Caesium and Tantalum Add to the Shaakichiuwaanaan Opportunity
Important caesium and tantalum deposits are associated with the primary lithium deposits.
Caesium
Caesium Resource Strengthens Critical Minerals Profile
Shaakichiuwaanaan is home to the largest pollucite-hosted caesium pegmatite Mineral Resource in the world, offering an important potential supply with significant by-product lithium and tantalum value, an exceptionally rare and strategic asset for North America’s clean-tech future.
Mineral Resource Estimate (Caesium Zone MRE1):
Rigel Zone
- 163,000 t grading 10.25% Cs₂O, 1.78% Li₂O and 646 ppm Ta₂O₅ (Indicated)
Vega Zone
- 530,000 t at 2.61% Cs₂O, 2.23% Li₂O, 172 ppm Ta₂O₅ (indicated)
- 1,698,000 t at 2.40% Cs₂O, 1.81% Li₂O, 245 ppm Ta₂O₅ (Inferred)
Caesium Content
- Contained Cs₂O: approximately 30.5 kt (Indicated) and 40.8 kt (Inferred)
Mineralization Evidence
- Extremely high-grades including 22.69% Cs₂O over 1 m at the Rigel Zone—highlighting the high-grade potential of the deposit.
Strategic Importance & Market Dynamics
caesium is listed as a critical mineral by both the U.S. and Canadian governments due to its geopolitical and technological importance. Demand is high and supply very limited. Supply security is a concern: China currently controls over 70% of processing capacity, and disruptions could impact industries reliant on caesium.
Tantalum
One of the Largest and Highest-Grade Tantalum Pegmatites Globally
Shaakichiuwaanaan combines large-scale lithium potential with one of the world’s largest tantalum pegmatite deposits, offering low-cost, high-value by-product opportunities that enhance the Project’s strategic appeal.
Tantalum Pegmatite Deposits
- 108.0 Mt at 166 ppm Ta₂O₅ (indicated)
- 33.4 Mt at 155 ppm Ta₂O₅ (inferred)
- translates to approximately 23,100 tonnes of contained tantalum oxide
High‑Grade Zones Already Identified
- Drill results reveal tantalum-rich zones overlapping with lithium-rich zones
By‑Product Strategy Reduces Risk and Capex
Tantalum, primarily found in tantalite within lithium-caesium-tantalum (LCT) pegmatites, could be recovered as a cost-effective by-product, leveraging existing lithium processing infrastructure and opening a low-risk avenue to add high-margin value
Critical Mineral with Strong Market Demand
As a key component in capacitors, aerospace, medical devices, and defense electronics, tantalum is a strategically critical mineral. Adding this to a secure, Canadian-based resource strengthens the Shaakichiuwaanaan Project’s global relevance
Location of the Rigel and Vega zones
