REG - Focus Xplore PLC - Exploration Update
30/07/2025 08:15
For best results when printing this announcement, please click on link below:
https://newsfile.refinitiv.com/getnewsfile/v1/story?guid=urn:newsml:reuters.com:20250730:nRSd0934Ta&default-theme=true
RNS Number : 0934T Focus Xplore PLC 30 July 2025
30 July 2025
Focus Xplore PLC
('Focus Xplore' or the 'Company')
Exploration Update
Focus Xplore PLC (AIM: FOX), the strategic energy and critical minerals
exploration and development company, is pleased to provide an update on recent
activities in Ontario, Canada. The first phase of prospecting and outcrop
sampling has been completed at six of the rare earth element ("REE") and
lithium focused exploration projects which the Company acquired in March this
year(1).
HIGHLIGHTS
· Phase One activities completed at the Bay Road REE project and at the
Iva, Oba, Ellie, Pearl and the Burrows lithium projects.
· Mapping and prospecting data collected at 226 stations with
pegmatites identified, including at six locations at Bay Road, at nine
locations at Iva and at nine locations at Oba.
· 110 samples collected with 73 samples submitted for bulk laboratory
whole-rock analysis.
· Handheld portable X-Ray fluorescence ("pXRF") analyses provide an
indication that fertile granites may be identified at Iva and Oba.
· Bay Road, Iva and Oba are identified as priority projects.
· Artificial intelligence ("AI") prospectivity evaluation ongoing.
Patrick Cullen, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Xplore, commented:
"Focus Xplore has had a very busy and positive start in Ontario with recent
first-pass exploration activities on six of our highly prospective projects
running through to 11 July. Significant ground has been covered and we have
made encouraging observations, including the identification of pegmatites at
six locations at Bay Road, nine locations at Iva and nine locations at Oba.
There are indications from pXRF measurements that fertile granites may be
identified at Iva and at Oba, more extensive work is required. Bulk whole-rock
analyses, expected before mid-August, will provide additional input assisting
us to identify target areas and confirm the presence of mineralisation or
anomalies.
Staking of the Ontario REE and lithium portfolio was strongly influenced by
data from historic lake sediment sampling programmes conducted by the Ontario
Geological Survey. In the past month we have applied Planetary AI Limited's
Xplore system to that same lake sediment data, using its capabilities to
analyse over a full range of elements from 63,000 discrete data points across
Northwestern Ontario to review prospectivity at existing project locations as
well as elsewhere in the region. The initial findings are encouraging, we are
looking to expand on this approach.
Interpretation of the field data and the AI results are ongoing but we have
already identified three priority projects with work and planning now
concentrated on the Bay Road REE project and the Iva and Oba lithium projects.
The Company remains focused on its objective to deliver shareholder value
through significant discovery. Additionally, we continue to evaluate further
opportunities for critical and precious metals in the region. I look forward
to updating investors in the weeks to come."
PRIORITY PROJECT LOCATION & SUMMARY
Figure 1: Project locations with priority projects highlighted
The Bay Road Project covers 425 hectares (ha) directly south of the White
Otter Batholith and is prospective for REE. The project is centred on a 6
kilometre-long extent of felsic intrusive rock(2) mapped by the Ontario
Geological Survey. The intrusive feature has a spatial relationship with
highly anomalous REE(3,4,5) in lake sediment assays, specifically the 'magnet
metals' dysprosium and neodymium used in the manufacture of modern permanent
magnets. The recent fieldwork has identified multiple occurrences of felsic
intrusive and pegmatitic rocks; these include exposures demonstrating broadly
east-west orientations which correlate with the historically mapped felsic
intrusive rock noted above. Based on field observations and sample
descriptions, preliminary analysis suggests the intrusive units encountered
exhibit mineralogical characteristics consistent with fractionated, fertile
granites, which is a geological setting considered prospective for economic
mineralisation of some critical minerals including REE.
Iva is a 642 ha property centred on anomalous lithium, caesium and beryllium
concentrations in lake sediments assays(3). The project is located at the
interface between granite and the metasedimentary lithologies(6) a favourable
setting for lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites(7). The recent programme
is understood to be the first exploration for lithium completed on the
property. Seven historically mapped(6) pegmatites occurrences have been
confirmed and sampled and a further two previously unmapped pegmatite
occurrences identified and sampled. Figure 2 below illustrates sampling of a
10 metre-wide pegmatite at Iva.
Figure 2: Geologist sampling pegmatite at Iva (sample shown as insert)
Oba is a 1,175 ha lithium-focused project located within a large, 90 kilometre
by 40 felsic intrusion and has multiple mapped(8) occurrences of pegmatites in
the vicinity of the highly anomalous lithium, caesium and beryllium in lake
sediment samples(9). The project has never been subject to lithium focussed
exploration. Nine pegmatite occurrences have been confirmed (seven of which
were not previously mapped) and sampled.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Initial work with consultant Planetary AI Limited ("Planetary AI") was focused
on identifying potential pegmatite and felsic intrusive trends across Bay Road
and at Oba, utilising high-resolution, raw LiDAR data. This technique proved
successful in directing field teams towards areas of interest at Bay Road(10)
and was also successful in the identification of probable pegmatite trends at
the Oba lithium project.
Subsequently, Planetary AI's Xplore prospectivity tool has been applied in the
evaluation of over 63,000 samples results from the Ontario Geological Survey's
extensive lake sediment soil sample programmes, utilising machine learning
algorithms to identify zones of potential mineralisation based on the
characteristics of specific mineral deposit models. The system was configured
for a lithium-caesium-tantalum pegmatite model and for a
niobium-yttrium-fluorine pegmatite model, which confirmed the potential for
significant mineralised systems at Bay Road, Iva and Oba. Additional
algorithms specific to other deposit model types and focused on other base and
precious metals have also been processed with analysis and review ongoing.
OTHER PROJECTS
The Ellie Project has been assigned a lower priority due to the limited number
of pegmatites observed in the field and pXRF data that does not indicate the
presence of fertile granites. Rock samples have been submitted for whole-rock
analysis.
The Pearl Project is also considered lower priority, with only a single
pegmatite identified to date. However, follow-up work is planned on the
western extent of the project area, where LiDAR data suggests a swarm of
pegmatites that has yet to be accessed.
The Burrows Projects-which includes the Snowberry, Kowka, and Biscuit Creek
properties-are similarly assigned low priority. This is based on the low
number of observed pegmatites and pXRF results from rock samples that do not
support the presence of fertile granites.
REFERENCES
1: Focus Xplore PLC, 18 March 2025, RNS: Business Development Update,
https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/focusxplore/news/rns/story/ryvqv3r
(https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/focusxplore/news/rns/story/ryvqv3r) .
2: Santaguida, F., 2001, Ontario Geological Survey, Precambrian Geology
Compilation Series - Quetico Sheet, 2000 Series Map M2663.
3: Dyer, R.D., 1999, Lake Sediment and Water Geochemistry Data from the
Atikokan-Lumby Lake Area, Northwestern Ontario (MRD043).
4: Jackson, J.E. 2003, Lake Sediment Geochemical Data from the Ignace Survey
Area, Northwestern Ontario: Operation Treasure Hunt (MRD118).
5: Dyer, R.D., Burke, H.E. 2012, Lake Sediment and Water Geochemical Data from
the Mine Centre Area, Northwestern Ontario (MRD296).
6: Pirie, J. 1978, Ontario Geological Survey Crooked Pine Lake, Rainy River
District Geological Map M2405.
7: Bradley, D.C., McCauley, A.D., Stillings L.M., 2017, Mineral-Deposit Model
for Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum Pegmatites, USGS.
8: Siragusa, G.M. 1977, Esnagi Lake, Algoma District - 2000 Series Map,
M2382.
9: Jackson, J.E. 2002, Lake Sediment and Water Geochemical Data from the
Kabinakagami Lake Area, Northern Ontario (MRD110).
10: Focus Xplore PLC, 02 June 2025, RNS: Exploration Update,
https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/focusxplore/news/rns/story/x56kk2r
(https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/focusxplore/news/rns/story/x56kk2r) .
QUALIFIED PERSON STATEMENT
The technical information contained in this disclosure has been reviewed and
approved by Mr Nick O'Reilly (MSc, DIC, MIMMM QMR, MAusIMM, FGS), who is a
qualified geologist and acts as the Qualified Person under the AIM Rules -
Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr O'Reilly is a principal
consultant working for Mining Analyst Consulting Ltd which is providing
independent technical review to Focus Xplore PLC.
GLOSSARY
Critical mineral - while there is no universally accepted definition of a
critical mineral, it is commonly agreed that critical minerals have specific
industrial, technological or strategic applications for which there are few
viable substitutes. These minerals are economically important and can be
subject to supply risk.
Felsic intrusive rock - is an intrusion of igneous rock that is predominantly
composed of felsic minerals, such as quartz, feldspar, and muscovite.
Fertile granite - a type of granite that contains more water and higher
concentrations of elements such as lithium and rare earth elements. These
granites can serve as the source rock for rare-element and lithium-bearing
pegmatites. As the granitic melt evolves, it crystallises into various units
and the remaining melt can then migrate and form rare-element and
lithium-bearing pegmatites in surrounding rocks.
LiDAR - Light Detection and Ranging is a remote sensing method that uses light
in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) commonly
used to generate precise, three-dimensional information of the elevation of
the Earth's surface.
Pegmatite - an igneous rock with a very coarse, irregular texture that forms
during the final stage of a magma's crystallisation.
Lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites - are a principal source of lithium
and comprise a compositionally defined subset of granitic pegmatites. The
principal lithium ore minerals are spodumene, petalite, and lepidolite;
caesium mostly comes from pollucite; and tantalum mostly comes from
columbite-tantalite. Tin ore as cassiterite and beryllium ore as beryl also
occur in LCT pegmatites.
Mineral deposit models - are systematic representations that describe the
geological, mineralogical, geochemical, and geophysical characteristics of
specific types of mineral deposits. These models help geologists understand
how, where, and under what conditions mineral deposits form, and they guide
mineral exploration by predicting the location and potential scale of
undiscovered deposits.
Niobium-yttrium-fluorine pegmatite - constitute a subgroup of the rare-element
pegmatite group that is broadly considered to include pegmatites enriched in
rare earth and high field strength elements and depleted in rare alkali metals
relative to LCT bearing counterparts.
Rare earth element (REE) - a member of a group of 17 metallic elements,
encompassing the 15 lanthanides (atomic numbers 57-71) along with scandium
(Sc) and yttrium (Y). These elements are known for their unique magnetic,
luminescent, and electrochemical properties, making them crucial for various
high-tech applications.
This announcement contains inside information as stipulated under the Market
Abuse Regulations (EU) no. 596/2014.
**ENDS**
Enquiries:
Patrick Cullen info@focusXplore.com Focus Xplore PLC Chief Executive Officer
James Biddle +44 (0) 207 628 3396 Beaumont Cornish Limited Nominated Adviser
Roland Cornish
Jason Robertson +44 (0) 207 374 2212 First Equity Limited Corporate Broker
Corporate Website: www.focusXplore.com (http://www.focusXplore.com) LinkedIn: Focus Xplore PLC (https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-xplore-plc) X: @focusXplore (https://x.com/focusxplore)
Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated
Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's
responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a
responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under
the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed
solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and
will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections
afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to
the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter
referred to in it.
This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact
rns@lseg.com (mailto:rns@lseg.com)
or visit
www.rns.com (http://www.rns.com/)
.
RNS may use your IP address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this communication, and to share such analysis on an anonymised basis with others as part of our commercial services. For further information about how RNS and the London Stock Exchange use the personal data you provide us, please see our
Privacy Policy (https://www.lseg.com/privacy-and-cookie-policy)
. END UPDFFFLVDEIAFIERecent news on Madara Europe AD
See all newsREG - Focus Xplore PLC - Exploration Update
Announcement