Newpath sees similar lithium brine potential at Alpha/Bravo as at neighbouring Metal Energy

Mineral exploration in this part of Ontario dates back to the late 19th century when silver was discovered in veins along the shores and on islands of Lake Superior. Next came amethyst, now the official gemstone of the province of Ontario, found in veins along with smaller amounts of lead, silver and, more rarely, uranium mineralization. Amethyst mining continues in the region and new deposits are still being discovered, including at Alpha/Bravo. Geological studies published in 1931 defined the Sibley Group, recognized its characteristic mineralization and noted the numerous salt licks and saline springs in the region.

Several waves of uranium exploration from the 1970s to the mid-2000s focused on Alpha/Bravo and the neighboring claims. This was driven by geological similarities between the Proterozoic geology of the Sibley Group/Silver Islet area and the Athabasca Group/Uranium City and Hornby Group/Port Radium regions, as well as other prolific belts in Africa, Australia and Asia. Historic exploration used methods and techniques that were developed in the Athabasca Basin and are still standard today: detailed electromagnetic and magnetic surveys, sensitive gravity surveys, and survey-guided or directional core drilling. Although uranium mineralization was encountered in the underlying Quetico, nothing of major economic interest was found. Interest in exploration waned and the money disappeared.

However, drilling geologists noted that certain sections of drill core tasted salty, and it was surmised that the Sibley Basin contained saline brines and possibly preserved salt and gypsum layers. Subsequently, the team reviewed the electromagnetic surveys and found that there were conductive areas that were best explained by layers of intraformational brines that had been preserved undisturbed for over a billion years.

Newpath is closely monitoring further developments, including brine potential, but also uranium, given the current resurgence of interest in safe uranium sources accompanied by rising uranium spot prices.

Newpath’s Alpha/Bravo project covers 640 square kilometres of prime exploration ground north of Lake Superior, 45 km northeast of Thunder Bay, Ontario. The property is traversed by power transmission lines, a natural gas pipeline and a network of logging roads accessible by a four-lane divided highway to the south and a paved highway to the west.