Sayona Mining Limited announced it has substantially expanded its Canadian lithium resource base with an initial JORC Mineral Resource estimate for the Moblan Lithium Project.
According to Sayona, it comprises the first resources from the South dyke discovery, emphasising the potential for its northern lithium hub in Québec’s highly prospective Eeyou Istchee James Bay region.
Since acquiring Moblan in October 2021 in collaboration with SOQUEM (a wholly owned subsidiary of Investissement Québec), the project has seen approximately 37,700 metres of diamond core drilling. Sayona now estimates a total JORC Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Mineral Resource of 70.9 million tonnes @ 1.15% Li2O (0.25% Li2O cutoff grade), making it one of North America’s greatest single lithium deposits.
This offers prospects for higher grade tonnes with a measured, indicated, and inferred resource of 51.4 million tonnes at 1.31% Li2O (the sensitivity analysis cutoff grade for Li2O was 0.55%). By drilling more, Sayona hopes to increase the quantity and quality of this resource. At Moblan, additional drilling of 60,000 metres is planned.
Since exploration has shown that lithium mineralisation may extend to the north, north-east, and at depth, there are opportunities to increase and develop the Mineral Resources close to the well-known Moblan and Moleon deposits. Additional diamond drilling, such as between the Main/Inter and Moleon dyke groups, may allow for the upgrade of some Inferred mineral resources to the Indicated category and the discovery of additional mineral resources down-plunge and nearby the currently identified mineralisation.
Sayona’s acquisition of lithium rights adjacent to Moblan from Troilus Gold Corp. provides additional possibilities for eastward extensions of the Moblan mineralisation and regional targets in the growing lithium sector. Outside of recognised mineralised zones, the Moblan properties remain mainly unexplored.
Sayona is also progressing with required characterisation works and studies such as geomechanical characterisation (rock mechanics for pit design), geotechnical studies (soils), mine design, optimisation and scheduling, metallurgical testing, studies and design, environmental characterisation, infrastructure and power requirements as part of Moblan’s upcoming feasibility study. This includes the appropriate permitting and environmental assessments, which are proceeding in accordance with regulatory regulations.
“Speed and tonnes are crucial and with our North American Lithium operation in production, we are now bringing significant added resources to the market. Moblan now represents one of the single largest lithium resources in North America, justifying our move to fast?track a major drilling program that has delivered a resource within just a year of acquisition,” Sayona Managing Director Brett Lynch said.
According to Lynch, Sayona already has the most advanced lithium resource base in North America, and this additional expansion strengthens the company’s competitive position, especially given its projects’ favourable access to infrastructure, market proximity, and availability of low-cost, sustainable hydropower.
“Together with our established Abitibi lithium hub in the south, Sayona has quickly developed two emerging centres of lithium production amid surging demand from North America’s EV and battery revolution. As we progress these projects from spodumene concentrate production towards downstream processing, the significance of these assets will only increase as the market scrambles for supply,” Lynch added.
