Midland, in Partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada, Intersects New Lithium and Cesium Bearing Pegmatites During the 2025 Drilling Program on the Galinee Project
Rio Tinto Sharpens Focus on Galinee as Midland Delivers High-Grade Lithium and Rare Cesium Intercepts
The most recent news release (January 8, 2026) provides results from the 2025 drilling program at the Galinee project in partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada (RTEC). Key highlights include significant lithium (Li2O) and rare cesium (Cs2O) intercepts.
- Significant lithium intercepts: 1.14% Li2O over 30.6 metres (Hole TLIB0051) and 1.08% Li2O over 17.1 metres (Hole TLIB0034).
- Exceptionally high-grade cesium: 9.15% Cs2O over 6.4 metres (Hole TLIB0006).
- New gold discovery: 8.8 g/t Au over 1.03 metres (Hole TLIB0049).
- Partnership Update: RTEC paid the remaining option cash payments totaling $487,500.
- Portfolio Rationalization: RTEC notified Midland of its intent to return nine other projects (including Mythril East and Corvette) to Midland (100% ownership), effectively concentrating its lithium efforts on the Galinee project.
The impact of this news is material and positive for three primary reasons:
- Validation by a Major: Rio Tinto’s decision to return nine other properties while maintaining its option on Galinee indicates a high level of geological conviction in this specific asset. The completion of final cash payments ($487,500) further solidifies the commitment.
- Technical Success: The 2025 program successfully identified "stacked" spodumene pegmatites. The widths (30.6m) and grades (1.14% Li2O) are comparable to the neighboring Adina deposit (Winsome Resources).
- Strategic Metals Bonus: The 9.15% cesium intercept is of scientific and potential economic interest, as cesium is a critical mineral with limited global supply.
While RTEC returning nine projects might appear negative at first glance, it allows Midland to regain 100% control of these assets (including Corvette and Mythril East) to seek new partners or fund exploration independently, while the "flagship" lithium project remains funded by a tier-one major.
Midland Exploration Inc. is a project generator focused exclusively on Quebec, Canada. Its flagship project is currently the Galinee Lithium project (under option to Rio Tinto).
- Project: Galinee Project (Lithium, Cesium, Gold).
- Location: James Bay region, Quebec, ~5 km east of Winsome Resources’ Adina deposit.
- Geology: Spodumene-bearing pegmatites within a 7-km favorable contact zone.
- Business Model: Midland typically partners with major mining companies (BHP, Rio Tinto, Barrick, Agnico Eagle) who fund 100% of exploration costs to earn a majority interest (typically 50-75%), while Midland retains a minority stake and receives management fees.