Surge Receives Positive Record of Decision on its Exploration Plan of Operations Permit at the Nevada North Lithium Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Surge Battery Metals (OTCQX: NILIF) has received approval from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) for its Nevada North Exploration Plan of Operations (EPoO) at the Nevada North Lithium Project. The approval marks a significant permitting milestone, expanding the allowable disturbance area from 5 to 250 acres for exploration activities.

The expanded permit enables:

• Construction of new roads, cross-country trails, and drill pads
• Mineral exploration and condemnation drilling
• Metallurgical testing via bulk sampling
• Hydrogeologic investigations including groundwater wells
• Geotechnical investigations and infiltration testing

The company commits to concurrent reclamation activities and will post a bond to ensure site restoration. Management plans to execute their spring/summer drill plan for 2025 and aims to update their Mineral Resource Estimate in Q4 2025.

Positive

• Significant expansion of exploration area from 5 to 250 acres
• Regulatory approval received for comprehensive exploration activities
• Clear timeline for resource estimate update in Q4 2025

Negative

• Exploration results and economic viability still uncertain
• Additional bond posting required for reclamation

West Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 5, 2025) - Surge Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: NILI) (OTCQX: NILIF) (FSE: DJ5) (the "Company" or "Surge") today announced that it has received approval of the Nevada North Exploration Plan of Operations ("EPoO") from the Bureau of Land Management ("BLM").

This is a significant permitting milestone for the Nevada North Lithium Project (NNLP) and expands the amount of disturbance allowed for exploration drilling and other activities to 250 acres, from the current 5 acres allowed under the current permitting. The BLM announced the decision by posting a positive Record of Decision (ROD) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) regarding the Exploration Plan of Operations.

Key Highlights:

• The EPoO will allow for up to 250 acres of combined surface disturbance to be undertaken within the EPoO boundary compared to the 5 acres allowed under current permitting.
• This decision will allow the construction of new roads and cross-country trails and drill pads.
• Exploration activities will include:

• Mineral exploration activities and condemnation drilling.
• Metallurgical characterization and testing via bulk sampling and test pitting and/or a large diameter drill core program.
• Hydrogeologic investigations to support baseline characterization including installation of groundwater characterization wells, an exploration water supply well, Vibrating Wire Piezometers (VWPs), and surface water instrumentation.
• Geotechnical investigations, including drilling and related sampling, bulk sampling of excavations, and test pits.
• Infiltration testing via soil borings and test pitting.

• Surge is committed to implementing numerous environmental protection measures while performing exploration activities with a focus on reducing or eliminating potential environmental impacts.
• Reclamation activities will be conducted concurrently with exploration activities when portions of the disturbed areas are no longer needed. Surge will begin reclamation within inactive exploration areas at the earliest practicable time.
• An appropriate bond will be posted to ensure the completion of site reclamation.

Mr. Greg Reimer, Chief Executive Officer and Director, commented, "We are obviously very pleased with the decision of the BLM approving our EPoO permit application for the NNLP and want to thank the BLM for the many months of work in getting to this decision. We have developed our spring/summer drill plan for 2025 and are looking forward to the drilling season and updating our Mineral Resource Estimate later in Q4 2025."

About Surge Battery Metals Inc.

Surge Battery Metals, a Canadian-based mineral exploration company, is at the forefront of securing the supply of domestic lithium through its active engagement in the Nevada North Lithium Project. The Project focuses on exploring clean, high-grade lithium energy metals in Nevada, USA, a crucial element for powering the electric vehicles of tomorrow. With a primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in Canada and the OTCQX Market in the US, Surge Battery Metals Inc. is strategically positioned as a key player in advancing lithium exploration, contributing significantly to the sustainable future of the electric vehicle industry. At Surge Battery Metals, we are not just exploring minerals; we are pioneering the path to a cleaner and more sustainable future, driving innovation in the lithium sector, and contributing to the evolution of the electric vehicle industry.

About the Nevada North Lithium Project

The Company owns the Nevada North Lithium Project located in the Granite Range southeast of Jackpot, Nevada about 73 km north-northeast of Wells, Elko County, Nevada. The first three rounds of drilling on the Project, completed in 2022, 2023, and 2024, identified a strongly mineralized zone of lithium bearing clays occupying a strike length of more than 4,300 meters and a known width of greater than 1500 meters. Highly anomalous soil values and geophysical surveys suggest there is potential for the clay horizons to be much greater in extent, while wide drill spacing allows for significant upside to occur during infill drilling. The Nevada North Lithium Project has a pit-constrained Inferred Resource containing an estimated 8.65 Mt of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent (LCE) grading 2,951 ppm Li at a 1,250 ppm cutoff.

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On behalf of the Board of Directors

"Greg Reimer"

Greg Reimer,
Director, President & CEO

Contact Information
Email: info@surgebatterymetals.com
Phone: 604-662-8184
Website: surgebatterymetals.com

Neither the 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 news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of any of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws, or an exemption from such registration requirements is available.

This document may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan" or "planned", "possible", "potential", "forecast", "intend", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements herein, include statements related to the NTEC's ownership of Common Shares at the time of Closing, the entering into of the Services Agreement and Investor Rights Agreement and the anticipated use of proceeds from the Closing. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon several assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, environmental (including endangered species, habitat preservation and water related risks) and social risks, contingencies, and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/243397

FAQ

What does the BLM approval mean for Surge Battery Metals' NILIF exploration capabilities?

The approval expands allowable disturbance area from 5 to 250 acres, enabling broader exploration activities including new roads, drill pads, and comprehensive testing operations.

When will Surge Battery Metals (NILIF) update its Mineral Resource Estimate?

The company plans to update its Mineral Resource Estimate in Q4 2025, following their spring/summer 2025 drilling program.

What exploration activities are permitted under NILIF's new Nevada North EPoO?

The permit allows mineral exploration drilling, metallurgical testing, hydrogeologic investigations, geotechnical studies, and infiltration testing across 250 acres.

How is NILIF addressing environmental concerns in their Nevada North Lithium Project?

The company commits to implementing environmental protection measures and conducting concurrent reclamation activities, backed by a bond to ensure site restoration.