Critical Elements Lithium has commenced a 10,000m drilling programme at its Rose West site in Eeyou Istchee, Québec, Canada.

Drilling at Rose West has identified a lithium-bearing pegmatite approximately 10–40m thick across an area of around 450m × 370m.

The current programme is intended to test continuity in the western sector, which, if confirmed, will support the preparation of a maiden resource estimate for Rose West.

The prospect, which is wholly owned by Critical Elements, lies roughly 10km from the advanced Rose Lithium–Tantalum Project.

Drill results from 2024 indicated significant lithium mineralisation at Rose West.

Notable findings include high-grade lithium from hole RD-24-25A that returned 1.39% lithium oxide and 157 parts per million (ppm) tantalum pentoxide over 35.30m, including 2.33% lithium oxide and 152ppm tantalum pentoxide over 9m.

Hole RD-24-24 returned 1.29% lithium oxide and 121ppm tantalum pentoxide over 31.5m, including 1.69% lithium oxide and 127ppm tantalum pentoxide over 13.5m.

The current winter drilling campaign covers three primary objectives: extending the known mineralisation laterally; exploring the north-eastern sector for continuity; and assessing the potential for additional lithium-bearing deposits beneath the existing area.

Two drilling rigs will be utilised to optimise the programme duration under a systematic grid approach, potentially enlarging the main zone's footprint to approximately 950m × 1200m.

Recent geological assessments suggest a structural corridor trending north-west that influences the positioning of pegmatites within tonalitic host rocks.

This corridor appears to affect pegmatite geometry, causing an offset on its east side by roughly 100m.

The drilling strategy will adapt to these geological insights, with some holes expected to reach depths of 300m to assess deeper mineralisation prospects.

Meanwhile, the plan includes testing the potential expansion into an East Target Zone of around 750m × 600m.

Drilling depths are projected to average around 175m but may vary depending on specific site conditions.

Critical Elements CEO Jean-Sébastien Lavallée said: “Given good lateral continuity of the zone, this drilling programme has the potential to significantly increase the footprint of the Rose West Discovery.

“Should mineralised intercepts continue to measure between 10–40m and grades remain consistent with those reported in 2024, Rose West could have a material impact on the total Rose Project resource and, consequently, a potential economic impact for Critical Element's shareholders.”