Critical Elements Lithium Corporation (TSX-V: CRE) (US OTCQX: CRECF) (FSE: F12) (“Critical Elements” or the “Corporation”) is pleased to provide assay results and an update on its Phase 1 Winter 2026 drill program, at the 100% owned Rose West Discovery (“Rose West”), located in Eeyou Istchee, Québec.
Highlights
- The Phase 1 Winter 2026 drill program continues to deliver positive results demonstrating the successful expansion of the Rose West mineralized footprint from 450 m x 370 m to 1,250 m x 800 m, thicknesses that typically range from 10 to 40 m, and excellent lateral continuity.
- Newly discovered Pegmatite 5 is delivering substantial and laterally continuous intersections in the southern portion of the Main Target Area, part of a stacked and generally flat lying system.
- The geological model continues to prove to be highly effective and productive.
- An additional nineteen holes have been completed with assays pending from four holes.
- A technical webinar is planned for Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00 am EST (link following).
Assay results were received for holes RW-26-34, and RW-26-41, and returned some significant lithium and tantalum composite assays, as highlighted below:
- 1.19% Li2O and 167 ppm Ta2O5 over 14.50 m (including 1.41% Li2O and 170 ppm Ta2O5 over 12.20 m), through Pegmatite 3, in hole RW-26-34
- 1.51% Li2O and 93 ppm Ta2O5 over 18.50 m (including 2.49% Li2O and 50 ppm Ta2O5 over 9.60 m), through Pegmatite 5 (new), and
- 0.89% Li2O and 175 ppm Ta2O5 over 10.00 m, through Pegmatite 3, in hole RW-26-41
* Core length; the true thickness is between 80 to 95% of the core length.
Rose West is situated within 10 km of the highly advanced Rose Lithium-Tantalum Project (“Rose”). Rose West is a near surface lithium-rich pegmatite bearing zone, initially intercepted by drilling over a 450 m x 370 m footprint area in the winter of 2024 (see Press Release dated April 29, 2026), now covering an overall footprint of 1,250 m x 800 m. The lithium-rich pegmatites typically range from 10 to 40 m in thickness and display a sub-horizontal geometry. Recent drilling has identified three (3) new spodumene-bearing pegmatitic bodies within the target area; a significant addition to the working model as it could potentially lead to rapid growth of the mineral inventory within the footprint of the project.
Jean-Sébastien Lavallée, CEO of the Corporation, noted, “We are very pleased with our 2026 drill program to date. The program is demonstrating the efficacy of our geological model and significant growth in the Rose West mineralized footprint, which in turn may have a significant impact on the economic value of our flagship Rose project. Assembling the project financing leading to a final investment decision for Rose, one of the most advanced hardrock lithium projects in North America, remains our primary goal. Demonstrating the potential scale of Rose and its satellite Rose West is, however, a cost-effective value driver for Critical Elements, its shareholders, and the citizens of Eeyou Istchee, the Province of Québec, and Canada.”
To date, the Winter 2026 drill program has covered most of the Line A, Line E and Line K planned holes (Figure 1). As previously mentioned, holes were planned to reach three specific goals:
- Expand laterally all around the existing mineralized footprint (RW-26-29 to 34, RW-26-45 & 46);
- Test the area for continuity to the northeast (RW-26-47 to 50), to the southeast (RW-26-40 to 44);
- Verify the potential of discovering additional lithium-bearing pegmatites below the currently defined area.
Figure 1 below presents the 2026 collars location with, as well as the revised footprint on surface of the interpreted spodumene-rich pegmatitic dykes. Nineteen (19) holes have been drilled to date for a total of 4,037.75 meters. Table 1 presents the collar locations along with final length and the azimuth / dip of the holes drilled during this campaign.
