HLM’s Phase II Drilling Confirms and Extends High-Grade Lithium Zone at Surface on the PAK Rare Metals Project, Ontario
Highlights: - Diamond Drill Hole (DDH) PL-011-14 intersected 1.68% Li2O over 104 metre (m) from 9.1m to 104.75 m;
- DDH PL-011-14 includes a 12.8 m wide high-grade lithium zone (Upper Intermediate [UIZ]) averaging 4.01% Li2O from 35 to 47.8 m;
- DDH PL-012-14 confirms the high-grade UIZ 25 m to the northwest;
- Resource remains open to depth and along strike to the northwest and southeast; and
- Assay results pending from 7 remaining drill holes from the Phase II Diamond Drill Program.
Houston Lake Mining Inc. (TSX.V: HLM), is a mining exploration company that is specialized in rare-metals and is actively exploring for lithium (Li), tantalum (Ta), rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) by focusing on its high-grade, 100% owned and optioned 4,032 hectare (9,963 acre) PAK Rare Metals Project in northwestern Ontario, Canada. HLM is pleased to announce the results of two (2) infill drill holes from the 2014 Phase II, nine-hole diamond drill program on the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite. The assay and collar data for the 2 holes being reported are presented in Tables I and II.
| The primary objective of these two holes is to increase the level of confidence in a portion of the inferred resource (see December 4, 2013 press release) with particular focus on the 1.17 million tonnes grading 3.44% Li2O. The intersection summaries for the two drill holes outlined in Table I below have confirmed continuity of the zones along strike of the intersection in DDH-13-003 and beneath the surface outcrop, and also defined bounding contacts with host rock(s). Table I also summarizes the lithium, cesium, tantalum and rubidium grades for the two drill holes by mineralogical zones for the pegmatite intersections. The hole PL-012-14 intersection confirms and extends the strike length of the lithium and tantalum zones of the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite to the northwest.
Table I – Core Length Intercepts (Pakeagama Lake pegmatite) | |||||||||||||||||||
| DDH PL-011-14 | Designed to test continuity of pegmatite zonation beneath the enriched UIZ/CIZ surface zones near (approx. 25m ESE) DDH PL-003-13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zone | Width (m) | Li2O (%) | Cs2O (%) | Ta2O5 (ppm) | Nb2O5 (ppm) | SnO2 (ppm) | Rb2O (%) | Geology | |||||||||||
| Total Pegmatite | |||||||||||||||||||
| 9.10 - 104.75 m | 95.65 | 1.68 | 0.024 | 85 | 59 | 162 | 0.24 | WZ/CIZ/UIZ/LIZ | |||||||||||
| Tantalum, Rubidium and Cesium enriched zones | |||||||||||||||||||
| including 9.10 - 20.70 m | 11.60 | n/a | 0.068 | 132 | 69 | 83 | 0.37 | WZ/CIZ | |||||||||||
| including 9.85 - 14.00 m | 4.15 | n/a | 0.077 | 188 | 123 | 113 | 0.38 | WZ/CIZ | |||||||||||
| Lithium enriched zones: | |||||||||||||||||||
| including 13.00 - 104.75 m | 91.75 | 1.69 | 0.021 | 80 | 53 | 156 | 0.22 | LIZ+UIZ | |||||||||||
| including 35.00 - 47.80 m | 12.80 | 4.01 | 0.031 | 48 | 33 | 40 | 0.10 | UIZ | |||||||||||
| including 54.00 - 104.75 m | 50.75 | 1.73 | 0.023 | 114 | 84 | 274 | 0.33 | LIZ | |||||||||||
| DDH PL-012-14 | Designed to test continuity of pegmatite zonation beneath the enriched UIZ/CIZ surface zones near (approx. 25m WNW) DDH PL-003-13 | ||||||||||||||||||
| Zone | Width (m) | Li2O (%) | Cs2O (%) | Ta2O5 (ppm) | Nb2O5 (ppm) | SnO2 (ppm) | Rb2O (%) | Geology | |||||||||||
| Total Pegmatite | |||||||||||||||||||
| 19.50 - 74.40 m | 54.90 | 1.42 | 0.030 | 96 | 76 | 87 | 0.24 | Aplite/WZ/ LIZ/UIZ | |||||||||||
| Tantalum, Rubidium and Cesium enriched zones | |||||||||||||||||||
| including 19.50 - 36.45 m | 16.95 | 1.31 | 0.036 | 130 | 78 | 146 | 0.23 | WZ/LIZ | |||||||||||
| Lithium enriched zones | |||||||||||||||||||
| including 35.50 - 44.00 m | 8.50 | 3.69 | 0.039 | 90 | 54 | 44 | 0.24 | UIZ/Aplite | |||||||||||
| Also 102.00-107.20 m | 5.20 | 2.16 | 0.012 | 107 | 80 | 50 | 0.27 | Aplite/LIZ | |||||||||||
| (1) The intervals in Table II are drill intersection widths. There is currently insufficient data to determine the true thickness of the pegmatite. | |||||||||||||||||||
| n/a = Not applicable | |||||||||||||||||||
The Upper Intermediate (UIZ), Central Intermediate (CIZ) and Lower Intermediate Zones (LIZ) were previously described in the July 2, 2013 Press Release. Zones of sodic aplite are present in all holes and vary in width from tens of centimetres to several metres, and contain significant concentrations of Ta, Rb and Cs.
Noteworthy observations are that the NNE (footwall) boundary with the metasediments is consistent and predictable while the SSW (hanging wall) contact with the granite is somewhat erratic and complicated by granitic blocks and rafts and appears to have been variably affected (metasomatized) by the pegmatite intrusion events. The mineralized pegmatite remains open along strike to the WNW and ESE, and at depth. Granitic blocks/rafts mapped on surface appear to diminish with depth and along strike in both directions.
The current strike length of the pegmatite as defined by surface mapping and drilling remains at 290 m with an estimated width varying from 45 to 125m assuming sub-vertical orientation of the pegmatite body.
“These results with particular focus on the UIZ intercepts not only confirm grade from our maiden resource calculation but should increase the zone’s tonnage. These features of size and grade, combined with the pegmatite’s low inherent iron (<.1% Fe2O3 {see June 11, 2014 press release}) give HLM the confidence in its potential ability to economically produce a technical grade quality spodumene product and/or concentrate that could appeal firstly to the established specialty glass and ceramics segment of the lithium market,” commented Trevor R. Walker, President of HLM. “This could be possible in contrast to many others, who would require a sizable capital investment in order to remove and produce a low iron (Fe) product. We are pleased with these results and look forward to releasing pending assay results in the near future from the remaining drill holes on our Phase II Diamond Drill program.”
Table II– Collar Locations for Diamond Drill Hole (DDH)
| DDHNo | NAD83 (Zone 15N) | Elevation (mASL) | Azimuth | Inclination | Total Depth (m) | |||||||
| Easting | Northing | |||||||||||
| PL-011-14 | 474403 | 5827979 | 327 | -45 | 30 | 128 | ||||||
| PL-012-14 | 474571 | 5827851 | 317 | -60 | 20 | 233 | ||||||
Due Diligence
All scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Peter J. Vanstone, P.Geo., the qualified person (QP) under the definitions established by National Instrument 43-101. Under HLM’s QA/QC procedures, the diamond drill contract specified NQ-sized drill core providing a 47.6 mm diameter sample. The drill holes were oriented perpendicular to the strike of the pegmatite and drilled continuously across it. Sample security and chain of custody started with the removal of core from the core tube and boxing of drill core at the drill site. The boxed core remained under the custody of the drill contractor until it was transported from the drill to the secure on-site Core Shack facility by either the drill contractor or one of the Company’s designated personnel. At the on-site Core Shack, core boxes were opened and inspected to ensure correct boxing and labelling of the core by the drill contractor, photographed and then re-closed. The core was stored securely until moved into the Core Shack for processing. The company geologists logged the core, and then marked and tagged it for sampling and splitting. Each core sample was assigned a tag with a unique identifying number. Sample lengths are typically one meter, but can be less depending on zone mineralogy and boundaries. The Core was then re-closed and shipped to the company’s off-site core splitting facility in Sudbury, Ontario. Core marked for splitting was cut using a diamond core saw with a mounted jig to assure the core was cut lengthwise into equal halves. Half of the core was sent to an analytical laboratory for quantitative analysis of select elements. The remaining half of the core is retained and incorporated into HLM’s secure, off-site core library.
All samples were assayed by an ISO accredited laboratory. Sample blanks along with tantalum, lithium, rubidium and cesium certified reference material was routinely inserted into the sample stream in accordance with industry recommended practices. Field duplicate samples were also taken in accordance with industry recommended practices.
About the PAK Rare Metals Project
The PAK Rare Metals Project lies close to the boundary between two geological sub-provinces of the western Superior geologic province in northwestern Ontario and hosts a rare metals pegmatite deposit. The deposit is an LCT (lithium- cesium- tantalum) classified pegmatite. These rare types of deposits have been the principal source of hard rock lithium, tantalum, rubidium and cesium ores mined in the world.
HLM is actively exploring its 100% owned and optioned project which contains the Pakeagama Lake pegmatite. The deposit is one of the highest grade deposits in North America which has a current Inferred Resource of 6.89 million tonnes of 1.86% Li2O Eq. which has a technical/ceramic grade spodumene with low inherent iron (below 0.1% Fe2O3). Within the deposit, the pegmatite uniquely hosts an Upper Intermediate Zone of 1.17million tonnes grading 3.44% Li2O. The pegmatite has a 265m strike length with an estimated width varying from 45 to 125m with a sub-vertical orientation. The resource remains open to depth and along strike to the northwest and southeast. A 9-hole, 1,500m Phase II diamond drill program was completed in late March 2014; assay results for this program are pending and expected in the near future.
About Houston Lake Mining Inc.
HLM’s goal is to become a fully integrated lithium and tantalum producer through the development of the PAK Rare Metals Project in Ontario, Canada. The Company's strategy is to take advantage of low-Fe ceramics/glass market as well as the global shift towards electric/hybrid vehicles and high quality consumer electronics by becoming a raw material supplier of the elements required for the pursuit of sustainable energy and other applications in ceramics/glass, high-tech electronics and metal alloys. Combined, HLM’s Board of Directors and Management have over 300 years of finance, exploration and mining experience to help to facilitate the Company’s goal.
HLM has a total of 90,807,595 common shares issued and outstanding. For additional information on HLM, please visit www.houstonlakemining.com
Company Contact Information
Houston Lake Mining Inc.
Trevor R. Walker, President
2736 Belisle Drive
Val Caron, ON.
P3N 1B3 CANADA
T. +001 705.897.7622
F. +001 705.897.7618
Henry J. Kloepper, CEO
T. +001 416.520.0187
Forward-looking Statements
Neither the 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. This release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and those actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company’s registered filings what are available at www.sedar.com.
