# Five Drill Programs That Could Reshape the Critical Minerals Race Canonical Atlas analysis: https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440 Original source: https://money.tmx.com/en/quote/NILI/news/5642906439888749/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race Publisher: tmx Original announcement: 2026-03-30T13:05:00.000Z Analysis by Minestarters Atlas Atlas analysis published: Unknown date Atlas analysis updated: Unknown date - Company: Surge Battery Metals - Ticker: NILI - Exchange: TSX - Region: Nevada - Primary commodity: Lithium - Secondary commodities: None reported - Document categories: Drill results, Resource update - Extracted: 2026-09-14 14:56:04 UTC Narrative sentiment: 0.40 · Bullish ## Minestarters Atlas summary Surge Battery Metals is preparing an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for its Nevada North Lithium Project, expected in late April 2026. The update aims to convert inferred resources into Measured and Indicated categories to support an ongoing Pre-Feasibility Study. Reasoning: The document discusses an upcoming MRE update for Surge Battery Metals to upgrade inferred resources to M&I, following successful previous drilling. - Positive factor: upcoming MRE update to upgrade resource confidence - Positive factor: successful 2025 drill program confirmed continuity - Positive factor: project advancing toward Pre-Feasibility Study Facts used in scoring: 9 ## Classification and evidence **Step-Out Extension** Polarity: positive Definition: Mineralization extended beyond the previously known limit. Why it applies: Talon Metals reported step-out drilling results confirming continuity in the Vault Zone. Evidence · text > reported step-out drilling results confirming the continuity of the Vault Zone **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: Q2 Metals is modelling an inaugural inferred Mineral Resource Estimate. Evidence · text > The inaugural inferred Mineral Resource Estimate is now being modelled ## Extracted facts Stored fact records: 9. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record. ## Drill Results (6) ### CS25-071 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-0) Cisco · lithium #### Identity - Hole ID: CS25-071 - Project: Cisco - Commodity: lithium - Region: canada\_qc - Reported Region: canada\_qc - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Intercept: 264.6 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Significant continuous lithium pegmatite interval reported in hole CS25-071. - Positive factor: widest continuous interval reported Evidence · text > widest continuous interval of 264.6 metres in hole CS25-071 #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### CS26-078 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-1) Cisco · lithium #### Identity - Hole ID: CS26-078 - Project: Cisco - Commodity: lithium - Region: canada\_qc - Reported Region: canada\_qc - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Intercept: 240.4 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Significant continuous lithium pegmatite interval reported in hole CS26-078. - Positive factor: significant continuous interval reported Evidence · text > 240.4 metres in CS26-078 #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### 25TK0563C [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-2) Tamarack · nickel #### Identity - Hole ID: 25TK0563C - Project: Tamarack - Commodity: nickel - Region: minnesota - Reported Region: minnesota - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Grade: 7.82 - Grade Unit: % - Intercept: 15.23 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill - Group ID: 25TK0563C:0-15.23 #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade nickel intercept in a step-out hole confirming zone continuity. - Positive factor: strong nickel grade - Positive factor: step-out drilling confirming continuity Evidence · text > 25TK0563C intercepting 15.23 meters grading 7.82% Ni #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### 25TK0563C [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-3) Tamarack · copper #### Identity - Hole ID: 25TK0563C - Project: Tamarack - Commodity: copper - Region: minnesota - Reported Region: minnesota - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Grade: 7.7 - Grade Unit: % - Intercept: 15.23 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill - Group ID: 25TK0563C:0-15.23 #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: High-grade copper intercept in a step-out hole. - Positive factor: strong copper grade Evidence · text > 7.70% Cu #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### 25TK0563C [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-4) Tamarack · gold #### Identity - Hole ID: 25TK0563C - Project: Tamarack - Commodity: gold - Region: minnesota - Reported Region: minnesota - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Grade: 3.09 - Grade Unit: g/t - Intercept: 15.23 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill - Group ID: 25TK0563C:0-15.23 #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Gold credits reported in a polymetallic intercept. - Positive factor: gold credits in nickel-copper intercept Evidence · text > 3.09 g/t Au #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### ATXD34 [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-drill-facts-5) Valeriano · copper #### Identity - Hole ID: ATXD34 - Project: Valeriano - Commodity: copper - Region: chile - Reported Region: chile - Ticker: NILI #### Geometry - Grade: 0.8 - Grade Unit: % - Intercept: 172 m #### Classification - Program: exploration - Sample Type: drill #### Review - Needs Review: No - Interp. Status: scored - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Very wide intercept of copper equivalent, expanding the known footprint. - Positive factor: significant width - Positive factor: expansion of mineralized footprint Evidence · text > ATXD34 returning 172 metres of 0.80% copper equivalent #### Tags used in scoring **No QA/QC Disclosure** Polarity: negative Definition: Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. Why it applies: qaqc\_disclosed is not true **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ## Resource Estimates (3) ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-resource-facts-6) Nevada North Lithium Project · lithium Historical result Needs review: historical\_restatement #### Identity - Project: Nevada North Lithium Project - Commodity: lithium - Region: usa\_nv - Reported Region: Nevada - Ticker: NILI #### Resource scope - Estimate type: resource - Resource group id: resource:22438692d9517a2b7898 #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 11240000 - Grade: 3010 - Grade Unit: ppm Li - Contained Metal: 11.24 - Contained Unit: mt #### Review - Needs Review: Yes - Review Reason: historical\_restatement - Historical: Yes #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Existing inferred resource for the Nevada North Lithium Project. - Positive factor: pit-constrained resource - Negative factor: currently inferred Evidence · text > holds a pit-constrained inferred resource of 11.24 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent at 3,010 ppm Li #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated ### indicated [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-resource-facts-7) Valeriano Copper-Gold project · copper #### Identity - Project: Valeriano Copper-Gold project - Commodity: copper - Region: chile - Reported Region: Chile - Ticker: NILI #### Resource scope - Estimate type: resource - Resource group id: resource:53f33e9db59313f475c2 #### Resource Data - Category: indicated - Tonnes: 475000000 #### Metal Equivalent - Metal Eq. Grade: 0.88 - Metal Eq. Unit: % CuEq #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Large indicated resource at Valeriano. - Positive factor: large scale indicated resource Evidence · text > holds an Indicated Resource of 475 Mt at 0.88% CuEq #### Tags used in scoring **Indicated Resource** Polarity: positive Definition: Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. Why it applies: category is "indicated" **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **No Contained Metal** Polarity: negative Definition: Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting. Why it applies: contained\_metal was not reported ### inferred [Link to this fact](https://atlas-extractions.minestarters.com/news/five-drill-programs-that-could-reshape-the-critical-minerals-race--78e88a1f-84a0-45c7-a3b9-4e175cbc6440#fact-resource-facts-8) Valeriano Copper-Gold project · copper #### Identity - Project: Valeriano Copper-Gold project - Commodity: copper - Region: chile - Reported Region: Chile - Ticker: NILI #### Resource scope - Estimate type: resource - Resource group id: resource:947d0ec497d000f4be65 #### Resource Data - Category: inferred - Tonnes: 1511000000 #### Metal Equivalent - Metal Eq. Grade: 0.75 - Metal Eq. Unit: % CuEq #### Review - Needs Review: No - Historical: No #### Dates - Event date: 2026-03-30T00:00:00.000Z Reasoning: Large inferred resource at Valeriano. - Positive factor: large scale inferred resource Evidence · text > an Inferred Resource of 1,511 Mt at 0.75% CuEq #### Tags used in scoring **Inferred Resource** Polarity: negative Definition: Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. Why it applies: category is "inferred" **Cut-off Undisclosed** Polarity: negative Definition: High-grade interval reported without stating the cut-off grade used for compositing. Why it applies: no cutoff\_grade was stated **No Contained Metal** Polarity: negative Definition: Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting. Why it applies: contained\_metal was not reported ## How Atlas produces this analysis Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.