Nevada Sunrise discovers 327.7 Mg/L lithium over 220 feet at Gemini Project, Nevada

Nevada Sunrise Gold Corp. [NEV-TSXV; NVSGF-OTC] reported highly-significant values of lithium have been detected in water samples collected from boreholes GEM22-01 and GEM22-02, drilled in the inaugural 2022 drilling program at its 100%-owned Gemini Lithium Project located in the Lida Valley basin in Esmeralda County, Nevada.

he water samples from both boreholes contain dissolved lithium in a calcium/magnesium carbonate-type brine that was not easily recognized on site during the drilling program due to the presence of high levels of suspended solids.

Water samples from borehole GEM-22-01 averaged 327.7 milligrams per litre (mg/L) lithium over 220 feet (67.07 metres) from 600 to 820 feet with a peak value of 519 mg/L lithium. Water samples from borehole GEM22-02 returned an average of 116.28 mg/L lithium over 460 feet (140.24 metres) from 600 to 1,120 feet (201.22 to 341.46 metres) with a peak value of 286.0 mg/L lithium.

Nevada Sunrise drilled two reverse circulation boreholes for a total of 2,020 feet (615.85 metres) in its maiden drilling program at Gemini in March and April 2022. The drill sites were located within a defined gravity low that hosts conductive layers detected by historical time domain electromagnetic surveys (TDEM). Results from the first two holes at Gemini represent a new discovery of lithium-bearing sediments and lithium-in-water in the western Lida Valley, which has not been historically drill tested for lithium mineralization.

Lithium-in-sediment values were significant: GEM22-01 averaged 1,203.41 parts per million (ppm) lithium over 580 feet (176.83 metres), from 320 to 900 feet (97.56 to 274.39 metres), including 1,578.19 ppm lithium over 300 feet (91.46 metres) from 480 to 780 feet (146.34 to 237.8 metres).

GEM22-02 averaged 1,101.73 ppm lithium over 730 feet (222.56 metres) from 390 to 1,120 feet (118.90 to 341.46 metres), including 2,217.69 ppm lithium over 130 feet (39.63 metres) from 990 to 1,120 feet (301.83 to 341.46 metres) and 3,304.34 ppm lithium over 50 feet (15.24 metres) from 1,070 to 1,120 feet (326.22 to 341.46 metres).

Nevada Sunrise is evaluating the 2022 water and sediment sampling results in detail. These analytical results and preliminary research by the company suggest that the Gemini lithium deposit is an example of the claystone deposit model situated in a closed arid basin, similar to lithium deposits found in the Clayton Valley and at other sedimentary-hosted lithium

Additional drilling is planned following receipt of an amendment to the current Bureau of Land Management drilling permit, which will be required to cover the company’s newly-expanded land position. In April and May 2022, Nevada Sunrise staked 288 unpatented lode claims totaling 5,760 acres (1,756 hectares) over the outline of the gravity low to effectively cover the possible extent of the lithium-bearing clay layers. Follow-up geophysical TDEM surveys were completed at Gemini in May 2022 within the interpreted area of the historical gravity low to better map and assess the conductive layers first detected by Nevada Sunrise in 2016. The new geophysical results are being compiled and interpreted.

Gemini consists of 407 unpatented placer and lode claims located in the western Lida Valley, Esmeralda County, approximately 6 miles (10 km) east of the town of Lida, Nevada. The Lida Valley is a flat, arid basin with a similar geological setting to the better-known Clayton Valley basin where Albemarle Corp. [ALB-NYSE] operates the Silver Peak lithium brine mine, which has operated continuously since 1966. Nevada Sunrise expanded the size of the Project by staking 80 new unpatented placer claims in March 2022, and 288 additional unpatented lode claims in April and May 2022.

Exploration at Gemini is complemented by the company’s 80.09 acre/feet/year water right, a pre-requisite for the exploration and development of lithium brine projects in Nevada. Under the laws of Nevada, water cannot be pumped from a subterranean source without a valid water permit. Drill pads and access roads remain in place at Gemini with an active drilling permit.

In morning trading on June 6, Nevada Sunrise shares gained $0.04 to $0.295.