Northwire Canada EditionSunday, September 20, 2026
Northwire
GOLD 4424.90 +0.6% SILVER 67.15 +1.6% COPPER 6.69 +0.5% OIL 96.08 −5.7% PALLADIUM 1319.50 +1.3% ARIC 0.760 −1.3% DCOP 0.095 +0.0% GLO 0.620 +3.3% CCM 0.770 +1.3% FAN 0.750 +2.7% FL 0.450 −1.6% BGF 0.030 +0.0% KLD 2.25 −0.4% SLVR 1.17 +1.7% LEM 0.250 +0.0% GENM 0.610 −3.2% SICO 9.80 +1.0% CTV 0.125 +0.0% CTM 0.140 +0.0% RSMX 0.110 −4.3% FT 0.145 +3.6% GOLD 4424.90 +0.6% SILVER 67.15 +1.6% COPPER 6.69 +0.5% OIL 96.08 −5.7% PALLADIUM 1319.50 +1.3% ARIC 0.760 −1.3% DCOP 0.095 +0.0% GLO 0.620 +3.3% CCM 0.770 +1.3% FAN 0.750 +2.7% FL 0.450 −1.6% BGF 0.030 +0.0% KLD 2.25 −0.4% SLVR 1.17 +1.7% LEM 0.250 +0.0% GENM 0.610 −3.2% SICO 9.80 +1.0% CTV 0.125 +0.0% CTM 0.140 +0.0% RSMX 0.110 −4.3% FT 0.145 +3.6%

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Original News Release

Surge Battery continues drill program at Nevada North

Mr. Greg Reimer reports SURGE BATTERY METALS ADVANCES 2025 DRILL PROGRAM; LEVERAGES U.S. CRITICAL MINERALS POLICY Surge Battery Metals Inc. has provided an update on the progress of its 2025 drilling program at the Nevada North lithium project (NNLP) and to highlight its strategic engagement with Cassidy & Associates in light of evolving United States federal policy support for the domestic battery supply chain. 2025 drill program Surge is currently executing a nine-hole core drill program (see news release dated Sept. 4, 2025) with the objective of updating the resource estimate while upgrading the resource itself to the indicated and measured categories. The program will collect geotechnical and hydrogeological data to support the planned 2026 prefeasibility study (PFS). Drilling commenced in the latter part of September and is expected to be completed by the end of October, 2025. To date 80 per cent of the program has been completed and the company expects the balance of the drilling to be completed this week. Initial visual observations from the drill core are highly encouraging. The targeted lithium-bearing claystone horizons are demonstrating excellent lateral continuity across the project area and, in some cases, are appearing thicker than previously modelled. This provides strong validation for the company's geological model as the company works toward an updated resource. PEA results The company recently completed a preliminary economic assessment (PEA) which confirms the strong economic potential of the NNLP (see news release dated July 24, 2025). Highlights include: After-tax NPV 8 per cent (net present value, 8-per-cent discount rate): $9.17-billion (U.S.), IRR (internal rate of return) of 22.8 per cent at $24,000 (U.S.)/tonne lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) price; Operating cost (opex): $5,243 (U.S.)/t LCE: Near-surface, high-grade mineralization drives the Surge NNLP advantage. PEA mine and processing plan produces 3.6 Mt (million tonnes) battery-grade lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) over the 42-year life of mine (LOM): Average annual production of 86,300 tonnes LCE; Peak production of 109,100 tonnes LCE in year 6. Lithium plant will be built in two phases: Phase 1 (P1) capital cost (capex): $2.97-billion (U.S.), phase 2 (P2) capex: $2.35-billion (U.S.), total of $5.32-billion (U.S.). Sustaining capital: $1.51-billion (U.S.). After-tax payback: 4.6 years; Average LOM annual after-tax cash flow: $1.06-billion (U.S.). Cassidy & Associates engagement To better navigate the United States federal policy, permitting and funding landscape, Surge has engaged Cassidy & Associates, a Washington, D.C.-based government relations and advocacy firm, to support U.S. policy outreach and agency engagement (see news release dated Oct. 7, 2025). Under this agreement, Cassidy & Associates will assist Surge in: Advocating on federal funding opportunities and aligning with U.S. critical minerals strategies; Supporting outreach to relevant federal agencies (for example DOE, BLM, EPA); Ensuring regulatory alignment as development advances. Next steps and forward strategy Complete the 2025 drill program; Incorporate new drill data into an updated resource model and estimate; Retain engineering firm to begin PFS in 2026; Continuing metallurgical and environmental workstreams alongside stakeholder engagement; Advance PFS through 2026; Monitor and actively pursue applicable U.S. federal funding and grant programs. Greg Reimer, chief executive officer and a director of the company, commented: "With the exploration and development of the NNLP well under way, we are strategically positioning the project within the U.S. critical minerals framework. The recently finalized DOE loan and current equity discussions with Lithium Americas demonstrates the U.S. government's commitment to developing domestic lithium projects. We believe Surge is well positioned to take advantage of this support and our engagement of Cassidy & Associates strengthens our capabilities in Washington." In addition, the company has entered into a marketing and investor awareness agreement dated Oct. 17, 2025, with New Era Publishing Inc. Under the terms of the agreement, New Era will provide marketing and promotional services to the company for a period of two months in exchange for a fee of $225,000 (U.S.) (approximately $315,000). New Era is a digital marketing and media firm established in 2016 based in Vancouver, B.C. New Era will provide digital marketing, e-mail and market awareness services and assist its clients with reaching potential investors. New Era will further engage www.carboncredits.com to connect North American and European audiences to bolster awareness of the company through the carboncredits.com website, articles, lithium price dashboard and e-mail newsletters. New Era and the company are unrelated and unaffiliated entities at arm's length of each other, and neither New Era, nor its principals have an interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the company. Qualified person Alan J. Morris, MSc, CPG of Spring Creek, Nevada, geological adviser to the company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release. Mr. Morris has verified the data disclosed respecting the drill program by reviewing all available information. There were no limitations on the verification process. About Surge Battery Metals Inc. Surge Battery Metals, a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North lithium project. The project focuses on exploring clean, high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, United States, a crucial element for powering electric vehicles. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the United States, Surge Battery Metals is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration. About the Nevada North lithium project The company owns the Nevada North lithium project located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nev., about 73 kilometres north-northeast of Wells, Elko county, Nevada. The first three rounds of drilling, completed in 2022, 2023 and 2024, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium-bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 metres and a known width of greater than 1,500 metres. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent, while wide drill spacing allows for significant upside to occur during infill drilling. The Nevada North lithium project has a pit-constrained inferred resource containing an estimated 8.65 Mt of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) grading 2,955 ppm (parts per million) Li at a 1,250 ppm cut-off. The recently completed PEA reported an after-tax NPV8 per cent $9.17-billion (U.S.) and after-tax IRR of 22.8 per cent at $24,000/t LCE and an opex of $5,243 (U.S.)/t LCE. We seek Safe Harbor.
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