Canada-based Patriot Battery Metals has provided an update on the ongoing feasibility study for its wholly owned Shaakichiuwaanaan property in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada.
The updated study will support the company’s environmental and social impact assessment, which is expected to be finalised and submitted in September 2025.
The feasibility study, focusing on the CV5 Pegmatite within the property, began in September 2024.
The decision to proceed with the study followed a comprehensive preliminary economic assessment completed in August 2024.
The Shaakichiuwaanaan property has an indicated mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 80.1 million tonnes (mt) at 1.44% lithium oxide and an inferred MRE of 62.5mt at 1.31% lithium oxide.
The feasibility study will adopt a similar scope to the PEA, including staged production growth and a dense media separation-only process methodology, which has demonstrated “excellent” recovery characteristics in previous metallurgical test work.
Montreal-based G Mining Services has been appointed as the project integrator for the NI 43-101 Report, with additional work being carried out by various consultants including Primero Americas, AtkinsRealis, Vision Geochemistry, Paterson & Cooke and BBA Engineering.
BBA Engineering has finalised the block model for the CV5 Pegmatite and handed it over to G Mining, marking the commencement of the final mine design based on the indicated resources.
The feasibility study team is currently determining the optimum underground mining schedule, with a particular focus on the high-grade Nova Zone. The drill-holes in the zone indicated a continuous spodumene mineralised zone with grades above 2% lithium oxide.
Patriot Battery Metals’ strong cash position, bolstered by the Volkswagen/PowerCo strategic investment and offtake agreement, supports ongoing project progress through the feasibility study and environmental approvals.
Patriot Battery Metals CEO and president Ken Brinsden said: “Building on the significant progress achieved over the last three years at Shaakichiuwaanaan, the team is well advanced in 2025 with multiple parallel workstreams under way around resource development, environmental studies and documentation, and the feasibility study.
“With the support of our key strategic shareholders VW, the company has been unwavering in progressing the project as quickly and efficiently as possible, ensuring the project’s preeminent position among North American lithium development proposals.”
