Drilling extends High Grade Mineralisation at West Zone - Bougouni Lithium

Sampling techniques

• Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.
• Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.
• Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.
• In cases where ‘industry standard’ work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information.
  • Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes were routinely sampled at 1m intervals down the hole.
  • Samples were collected at the drill rig by riffle splitting drill spoils to collect a nominal 2.5 – 4kg sub sample, with an additional 50% split for material > 5 kg.
  • Routine standard reference material, sample blanks, and sample duplicates were inserted or collected at every 10th sample in the sample sequence for RC drill holes
  • All samples were submitted to ALS Bamako and subsequently forwarded to ALS Ouagadougou for preparation. Analysis was undertaken at ALS Perth by method ME-ICP89

Drilling techniques

• Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc).
  • All holes were completed by reverse circulation drilling techniques.
  • RC hole diameter is nominally 5.5 Inch. A face sampling down hole hammer was used at all times.

Drill sample recovery

• Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.
• Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.
• Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material.
  • A qualitative estimate of sample recovery was done for each sample metre collected from the drill rig.
  • Riffle split samples were weighed to ensure consistency of sample size and to monitor sample recoveries.
  • Drill sample recovery and quality is considered to be adequate for the drilling technique employed.

Logging

• Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.
• Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.
• The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.
  • All drill sample intervals were geologically logged by Company Geologists.
  • Where appropriate, geological logging recorded the abundance of specific minerals, rock types and weathering using a standardized logging system.
  • A small sample of washed drill material was retained in chip trays for future reference and validation of geological logging, and an additional 100g of drill material was retained in plastic bags for the same purpose.

Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation

• If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.
• If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.
• For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.
• Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.
• Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.
• Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.
  • RC 1m samples were riffle split at the drill rig.
  • Routine field sample duplicates were taken to evaluate whether samples were representative.
  • Additional sample preparation was undertaken by ALS Ouagadougou laboratory.
  • At the laboratory, samples were weighed, dried and crushed to -2mm in a jaw crusher. A 1.0kg split of the crushed sample was subsequently pulverised in a ring mill to achieve a nominal particle size of 85% passing 75μm.
  • Sample sizes and laboratory preparation techniques are considered to be appropriate.

Quality of assay data and laboratory tests

• The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.
• For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.
• Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established.
  • Analysis for lithium and a suite of other elements is undertaken at ALS Perth by ICP-AES after Sodium Peroxide Fusion. Detection limits for lithium (0.01 -10%)
  • Sodium Peroxide fusion is  considered a “total” assay technique for lithium
  • No geophysical tools or other non-assay instrument types were used in the analyses reported.
  • Review of routine standard reference material and sample blanks suggest there are no significant analytical bias or preparation errors in the reported analyses.
  • Results of analyses for field sample duplicates are consistent with the style of mineralisation being evaluated and considered to be representative of the geological zones which were sampled.
  • Internal laboratory QAQC checks are reported by the laboratory, including sizing analysis to monitor preparation.
  • Review of the internal laboratory QAQC suggests the laboratory is performing within acceptable limits.

Verification of sampling and assaying

• The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.
• The use of twinned holes.
• Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
• Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
  • Drill hole data is compiled and digitally captured by Company geologists in the field.
  • The compiled digital data is verified and validated by the Company’s database consultant before loading into the drill hole database.
  • Twin holes were not utilized to verify results.
  • Reported drill hole intercepts are compiled by the Company’s database consultant and the Managing Director.
  • There were no adjustments to assay data.

Location of data points

• Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.
• Specification of the grid system used.
• Quality and adequacy of topographic control.
  • Drill hole collars were set out in UTM grid WGS84_Zone29N
  • Drill hole collars were positioned using hand held GPS.
  • RC drill holes are routinely surveyed for down hole deviation at approximately 50m spaced intervals down the hole.
  • SRTM elevation data was used to establish topographic control where appropriate.
  • Locational accuracy at collar and down the drill hole is considered appropriate for this stage of exploration.

Data spacing and distribution

• Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
• Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.
• Whether sample compositing has been applied.
  • RC holes were nominally drilled on 50m spaced east-west orientated drill sections.
  • Hole spacing on section varies between 25m to 50m.
  • The reported drilling has not been used to estimate any mineral resources or reserves.

Orientation of data in relation to geological structure

• Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.
• If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.
  • Mineralisation at Goulamina outcrops at surface and the geometry of mineralisation is therefore well-defined.
  • Reported results are from West Zone. It is noted that a moderate change in strike on the northern extension of this zone may result in reported widths that may not reflect the true width of the mineralised zones at this location.
  • Drilling orientation has generally not biased the sampling to the south of West Zone.

Sample security

• The measures taken to ensure sample security.
  • Samples are stored on site prior to road transport by Company personnel to the ALS laboratory in Bamako, Mali.

Audits or reviews

• The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data.
  • Cube Consulting undertook a site visit during drilling operations in May 2016 to review the sampling techniques discussed above.

Mineral tenement and land tenure status

• Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.
• The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area.
  • The reported results are from an area within the Torakoro Permit, which is held 100% by Timbuktu Ressources, a subsidiary of Birimian Limited
  • Tenure is in good standing.

Exploration done by other parties

• Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
  • The area which is presently covered by the Torakoro Permit was explored intermittently by government agencies in the period 1990 to 2008. Exploration consisted of soil sampling and mapping for gold.
  • In 2007-2008 an evaluation of the commercial potential for lithium at Goulamina was undertaken by CSA Global as part of the SYSMIN 7 economic development program.
  • CSA undertook mapping and bulk sampling of the Goulamina outcrop but did not undertake drilling. Bulk sampling and preliminary processing testwork confirmed the viability of the pegmatite at Goulamina to produce a high quality chemical grade lithium concentrate

Geology

• Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.
  • Pegmatite Hosted Lithium Deposits are the target for exploration. This style of mineralisation typically forms as dykes and sills intruding or in proximity to granite host rocks.
  • Surficial geology within the project area typically consists of indurated gravels forming plateau, and broad depositional plains consisting of colluvium and alluvial to approximately 5m vertical depth.
  • Lateritic weathering is common away from the Goulamina deposit and in the broader project area.

Drill hole Information

• A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:
  • easting and northing of the drill hole collar
  • elevation or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar
  • dip and azimuth of the hole
  • down hole length and interception depth
  • hole length.
  • If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case.
    • Reported results are summarised in Table 1 within the attached announcement.
    • The drill holes reported in this announcement have the following parameters applied. All drill holes completed, including holes with no significant lithium intersections are reported.
    • Grid co-ordinates are UTM WGS84_29N
    • Collar elevation is defined as height above sea level in metres (RL)
    • Dip is the inclination of the hole from the horizontal. Azimuth is reported in WGS 84_29N degrees as the direction toward which the hole is drilled.
    • Down hole length of the hole is the distance from the surface to the end of the hole, as measured along the drill trace
    • Intersection depth is the distance down the hole as measured along the drill trace.
    • Intersection width is the down hole distance of an intersection as measured along the drill trace
    • Hole length is the distance from the surface to the end of the hole, as measured along the drill trace.
    • No results from previous exploration are the subject of this Announcement.

Data aggregation methods

• In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.
• Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.
• The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated.
  • RC drill hole intercepts are reported from 1m down hole samples.
  • A minimum cut-off grade of 1.0% Li₂O is applied to the reported RC intervals.
  • Maximum internal dilution is 2m within a reported interval.
  • No grade top cut off has been applied.
  • No metal equivalent reporting is used or applied.

Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths

• These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.
• If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.
• If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg ‘down hole length, true width not known’).
  • See discussion in Section 1
  • Results are reported as down hole length.

Diagrams

• Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views.
  • A drill hole location plan is included in Figure 1.

Balanced reporting

• Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.
  • Results have been comprehensively reported in this announcement.
  • Drill holes completed, including holes with no significant intersections, are reported

Other substantive exploration data

• Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances.
  • There is no other exploration data which is considered material to the results reported in this announcement.

Further work

• The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).
• Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive.
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  • Drilling is ongoing
  • RC and diamond drilling where appropriate will be undertaken to follow up the results reported in this announcement.