Li-FT Power Hits 1.65% Lithium at Depth as BIG East Pegmatite Stays Open
Li-FT Power delivers high-grade lithium intercepts across Yellowknife pegmatites
Li-FT Power has completed 20 diamond drill holes totalling 5,324 metres across the Yellowknife Lithium Project (YLP) in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The programme comprised 17 holes (4,778 m) from the 2026 winter drilling campaign and 3 holes (546 m) from 2025 summer geotechnical work. This represents the first drilling at the BIG pegmatite complex since the inferred mineral resource was published to the TSX Venture Exchange in October 2024 and to the ASX on 22 May 2026.
The YLP sits outside Yellowknife city, benefiting from proximity to established infrastructure including year-round road access, transmission lines, and the Talston hydroelectric power network. This infrastructure positioning differentiates the project from remote greenfield lithium developments requiring significant capital investment in access and power supply.
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Standout intercepts highlight grade continuity at depth
Five headline intercepts demonstrate mineralisation continuity across multiple pegmatite bodies at YLP, with results extending strike length and depth potential. Mineralisation remains open in multiple directions across the Fi Main, Ki, and BIG East pegmatites.
| Hole ID | Pegmatite | Intercept (m) | Li₂O Grade (%) | Including |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YLP-0304 | Fi Main | 21 m | 1.09% | 13 m at 1.38% |
| YLP-0306 | Ki | 18 m | 1.41% | — |
| YLP-0312 | BIG East | 26 m | 1.29% | 17 m at 1.65% |
| YLP-0315 | BIG East | 22 m | 1.09% | — |
| YLP-0320 | BIG East | 17 m | 1.32% | — |
Grades consistently exceeding 1% Li₂O across three separate pegmatites support the thesis of a district-scale lithium system rather than isolated mineralised zones. The higher-grade subsets within broader intercepts indicate potential for selective mining scenarios that could enhance project economics through preferential extraction of richer ore zones.
What is lithium oxide grade and why does 1%+ matter?
Li₂O (lithium oxide) is the standard reporting metric for hard rock lithium deposits globally. Grades above 1% Li₂O are generally considered economic for spodumene pegmatite projects, the threshold where mining and processing costs can be covered while generating margin. Spodumene is the lithium-bearing mineral confirmed at YLP through visual core logging, mineralogical studies, and metallurgical test work.
Intercept width matters alongside grade. Wider, higher-grade zones translate to lower mining costs per tonne of lithium produced, as less waste rock must be moved to access ore. A 26-metre intercept at 1.29% Li₂O (YLP-0312) represents more favourable mining geometry than narrow, high-grade veins requiring selective extraction methods.
Understanding these benchmarks allows investors to contextualise LIFT’s results against global hard rock lithium peers. Consistent 1%+ Li₂O grades across multiple pegmatites reduce single-deposit risk and provide resource expansion optionality across the tenure.
BIG East pegmatite extended at depth and along strike
Sixteen holes drilled at BIG East during the 2026 winter programme tested a 1.8-kilometre strike length pegmatite corridor. The pegmatite geometry comprises a north-northeast trending system 10-100 metres wide, dipping 55°-75° to the west. Drilling tested depths from 50 metres to 300 metres below surface across 1,000 metres of strike.
YLP-0320, one of the two most southerly holes on the BIG East complex, returned 17 m at 1.32% Li₂O at 200 metres depth. Mineralisation remains open to the south and at depth. YLP-0312 delivered a wall-to-wall intercept of 26 m at 1.29% Li₂O (including 17 m at 1.65% Li₂O) at 175 metres below surface, demonstrating grade continuity without internal waste zones.
Key drill sections and their results:
- Southern section (YLP-0319, 0320): Mineralisation confirmed at depth, open southward and downdip. YLP-0319 returned 11 m at 1.22% Li₂O at 100 metres depth.
- Central section (YLP-0312, 0315): Strong grades continue. YLP-0315 intersected 22 m at 1.09% Li₂O at 200 metres below surface.
- Northern section (YLP-0310, 0311): Pegmatite intersected at expected depths but with lower spodumene content. Both holes encountered 20-30 metre wide pegmatite bodies with negligible economic mineralisation.
Demonstrating that mineralisation remains open at depth and along strike provides resource expansion optionality for future drilling campaigns. Wall-to-wall mineralised intercepts simplify resource modelling by eliminating internal dilution assumptions.
Geotechnical drilling confirms grade at Fi Main and Ki pegmatites
Three holes drilled during the 2025 summer programme collected whole-core samples for rock mechanics testing ahead of potential mining studies. Geotechnical data informs pit wall angle design, blasting parameters, and ground support requirements in feasibility assessments.
Results from each pegmatite tested:
- Fi Main (YLP-0304): 21 m at 1.09% Li₂O, including 13 m at 1.38% Li₂O. A second dyke returned 29 m at 0.56% Li₂O, including 9 m at 1.03% Li₂O.
- Fi SW (YLP-0305): 21 m at 0.50% Li₂O, including 8 m at 1.10% Li₂O.
- Ki (YLP-0306): 18 m at 1.41% Li₂O.
True widths are approximately 50-90% of drilled widths due to oblique drilling angles designed to maximise core recovery for geotechnical testing. The drilling orientation prioritised intact core samples over perpendicular intersection geometry.
Geotechnical sampling is a precursor activity to Pre-Feasibility and Feasibility Studies. The concurrent grade confirmation adds development pathway value by validating mineralisation in zones where rock mechanics data is now available for engineering assessments.
Yellowknife Lithium Project’s infrastructure advantage
YLP’s location delivers material capital and operating cost advantages compared to remote lithium projects:
- Proximity to operating diamond mines (Ekati, Diavik), providing access to established mining service networks and experienced workforce.
- Talston hydroelectric power and transmission lines within the project area, eliminating diesel generation requirements.
- Ingraham Trail Road shown on the project location map, alongside additional seasonal road access routes in the project area.
- Yellowknife airport proximity enabling direct fly-in/fly-out workforce models and equipment freight.
The project sits within an established mining jurisdiction with existing permitting frameworks developed through decades of diamond mine operation. Regulatory pathways for environmental assessment and mine licencing are defined rather than exploratory.
LIFT’s broader portfolio includes the Adina Lithium Project in Quebec’s James Bay region, providing geographic diversification across two Canadian jurisdictions. Dual-project exposure mitigates single-asset permitting, commodity price, and operational risk.
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Next steps for Li-FT Power
The company is engaged in ongoing drilling and exploration work at YLP. Results will inform future resource updates following the initial inferred mineral resource published in October 2024. Continued drilling signals management’s commitment to advancing the project through the development pipeline toward economic assessment stages.
The scientific and technical information in this release was reviewed by Qualified Person Ron Voordouw, Ph.D., P.Geo., and Competent Person Ben Eggers, MAIG, P.Geo. QP and CP sign-off provides assurance on data quality and adherence to NI 43-101 and JORC Code reporting standards respectively.
Ready to Learn More About the Yellowknife Lithium Project?
Li-FT Power’s latest drill results demonstrate consistent high-grade lithium mineralisation across multiple pegmatites, with infrastructure advantages that could significantly reduce development costs. The company continues to expand its resource footprint in one of Canada’s most established mining regions.
To access detailed geological reports, resource updates, and investment information, visit the Li-FT Power investor centre.