Patriot Battery Metals Unveils High-Grade Caesium Pollucite at Shaakichiuwaanaan

Pollucite Confirmation and Caesium Potential

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. has taken a significant step forward in its exploration of the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property in Quebec, Canada, by confirming pollucite as the principal mineral host for caesium at the Vega and Rigel zones within the CV13 Pegmatite. Pollucite is prized in lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites for its exceptionally high caesium content, often exceeding 30%, and its relative ease of processing, making it an optimal target for recovery.

Drill core samples have revealed pollucite concentrations as high as 75% in individual intervals, with caesium oxide grades reaching up to 26.6%. These findings underscore the potential for caesium to become a meaningful by-product alongside the primary lithium resource.

Resource Update and Economic Implications

The company intends to incorporate the caesium mineralization from the Vega and Rigel zones into its upcoming Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) update, targeted for the third quarter of 2025. The interpreted footprints of these zones are substantial, measuring approximately 800 by 250 meters for Vega and 200 by 100 meters for Rigel, suggesting a significant resource base.

Caesium, a rare and critical metal, commands a high market value, with refined caesium metal trading near US$2,540 per ounce, comparable to gold. Its applications span from oil and gas well completion to advanced technologies such as atomic clocks critical for GPS and telecommunications.

Strategic Location and Project Development

Shaakichiuwaanaan’s location in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region offers year-round access via all-season roads and proximity to power infrastructure, enhancing the project's logistical appeal. The lithium-only feasibility study focused on the CV5 pegmatite remains on schedule for completion in Q3-2025, after which the economic potential of caesium and other by-products like tantalum and gallium will be assessed.

Patriot Battery Metals is advancing ore sorting test programs to evaluate pollucite recovery ahead of spodumene and tantalite processing, signaling a methodical approach to integrating these critical metals into the project’s economics.

Broader Critical Metals Opportunity

The Shaakichiuwaanaan pegmatites are highly evolved through crystal fractionation, leading to extreme enrichment not only in lithium but also in caesium and tantalum, positioning the project as a potential major source of multiple critical metals. This diversification could enhance the project's resilience and appeal amid growing global demand for strategic minerals.

With only a handful of primary caesium mines historically operating worldwide, and many nearing depletion, Patriot’s discovery could fill a critical supply gap. The company’s ongoing metallurgical and environmental studies further support the project's advancement toward economic viability.