Li-FT Power Hits 26m at 1.29% Lithium Oxide at Yellowknife and Eyes Resource Boost
Li-FT Power delivers high-grade lithium intercepts at Yellowknife
Li-FT Power has reported drill results from its 2026 winter and 2025 summer programmes at the Yellowknife Lithium Project in Canada’s Northwest Territories. The company drilled 20 holes totalling 5,324 metres — comprising 17 holes from the 2026 winter programme (4,778 m) and three holes from the 2025 summer programme (546 m). This marks the first drill campaign at the BIG pegmatite since publication of the inferred mineral resource to the TSXV in October 2024 and to the ASX on 22 May 2026.
The project is located near Yellowknife with established infrastructure including road access, hydroelectric power transmission lines, and airport facilities. The results confirm mineralisation continuity at depth and along strike at multiple pegmatite targets, supporting resource base expansion at a project with infrastructure advantages over remote competitors.
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Headline drill intercepts confirm grade and width
The programme delivered five headline intercepts demonstrating substantial grade and width across the BIG East, Fi Main, and Ki pegmatite systems:
- YLP-0304: 21 m at 1.09% Li₂O including 13 m at 1.38% Li₂O (Fi Main)
- YLP-0306: 18 m at 1.41% Li₂O (Ki)
- YLP-0312: 26 m at 1.29% Li₂O including 17 m at 1.65% Li₂O (BIG East)
- YLP-0315: 22 m at 1.09% Li₂O (BIG East)
- YLP-0320: 17 m at 1.32% Li₂O (BIG East)
| Hole ID | Target | Interval (m) | Grade (Li₂O %) | Including |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YLP-0304 | Fi Main | 21 m | 1.09% | 13 m at 1.38% |
| YLP-0306 | Ki | 18 m | 1.41% | — |
| YLP-0312 | BIG East | 26 m | 1.29% | 17 m at 1.65% |
| YLP-0315 | BIG East | 22 m | 1.09% | — |
| YLP-0320 | BIG East | 17 m | 1.32% | — |
Grades exceeding 1% Li₂O across widths of 15-20 metres indicate potentially economic mineralisation that could support resource expansion.
What is lithium oxide grade and why does it matter?
Li₂O (lithium oxide) is the standard reporting metric for hard rock lithium deposits. Grades above 1% Li₂O are generally considered high-grade for spodumene pegmatites. Spodumene is the lithium-bearing mineral confirmed as the predominant host at Yellowknife through visual core logging, mineralogical studies, and metallurgical work.
Wider intercepts at high grades improve the economics of potential mining operations. A 20-metre-wide zone at 1.3% Li₂O contains significantly more extractable lithium per vertical metre than a 5-metre zone at the same grade, reducing mining costs per tonne of contained lithium.
Understanding these grade benchmarks helps investors contextualise drill results relative to producing and development-stage lithium projects globally.
BIG pegmatite drilling extends mineralisation at depth
The 2026 winter programme targeted the BIG pegmatite system with 16 holes at BIG East and one hole at BIG North. BIG East is exposed over 1.8 km of strike length, ranges from 10-100 m wide, and dips 55°-75° west. Drilling extended along 1,000 m of strike and reached depths of 50 to 300 m below surface.
Key results by section progression include:
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Southern Section (YLP-0319, YLP-0320): YLP-0320 intersected 17 m at 1.32% Li₂O at 200 m depth, leaving the mineralised system open to the south and at depth. YLP-0319, drilled 100 m up-dip, returned 11 m at 1.22% Li₂O.
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Section 100 m North (YLP-0321, YLP-0322, YLP-0323): YLP-0321 drilled through eight pegmatite dykes at 50 m depth, with better composites of 5 m at 1.24% Li₂O and 5 m at 1.08% Li₂O. YLP-0322, 50 m downdip, returned 9 m at 1.15% Li₂O and 10 m at 0.97% Li₂O. YLP-0323, a further 100 m downdip, intersected 6 m at 0.82% Li₂O.
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Central Section (YLP-0324, YLP-0318): YLP-0324 returned 11 m at 1.04% Li₂O at 50 m depth. YLP-0318, drilled 250 m downdip, intersected pegmatite with lower spodumene content.
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Core Central Section (YLP-0315, YLP-0309): YLP-0315 intersected 22 m at 1.09% Li₂O at 200 m depth. YLP-0309, 100 m north, returned 10 m at 0.66% Li₂O including 4 m at 1.13% Li₂O.
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Section C-C’ (YLP-0312, YLP-0308): YLP-0312 delivered the standout result — 26 m at 1.29% Li₂O including 17 m at 1.65% Li₂O — drilled 100 m downdip of 2023 drilling at 175 m depth. YLP-0308, 100 m deeper, intersected pegmatite with negligible spodumene.
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Northern Sections (YLP-0313, YLP-0310, YLP-0311): YLP-0313 returned 10 m at 1.12% Li₂O and 10 m at 0.68% Li₂O (including 6 m at 1.03% Li₂O) at 175 m depth, with mineralisation remaining open at depth. YLP-0310 and YLP-0311 intersected pegmatite with negligible spodumene at greater depths (250-300 m).
Confirmation of mineralisation extending 200-300 m below surface supports potential for resource growth beyond the existing inferred estimate.
Fi Main, Fi SW, and Ki pegmatites add geotechnical data
The three 2025 summer holes were drilled specifically to collect whole-core material for rock mechanics testing ahead of engineering studies. The Fi Main pegmatite extends over 1.5 km of strike length, while the Ki complex extends over 1.3 km.
Results from the geotechnical programme include:
- Fi Main (YLP-0304): 21 m at 1.09% Li₂O including 13 m at 1.38% Li₂O in the upper dyke, plus 29 m at 0.56% Li₂O (including 9 m at 1.03% Li₂O) in a second dyke.
- Fi SW (YLP-0305): 21 m at 0.50% Li₂O including 8 m at 1.10% Li₂O.
- Ki (YLP-0306): 18 m at 1.41% Li₂O.
Geotechnical drilling demonstrates the company is progressing beyond exploration toward the technical studies required for eventual development decisions. Rock mechanics data will inform future pit slope design, processing flowsheet optimisation, and infrastructure planning.
Project infrastructure supports development pathway
The Yellowknife Lithium Project benefits from proximity to established infrastructure:
- Access to Talston Hydro transmission lines
- Yellowknife airport nearby for personnel and equipment transport
- Operating diamond mines in the NWT (Diavik, Ekati, Gahcho Kue) demonstrate the jurisdiction’s track record for resource development
- Proximity to Vital Metals/Avalon’s Nechalacho REE project confirms regional mining activity
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Next steps for Yellowknife Lithium Project
The company is engaged in ongoing drilling and exploration work on the properties. True widths of reported intercepts range from 65-100% of drilled widths for winter 2026 holes (drilled perpendicular to dyke orientation) and 50-90% for 2025 geotechnical holes (drilled slightly oblique to capture more whole-core material).
The existing inferred mineral resource, announced to the TSXV in October 2024 and the ASX on 22 May 2026, serves as the baseline for future updates. Continued drilling programmes position the company to deliver updated resource estimates that could support future feasibility studies and attract development partners.
Want to Track Li-FT Power’s Progression Toward Resource Expansion?
The winter and summer drill programmes have extended mineralisation at BIG East to depths of 200–300 metres, with multiple intercepts exceeding 1% Li₂O across 15–26 metre widths. Geotechnical drilling at Fi Main and Ki demonstrates Li-FT Power’s transition from pure exploration toward engineering-focused studies.
To follow the company’s upcoming resource updates and drilling schedules, visit the Li-FT Power investor hub for announcements and project milestones. Staying informed on resource expansion timelines can help investors gauge the pathway from inferred estimates to feasibility-stage development.