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Vancouver, BC – TheNewswire - August 20, 2025 – Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: COS) (“Coniagas” or the “Company”), today announced its cooperation with Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) to investigate metallogenic processes responsible for nickel-copper sulfide formation at the Company’s Graal Property, located within the Lac-Saint-Jean Anorthositic Suite (SALSJ). Laurentia Exploration continues to manage exploration activities while advancing the permitting process.
This work represents a significant academic contribution to understanding Proterozoic anorthositic mineralization in Quebec's Grenville Province, deposits increasingly recognized for their critical and strategic metal content. The economic potential of Ni-Cu deposits has been demonstrated by world-class discoveries like Voisey's Bay in Labrador.
The master's project at UQAC, led by Professors S. Dare and R-L Simard, focuses on the northern margin of the Lac-Saint-Jean Anorthositic Suite, in the Lac à Paul region hosting the Discovery, Gravi, and MHY mineralized zones discovered on Coniagas’s Graal Property.
Having previously mapped and studied petrographic and geochemical data from these showings in 2024, three members of the research team examined and sampled drill core from these zones at the Company's core shack last month. Their work on petrogeochemical characterization and mapping of anorthositic facies will help better define geological control and mechanisms responsible for the genesis and emplacement of these and other Ni-Cu occurrences in the area and will provide essential knowledge to improve exploration models across the region.
"This partnership exemplifies how academic research can accelerate mineral discovery," states Frank Basa, Coniagas CEO. "UQAC's work provides critical geological insights while we advance a project containing nickel, copper, cobalt, and platinum group metals in one of North America's most stable mining jurisdictions. Quebec offers clean hydroelectric power, established infrastructure, and proximity to both traditional and emerging markets for these minerals."
Key activities planned for the coming months include:
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Completion of airborne EM-mag survey with detailed coverage in areas of known prospectivity
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Initiation of diamond drilling campaign
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Integration of UQAC research findings into exploration targeting
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Continued advancement of permitting and stakeholder engagement
The collaboration between industry and academia at Graal demonstrates Quebec's emergence as a center for critical minerals research and development. As global supply chains reconfigure and demand for secure, ethically sourced minerals intensifies, projects with strong technical foundations and academic validation are increasingly valued by investors and end-users alike.
Academic Research: A Foundation for Success
Partnerships with academic research institutions have proven invaluable in shaping the direction and effectiveness of exploration using:
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Refined models for magmatic sulfide formation and associated metal zonation
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New interpretations of the local geotectonic setting, drawing on deep geophysical data
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New applications of machine learning for anomaly detection in exploration data
Currently, a team from Université de Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC) is conducting detailed mapping and studying the petrogeochemical characterization of anorthositic facies and associated mineralization in the northern margin of the Lac-Saint-Jean Anorthositic Suite in the vicinity of the Discovery, Gravi, and MHY Ni-Cu mineralized zones.
Proterozoic anorthositic massifs are abundant in the Grenville Province of Quebec and host mineralization rich in critical and strategic metals.
The master's project at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (UQAC), aims to better understand the metallogenic processes responsible for the formation of Ni-Cu sulfide mineralization associated with the Lac-Saint-Jean Anorthositic Suite (SALSJ). The study focuses on the northern margin of the SALSJ, more specifically in the Lac à Paul region, which hosts the Discovery, Gravi and MHY mineralized zones. These studies will provide key information to improving exploration models for such deposits (Bounour, O., Dare, S., Simard, R-L., Moukhsil, A. 2025. Cartographie à l’aide du XRF portatif des faciès de la marge nord de la Suite anorthositique de Lac-Saint-Jean associés à des minéralisations en Ni-Cu-Co, Province de Grenville (MB 2025-09).
The global landscape for critical minerals continues to evolve rapidly. While electric vehicle applications remain important, demand drivers now encompass aerospace alloys, advanced manufacturing, telecommunications infrastructure, and various industrial applications requiring high-performance materials. Recent developments in copper-nickel alloy research highlight expanding applications beyond traditional uses. Quebec's advantages for critical mineral development include:
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Established mining infrastructure and skilled workforce
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The Québec Plan for the Development of Critical and Strategic Minerals 2020-2025
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Proximity to the St. Lawrence Seaway providing ocean access
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Integration with North American manufacturing corridors
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Stable regulatory environment with clear permitting pathways
Commitment to Environmental Responsibility and Community Engagement
Incorporating academic research goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to responsible resource development. Stakeholder engagement remains a cornerstone of the project, with regular consultations involving First Nation communities, and local governments. Academic partners are contributing to knowledge-sharing and public education, fostering a culture of transparency and mutual respect.
Frank Basa, Coniagas CEO states, “This is a new era of mineral exploration where science, technology, and community values are equally prioritized. This cooperation between our exploration team and academic researchers is unlocking new opportunities and setting new standards for the industry.”
Dr Renée-Luce Simard, Department of Applied Sciences, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi said “We hope that our findings will offer a clearer picture of the processes that formed copper and nickel deposits at Graal. This knowledge is crucial for guiding exploration and ensuring sustainable resource development.”
As the world accelerates toward a low-carbon future, the Graal Cu-Ni Property stands at the intersection of innovative exploration and academic excellence. The ongoing collaboration between industry and academia is not only advancing the science of mineral discovery but also ensuring that resource development proceeds with integrity and respect for the environment and local communities. The coming year promises to be a defining chapter in the project’s history, setting the stage for responsible resource development in a changing world.
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Grades used above are found in GM60730 MERN; GM58807 MERN; GM61185 MERN, and the Company’s NI 43-101 Technical Report.
The technical information reported in this news release was reviewed and approved by Maxime Bouchard, Geo, M.Sc. (OGQ #1752), an independent Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101 standards. The Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historical information on the Property, particularly regarding historical drill results. However, the Qualified Person believes that drilling and analytical results were completed to industry standard practices. The information provides an indication of the exploration potential of the Property but may not be representative of expected results.
About Coniagas Battery Metals Inc.
Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian junior mining company focused on nickel, copper and cobalt and platinum group metals in Québec. Coniagas’ strategy is to create value for shareholders through the development of its mineral properties, with the intention of developing Coniagas into a critical metals supplier to the electric vehicle (EV) market.
At its 100% owned Graal project near Saguenay, Quebec, Coniagas has conducted successful exploration involving geophysics as well as shallow drilling that hit mineralization in almost every hole. It has confirmed an open-pit deposit model at Graal along a 6 km strike length of high-grade nickel and copper with cobalt, platinum and palladium byproducts. The Company plans in the near-term to conduct additional drilling leading to the production of a Ni 43-101 resource report, metallurgical testing and consultations with First Nations. The Graal project and immediate work plan are outlined in detail in the “NI 43-101 Technical Report Graal Nickel & Copper Project, Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada” dated January 17, 2024. The report is available along with other information at the Company’s website https://coniagas.com/
“Frank J. Basa”
Frank J. Basa, P. Eng. Member of Professional Engineers Ontario
Chief Executive Officer
For further information, contact:
Frank J. Basa, P. Eng. Ontario
Chief Executive Officer
416-625-2342
or:
Wayne Cheveldayoff, Corporate Communications
P: 416-710-2410 E: waynecheveldayoff@gmail.com
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Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements regarding Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. (“Coniagas” or the “Company”) which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address the Coniagas trading on the TSX Venture Exchange, resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. No assurance can be given that any of the foregoing will be achieved. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information in this news release or other communications unless required by law.
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