MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD), in partnership with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”), is pleased to announce the reception of the remaining assay results from the first drilling campaign for lithium on the Galinée project. The 2024 drilling campaign’s main objective was to test the Iceberg, White Stripes, Surge, Snow Fox, and White Lightning lithium showings (see press releases by Midland dated January 16, 2024, and October 24, 2024). This press release reports results from the last fifteen (15) drill holes of the 2024 campaign out of a total of twenty-eight (28). The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometers east of the Adina lithium deposit held by Winsome Resources (“Winsome”), is wholly owned by Midland, and is subject to an option agreement signed with RTEC in June 2023 (see press release by Midland dated June 14, 2023) and amended in April 2024 (see press release by Midland dated April 23, 2024).

Highlights:

• On Galinée, best results from the remaining fifteen (15) drill holes out of twenty-eight (28):
  • 1.03% Li₂O over 32.87 meters (TLIB0026);
  • 1.46% Li₂O over 27.34 meters (TLIB0018);
  • 1.58% Li₂O over 35.05 meters (TLIB0022 RC);
  • 0.76% Li₂O over 38.73 meters (TLIB0020);
• On Galinée, at least seven (7), meter to decameter-scale, spodumene pegmatites were intersected during the 2024 drilling campaign, which remain open and further to be tested;

Galinée 2024 Drilling Program

The 2024 drilling program on Galinée consisted of twenty-one (21) diamond drill holes and seven (7) reverse circulation (“RC”) drill holes totaling 6,284.86 meters, out of which 819.92 meters were reverse circulation drilling. Assay results from the remaining fifteen (15) drill holes have been received. With the assay results from the first thirteen (13) diamond drill holes published in a previous press release (see press release by Midland dated October 24, 2024), all results have now been received. The best results from the twenty-eight (28) drill holes are summarized in the table below.

HoleID		From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Li2O%
TLIB0001		9.9	24.8	14.9	1.48
TLIB0002		7.0	33.5	26.5	1.49
	Including	14.3	33.5	19.2	1.85
TLIB0004		201.1	234.4	33.3	1,09
	Including	217.6	234.3	16.7	1.87
TLIB0006		41.6	62.6	20.97	1.94
		188.6	200.1	11.52	2.47
TLIB0007		105.44	143.3	37.86	1.38
	Including	121.95	143.3	21.35	1.88
TLIB0011		81.71	91.47	9.76	1.46
		157.98	179.88	21.9	1.09
TLIB0012		140.5	152.9	12.4	1.04
		279.88	295.96	16.08	0.90
TLIB0013		100.54	121.06	20.52	0.70
TLIB0014		204.6	218.5	13.9	1.41
		277.8	294.9	17.1	1.13
		307.1	325.4	18.4	1.20
TLIB0018		46.9	59.1	12.2	1.02
		149.9	177.2	27.34	1.46
		258.1	280.4	22.34	0.75
TLIB0020		85.6	124.4	38.73	0.76
TLIB0022		22.86	57.91	35.05	1.58
TLIB0023		181.88	206.7	24.82	0.94
		293.73	310.05	16.32	1.19
TLIB0026		26.33	59.2	32.87	1.03

The objectives of the 2024 drilling campaign were to test the 2023 Iceberg Showing area with diamond drilling while using reverse circulation drilling to test conceptual, prospecting and geophysical targets. The drilling campaign mainly focused on the Iceberg showing and also the White Stripes, Surge, Snow Fox and White Lighning showings. Surface geological mapping combined with drilling has identified a series of at least seven (7), meter to decameter-scale, spodumene pegmatite bodies. Drill results from holes TLIB0014, TLIB0018, TLIB0022, TLIB0023, and TLIB0026 suggests extension of the Iceberg showing to the east, while hole TLIB0020 furthermore suggests extensions towards the west. The highlight result thus far returned core length interval composites of 1.38% Li₂O over 37.86 meters, including 1.88% Li₂O over 21.35 meters, in hole TLIB0007. Hole TLIB0026 returned 1.03% Li₂O over 32.87 meters and hole TLIB0018 returned up-to 1.46% Li₂O over 27.34 meters.

HoleID	Easting (m)	Northing (m)	Azimuth (°)	Dip (°)	Depth (m)	Core Size	Type
TLIB0001	676649	5909758	13	-45	240.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0002	676613	5909697	13	-45	234.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0003	676860	5909819	13	-45	285.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0004	676926	5909884	193	-45	270.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0005	676609	5909695	13	-70	219.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0006	676742	5909751	13	-60	294.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0007	676609	5909695	193	-70	198.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0008	676459	5909742	13	-60	177.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0009	676503	5909121	13	-45	225.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0010	675810	5909224	193	-60	168.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0011	676783	5909609	13	-70	315.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0012	676564	5909440	13	-60	345.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0013	676488	5909022	13	-45	279.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0014	676959	5909500	13	-60	384.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0015	678459	5909235	343	-45	228.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0016	676863	5910037	13	-60	261.74	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0017	676402	5909976	13	-60	171.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0018	677070	5909621	13	-60	294.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0019	677316	5909627	13	-60	105.16	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0020	676458	5909740	193	-60	273.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0021	677042	5909281	13	-60	100.58	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0022	677176	5909176	13	-60	150.88	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0023	677418	5909564	13	-60	321.00	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0024	677949	5908838	13	-60	100.58	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0025	677375	5910112	13	-75	150.88	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0026	677171	5909176	13	-60	283.20	HQ	Diamond drilling
TLIB0027	677540	5910022	13	-60	117.35	3¼"	RC drilling
TLIB0028	676008	5909683	13	-60	94.49	3¼"	RC drilling

* Coordinates in UTM zone 18, NAD83

Preliminary models continue to suggest that the spodumene pegmatite bodies dip shallowly, typically less than 30 degrees, and are often observed as stacked sets in the drill holes – the drilling commonly intersected multiple mineralized pegmatite bodies with variable thickness. Preliminary structural studies and 3D modelling suggest that these pegmatites could have sigmoidal geometries. Mineralogical studies show that the major lithium phase at Iceberg is spodumene with minor muscovite and cookeite alteration. Minor petalite is present and holmquistite is often present in the amphibolitic country rock adjacent to pegmatites. The spodumene pegmatite bodies remain open along strike and to depth and more drilling will be necessary to more precisely determine their geometry and extension.

Drilling is planned to resume in March 2025, with a first phase budget USD 3.59M approved for a combination of diamond and RC drilling. Early metallurgical tests are also being evaluated on select core sections using LIBS scanning to identify and quantitatively determine grain size and the lithium mineralogy.

About the Galinée Project

The Galinée project is located approximately 5 kilometers due east of the Adina deposit (mineral resource estimate of 77.8 MT at 1.15% Li₂O, see press release by Winsome dated May 28, 2024) held by Winsome. This deposit is located at the contact between amphibolites of the Trieste Formation to the south and felsic intrusives to the north and is marked by a major structure that likely controlled the emplacement of pegmatites at Adina. The same highly favourable contact zone is present on the property over more than 7 kilometers, and the Iceberg lithium showing was discovered along this contact (see press release by Midland dated September 19, 2023).

Quality Control

RTEC sampling protocols include the insertion of blanks, duplicates, and standards as such: Internal blanks were inserted at the beginning of every drill hole, or sample batch, and were inserted every 30 samples throughout. Field duplicates of ¼ cut drill cores were also inserted every 30 samples (with the parent sample immediately preceding). At least 1 CRM standard was inserted within every intersected pegmatite interval. CRM materials used included OREAS 750, OREAS 751, OREAS 753 and OREAS 999 for mineralized samples; OREAS 520 and OREAS 524 for unmineralized materials. All samples were prepared by ALS Laboratories in Thunder Bay using a preparation package whereby the entire sample is crushed to 70% less than 2-millimetre mesh size using a Boyd crusher and splitter combination. A one-kilogram split of crushed material is pulverized to better than 85% passing 75 microns mesh size. ALS internally sends all pulps to ALS Geochemistry in Vancouver for analysis.

Pegmatite materials were analyzed by a multi-method analytical package: (1) ME-MS61L four acid digest and ICP-MS multicollector multi-element analysis, (2) ME-ICP06 lithium borate fusion whole rock analysis, and (3) ME-MS81 lithium borate fusion trace element analysis. All samples reporting >4500 ppm Li are reported by both a dilution method from the four-acid digest ME-MS61L and reanalyzed by Li-ICP82b sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES determination.

Cautionary Statements

Grab samples are selective by nature and may not be representative of mineralized zones. Furthermore, the true thickness of mineralized intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available.

Lithium mineralization occurring at the deposits mentioned in this press release is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be intersected on projects held by Midland and mentioned in this press release.

About Midland

Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold and critical metals. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as RTEC, BHP Canada Inc., Barrick Gold Corp., Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd, Probe Gold Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Electric Elements Mining Corp., SOQUEM Inc., Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund, and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up Midland’s portfolio and generate shareholder value.

Qualified Person and Chief Geologist Jean-François Larivière, P. Geo, Ph. D, prepared this press release and verified the Galinée project data as Midland’s qualified person (QP) within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101. The QP has verified the data as per clause 3.2 – given they are confidently identifying spodumene using these methods.

For further information, please consult Midland’s website or contact:

Gino Roger, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: 450 420-5977
Fax: 450 420-5978
Email: info@midlandexploration.com
Website: https://www.midlandexploration.com/

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland’s periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.

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