Rock Tech Lithium Acquires Ontario's Victory Project

Rock Tech Lithium is bolstering its strategic position in Ontario's burgeoning battery materials sector with the acquisition of the Victory Project. This move significantly enhances the company's exploration portfolio, adding a substantial 9,875-hectare property situated approximately 45 kilometers east of Kenora. The acquisition aligns with Rock Tech's overarching objective to establish a robust, domestically sourced lithium supply chain, integrating with its existing Georgia Lake Project and the planned Red Rock Converter facility.

The Victory Project is particularly noteworthy for its identified spodumene-bearing lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatite occurrences. Initial surface sampling has yielded promising results, with assays returning up to 5.11% Li2O from the Last Resort pegmatite and up to 3.48% Li2O from the Bounty pegmatite. These two zones, separated by roughly six kilometers, define a compelling area for further geological investigation and potential resource delineation.

Infrastructure advantages are a key draw for the Victory Project. Its proximity to critical transportation and utility corridors, including the Trans-Canada Highway, CPKC rail lines, and established power and gas infrastructure, significantly de-risks future development and operational costs. This strategic location is crucial for facilitating the efficient movement of materials and personnel, a vital consideration in the competitive lithium mining industry.

Under the terms of the option agreement, Rock Tech Lithium can secure a 100% interest by committing CAD $600,000 in cash and CAD $400,000 in company shares over a two-year period. This staged payment structure allows Rock Tech to advance exploration and validate the project's potential before fully committing capital. The vendors will retain a 2.0% net smelter return royalty, with Rock Tech holding an option to buy back 1.0% of this royalty for CAD $1 million prior to any construction decision. The transaction awaits customary approvals, including acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

The company's immediate exploration plans for the Victory Project involve a systematic approach. Focus will be placed on confirming the extent of the known spodumene occurrences, testing for extensions along strike, and exploring the largely uninvestigated corridor between the Last Resort and Bounty pegmatites. It is important to note that the Victory Project is in its early exploration phase and currently lacks a defined mineral resource or reserve estimate, underscoring the exploratory nature of this transaction.

Mirco Wojnarowicz, CEO of Rock Tech Lithium, emphasized the project's strategic fit, stating, "This acquisition provides Rock Tech exposure to a prospective spodumene-bearing property with strong infrastructure attributes, while the option structure allows us to test the project through staged exploration before committing the majority of the acquisition consideration." This sentiment was echoed by Jace Angell, President of Last Resort, and Jason Leblanc, President of Bounty Gold, who highlighted the project's geological promise and Rock Tech's strategic alignment with developing Ontario's lithium sector.

This expansion by Rock Tech Lithium occurs within a dynamic global market for lithium, driven by the accelerating demand for electric vehicles and energy storage solutions. The North American market, in particular, is prioritizing the development of secure, localized supply chains to reduce reliance on foreign sources. Rock Tech's strategic acquisitions in Ontario position it to capitalize on these trends, contributing to the province's ambition to become a key player in the critical minerals value chain.