Highlights
- American Salars Lithium Inc. acquires 100% of the Leduc East Lithium Project.
- The project consists of 101 mineral claims covering 6,100 hectares.
- Located near key infrastructure, the project shows strong lithium potential.
American Salars Lithium Inc. (CSE:USLI) has announced a strategic acquisition in the burgeoning lithium sector. The Company has signed a Mineral Claims Purchase Agreement to acquire 100% of the Leduc East Lithium Project, a highly prospective area located in Quebec. The Leduc East Lithium Project consists of 101 mineral claims spanning approximately 6,100 hectares (61 square kilometers). This acquisition enhances American Salars' position within the rapidly growing lithium market, with projects in multiple key jurisdictions across North and South America.
Project Location and Strategic Significance
The Leduc East Lithium Project is situated approximately 35 kilometers north of Gatineau, Quebec, an area known for its favorable infrastructure and accessibility for exploration activities. The project’s location places it approximately 275 kilometers southwest of Bécancour’s Battery Metal Park and Lithium downstream concentrator and foundry. Additionally, the project is 300 kilometers southeast of Sayona’s NAL Lithium mine, spodumene concentrator, and planned foundry. This proximity to critical lithium production facilities and infrastructure makes the Leduc East project a strategically valuable asset for American Salars.
Geology and Lithium Potential
The Leduc East Lithium Project covers part of an extensive geological belt composed of granitic and gneissic rocks, known for hosting pegmatitic mineralogy. Over 35 mapped pegmatites have been identified within the project area, alongside 15 historical pegmatite-borne feldspar showings. Thirteen of these were former feldspar and mica mines that operated between the early 1900s and the 1940s. Geologic summaries from these mines suggest the presence of mica in the pegmatites, which is considered a possible source of lithium, as reported by Natural Resources Quebec on the Sigéom website.
Of particular note, five of the 13 past producers also yielded tourmaline, an important indicator mineral for lithium. The Leduc East Lithium Project is also located just 4.5 kilometers east of the historic Mine Leduc property, which produced lithium-bearing pegmatitic materials. While the historical data from the Mine Leduc property is non-NI 43-101 compliant, it indicates a lithium-bearing body with approximately 230 tonnes of material at 5.39% Li2O, further supporting the potential for lithium enrichment within the Leduc East project area.
CEO's Remarks on the Acquisition
Nick Horsley, CEO and Director of American Salars, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, highlighting the company's strategic positioning to capitalize on the growing global demand for lithium. He stated, “The opportunity to acquire this portfolio of past-producing mines with thirty-five mapped pegmatites that were never assayed for Lithium, is an exciting proposition at these valuations. We have never been more optimistic about Lithium’s future and American Salars is well positioned to capitalize on its growing demand. With highly prospective projects throughout Quebec, Nevada, Brazil, and Argentina, we are strategically located in some of the premier jurisdictions throughout North and South America.”