickens sufficiently to support drilling over the shallow glacial lake that overlies portions of the deposit.
