Surge Battery Metals Inc. [TSXV: NILI; OTCQX: NILIF; FSE: DJ5C] reported the successful completion of its 2025 core drilling program at the 100%-owned Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP), Nevada. The nine-hole program, totaling 4,634.5 feet (1,412.6 metres), successfully achieved all its primary objectives: collecting critical data for the company’s planned upgrade to the mineral resource (from Inferred to Indicated and Measured); gathering essential geotechnical and hydrogeological data; and securing bulk samples for metallurgical test work critical to the planned 2026 Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
Highlights of the 2025 Drill Program – Exceptional Clay Intercepts: All nine holes encountered significant thicknesses of the target lithium-bearing claystone horizons, visually consistent with high-grade mineralization observed in previous campaigns. Preliminary visual logging indicates over 1,830 cumulative feet (557.8 metres) of favorable claystone was intersected across the program.
Robust Thickness & Continuity: Drilling confirmed excellent lateral continuity of the main clay horizons across the resource area, reinforcing the geological model. The average composite thickness of favorable claystone per hole was 207.4 feet (63.2 metres), with a maximum composite thickness of 353 feet (107.6 metres) encountered in hole NNL-030.
Potential for Expansion Beyond Current Model: Drilling results suggest the lithium-bearing basin may extend further than previously interpreted, indicating potential to expand the known resource footprint with future work.
Significant Near-Surface Mineralization: Five of the nine holes encountered the target claystone horizons at or very near the surface (starting within 20 feet or 6.1 metres), highlighting the deposit’s favorable geometry for potential low-cost extraction.
Consistent Mineralization: Visually favorable lithium claystone was intersected across varying depths, demonstrating the deposit’s consistency. Even holes intersecting relatively thinner clay sequences, such as NNL-033 with 108.5 feet (33.0 metres), provided valuable data, refining the understanding of basin geometry and geological controls, which further strengthens the resource model. Valuable hydrogeological data is to be continually collected from VWP installations in this hole, in addition to two others.
Resource Upgrade Focus: The infill drilling successfully increased data density within the existing resource footprint, providing the necessary information to support the planned upgrade of Inferred resources to Indicated and Measured classifications – a crucial step for the PFS.
Comprehensive PFS Data Acquired: The program systematically collected crucial data beyond primary lithium assays, including large-diameter (PQ) core for metallurgical testing, detailed geotechnical logging (conducted by CNI), and hydrogeological data including Vibrating Wire Piezometer (VWP) installations (overseen by UES). Samples will also be assayed for potential byproduct elements including Cesium (Cs), Rubidium (Rb), and Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
Successful Operational Execution: The program was completed efficiently utilizing two drill rigs, demonstrating the Surge team’s ability to manage complex field logistics and proactively de-risk the project schedule.
Both Surge and Evolution Mining continue to work toward forming the previously announced joint venture and addressing the US federal government shutdown. In connection with these efforts, the parties have agreed to extend the exclusivity period under their previously announced letter of intent to November 21, 2025.
Greg Reimer, CEO and Director, commented, “We are extremely pleased with the successful completion of our 2025 drill program at Nevada North. Hitting significant thicknesses of our target claystone in every single hole provides further strong validation of this large, high-grade, and near-surface lithium deposit. This program was strategically designed as infill drilling to increase our confidence in the resource and to upgrade significant portions to the Indicated and Measured categories – a critical and foundational step required for the PFS. We look forward to receiving assay results and incorporating this new data into an updated resource estimate in the coming months.”
Surge Battery Metals, a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The project focuses on exploring clean, high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering electric vehicles.
The company owns the Nevada North Lithium Project located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada.
The first three rounds of drilling, completed in 2022, 2023, and 2024, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 metres and a known width of greater than 1,500 metres.
Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent, while wide drill spacing allows for significant upside to occur during infill drilling. The Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 8.65 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 2,955 ppm Li at a 1,250 ppm cutoff. The recently completed PEA reported an after-tax NPV8% US $9.17 Billion and after-tax IRR of 22.8% at $24,000/t LCE and an OPEX of US $5,243/t LCE.
