James Bay Minerals takes to the air in La Grande lithium hunt

Recently listed James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY) is leaving no stone unturned as it moves to unlock the significant potential of its battery metal exploration assets in Canada.

Since commencing trading in mid-September, the company has moved quickly to ensure that it takes advantage of the high-quality suite of assets it owns in the lithium-rich James Bay region of Quebec.

James Bay is now utilising state-of-the-art aerial survey technology with the commencement of a key regional helicopter reconnaissance exploration program across the Joule, Aero, and Aqua properties, which form part of its large La Grande lithium project.

Located in the prolific Eeyou Istchee-James Bay district, the prospectivity of the La Grande greenstone belt is highlighted by nearby lithium discoveries at Cancet, owned by Winsome Resources (ASX: WR1) and Corvette, owned by Patriot Battery Metals (ASX: PMT).

Patriot recently unveiled a maiden Corvette inferred mineral resource estimate of 109.2 million tonnes at 1.42% lithium oxide and 160 parts per million tantalum pentoxide (0.40% lithium oxide cut-off grade).

On-the-ground work running in parallel

The high-flying regional exploration program is being conducted in parallel with an inaugural field exploration campaign already underway at the Aero property.

The aerial program has been developed by the James Bay team and Breakaway Exploration to target high-priority areas currently only accessible by helicopter.

A significant amount of data has been utilised to unveil these high-priority areas, including the review and assessment of historical government stratigraphic surveys, geophysical maps, and satellite images.

The new work will allow the James Bay team to map all regional locations and generate follow-up targets for further exploration works.

Significant lithium position

James Bay recently completed a highly successful $6 million initial public offer on the back of its highly experienced board and management and its 100% interest in one of the largest lithium exploration portfolios in the James Bay region, covering an area of 22,438 hectares or 224 sq. km.

At La Grande, the Joule property encompasses an approximately 24km long prospective deformation zone along a regional fault which has been subject to minimal historical exploration.

The eastern segment of the deformation zone extends for 14km and fan tails to reach a width up to 1.5km.

The Aero prospect contains approximately 12km of deformation zones which are considered highly prospective for lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites.

Notably, the nearby Cancet and Corvette properties both exhibit deformation zones upon which significant exploration success has occurred.

Aero also benefits from its location close to established infrastructure, including sealed roads which run through the property, allowing for easy access across the property.

As well as La Grande, the company also owns the Troilus project, which is located further to the south, sitting only 5km to the north of Sayona’s Moblan lithium project and in close proximity to Winsome Resources’ Sirmac-Clappier project.

All the properties have the three key ingredients required to host massive LCT pegmatites.