VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA–(Marketwired – Dec. 1, 2016) – Leading Edge Materials Corp. (“LEM“) or (the “Company“) (TSX VENTURE:LEM)(OTCQB:LEMIF) is pleased to announce the first discovery of lithium mineralization in outcrop, and the completion of a ground magnetic survey, at the Company’s 100% owned Bergby project.
Bergby lies in central Sweden, 25km north of the town of Gävle, and is secured by three exploration licenses that cover a total of 1,903 Ha. The site is close to infrastructure, with major roads, rail and power supply passing immediately adjacent to the claim boundaries.
Recent mapping at Bergby, in follow up to the identification of a lithium mineralized boulder field (see press releases dated 19th October 2016 and 4th November 2016), has discovered three areas of lithium mineralization in outcrop. Although the region is largely glacial soil covered, the few outcrops located include exposure of petalite and spodumene mineralized pegmatite with high grade lithium, similar to that previously observed in boulders.
Fifteen samples from three outcrop areas returned Li2O (lithium oxide) averaging 1.71% and ranging from 0.01% to 4.65%; and Ta2O5 (tantalum pentoxide) averaging 133 ppm and ranging from 16 ppm to 803 ppm (see Table 1). Samples included representative chip samples, composite samples and selective grab samples depending on outcrop quality, and were taken from three sites across an area of approximately 350m x 750m.
Furthermore, a small ground magnetic survey has been completed, to provide indication of the structural setting of the claim, and to assist with drill targeting. The survey covered 700m of strike of the lithium prospective sequence, and has defined a discrete magnetic low, as are often associated with lithium-cesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.
Work is now underway to gain permits and prepare for a drilling program early in the first quarter of 2017.
Blair Way, President and CEO, stated, “This discovery of high grade lithium mineralized outcrops at Bergby, despite the extensive glacial soil cover, gives us confidence we are close to the source of the extensive mineralized boulder field. The Bergby discovery is now drill-ready, and we are excited to get LEM’s maiden drilling program underway in the first quarter of next year.”
Lithium has a strong and expanding market, due to the essential role it plays in lithium-based batteries for the automotive, consumer product and stationary electrify storage industries. The high electrochemical potential of lithium results in the high power to weight ratio that is essential for efficient mobile batteries. Europe is investing heavily in these emerging battery technologies, as part of the transition to a low-carbon economy.
On behalf of the Board,
Blair Way, President & CEO
Samples submitted by Leading Edge Materials Corp. were prepared and analyzed by the ME-MS81 and Li-OG63 technique by ALS Ltd.’s laboratories in either Pitea, Sweden, Loughrea, Ireland and/or Vancouver, Canada, where duplicates, repeats, blanks and known standards were inserted according to standard industry practice. The qualified person for the Company’s exploration projects, Mark Saxon, Director of Leading Edge Materials, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.
The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
Forward-Looking Information. This news release may contain forward-looking statements and information based on current expectations. These statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by such statements. Such statements include but are not limited to the timing of start of drilling at Bergby, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain necessary permits and approvals from government authorities. Although such statements are based on management’s reasonable assumptions, there are risk factors which could cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.
Table 1: Analytical values for 15 outcrop samples from Bergby project, Sweden
| Element | Value | Unit | ||||
| Li2O (lithium oxide) | Average | 1.71 | % | |||
| Minimum | 0.01 | % | ||||
| Maximum | 4.65 | % | ||||
| Ta2O5 (tantalum pentoxide) | Average | 133 | ppm | |||
| Minimum | 16 | ppm | ||||
| Maximum | 803 | ppm | ||||
| Cs (cesium) | Average | 94 | ppm | |||
| Minimum | 8 | ppm | ||||
| Maximum | 305 | ppm | ||||
| Rb (rubidium) | Average | 388 | ppm | |||
| Minimum | 16 | ppm | ||||
| Maximum | 1545 | ppm | ||||
| Sn (tin) | Average | 42 | ppm | |||
| Minimum | 13 | ppm | ||||
| Maximum | 167 | ppm |
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