Critical Elements starts drill program at Rose West

Executive Summary

• Critical Elements Lithium Corp. announced the commencement of a 10,000-meter Phase 1 winter 2026 drill program at its 100%-owned Rose West discovery in Eeyou Istchee, Quebec.
• The program aims to expand the lateral footprint of the known mineralized pegmatite, test continuity in the northeast, and verify potential for additional lithium-bearing pegmatites below the current definition.
• The company highlighted significant historical high-grade lithium and tantalum intercepts from the 2024 winter campaign to contextualize the potential of the new drilling.

Key Details

• Drill Program Scope: 10,000 meters of systematic drilling using two drill rigs.
• Target Area: Rose West discovery, located within the Rose and Rose South property blocks in Quebec.
• Current Footprint (2024 Data): The mineralized pegmatite body extends over a 450 m strike, 370 m down dip, and to a vertical depth of 140 m.
• Program Objectives:
  • Expand laterally around the existing mineralized footprint.
  • Test the northeastern area for continuity.
  • Verify potential for additional lithium-bearing pegmatites below the currently defined area.
• Drilling Strategy:
  • Application of a 100 m grid approach to grow the known volume.
  • Target expansion of the Main zone to approximately 950 m by 1,200 m.
  • Addition of an East Target zone of approximately 750 m by 600 m.
  • Average drilling depth expected to be 175 m.
  • End-of-hole depth to be 10 m below the bottom contact of the projected target volume.
  • Nine specific holes will be extended to ~300 m depth to verify deeper potential.
• Geological Context:
  • The main pegmatite body sits between two shallow dipping aplite dykes.
  • A northwest-trending, moderately dipping (45- to 60-degree northeast) structural corridor influences the geometry, causing the main pegmatite body to drop deeper by ~100 m on the east side.
• Historical High-Grade Intercepts (2024 Winter Campaign):
  • Hole RD-24-25A: 1.39% Li2O and 157 ppm Ta2O5 over 35.30 m, including 2.33% Li2O and 152 ppm Ta2O5 over 9.00 m.
  • Hole RD-24-24: 1.29% Li2O and 121 ppm Ta2O5 over 31.50 m, including 1.69% Li2O and 127 ppm Ta2O5 over 13.50 m.
  • Hole RD-24-17: 1.22% Li2O and 250 ppm Ta2O5 over 20.50 m, including 1.60% Li2O and 181 ppm Ta2O5 over 15.00 m.
  • Hole RD-24-20: 1.31% Li2O and 235 ppm Ta2O5 over 40.40 m, including 1.64% Li2O and 219 ppm Ta2O5 over 22.50 m.
  • Hole RD-24-23A: 2.22% Li2O and 95 ppm Ta2O5 over 20.30 m, including 2.78% Li2O and 92 ppm Ta2O5 over 10.50 m.
  • Hole RD-24-22: 1.30% Li2O and 142 ppm Ta2O5 over 31.60 m, including 1.59% Li2O and 130 ppm Ta2O5 over 25.50 m.
  • Hole RD-24-16A: 1.43% Li2O and 178 ppm Ta2O5 over 24.95 m, including 1.91% Li2O and 145 ppm Ta2O5 over 13.50 m.
• Project Status: Rose West is near-surface, subhorizontal, and 10 to 40 m thick. The goal is to produce a resource estimate should the west zone prove continuous.

Notable Quotes

• "Given good lateral continuity of the zone, this drilling program has the potential to significantly increase the footprint of the Rose West discovery. Should mineralized intercepts continue to measure between 10 to 40 m and grades remain consistent with those reported in 2024, Rose West could have a material impact on the total Rose project resource and, consequently, a potential economic impact for Critical Element's shareholders," commented Jean-Sebastien Lavallee, chief executive officer.