Midland Provides an Overview of its Exploration Activities Including its Lithium Projects in James Bay

12 September 2023

Montreal, September 12, 2023.  Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD) is pleased to give an overview of its exploration activities in Quebec, including on its several projects in partnership for lithium in James Bay. Following the complete lifting of access bans to James Bay caused by the forest fires of the summer of 2023, several exploration programs have recently begun.

In 2023, Midland continued to apply its business model as a “Project Generator” with the recent acquisition of several new high-quality properties and the formation of several new partnerships across Quebec, including new partnerships for lithium exploration in the James Bay region. With an exploration budget of more than $15M, Midland and its partners will have completed nearly 20,000 metres of drilling.

Midland is very busy working to advance several projects in partnership with major companies such as BHP Canada Inc. (“BHP”), Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”), Barrick Gold Corporation (“Barrick”), SOQUEM Inc. (“SOQUEM”), Brunswick Exploration Inc. (“Brunswick”), Probe Gold Inc. (“Probe”), Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd. (“Wallbridge”) and Cosmos Exploration Limited (“Cosmos”).  

Highlights:

  • Commencement of exploration programs for lithium (“Li”) in James Bay with Rio Tinto, Brunswick and Cosmos following the complete lifting of access bans;
  • Work for lithium focussing near Corvette (Patriot Battery Metals), Adina (Winsome Resources) and James Bay lithium (Allkem);
  • Work in progress (ZTEM, lakes, prospection) in Nunavik with BHP for Ni-Cu;
  • Drilling to come with RTEC to follow-up Santos Ni-Cu discovery on Tête Nord;
  • Drilling ongoing with Probe on La Peltrie on the 2022 Cu-Au-Ag-Mo discovery;
  • Commencement of a program with SOQUEM on the 2022 Cu-Au discovery at Nachicapau.

Lithium Projects (Li) – James Bay

Corvette, Chisaayuu and Mythril East Projects – 100% Midland, in option agreement with RTEC

A first exploration program including LiDAR surveys as well as prospecting and mapping work is in progress. This work will cover the properties located east and south-east of Corvette deposit held by Patriot Battery Metals (“Patriot”) with an estimated inferred resources of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O. (Source: NI 43-101 technical report on the maiden mineral resource estimate for the CV5 spodumene pegmatite prepared by BBA Engineering Ltd, effective date June 25, 2023).

These projects contain amphibolite formations, which are regionally the most common host rock for lithium pegmatites, and a compilation of historical work by Midland revealed strong indications of potential for Li-Be-Ta enriched pegmatites. During exploration work for copper in 2022 on Chisaayuu, a pegmatite outcrop had returned two strong lithium anomalous values in selected samples: 0.12 % Li2O and 0.04 % Li2O. In addition, new lithium anomalies in lake-bottom sediments have been identified on Chisaayuu and Corvette following a regional statistical treatment of more than 23,000 analysis and completed by Midland (see Midland press release of March 6, 2023).

Galinée Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with RTEC

The Galinée Project is located approximately 4 kilometres directly east of Adina showing held by Winsome Resources. This Adina showing is at the contact between amphibolites of the Trieste Formation to the south and felsic intrusives to the north. This contact is marked by a major structure that most likely controlled the emplacement of pegmatites on the Adina showing. This same highly favourable contact is present on Midland’s Galinée property over more than 7 kilometres and has never been explored for lithium in the past. This suggests that the Galinée project shows potential for lithium exploration. The maiden exploration program for lithium will target this structure by helicopter supported prospecting and geological mapping as well as a high-resolution LiDAR survey.

Komo Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with RTEC

The Komo Project is located approximately 20 kilometres west of James Bay lithium deposit (Allkem) which contains a mineral resource of 110.2 Mt at 1.30 % Li2O, consisting in an indicated resource of 54.3 Mt at 1.30% Li20 and an inferred resource of 55.9 Mt at 1.29% Li20. (Source: Mineral Resource Estimate by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. dated May 19, 2023).

Komo and James Bay lithium deposit are both located at the contact between the La Grande and Nemiscau geological subprovinces. This contact is a major structure that likely play a critical role in the emplacement of the James Bay lithium host pegmatite. This major lithotectonic contact is present over nearly 30 kilometres on the Komo project and had never been explored for lithium. A LiDAR survey was completed in the summer of 2023, and prospection and geological mapping is planned for a second field phase later in 2023.

Mythril and Elrond Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with Brunswick

Initially, the program will mainly focus on the southern part of the Mythril project, near Corvettes’ lithium discoveries by Patriot. Several important structural trends were oriented north-east and share the same orientation as Patriot’s CV13 spodumene pegmatites and will be targeted by a helicopter-supported prospecting and mapping exploration program, as well as a LiDAR survey.

Furthermore, two new lake bottom lithium anomalies were identified south on the project, following a regional statistical treatment of more than 23,000 analysis, and completed by Midland.

Lasalle Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with Cosmos

An interpretation of a high-resolution magnetic surveys as well as the analysis of imagery data, LiDAR and hyper-spectral data were completed and made it possible to identify three (3) new target areas characterized by the possible presence of pegmatites for a field follow-up which was recently completed. The results of this program are pending.

Nickel-Copper Projects (Ni-Cu) – Nunavik and Grenville

Nunavik Nickel Project – Strategic Alliance with BHP

The 2023 exploration program, which began in July 2023, is focused on a major crustal-scale structure that has been identified in the regional magnetotelluric (“MT”) surveys performed in 2022. This structure, previously poorly recognised is potentially favorable for nickel-copper mineralization. The 2023 program consisted of a 1,534 samples lake sediment survey and an airborne Z-Tipper axis electromagnetic survey (“ZTEM”) as well as two phases of mapping and prospecting completed during July and August. Results of the program are pending.

Tête Nord Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with RTEC

A first drilling program was completed in the spring of 2023 by RTEC on Tête Nord, located in Grenville, this program included a total of sixteen (16) drill holes totaling 3,450 meters. During this program, a new Ni-Cu mineralized zone named Santos was discovered about 8 kilometers north of the former Lac Édouard Ni-Cu mine along a north-south trending structure.

The drill hole MDLD0015 had intersected between 20.11 and 22.79 meters an interval grading 1.10% Ni and 0.71% Cu over 2.68 meters. Further down, between 33.02 and 43.39 meters, a mineralized interval graded 0.45% Ni and 0.18% Cu over 10.37 meters (see Midland press release of April 27, 2023). These mineralized gabbro zones generally display sulphides with mesh and disseminated textures and alternate with non-mineralized metric gabbro horizons.

Following this survey, the results of the electromagnetic surveys completed on the surface and in the borehole, indicate the presence of an unexplained conductor that dips to the southeast. The Santos zone therefore remains entirely open in this direction. A gravity geophysical survey has also been completed and a second phase of drilling of 1,900 meters at Santos, Palmeiras and Savane began in July 2023 and will continue later this fall, when deforestation permits to access the drill sites will be obtained.

Copper-Gold Projects (Cu-Au) – Abitibi and Labrador Trough

La Peltrie Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with Probe

In December 2022, a large copper-gold-silver-molybdenum (“Cu-Au-Ag-Mo”) mineralized system was announced on La Peltrie, Abitibi. The mineralization intersected in LAP-22-012 was present throughout the entire drill hole, identifying a thicker interval mineralized in Cu-Au-Ag-Mo grading 0.21% CuEq over 345.5 metres from surface with potential to continue laterally and at depth.

A 2,700-metre follow-up drilling program on the 2022 discovery is currently underway following the delays of more than two months due to forest access bans caused by the 2023 summer forest fires.

Nachicapau Project – Strategic Alliance with SOQUEM

During prospecting carried out in the summer of 2022, Midland-SOQUEM team had discovered several new high-grade copper and gold mineralized horizons at the surface which had been observed over a minimum area of 160 metres by 170 metres. A grab sample returned up to 25.6 % Cu, 4.9 g/t Au and 162 g/t Ag. Copper mineralization is dominated by digenite and bornite.

A first exploration program has just started and will target the Cu-Au-Ag mineralized horizon sector and its extensions along the Murdoch volcano-sedimentary formation. This sector of Nunavik has been the subject of very little exploration work in the past. Ongoing work includes soil and rock sampling in anticipation of completing stripping and channeling.

Gold Projects (Au) – Abitibi

Patris Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with Barrick

Since the option agreement with Barrick announced in June 2023, a VTEM helicopter-borne electromagnetic survey has been completed to cover the entire Patris property. The resistivity component is being used to map overburden thicknesses and variations in preparation for an upcoming till drilling campaign in the winter of 2024.

Casault Project – 100% Midland, in an option agreement with Wallbridge

During 2023, Wallbridge completed a high-resolution magnetic survey on select areas over the western portion of the property, as well as a till sampling program (Sonic drill-for-till survey) in the eastern part of the property. The final results and interpretations of the programs are pending but will help develop drill targets for testing in future programs. Additionally, several quality drill targets remain to be tested on the entire Casault property, several of which are located in the area surrounding ​​the Vortex showing discovered in 2017, which is open at depth, and along a NW- SE structure that returned 6.85 g/t Au over 2.0 meters in hole CAS-21-123.

Cautionary statements

Grab samples are selective by nature and reported values are not necessarily indicative of mineralized zones.

The true thickness of reported channel and drilling intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available; intervals are thus reported in core length and channel length.

Mineralization occurring at deposits and former mines mentioned in this press release is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be intersected on projects held by Midland described in this press release.

About Midland

Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold and critical metals. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as BHP Canada Inc., Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc., Barrick Gold Corporation, Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd, Probe Gold Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Osisko Development Corp., SOQUEM INC., Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund, Cosmos Exploration Limited and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up the Company portfolio and generate shareholder value.

This press release was prepared by Mario Masson, VP Exploration for Midland, certified geologist and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

For further information, please consult Midland’s website or contact:

Gino Roger, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: 450 420-5977
Fax: 450 420-5978
Email: info@midlandexploration.com
Website: www.midlandexploration.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland’s periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

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Projets

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Appalaches
Baie James
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Nunavik

Projects

Abitbi
Appalaches
James Bay
Greenville
Nunavik

MARIO MASSON, P. GEO.

V.P. Exploration

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Mario Masson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from the Université de Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, Mario worked several years has a geologist at Nipadex and Muscocho. In 1990, he started working for Noranda Exploration in Matagami has a Project Geologist and was a part of the team that found the Orchan West and Bell Allars deposits. He was also involved in the discovery of the Perseverance deposit in the Matagami Mining Camp in 2000. After this discovery, Mario and his team win the PDAC Bill Dennis Award in 2001. From 2002 to 2007, he was in charge of the exploration activities in the Noranda Mining Camp has a Senior Geologist for Noranda Inc – Falconbridge ltée – Xstrata Copper. In addition, he was also involved in the discovery of the West Ansil deposit in the Noranda Mining Camp in 2005, which allowed the Falconbridge ltée exploration team to win the Prospector of the Year award at the QMEA. Since January 2008, he is a part of Midland Exploration team as VP Exploration.

GINO ROGER, P.ENG.

President,CEO, Director

Gino Roger has been President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 1, 2006. Mr. Roger has graduated as a geological engineer from Laval University in 1990. From May 1990 to October 2006, Mr. Roger was a Project Geologist, Senior Geologist and Regional Geologist for Xstrata, Falconbridge and Noranda. During those years he was actively involved in the generation, acquisition and negotiation of many significant projects and discovery of mineral deposits. He worked in Quebec, Ontario, B.C., Yukon and Sweden on a wide variety of projects involving gold, VMS, SEDEX, MVT, and IOCG ore deposits. Mr. Roger and his team received the AEMQ’s prestigious Prospector of the Year Award in 2005, for the discovery of the West Ansil deposit. He is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec and of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. He is a director of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association.

JEAN-PIERRE JANSON

Chairman of the Board

Jean-Pierre Janson joined Richardson GMP in January 2005 as Managing Director, National Wealth Management. As such, he oversees the development of branches nationwide, and seeks new opportunities to bring some of the industry’s Top Investment Advisors to the firm. In addition, Mr. Janson also serves on the Richardson GMP’s executive committee and in that capacity works closely with the Executive Management Team on the firm’s strategic direction.

Mr. Janson was previously Managing Director of CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services (Eastern Canada Region) and held senior management positions with both Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. and Midland Walwyn Inc. Having built a reputation of trust and respect during more than 30 years in the financial services industry, Mr. Janson continues to demonstrate his involvement through Richardson GMP Limited. He also serves as trustee of BTB Real Estate Investment Trust and as member on the board of Tri-Origin Exploration Limited.

RENÉ BRANCHAUD

Secretary and Director

René Branchaud holds an LLB from Université Laval obtained in 1982. He has been a lawyer since 1983 and is a partner of the law firm Lavery, de Billy L.L.P. He has a vast experience as secretary and director of mining corporations.

INGRID MARTIN

Chief Financial Officer

Ingrid Martin holds a Bachelor in Business Management from the École des hautes études commerciales (HEC), in Montréal, Quebec. She is a member of the Order of Chartered professional accountants of Quebec since 1990 and possesses a vast experience as consultant for public companies. She acts, also, as Chief Financial Officer of Vior Inc. Mrs. Martin is devoting 40% of her time to Midland Exploration.

PAUL ARCHER

Director

Paul Archer has a Bachelor’s degree in Geological Engineering and a Master’s degree in Earth Science. He has more than 35 years of experience in the mining industry, particularly in exploration for gold and base metals in Archean terrains. He developed his expertise working with various companies, including Shell Minerals, Noranda Exploration, Northgate Explorations, Westminer Canada and SOQUEM, where he was Regional Manager for Northern Quebec. On May 1, 1996, Mr. Archer joined Virginia Mines as Vice-President of Exploration and Acquisitions and Director. Mr. Archer was actively involved in the discovery and development of the Eleonore project, from the preliminary field campaign through to the sale of the deposit to Goldcorp. In November 2014, he joined Osisko’s management team following the Osisko/Virginia merger. He was elected President of the Quebec Prospectors Association in 1996 and 1997. Over the years, Mr. Archer has received, on behalf of Virginia, several prestigious prizes, including the Bill Dennis Award from the PDAC in 2006 for the discovery of the Eleonore deposit.

ANNIE DUTIL

Director

Annie Dutil is a member of the Quebec CPA Order and is Nomad’s corporate controller. Ms. Dutil brings over 15 years of extensive mining knowledge, specifically in the areas of public accounting, compliance with financial information obligations and regulatory matters. Prior to joining Nomad, Ms. Dutil has held a number of positions at PwC, including a role as director where she has led the Capital Markets and Accounting Advisory Services group in Montréal. In her current and previous roles, she has assisted several companies in their capital markets activities, including initial public offerings, financings, cross-border transactions and complex accounting and regulatory matters. Ms. Dutil is the co-founder of the Montreal chapter of Women in Mining and is involved in many community and philanthropic activities, currently serving as a member of the Board of Directors of Factry, the School of the Creative Sciences, and Théâtre de la Banquette Arrière.

Jean des Rivières

Director

Mr. Jean des Rivières holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal and a Master’s degree of Science in Geology from École Polytechnique de Montréal affiliated to the University of Montreal. He has over 35 years of diversified experience in the exploration and mining industries while working in more than 50 countries touching base and precious metals. He most recently held the position of global Vice President Metals Exploration at BHP and previously held managerial and technical positions at Rio Algom, BHP, and Noranda. With BHP, Mr des Rivières chaired the Inclusion and Diversity committee of the Americas. After a successful career, he recently joined the board of directors of First Majestic Silver Corp., Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd., and Midland Exploration Inc.

JEAN-FRANÇOIS LARIVIÈRE, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Jean-François holds a PhD from Université du Québec à Chicoutimi in Mineral resources, specialist in zinc-bearing mineralization with an expertise in metallogeny of metalliferous deposits.

RICHARD ST-CYR, P. GEO.

Project geologist

More than 30 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec, British Colombia and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since 2012, Richard holds a Bachelor degree in Resources Geology from Université du Québec à Montréal. Before joining Midland’s team, he was a Project Geologist for Services Technominex – Aurizon Mines, Sirios and Unigold on several gold exploration projects. Between 1997 and 2006, he worked has a Project Geologist (5 years) and Technical Director (4 years) for the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund. At the beginning of his career, Richard worked as a Prospector for SOQUEM, Virginia Gold / Barrick Gold on gold projects in James Bay and Northern Quebec. He was also involved in the exploration of the Eskay Creek discovery in British Colombia.

LOUIS-PHILIPPE RICHARD, P.GEO.

Project geologist

More than 10 years of experience in mineral exploration in Quebec.

Project geologist for Midland Exploration, Louis-Philippe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Université Laval. Prior to joining the team, he worked 4 years for Nemaska Exploration / Monarch Resources / Nemaska Lithium in the Nemiscau area where he managed and participated exploration campaigns for lithium, gold and base metals. He also participated in the development of the Whabouchi lithium project.

Romain Deflin, P.Geo.

Project Geologist

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration, Romain Deflin holds a degree in geological engineering from l’ENSG (École National Supérieure de Géologie in Nancy) and a master degree in Mineral Resource Exploration from Université de Lorraine. He completed a 4 months internship with Midland before joining the team permanently in 2019.

Philippe Allard, Geo. M.Sc.

Project geologist

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration in Québec, Canadian Arctic, and Dominican Republic.

Project Geologist for Midland Exploration since May 2019, Philippe holds a Bachelor degree in Geology and a master in Earth Sciences from UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal). Before joining Midland’s team, Philippe worked as an Exploration Geologist for Goldcorp, Ressources Sirios, Unigold and the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund (NMEF). At the beginning of his career, he also worked as an assistant geologist and a geologist for Virginia Gold Mines, Cambiex, Miramar Mining, Noranda Exploration, SOQUEM and Services Miniers du Nord on gold and base metals projects, mainly in James Bay. Moreover, he was at the origin of the discovery by prospection of the Cheechoo deposit in James Bay in 2010.

SYLVAIN TRÉPANIER, P.GEO.

Geologist Consultant

More than 20 years of experience in mineral exploration and research in Quebec.

Sylvain Trépanier holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology, a Master’s degree in Earth Science and a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering from Université du Québec à Montréal. Sylvain began his career for Noranda in 1995 and worked on various projects in Quebec until 2001. From 2004 to 2012, he worked has a research geologist at CONSOREM. During his years working at CONSOREM, he has carried out numerous research projects applied to mineral exploration and has developed expertise recognized in Quebec in various fields related to exploration: lake-bottom, streams and tills sediments geochemistry, alterations lithogeochemistry, statistical data processing and potential mineral evaluation by artificial intelligence. He is the author of several scientific articles, research reports and public presentations. He designed and developed the Lithomodeleur software for geochemistry treatment, which is now widely used in Quebec by exploration companies, governments and universities. From 2012 to 2016, he worked for Virginia Mines and Osisko Gold Royalties as a Senior Research Geologist and was involved in most of the company’s projects in James Bay and the Labrador Trough. He is co-recipient of the QMEA Jean-Descarreaux Award in 2011 with the CONSOREM team. Mr. Trépanier joined Midland in November 2016 as a VP Exploration James-Bay/Northern Quebec.