Lion Rock Receives Conditional Use Mining Permit for Volney Critical Minerals Project, South Dakota

Executive Summary

• Lion Rock Resources Inc. has received Conditional Use Permit (CUP) approval from Lawrence County, South Dakota, authorizing mining and bulk sampling at its Volney Critical Minerals and Gold Project.
• The company is now applying for the state mining license required to mine and sell lithium, tin, and tantalum-bearing pegmatite, with metallurgical testing currently underway.
• Volney is a past-producing asset with existing infrastructure (on-site power, all-season road, nearby rail), positioning it for an expedited timeline from permitting to production.

Key Details

• Permit Approval: Lawrence County, SD granted Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for pegmatite mining and bulk sampling across the Volney property.
• Regulatory Next Steps: Company has commenced the application process for the state mining license administered by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
• Target Commodities: Lithium (spodumene), tin (cassiterite), tantalum (tantalite), and gold.
• Infrastructure & Logistics: Private land location featuring on-site power, an all-season road, and rail access within one hour.
• Commercialization Pathways: Potential for onsite production of lithium, tin, and tantalum concentrates, or direct shipping of ore.
• Testing Status: Metallurgical and mineralogical testing is underway to evaluate concentrate grades and recoveries for spodumene, cassiterite, and tantalum-bearing minerals.
• Historical Production Data: Documented historical production of spodumene concentrate up to 6.3% Li₂O, tin concentrate up to 62.5% Sn, and tantalite concentrate up to 57% Ta₂O₅ (unverified by a Qualified Person; not indicative of future results).
• Timeline: Existing infrastructure and past production history position the project for rapid advancement from permitting to production.

Notable Quotes

• Dale Ginn, President and CEO: "Receiving local government approval for mining and bulk sampling at Volney reflects the rapid progress we continue to make at this remarkable critical minerals and gold project. With this permit now in hand, we are focused on securing the State mining license required for mining and offtake of lithium, tin, and tantalum bearing pegmatite. Volney is a past-producing asset with a concentrator and infrastructure already in place, which positions us exceptionally well for rapid advancement."