First Class Metals - Operations:- ‘Big Four’ Exploration Update
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
RNS Number : 1511Q
First Class Metals PLC
16 October 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
16th October 2023
Operations:- 'Big Four' Exploration Update
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 the launch of systematic exploration campaign at the Zigzag lithium
project in the Province of Ontario Canada. ("Zigzag" or the "Project") alongside a general portfolio exploration
update.
First Class Metals' stated aim was to bring four properties to drill ready status with the intention of drilling one
property this field season. With the exception of Esa, the company will achieve its aim. Once the soil sampling
results are available from Esa this property too will be close to being 'drill ready.' It is still the Company's intention
to drill one of the 'Big Four' this season. FCM-Report-The-Big-Four-How-we're-moving-towards-drilling.pdf
(squarespace.com)
Highlights:
· Noth Hemlo-Dead Otter Trend, further gold occurrences reported from grab samples return values up to
13.6ppm (13.6 g/t) gold (Au) giving further confidence to the project, supporting priority drill targets.
·
Sunbeam-Further stripping underway at the sites of the historical Sunbeam Mine, Roy & Pettigrew
workings. Visual similarities noted to the reported economic mineralisation that was historically
mined. Channel sampling undertaken with results pending which will help define drill targets.
·
Zigzag-Preliminary results from thirty-nine samples received with numerous results over 1% Li2O (full
results pending). Extensive channel sampling campaign now completed with assays awaited, visual
observations of coarse spodumene evidenced across many of samples taken.
·
Esa-an extensive infill soil sampling program now completed; 500 samples taken and awaiting analysis.
Purpose of the work is to 'infill' the successful definition of the Esa Shear in 2022. Property moves closer
to a drill ready status.
Marc J. Sale First Class Metals CEO commented:
"I am pleased with the progress that First Class metals has made this field season, and despite the advance of
Autumn there are still two teams out on the ground. I feel we are well on track to achieve the Company's
intentions. Both Sunbeam and Zigzag properties are permitted for drilling and with the support of the First
Nations either of these properties or indeed North Hemlo (permit notwithstanding) are veritable maiden drill
targets for FCM. Furthermore, the preliminary results from Zigzag have added significantly to our confidence in
the property.''
North Hemlo
During the season extensive work: prospecting, sampling, and mapping has been undertaken along the Dead
Otter trend, the focus has been around the historical showing (3.1ppm Au 0.59% Mo) and the area reporting
19.6ppm Au over three kilometres to the south east. There are still assays to be reported, however whilst
sampling to date has not replicated the historic value there is limited outcrop exposed. The presence of visible
gold and gold being 'panned' from crushed rock may indicate that there is potentially an issue with 'coarse gold' in
the area of the historic showing. Other assays methods are being investigated.
Furthermore, the zone is reporting very high values of pathfinder elements including molybdenum as well as
telluride which is strongly associated with gold deposits especially in the Hemlo area. Additionally, over 750m SE
along trend from the historic showing an isolated outcrop returned 2.29ppm Au. This confirms the trend is
auriferous. Furthermore, in the area of the 19.6ppm sample other samples have reported 13.6ppm and 4.6ppm
Au. Future work will include detailed prospecting along the trend to prove the continuity of the structure along
strike from the known gold occurrences, leading to stripping and drilling once permitting allows.
Photo 1-showing the sampling in the area of the 19.6ppm result.
Sunbeam
An initial stripping and channel sampling programme at the historic production sites of Pettigrew and Roy has
been completed and provisional results received. Some of the higher values have been resubmitted for check
assay. The results from Roy indicate a semi continuous zone across strike of multi-gramme material. However,
further stripping and sampling is currently underway in order to better define the potential drill targets. Exposed
structure evidencing numerous visible sheared mafic volcanic horizons with sulphide rich quartz veining, within
broader envelope of sheared, altered, and mineralized felsic intrusive. A similar situation exists at Pettigrew. The
additional stripping has revealed some very 'interesting', prospective rocks including sheared mafic volcanics with
sulphide rich quartz veining with visible gold reported. Sampling is currently being undertaken.
Stripping and channel sampling at Sunbeam is also now under way in the area of the historic shaft.
Photo 2- showing one of the 'quartz blowouts' in the new area stripped., the second photo show a close up with
'VG' (visible gold).
Photo 3- VG in the channel at Roy.
Zigzag
The preliminary results from the 39 grab samples from recent prospecting are considered very encouraging and
full results will be available soon, there are a number of the samples reporting over 1% Li2O.
In parallel to the prospecting a channel sampling programme was undertaken, and nine channels completed with
two in excess of 10m in length with over 250m of strike being covered. Over 80 samples have been submitted for
analysis. The samples contain significant spodumene and are considered visually encouraging with multiple zones
of spodumene across the channels, see photos 4 and 5.
Photo 4- channel at Zigzag with the sample next to tape. Sampling entered the host of the pegmatite in order to
check the selvages for possible mineralisation.
Photo 5- close up of sample from sawn channel. Note coarse spodumene crystals.
Esa
To the end of the 2022 field season over 500 soil samples were collected predominantly along eleven lines on
average 400m apart, orthogonal to an inferred 4km shear which transects the property roughly east to west. This
structure was highlighted by the airborne magnetic survey. The results of the initial soil sampling were
encouraging and defined an anomalous zone mimicking the inferred position of the shear.
This season 'infill' sampling lines were conducted in two programmes again totalling over 500 samples. The
analysis results for the last programme, only recently completed, are not yet available.
It is anticipated that the results of the infill lines will 'tighten-up' the potential target location to enable a more
focussed stripping / trenching programme once the permit is granted. Drilling the most encouraging sectors
would then be the next exploration phase.
Map showing the historical as well as '23 season infill soil lines.
Summary
First Class Metals is entering a period of significant news and progress across its four core properties. The
company has made significant strides towards achieving a "drill ready status." Throughout the summer field
campaign, extensive work has been conducted on each of these properties, which is expected to pay off in the
next phase of exploration.
One property that has particularly excited First Class Metals is Zigzag, which has produced promising early-stage
results. Further results from the prospecting and the channel sampling are still awaited. The property is
strategically located in a corridor of established and expanding pegmatite lithium discoveries. This has garnered
significant interest from the global lithium industry, positioning this region in North West Ontario as a new focus
for battery metal discovery and development.
Moving forward, the company aims to assess and report on multiple assays that are still pending across all four
properties. Additionally, plans are underway to initiate a drilling campaign on one of the properties before the end
of the year. These developments highlight First Class Metals' commitment to exploration and to bring 'four
projects to a drill ready status in 2023'.
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive
Chairman
Marc J Sale, CEO
JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Ayub Bodi, Executive Director
AyubB@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
07488
362641
07711
093532
07860
598086
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
Jonathan Brown
Jason Robertson
0207
3742212
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.
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