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EXPLORING FOR LITHIUM BRINE IN CLAYTON VALLEYMatt Vitale, P.G., M.Sc. & Tim Donahoe, P.L.S., S.W.R.S., C.E.M.
NEVADA MINERAL EXPLORATION SUMMITOctober 10, 2017
CLAYTON VALLEY NEVADA – A PRODUCTIVE DISTRICTEXPLORATION
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1. Technical
2. Permitting
Pure Energy Minerals
• Vancouver based
• Clayton Valley, Nevada
• Salar de Pocitos - NW Argentina
Certain statements contained in this presentation, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with the respect to Pure Energy Minerals Limited’s (“Pure” or the “Company”) overall objectives and strategic plans, work programs, exploration budgets and targets and mineral resource estimates. Readers should review all of the Company’s public disclosure including its Management’s Discussion and Analysis and the risk factors contained therein filed on www.sedar.com October 26th, 2016, and the technical reports on its properties filed on www.sedar.com on August 10th, 2017 and August 30th, 2017 as well as subsequent news releases and financial filings.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements related to activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation; statements related to the Company's release of the PEA Technical Report; the economic analysis of the Project; the mineral resource estimate for the Project; the estimated annual production of LiOH-H2O and LCE; the availability and development of more sustainable technologies for use at the Project; the expected life of mine; the estimated NPV of the Project; the estimated IRR of the Project; estimated average operating costs; estimated capital costs; estimated EBITDA; the estimated payback period for the Project; the estimated timeline for construction of the Project; the estimated production schedule at the Project; anticipated chemistry of brines at the Project; expected growth in the market for lithium hydroxide; anticipated changes in battery formulation technologies; estimated market prices for lithium hydroxide; anticipated lithium recovery levels at the Project; expected pilot plant testing at the Project; design work at the Project; and the development of a timeline for completion of a feasibility study for the Project. Forward-looking information is often identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "planned", "expects" or "looking forward", "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions made by management and considered reasonable at the time such information is provided. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information.
The PEA is, by definition, preliminary in nature and should be considered speculative. The economic analysis in the PEA is based upon inferred drainable mineral resources only. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The PEA includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the PEA will be realized. The PEA is based upon a Process flow sheet that may change, which would impact all costs and estimates. Operating costs for the Project were based upon assumptions including future energy costs, water costs, labor, regulatory costs and other variables that are likely to change. Capital costs were based upon plant equipment and other items thought to be necessary for production. Lithium hydroxide monohydrate price forecasts were based upon third-party estimates and management assumptions that may change due to market dynamics. The mineral resource estimates were based upon assumptions outlined in the “Resource Estimate” section. Some figures in the resource estimate may have been calculated using a factor to convert short tons to metric tonnes. Changes in estimated costs to acquire, construct, install, or operate the equipment, or changes in projected pricing, may adversely impact Project economics.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
3Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The category of inferred resource is the least reliable resource category and is subject to the most variability. Until mineral reserves and resources are actually mined and processed, the quantity of mineral reserve and resource grades must be considered as estimates only. Patrick Highsmith MSc., CPG., is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, and has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this presentation. Mr. Highsmith is not independent of the Company as he is a director.
Among other factors, the Company’s inability to complete further mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; the inability to complete the PEA Technical Report or a subsequent feasibility study; the inability to anticipate changes in brine volume or grade due a number of factors; changes to the economic analysis; the failure to obtain necessary permits to explore and develop the Project; environmental issues or delays; inability to successfully complete additional drilling at the Project; inability to obtain financing for future exploration and development work at the Project and the construction of a plant at the Project; factors disclosed in the Company's current Management's Discussion and Analysis; as well as information contained and risks disclosed in other public disclosure documents available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com may adversely impact Pure Energy and the Project. Although Pure Energy has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events, or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking information, 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. The forward-looking information contained herein is presented for the purposes of assisting investors in understanding the Company's plan, objectives, and goals and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Pure Energy does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Regarding the mineral resource used in the preparation of the PEA, the economic analysis is based upon inferred drainable mineral resources only. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the Project envisioned by the PEA will be realized.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT (cont.)
4Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The category of inferred resource is the least reliable resource category and is subject to the most variability. Until mineral reserves and resources are actually mined and processed, the quantity of mineral reserve and resource grades must be considered as estimates only. Patrick Highsmith MSc., CPG., is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, and has supervised the preparation of the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this presentation. Mr. Highsmith is not independent of the Company as he is a director.
www.pureenergyminerals.com
43-101 Technical Report - PEA
LITHIUM HYDROXIDE PROJECTED DEMAND
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LITHIUM HYDROXIDE PROJECTED DEMAND
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3X
CLAYTON VALLEY NEVADA – A PRODUCTIVE DISTRICTCLAYTON VALLEY, NEVADA
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CLAYTON VALLEY NEVADA – A PRODUCTIVE DISTRICTCLAYTON VALLEY, NEVADA
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• 1st lithium brine mine the world
• Only lithium brine mine in the US
• Operating since 1966
PURE ENERGY CLAIMS
EXPANDED PURE ENERGY CLAIMS:
Original Claims: 9,600 ACRES
North Expansion: 5,500 ACRES
South Expansion: 9,500 ACRES
TOTAL: 24,600 ACRES
Clayton Valley West and North
Original Pure Energy Claims
Albemarle Silver Peak Mine
ACQUIRED FROM LITHIUM X
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1,085 placer claims
EXPLORATION METHODS
SurfaceGeophysics
DrillingCore / RC / Mud Rotary
ExplorationWells & Testing
Sampling
10bedrock, structures, resistivity
EXPLORATION RESULTS
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Li=209 mg/L
Strong Pumping
Test
Higher Grade
at Depth
Li=70 mg/L
Li=175 mg/L
Li=134 mg/L
GEOLOGIC BLOCK MODEL
Alluvium
Lacustrineclay / silt / sand
Volcanic ash
Conglomerate
Meta siltstones /sandstones
Esm
erel
da F
m.
Base
men
t
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Fault bounded
Hydrologically closed
Aquifer Geometry
AVG Li Conc.
Drainable Porosity
Extraction
GEOLOGIC BLOCK MODEL
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Magnesium*to Lithium
Ratio:2.9
Avg Calcium Content (mg/L)*:
1,536
Sulfate*to Lithium
Ratio:18.2
WORLD-CLASS CHEMISTRY
RESOURCES & KEY TECHNICAL PARAMETERS
NOTE: Resources are drainable and reported as Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE). Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have any demonstrated economic viability. Please see the Company’s full technical report at www.pureenergyminerals.com for details on how the resource was derived.
POTENTIAL RESOURCE
TOTAL INFERRED RESOURCES
218,000 123
* Chemistry derived from global average calculations from database, June 2017
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
Exploration Permitting for Lithium Brine
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EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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REGULATORY AGENCIES:
Bureau of Land Management
Authorization for:
• Mineral exploration and reclamation activities on public lands of the U.S.
• Determination of Required Financial Guarantee Amount to complete reclamation of the proposed disturbance
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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REGULATORY AGENCIES:
Nevada Division of Minerals
Nevada Reclamation Performance Bond Pool:
• Plugging of boreholes/wells, and
• Reclamation of new surface disturbance
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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REGULATORY AGENCIES:
Nevada Division of Environmental Protection
Temporary permits for:
• Discharge to public waters from mineral exploration wells and resource characterization/monitoring wells
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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BOREHOLE
• A penetration in the ground made to obtain geological, geophysical or geotechnical information, or other purposes, except for use as a well. (NAC 534.047)
• Licensed well driller not required. (NAC 534.4369)
• No permit or waiver required.
• Must be plugged within 60 days. (NAC 534.4371)
• Must not be used to divert water for any purpose. (NAC 534.4369(7))
WELL
• A penetration in the ground made to measure, test, sample or produce groundwater. (NAC 534.220)
• Licensed well driller required. (NRS 534.160)
• Licensed well driller must be at the drilling site at all times of operation. (NAC 534.330)
• Permit or waiver required to drill a well in designated basin. (NAC 534.300)
NEVADA DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES:Well Drilling Statutes and Regulations
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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REGULATORY AGENCIES:
Nevada Division of Water Resources / State Engineer
Temporary waivers for:
• Well drilling in designated basin, and/or
• Diversion of public waters from mineral exploration wells and resource characterization/monitoring wells
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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NEVADA DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES:Licensed Well Drillers’ Reports
CV-01 CV-03 CV-04 CV-07 CV-08
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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CV-05 (plugged) CV-06 (plugged)
NEVADA DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES:Licensed Well Drillers’ Reports
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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NEVADA DIVISION OF WATER RESOURCES:“Lithium Letters”
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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NEVADA GOVERNOR’S BILL DRAFT REQUEST to streamline exploration for lithium brine• AB 52 a.k.a. “The Lithium Bill” – became law in June, 2017 • NRS 507 – Not yet codified• NAC 507 – Dissolved Mineral Resources (NDWR, NDEP, NDOM)
• Define a permitting path for lithium brine exploration, and• Develop regulations to ensure well drilling for lithium brines is protective of groundwater, as well as oil & gas
and geothermal resources.
EXPLORATION PERMITTING
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DISSOLVED MINERAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION BOREHOLE
• A penetration in the ground that is made to sample or obtain water or chemical, geologic, geophysical or geotechnical information about a dissolved mineral resource and that shall not be pumped as a well. (NAC 507.039 proposed). The term does not apply to existing boreholes drilled under the State Engineer’s regulations in NAC 534.4369.
DISSOLVED MINERAL RESOURCE EXPLORATION WELL
• A well drilled to measure, test or sample water, including, without limitation, pumping tests, to determine whether dissolved mineral resources are present in concentrations and volumes sufficient to justify production. The term does not include a well with a permit or certificate from the Division of Water Resources.
DISSOLVED MINERAL RESOURCES REGULATIONS:
www.PureEnergyMinerals.com
OTCQB:PEMIFTSXV:PE
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