Midland, in Partnership with RTEC, Intersects Several New Spodumene Pegmatites During the 2024 Drilling Program on the Galinée Project

24 October 2024

Montreal, October 24, 2024.  Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD), in partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”),is pleased to announce preliminary results from the first drilling campaign for lithium on the Galinée project, and results from surface prospecting on Galinée, Wookie, and Shire projects. The 2024 drilling campaign’s main objective was to test the 2023 Iceberg, Iceberg South and Iceberg South-West lithium showings (see press release by Midland dated January 16, 2024) while prospecting aimed to find new showings. This press release reports results from the first thirteen (13) drill holes of the 2024 campaign out of a total of twenty-eight (28). The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometers east of the Adina lithium deposit held by Winsome Resources (“Winsome”), is wholly owned by Midland, and is subject to an option agreement signed with RTEC in June 2023 (see press release by Midland dated June 14, 2023) and amended in April 2024 (see press release by Midland dated April 23, 2024).

Highlights:

  • On Galinée, best results from the first thirteen (13) drill holes out of twenty-eight (28):
    • 1.38% Li2O over 37.86 meters, including 1.88% Li2O over 21.35 meters (TLIB0007);
    • 1.94% Li2O over 20.97 meters, and also 2.47% Li2O over 11.52 meters (TLIB0006);
    • 1.49% Li2O over 26.50 meters, including 1.85% Li2O over 19.20 meters (TLIB0002);
    • 0.89% Li2O over 33.30 meters, including 1.87% Li2O over 16.70 meters (TLIB0004);
  • On Galinée, at least seven (7) meter to decameter-scale spodumene pegmatites were intersected during the 2024 drilling campaign, which remain open and further to be tested;
  • On Galinée, two (2) new lithium showings were identified in 2024,White Lightning and Snow Fox, with selected grab samples up to 4.62% Li2O (outcrop) and 4.19% Li2O (boulder) respectively;
  • On Wookie, identification of the Grogu spodumene pegmatite showing.

Galinée 2024 Drilling Program

The 2024 drilling program on Galinée consisted of twenty-one (21) diamond drill holes and seven (7) reverse circulation drill holes totaling 6,284.86 meters, out of which 819.92 meters were reverse circulation drilling. Assay results from the first thirteen (13) diamond drill holes have been received, while the results for the remaining fifteen (15) drill holes are currently pending and will be published in an upcoming press release once made available. The best results from the first thirteen (13) holes are summarized in the table below.

HoleFrom (m)To (m)Interval (m)Li2O%
TLIB00019.924.814.91.48
TLIB00027.033.526.51.49
Including14.333.519.21.85
TLIB0004201.1234.433.31.09
Including217.6234.316.71.87
TLIB000641.662.620.971.94
188.6200.111.522.47
TLIB0007105.44143.337.861.38
Including121.95143.321.351.88
TLIB001181.7191.479.761.46
157.98179.8821.91.09
TLIB0012279.88295.9616.080.90
TLIB0013100.54121.0620.520.70

The objectives of the 2024 drilling campaign were to test the 2023 Iceberg Showing area with diamond drilling while using reverse circulation drilling to test conceptual, prospecting and geophysical targets. The drilling campaign mainly focused on the Iceberg showing and also the Iceberg South and Southwest showings, which were internally renamed as the White Stripes and Surge Showings (these names are used herein). New sampling on the White Stripes showing returned 6.37% Li2O on a selected grab sample. Surface geological mapping combined with drilling has identified a series of at least seven (7) meter to decameter-scale spodumene pegmatite bodies. The highlight result thus far returned core length interval composites of 1.38% Li2O over 37.86 meters, including 1.88% Li2O over 21.35 meters, in hole TLIB0007.

HoleIDEasting (m)Northing (m)Azimuth (°)Dip (°)Depth (m)Core SizeType
TLIB0001676649590975813-45240.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0002676613590969713-45234.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0003676860590981913-45285.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00046769265909884193-45270.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0005676609590969513-70219.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0006676742590975113-60294.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00076766095909695193-70198.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0008676459590974213-60177.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0009676503590912113-45225.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00106758105909224193-60168.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0011676783590960913-70315.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0012676564590944013-60345.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0013676488590902213-45279.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0014676959590950013-60384.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB00156784595909235343-45228.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0016676863591003713-60261.74HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0017676402590997613-60171.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0018677070590962113-60294.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0019677316590962713-60105.163¼”RC drilling
TLIB00206764585909740193-60273.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0021677042590928113-60100.583¼”RC drilling
TLIB0022677176590917613-60150.883¼”RC drilling
TLIB0023677418590956413-60321.00HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0024677949590883813-60100.583¼”RC drilling
TLIB0025677375591011213-75150.883¼”RC drilling
TLIB0026677171590917613-60283.20HQDiamond drilling
TLIB0027677540591002213-60117.353¼”RC drilling
TLIB0028676008590968313-6094.493¼”RC drilling

Preliminary models show that the spodumene pegmatite bodies dip shallowly, typically less than 30 degrees, and are often observed as stacked sets in the drill holes – the drilling commonly intersected multiple mineralized pegmatite bodies with variable thickness. Preliminary structural studies and 3D modelling suggest that these pegmatites could have sigmoidal geometries. Mineralogical studies show that the major lithium phase at Iceberg is spodumene with minor muscovite and cookeite alteration. Minor petalite is present and holmquistite is often present in the amphibolitic country rock adjacent to pegmatites. The spodumene pegmatite bodies remain open along strike and to depth and more drilling will be necessary to more precisely determine their geometry and extension.

Budget approval is currently in discussion and pending for the next phase of drilling. Early metallurgical tests are also being evaluated on select core sections using LIBS scanning to identify and quantitatively determine grain size and the lithium mineralogy.

Galinée 2024 Prospecting Program

Project scale surface prospecting was conducted in parallel to the drilling campaign and was successful in identifying two (2) new lithium showings. The Snow Fox showing, located approximately 1.5 kilometers southeast of Iceberg, consists of a series of angular and metric size spodumene pegmatite boulders interpreted to be locally sourced. No pegmatite outcrop was observed at the surface to-date, but boulder selected sampling returned up to 4.19% Li2O and nearby amphibolitic outcrops contain holmquistite. The White Lightning showing consists of a coarse grained spodumene-bearing pegmatite with an approximate 7 by 30-meter footprint located approximately 1.5 kilometers east of the Iceberg area. Selected grab sampling returned up to 4.62% Li2O. Preliminary structural observations on the outcrop suggest that the pegmatites herein have intruded along a shear zone in areas of dilatation and originating from a pegmatitic fluid source at depth.

Wookie and Shire 2024 Prospecting Program

The first prospecting campaign for lithium on Wookie successfully identified a new lithium occurrence. The Grogu Showing is identified on a claim cell located between the two main blocks of the Wookie project and consists of a relatively steeply dipping 600 meters long by 1-32 meters wide pegmatite body containing local spodumene. Channel sampling was conducted to better understand the grade and its distribution. Results are still pending.

On the Shire Project, preliminary prospecting and geological mapping located an approximately 1,000 x 350 meters size pegmatite locally containing what appears to be an altered spodumene pod. Lithium-bearing phases have yet to be identified.

About the Galinée Project

The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometers due east of the Adina deposit (mineral resource estimate of 77.8 MT at 1.15% Li2O,see press release by Winsome dated May 28, 2024) held by Winsome. This deposit is located at the contact between amphibolites of the Trieste Formation to the south and felsic intrusives to the north and is marked by a major structure that likely controlled the emplacement of pegmatites at Adina. The same highly favourable contact zone is present on the property over more than 7 kilometers, and the Iceberg lithium showing was discovered along this contact (see press release by Midland dated September 19, 2023).

About the Wookie and Shire Projects

The Wookie project is located about 40 kilometers north-northwest of Arcadium’s Galaxy deposit. The Wookie project is underlain by a lower Amphibolite facies metamorphosed bedrock, recognized to be the most favourable metamorphic facies for lithium pegmatites worldwide. Furthermore, most of the lithium deposits in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay area are found in pegmatites emplaced within mafic volcanic or intrusive rocks units. The Wookie project covers more than twenty (20) square kilometers of mafic volcanic rocks. Several historical Quebec government rock samples of pegmatites collected close to the project have returned anomalous tantalum, cesium and rubidium values. While these samples were not analyzed for lithium, this element suite is strongly suggestive of favourable LCT (lithium-cesium-tantalum) pegmatites.

The Shire project is located within amphibolites of the Lac des Montagnes geological Group, which hosts Nemaska Lithium’s Whabouchi lithium deposit about 60 kilometers southwest of Shire. The Whabouchi lithium deposit is characterized by a pegmatite intrusion assigned to the Senay granitic Suite, which also occurs on the Shire project. This project is also located along a major structure that could be critical for the emplacement of lithium-bearing pegmatites in the area (the boundary between the La Grande and Opatica geological subprovinces).

Quality Control

RTEC sampling protocols include the insertion of blanks, duplicates, and standards as such: Internal blanks were inserted at the beginning of every drill hole, or sample batch, and were inserted every 30 samples throughout. Field duplicates of ¼ cut drill cores were also inserted every 30 samples (with the parent sample immediately preceding). At least 1 CRM standard was inserted within every intersected pegmatite interval. CRM materials used included OREAS 750, OREAS 751, OREAS 753 and OREAS 999 for mineralized samples; OREAS 520 and OREAS 524 for unmineralized materials. All samples were prepared by ALS Laboratories in Thunder Bay using a preparation package whereby the entire sample is crushed to 70% less than 2-millimetre mesh size using a Boyd crusher and splitter combination. A one-kilogram split of crushed material is pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns mesh size. ALS internally sends all pulps to ALS Geochemistry in Vancouver for analysis.

Pegmatite materials were analyzed by a multi-method analytical package: (1) ME-MS61L four acid digest and ICP-MS multicollector multi-element analysis, (2) ME-ICP06 lithium borate fusion whole rock analysis, and (3) ME-MS81 lithium borate fusion trace element analysis.  All samples reporting >4500 ppm Li are reported by both a dilution method from the four-acid digest ME-MS61L and reanalyzed by Li-ICP82b sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES determination.

Cautionary Statements

Grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of mineralized zones. Furthermore, the true thickness of mineralized intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available.

The presence of pegmatite is not necessarily indicative of lithium mineralization.

Lithium mineralization occurring at the deposits mentioned in this press release is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be intersected on projects held by Midland and mentioned 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 RTEC, BHP Canada Inc., Barrick Gold Corp., Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd, Probe Gold Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Electric Elements Mining Corp., SOQUEM Inc., Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund, 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 Midland’s portfolio and generate shareholder value.

Qualified Person and Chief Geologist Jean-François Larivière, P. Geo, Ph. D, prepared this press release and verified the Galinée project data as Midland’s qualified person (QP) within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. The QP has verified the data as per clause 3.2 – given they are confidently identifying spodumene using these methods.

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: https://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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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, ing.

President,CEO, Director

Since November 1, 2006, Gino Roger has been President and CEO of Midland Exploration Inc. In 1990, he obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Laval University in Geological Engineering. . From May 1990 to October 2006, Mr. Roger was a senior and regional project geologist for Xstrata, Falconbridge and Noranda. He actively participated in the generation, acquisition and negotiation of a number of projects and the discovery of base metal deposits. He mainly worked in Quebec, Ontario, BC-Yukon and Sweden on different metallogenic projects and environments: gold, VMS, Sedex, MVT and IOCG. He and his team received the prestigious QMEA prospector of the year award in 2005 for the discovery of the West-Ansil deposit. Mr. Roger is a member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec. He acted as an administrator of the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA) for more than 28 years and is still an administrator of CONSOREM.

Jean-Pierre Janson

Chairman of the Board

Since 2019, Jean-Pierre Janson has been a consultant for Richardson Wealth Limited. From 2005 to 2019, he was Senior Director, National Wealth Management, at Richardson GMP Limited. He has also been a director and Chairman of the Board of Midland Exploration Inc. since 2005. Over the past 30 years, Mr. Janson has served as Managing Director at CIBC Wood Gundy Financial Services (Quebec) Inc. (Eastern Canada) and held executive positions at Merrill Lynch Canada Inc. and Midland Walwyn Inc. He has also been a director of Tri Origin Exploration Ltd. since May 2004 and a trustee of BTB Real Investment Trust since September 2007. In addition, he is a director of SIDEX s.e.c. and Harfang Exploration. In over 30 years in the financial services industry, he has built a reputation of trust and respect.

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.