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Appia Provides Update on Summer Exploration Program for Rare Earth Elements and Gallium at Alces Lake

written by Raj Shah | July 15, 2021

July 15, 2021 (Source) — Appia Energy Corp. (the “Company” or “Appia”) (CSE: API) (OTCQB: APAAF) (FSE: A0I.F) (FSE: A0I.MU) (FSE: A0I.BE) is pleased to provide an update regarding the Company’s comprehensive drilling program to expand and confirm the extent of the estimated high grade mineralization of rare earth elements (“REE“) and gallium on the 100%-owned Alces Lake project, Athabasca Basin area, northern Saskatchewan.

ALCES LAKE HIGH-GRADE REE PROJECT

As announced on June 14, 2021, Appia has now successfully completed the first phase of the summer 2021 exploration program. Accomplishments to date:

  • geological mapping and prospecting program over key areas of the Alces Lake property;
  • stripping of overburden and channel sampling, detailed mapping of new and existing rare earth occurrences was conducted;
  • 125 rock samples were sent to the Saskatchewan Research Council for analysis;
  • high-resolution ground Magnetic-VLF survey was completed over key areas;
  • completion of a high-resolution airphoto survey as well as a digital elevation model over the entire property has also been completed; and
  • an airborne radiometric-magnetic survey is currently underway over the entire property.

The stripping of overburden and channel sampling, detailed mapping of new and existing rare earth occurrences was conducted to determine controls on rare earth mineralization. The airphoto survey will aid in aerial geophysical survey calibration and provide comprehensive elevation data for future modelling and resource estimation.

With the first phase of ground geology and geophysics completed, the drilling team is about to mobilize to the Alces Lake camp, where two drilling rigs and crews will be working 24/7 on this phase of the helicopter-supported diamond drilling program.

Approximately 5,700 metres of drilling has been planned to test the near-surface and down-plunge extents of new and existing rare-earth targets. More than 4,000 metres will be dedicated to identifying the depth potential of the WRCB zone (cumulatively the Wilson-Richard-Charles-Bell discoveries) and help complete the understanding of this significant discovery.

Nic Guest, Alces Lake Project Manager noted that, “The quality of the data obtained in the first phase of ground exploration is excellent. Our understanding of the various occurrences across the property has grown and we have planned our drill program accordingly. Our first phase of 2021 drilling will give us new and important information.”

The Company is fully-funded for the 2021 program and all required permits for the exploration activities are in-hand.

With the largest exploration and diamond drilling program in the Company’s history now underway, exploration results will be released as received and analysed by the Company. Analysis of the summer exploration and drilling program will follow and lead to the preparation of an NI 43-101 (Technical Report with 3D Geophysical-geological Models & Preliminary Economic Assessment) report expected near the end of 2021. The Alces Lake project encompasses some of the highest-grade total and critical* REEs and gallium mineralization in the world, hosted within a number of surface and near surface monazite occurrences that remain open at depth and along strike.

Since detailed exploration began at Alces Lake in 2017, a total of seventy-four (74) REE, gallium and uranium bearing surface zones and occurrences of the minerals system (the “System”) have been discovered, suggesting a high exploration potential of the System over 45 km strike length of the project. To date, less than 1% of the project has been explored with diamond drilling.

The project is located in northern Saskatchewan, the same provincial jurisdiction that is developing a “first-of-its-kind” rare earth processing facility in Canada (currently under construction by the Saskatchewan Research Council, it is scheduled to become operational in late 2022). The Alces Lake project area is 14,344 hectares (35,420 acres) in size and is 100% owned by Appia.

To ensure safe work conditions are met for the workforce, the Company has developed exploration guidelines that comply with the Saskatchewan Public Health Orders and the Public Health Order Respecting the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District in order to maintain social distancing and help prevent the transmission of COVID-19.

* Critical rare earth elements are defined here as those that are in short-supply and high-demand for use in permanent magnets and modern electronic applications such as electric vehicles and wind turbines (i.e: neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb)).

The technical content in this news release was reviewed and approved by Dr. Irvine R. Annesley, P.Geo, Advisor to Appia’s Board of Directors, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Appia

Appia is a Canadian publicly-listed company in the uranium and rare earth element sectors. The Company is currently focusing on delineating high-grade critical rare earth elements, gallium and uranium on the Alces Lake property, as well as exploring for high-grade uranium in the prolific Athabasca Basin on its Loranger, North Wollaston, and Eastside properties. The Company holds the surface rights to exploration for 65,601 hectares (162,104 acres) in Saskatchewan. The Company also has a 100% interest in 12,545 hectares (31,000 acres), with rare earth element and uranium deposits over five mineralized zones in the Elliot Lake Camp, Ontario.

Appia has 107.6 million common shares outstanding, 128.1 million shares fully diluted.

For more information, visit the Appia’s website at: www.appiaenergy.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This News Release contains forward-looking statements which are typically preceded by, followed by or including the words “believes”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance as they involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward- looking statements and shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information, please contact:

Tom Drivas, CEO and Director: (cell) 416-876-3957, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) [email protected]

Frederick Kozak, President: (cell) 403-606-3165 or (email) [email protected]

Frank van de Water, Chief Financial Officer and Director, (tel) 416-546-2707, (fax) 416-218-9772 or (email) [email protected]