Pan American Energy Corp. Announces Results of Summer Prospecting Program at the Big Mack Lithium Project

CALGARY, British Columbia, Aug. 09, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pan American Energy Corp. (the “Company” or “Pan American”) (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FRA: SS60) is pleased to announce assay results from its surface sampling program on the Big Mack Lithium Project. The results from the sampling program have provided valuable geochemical insight into the high-grade lithium mineralization observed at the Big Mack Pegmatite and Eleven Zone, as well as confirmed that high-grade lithium exists on the surface at the 6059 Pegmatite. The sampling program also identified other LCT pegmatites within the project area which are prospective for lithium, tantalum, and tin. The Company intends to continue its exploration efforts on the Big Mack Lithium Project with the aim of to delineating the full extent of the lithium-rich mineralized zones at the Project.

The program was carried out by Axiom Exploration Group Ltd (“Axiom”) from May 18^th, 2023 to June 7^th, 2023, and consisted of sampling historically mapped surface exposed pegmatite occurrences across the Big Mack Lithium Project, as well as both known showings and other outcropping pegmatites along strike of the Big Mack and Sprinkler Zones. Channel sampling was used as a prospecting tool to obtain samples over pegmatites which were too flat and, therefore, difficult to acquire representative samples with a rock hammer/sledge. The program was designed to further refine drill targets and to test numerous surface mapped pegmatite occurrences that have not been historically analyzed for lithium.

Highlights of the 2023 Prospecting Program

• A total of 342 grab/channel samples were collected. Following analysis (described below under the heading “Sampling, analytical methods and QA\QC protocols”), 98 of the samples collected were shown to be above determined background threshold lithium values in the pegmatites and host rocks.
• Samples graded up to 3.21 % Li₂O, with 25 samples reporting lithium assays above 1.00% Li₂O from the Eleven, Big Mack, and 6059 zones. All three of these pegmatites have visible petalite on surface.
• Assays appear to show a geochemical trend (>1 km) continuing along strike between the Big Mack and Sprinkler/6059 Pegmatites, indicated by showings of anomalous lithium and other rare earth indicator elements.
• Channel sampling results returned 1.06 % Li₂O over 19.30 m across the Eleven Zone, and 1.72 % Li₂O over 6.30 m at the 6059 Pegmatite.
• Assays showed anomalous tantalum, tin, and rubidium, associated with the complex-type petalite bearing LCT pegmatites, including assays up to 150 ppm tantalum and 4200 ppm tin.

“We are excited about these promising surface sampling results, which help to validate our understanding of the Big Mack Lithium Project. Axiom Exploration’s work has helped to further refine the Company’s drill targeting and we look forward to continuing to advance exploration at the Big Mack Lithium Project to build on these results” said Jason Latkowcer, Chief Executive Officer of Pan American Energy Corp.

Figure 1: 2023 Big Mack Property Wide Surface Sample Locations and Li ppm

Figure 2: Big Mack Lithium Property Surface Sample Highlights

Table 1: 2023 Big Mack Project Select Sample Assay Highlights

The program was successful in further evidencing the extent of the high-grade lithium mineralization on the surface at the Big Mack, Eleven Zone, and 6059 Zone pegmatites, as well as identifying anomalous values in nearby previously unsampled pegmatites. Samples graded up to 3.21% Li₂O, with 25 samples reporting lithium assays above 1.00 % Li₂O from the Eleven, Big Mack, and 6059 zones. All three of these pegmatites have visible petalite on surface. A channel sample over the Eleven Zone graded 1.06 % Li₂O over 19.30 m, and a channel sample over the 6059 Zone graded 1.72 % Li₂O over 6.30 m. Anomalous tin and tantalum values (up to 150 ppm tantalum and 4200 ppm tin) were identified in aplitic dykes located outside the main zones of the high-grade lithium showings. The anomalous assay values from rare earth indicator elements (Ta, Nb, Sn, Be, Rb) observed across the Big Mack Lithium Project appear to outline a highly-fractionated geochemical trend that stretches over a kilometer along strike between the Eleven/Big Mack and Sprinkler/6059 Pegmatites. See all assay results in attached Appendix I: 2023 Surface Sampling Program - Assay Results to this news release

Four rock samples were taken from the Big Mack Pegmatite and delivered to the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Advanced Microanalysis Centre in Saskatoon, SK for QEMSCAN (Quantitative Evaluation of Materials by Scanning Electron Microscope) analysis. This analysis provided detailed information regarding the quantitative mineralogy of the petalite-bearing pegmatites on the Big Mack Lithium Project.

QEMSCAN results from Sample SRC198159 (figure 4) from the high-grade zone of the Big Mack Pegmatite showed the sample contained 75.87% petalite (LiAlSi₄O₁₀), the main ore mineral responsible for identifying the Big Mack Lithium Project as being prospective for high-grade lithium mineralization.

Figure 3. - Sample 198159: (left) Sample Photo (right) QEMSCAN image

The positive results from the prospecting assays have reinforced the Company’s commitment to advancing the Big Mack Lithium Project and further understanding the potential of this project. The Company is actively working towards advancing exploration at the Big Mack Lithium Project and is preparing for the next stages of the program.

Sampling, analytical methods and QA\QC protocols

A thorough chain-of-custody and quality assurance and quality control (“QA/QC”) program was carried out during the field program. Samples were obtained by rock hammer and rock saw. Sample locations were recorded by handheld Garmin GPS and samples were photographed with the documented number tags, then placed in poly sample bags and zip tied.

The Company’s implemented QA/QC procedures included the routine insertion of LCT (lithium-caesium-tantalum) pegmatite certified standard control samples, lab duplicates, and silica blanks in accordance with industry recommended practices. This was used to test for natural variability, sampling bias, and homogeneity during sample preparation processes within the lab as well as testing the precision of the sample and any possible contamination from the lab and ensure proper calibration of lab equipment. Analytical results of certified reference materials were verified graphically and determined to be within the allowable error of 2 standards deviations of the certified lithium values.

Samples were delivered to ALS Canada Geochemistry’s sample preparation laboratory in Winnipeg, MB. The rock samples were then crushed to 2 millimetres with a sub sample pulverized to 75 microns. Quality control testing of crushing efficiency and pulverizing fineness was conducted in-lab approximately every 50 samples. The prepared samples were then sent to the ALS Geochemistry laboratory in Vancouver, BC. A subset of the sample weighing 0.2 grams was added to a sodium peroxide flux and dissolved in hydrochloric acid with the final solution analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry (ICPMS). ALS Canada is independent of the Company.

About the Big Mack Project

The Big Mack Lithium Project is located 2 km east of all-weather Snook Lake Road about 80 km north of Kenora, ON. The property is proximal (~1.3 km) to Avalon Advanced Material Inc’s Separation Rapids, Big Whopper deposit which hosts a measured and indicated resource. The property is within an Ontario registered mining lease, with over 30 years of exploration history. The property lies within the traditional land use area of the Wabaseemoong Independent Nations of Whitedog, Ontario: an Aboriginal community located approximately 35 km southwest of the property.

The property hosts four known Li-bearing pegmatites including the Big Mack pegmatite, Eleven Zone, Sprinkler Zone, and 6095 pegmatite which are thought to be related to the Separation Rapids Pluton. They are interpreted as zoned Complex Type, Petalite Subtype LCT Pegmatites. The Big Mack pegmatite represents the largest petalite-bearing mass on the property and is exposed over an 80 by 225 m area. Historic drilling campaigns (1998, 1999, 2001) intersected mineralization extending along a strike length of ~150 meters and to a depth of 75 meters. The deposit remains open at depth and along strike. 

About Pan American Energy Corp.

Pan American Energy Corp. (CSE: PNRG) (OTC PINK: PAANF) (FSE: SS60) is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties containing battery metals in North America.

The Company executed an option agreement in Canada with Magabra Resources providing for the right to acquire up to a 90% interest in the drill-ready Big Mack Lithium Project, 80 km north of Kenora, Ontario. The Company has also entered a property option agreement with Horizon Lithium LLC providing for the right to acquire a 100% interest in the Horizon Lithium Project, located within the Clayton Valley – Tonopah Lithium Belt, Nevada, USA.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Lynde Guillaume, P.Geo. (Exploration Manager, Axiom), who is a “Qualified Person” as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Ms. Guillaume is independent of the Company.

To register for investor updates please visit https://panam-energy.com.

On Behalf of the Board of DirectorsJason LatkowcerCEO & Director

ContactPhone : (587) 885-5970Email: [email protected]

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could”, “intend”, “expect”, “believe”, “will”, “projected”, “estimated” and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the Company’s intention to continue its exploration efforts on the Big Mack Lithium Project with the aim of delineating the size, quality and economic viability of the lithium mineralization at the Big Mack Lithium Project; and the apparent highly-fractionated geochemical trend continuing along strike between the Big Mack and Sprinkler/6059 Pegmatites.

Various assumptions or factors are typically applied in drawing conclusions or making the forecasts or projections set out in forward-looking information, including, in respect of the forward-looking information included in this press release, the assumption that: the Company will continue to explore the Big Mack Lithium Project to delineate the size, quality and economic viability of the lithium mineralization at the Big Mack Lithium Project; and that the anomalous assay values from rare earth indicator elements (Ta, Nb, Sn, Be, Rb) observed across the Big Mack Lithium Project are indicative of the existence of a highly-fractionated geochemical trend that stretches along strike between the Eleven/Big Mack and Sprinkler/6059 Pegmatites.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company’s management, there can be no assurance that any forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include the risk that the Company does not continue with its exploration of the Big Mack Lithium Project, whether as a result of a lack of financial resources, a failure to receive the requisite permits or approvals, the discretion of management or otherwise; risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to receiving requisite permits and approvals, changes in project parameters or delays as plans continue to be redefined, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and that the results of mineral exploration may not be indicative of the actual geology or mineralization of a project; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; and the other risks and factors identified by the Company in its continuous disclosure filings, filed on the Company’s SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the information contained herein.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9053eaf9-5fc1-4d61-acd0-32bfc62a124chttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3583b925-8229-4880-817c-0b1b58e01338https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/15e35d1e-7f38-4b31-8266-84344ad2b907https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ac7db4de-f9a3-4dd0-bd36-47ce4eed669c 

Table 1

2023 Big Mack Project Select Sample Assay Highlights

Figure 3

Sample 198159: (left) Sample Photo (right) QEMSCAN image