PMET Advances Flagship Shaakichiuwaanaan Project Towards Next Development Tier
HIGHLIGHTS
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Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the
Shaakichiuwaanaan Project submitted to the Federal and Provincial authorities onMarch 31, 2026 :- Federal ESIA submission deemed complete by the IAAC with the first statutory public consultation period now underway, closing
May 28, 2026 . - Provincial ESIA submission progressing under the COMEV/COMEX review process.
- Federal ESIA submission deemed complete by the IAAC with the first statutory public consultation period now underway, closing
- Updated CV5 lithium-tantalum Feasibility Study and parallel lithium-caesium-tantalum PEA/Scoping Study on the broader project (CV5 + CV13) on track, targeting Q4 2026 completion.
- CV5 bulk sample application under review (~50,000 tonnes), with feedback expected from COMEX in Q2-2026:
- Project engineering continues to advance towards shovel-ready status by year-end.
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Hydro Quebec power application submitted, with the assessment in progress:Hydro-Quebec's La Grande 4 (LG4)Tilley substation is only ≈45 km from the Project, being both ideally located and a low-cost potential source of renewable power to theShaakichiuwaanaan Project .
"Shaakichiuwaanaan has the scale, grade and strategic positioning to become one of the world's leading critical minerals projects, right here in
The Shaakichiuwaanaan Property hosts one of the largest pegmatite Mineral Resources1 (Li, Cs, Ta) and Mineral Reserves2 (Li) in the world, situated approximately 13 km south of the regional and all‑weather
ESIA DOCUMENTATION REVIEW
The Company submitted the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) documentation on
These submissions, alongside the positive CV5 lithium-only Feasibility Study delivered in late 2025, form the dual pillars supporting the final mine authorization process. Together, these documents detail the technical viability, environmental safeguards, and social integration of the proposed hybrid open-pit and underground mine proposal.
The Federal government, via IAAC, has now deemed the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project ESIA 'complete' in line with its previously issued ESIA guidelines. This marks another significant permitting milestone for the Company.
IAAC has now initiated formal public consultations by inviting comments from communities, regulators and project stakeholders, which are expected to be completed by
Provincial Process – COMEX/COMEV
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The Consolidated MRE (CV5 + CV13 pegmatites), which includes the Rigel and |
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Probable Mineral Reserve of 84.3 Mt at 1.26% Li2O at the CV5 Pegmatite with a cut-off grade is 0.40% Li2O (open-pit) and 0.70% Li2O (underground). Underground development and open-pit marginal tonnage containing material above 0.37% Li2O are also included in the statement. The Effective Date is |
The Company remains committed to maintaining a transparent and timely approval process, working closely with all levels of government, which includes the Cree Nation, to bring this unique asset into production over the coming years.
UPDATED FEASIBILITY STUDY (CV5) / PEA-SCOPING STUDY (CV5+CV13)
The geology team is currently interpreting and working with the previously reported drill-hole data to advance the host rock and pegmatite geological models for the entire Project. The work is focused on the CV5 and CV13 pegmatites – including the
These revised models will underpin an updated Feasibility Study for the CV5 Pegmatite with the addition of tantalum as a co-product, as well as a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the broader Project inclusive of lithium, caesium, and tantalum. The increased resource granularity will also contribute meaningfully to the design and detailed engineering effort currently underway for the underground infrastructure of the
BOTH THE UPDATED LITHIUM-TANTALUM FEASIBILITY STUDY ON CV5 AND PARALLEL LITHIUM-CAESIUM-TANTALUM PEA/SCOPING STUDY ON THE BROADER PROJECT (CV5 + CV13) REMAIN ON TRACK, TARGETING COMPLETION IN Q4-2026.
BULK SAMPLE APPLICATION
The Company is actively advancing the permitting of an underground bulk sample at CV5, targeting samples (50,000 tonnes) at the upper levels of the proposed underground mine, the high-grade
HYDRO
The Company has now formally made its application for power at the
Access to
The Company believes that the close proximity of the
QUALIFIED/COMPETENT PERSON
The technical and scientific information in this news release that relates to the Mineral Resource Estimate and exploration results for the Company's properties is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr.
The information in this news release that relates to the Mineral Reserve Estimate and Feasibility Study is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr.
Mr. Mercier-Langevin is the Chief Operating and Development Officer for
ABOUT
In late 2025, the Company announced a positive lithium-only Feasibility Study on the CV5 Pegmatite for the Shaakichiuwaanaan Property and declared a maiden Mineral Reserve of 84.3 Mt at 1.26% Li2O (Probable)3. The study outlines the potential for a competitive and globally significant high-grade lithium project targeting up to ~800 ktpa spodumene concentrate using a simple Dense Media Separation ("DMS") only process flowsheet. Further, the results highlight Shaakichiuwaanaan as a potential North American critical mineral powerhouse with significant opportunity for tantalum and caesium in addition to lithium.
The Project hosts a Consolidated Mineral Resource4 totalling 108.0 Mt at 1.40% Li2O and 166 ppm Ta2O5 (Indicated) and 33.4 Mt at 1.33% Li2O and 155 ppm Ta2O5 (Inferred), and ranks as a top ten lithium pegmatite globally in size. Additionally, the Project hosts the world's largest pollucite-hosted caesium pegmatite Mineral Resource at the Rigel and
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3 See Feasibility Study news release dated |
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The Consolidated MRE (CV5 + CV13 pegmatites), which includes the Rigel and |
For further information, please contact us at info@pmet.ca or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.pmet.ca. Please also refer to the Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data.
This news release has been approved by
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DISCLAIMER FOR FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
All statements, other than statements of present or historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions and accordingly, actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. You are hence cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "progressing", "on track", "targeting", "continues", "advance", "FID", "to become", "opportunity", "further", "expected", "committed", "over the coming years", "ahead of updates", "underway" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning the ESIA submission, the updated CV5 lithium-tantalum Feasibility Study and parallel lithium-caesium-tantalum PEA/Scoping Study on the broader project (CV5 + CV13), the bulk sample and Hydro-
Forward-looking statements are based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause actual results to be materially different from future results expressed or implied by such statements. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Key assumptions upon which the Company's forward-looking information is based include, without limitation, the ability to make discoveries, the potential of each of tantalum, lithium, caesium as a co-product, the ability to complete an updated Feasibility Study for the CV5 Pegmatite with the addition of tantalum as a co-product, as well as a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the broader Project inclusive of lithium, caesium, and tantalum, the ability to get approval for the bulk sample initiative and for the Hydro-
Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties facing the Company's business, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Readers should review the detailed risk discussion in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.
Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions and has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate. If any of the risks or uncertainties mentioned above, which are not exhaustive, materialize, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. The Company qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
COMPETENT PERSON STATEMENT (ASX LISTING RULES)
The information in this news release that relates to the Feasibility Study ("FS") for the
The Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Estimates in this release were first reported by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 in market announcements titled "World's Largest Pollucite-Hosted Caesium Pegmatite Deposit" dated
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