Additional High Grade Drill Results From Linear Metals’ Seymour Lake Lithium Project

January 7, 2010 - Halifax, NS – Linear Metals Corporation (TSX: LRM) is pleased to announce additional high grade lithium drill results from the North Aubry Zone of its 100% owned, Seymour Lake Lithium Project, located to the north of Lake Nipigon, near Armstrong, in north-western Ontario. 
 
During the fall of 2009, Linear completed a 19 hole, 2,362 metre diamond drill program, including 12 drill holes within the North Aubry Zone. Drilling at the North Aubry Zone successfully intersected pegmatite mineralization in all 12 drill holes and significant lithium mineralization in 10 of the holes, including SL-09-33, SL-09-34 and SL-09-46, previously reported in a press release dated December 1, 2009. The results of the remaining drill holes have been received and additional highlights from the North Aubry Zone include the following:
                          
 
 
* Note: holes with an “A” designation are re-entry and deepening of the corresponding SL-02-XX series holes (i.e. SL-02-03, -09 and -027) from the 2002 drill program. Hole SL-09-33, previously released, was a twin of SL-02-08 which was lost at 30 m depth in pegmatite.
 
The results of the 2009 drill program have significantly extended the known area of high grade lithium-beryllium-tantalum mineralization at the North Aubry Zone, both in terms of the lateral continuity of the Main Horizon as well as at depth, with identification and/or confirmation of the Lower, Lower-1 and Lower-2 Horizons, all of which remain open in two or more directions. To date, significant lithium mineralization on the Main Horizon has been delineated over an area of approximately 200 x 250 metres, with an average sample composite thickness of 11.52 metres and an average sample composite grade of 1.467% Li2O, (from 22 drill holes applying an arbitrary cut-off of greater than three metre thickness and a composite grade greater than 0.5% Li2O). Most holes also intersected significant beryllium, and locally significant tantalum, which may be recoverable as potential by-product credits(2)(3)(4). 
 
The results indicate that the Main Horizon appears to plunge or dip beneath hole SL-02-01, towards an area where an open, lithium-rubium-cesium lithogeochemistry anomaly, approximately 600 metres long, indicates the potential for mineralized pegmatite at shallow depth. This area to the north and northeast of the North Aubry Zone is a priority target for future drilling.
 
The results of the most recent drill program support a geologic model comprised of at least four stacked mineralized pegmatite sills (open at depth below the currently deepest known horizon, Lower-2), which provide the potential to significantly increase tonnage relative to the previously known Main Sill or Main Horizon. Recent drilling has shown that the Lower Horizon primarily occurs as a composite “lamination” with the Main Sill, although locally may be located a few metres below the Main Horizon. SL-09-03A, SL-09-27A and SL-09-44 all intersected high-grade lithium in the Lower-1 Horizon, which remains open to the north, south and west. SL-09-09A also intersected a brand new horizon, the Lower-2 Horizon which, although of moderate grade and thickness where intersected, remains open in all directions.
 
A map of all drill hole and sample locations, and a collar table list, are available on the Linear Metals website at www.linearmetals.com. All holes were drilled vertically, and reported widths are estimated to be within 90 to 100% of the true widths.
 
Summary of Results – North Aubry Zone
 
 
Table 1.  Seymour Lake Project North Aubry Zone – Remaining 2009 Drill Results
 

 
(1) Previously reported
(2) BeO and Ta2O5 values greater than approximately 0.04% may be recoverable based on comparison to metal oxide grades in known rare metal deposits such as Tanco’s Bernic Lake mine or Talison Minerals’ Greenbushes mine, but are not supported by specific metallurgical testing on samples from the Aubry Zones. These values are currently shown in the text of the press release for reference only, to indicate potentially recoverable by-product credits in an eventual development scenario.
(3) Rb2O was encountered in many of the drill holes and is reported in the detailed drill results on the Company's website. Rb2O values are not reported in the text of the release because no metallurgical work has been undertaken to quantify what ultimately may be recoverable values of rubidium, or any other potential by-product credits such as gallium.
(4) Where significant, Ta2O5 values are reported in the text of the release.
(5) nsv = no significant values
 
Holes SL-09-03A, SL-09-09A, and SL-09-27A were designed as a preliminary test of the Lower and Deep Horizons of the North Aubry Zone, as all three holes previously intersected the Main Horizon at surface. The presence of a Lower Horizon was surmised from two narrow (approximately 0.4 metre thick) but consistent pegmatite intersections previously identified by SL-02-10 and SL-02-16, and the Lower-1 Horizon (previously referred to as the Deep Horizon) was indicated by SL-02-10, which previously intersected 1.578% Li2O over 5.20 metres from 51.85 metres downhole
 
SL-09-03A successfully intersected the well mineralized Lower-1 Horizon over an 11.13 metre thickness, returning 1.203% Li2O and 0.033% BeO, beginning at a depth of 74.17 metres, including a central 6.50 metre section running 2.016% Li2O with 0.040% BeO. Additionally, a 4.0 metre section of the 6.50 metre interval returned 0.072% Ta2O5. The parent hole, SL-02-03 previously intersected 1.210% Li2O over 4.55 metres in the Main Horizon, and 1.370% Li2O over 8.20 metres in the Lower Horizon.
 
SL-09-09A also intersected the Lower-1 Horizon over 5.58 metres beginning at a depth of 53.12 metres, but is suspected to have hit a small, local feldspar rich seam or pod running 0.100% Li2O. At 71.90 metres, a new horizon, the Lower-2, was intersected over 3.40 metres, returning a moderate grade of 0.833% Li2O and 0.038% BeO, which is open in all directions. SL-02-09 previously intersected 0.955% Li2O over 20.65 metres in the Main/Lower Horizon.
 
SL-09-27A returned a well mineralized interval of 1.895% Li2O and 0.068% BeO over 5.60 metres in the Lower-1 Horizon, starting at a depth of 62.00 metres downhole. A 3.27 metre section at the base of the interval returned 0.02% Ta2O5. Above this, SL-02-027 previously intersected 1.325% Li2O over 23.85 metres.
 
SL-09-35 was a long step-out hole, located 175 metres east of previously reported SL-09-34, on Section 99+25N, targeting an Enzyme Leach soil anomaly. The hole intersected two narrow (approximately 0.5 metres thick) pegmatite horizons, potentially equivalent to the Main and Lower Horizons, at depths of 162.50 and 192.80 metres. Both intersections are highly anomalous in rare metals, returning up to 0.100% Li2O, 0.100% BeO, and 0.02% Ta2O5. The contacts of both pegmatites also occur at noticeably higher core angles (20 to 30 degrees to CA) than those to the west, and may indicate, as do some outcrops in recent mapping, that in places the pegmatite sills deviate from a sub-horizontal to sub-vertical orientation. This potential geometry has not been tested by either the 2002 or the 2009 drilling programs as all holes were drilled vertically.
 
Hole SL-09-36 was located approximately 75 metres east of any previous drilling on the North Aubry Zone. The hole intersected the Main Horizon over 0.40 metres starting at 26.65 metres downhole, without returning any significant assays, indicating that the Main Horizon may be locally pinching out to the southeast in this area (similar to nearby holes SL-02-06, SL-02-12, and SL-02-13).
 
Hole SL-09-43 was collared approximately 50 metres to the east of SL-09-03A and 75 metres west of previously reported SL-09-46 on Section 99+50N, to fill in the gap between the two drill holes. The hole successfully intersected the Main and Lower-1 horizons, returning 1.030% Li2O over 6.45 metres, starting at 51.55 metres downhole, in the Main Horizon. The Lower-1 Horizon, starting at 97.28 metres downhole, returned 4.8 metres of 0.735% Li2O.
 
Hole SL-09-44 is located 50 metres east of SL-09-27A, on Section 99+25N, intersecting very high-grade lithium mineralization in both the Main and Lower-1 Horizons. Beginning at a depth of 32.80 metres, the Main Horizon returned 6.75 metres of 2.100% Li2O and 0.082% BeO, while the Lower-1 Horizon returned 2.457% Li2O and 0.031% BeO over 3.14 metres starting at 72.70 metres downhole. 
 
Hole SL-09-45 is located 50 metres east of SL-09-44, also on Section 99+25N, and intersected a composite Main and Lower Horizons, returning 1.676% Li2O and 0.045% BeO over 12.90 metres, starting at 48.00 metres downhole. Emphasizing the high grade nature of this intersection, this horizon included a 7.20 metre section of 2.578% Li2O with 0.052% BeO. A 3.20 metre section at the base of the high grade interval returned 0.02% Ta2O5. 
 
Hole SL-09-47 is located 85 metres east of any previous drilling on Section 98+50N and also appears to have intersected a combined Main/Lower pegmatite sill that returned 1.507% Li2O and 0.081% BeO over 3.88 metres in the Main Horizon equivalent. A 2.80 metre section at the top of the interval returned 0.02% Ta2O5. The lower part of the sill, equivalent to the Lower Horizon, returned 0.200% Li2O over 7.00 metres and, similar to SL-09-09A, may have intersected a local feldspar rich pod in the sill. Further drilling will be required to establish the extent of the local feldspar pods.
 
Brian MacEachen, Linear Metals President & CEO, states, “The latest drill program has significantly advanced the Seymour Lake project, to the point that we are now seeing the potential for the North Aubry Zone to develop into a sizeable, high grade, at-or-near surface lithium deposit comprised of the Main Horizon along with multiple, stacked, lithium-bearing lower horizons. We are also pleased to see the continued potential for additional by-product elements such as beryllium and tantalum, as well as the excellent exploration potential of the property.”
 
Summary of Results – South Aubry Zone
 
Six holes were completed during the 2009 drill program in the area of the South Aubry Zone, all located to the east of previous drilling. The results of this program indicate that the pegmatite horizons appear to be pinching out locally to the northeast, and further exploration of the South Aubry horizons will concentrate to the immediate west, southwest and southeast where strong lithogeochemical anomalies (up to 800 metres long) and strong Enzyme Leach soil anomalies indicate possible sub-surface pegmatites in areas that have never been drill tested. Recent sampling has also identified a very strong lithium lithogeochemical and Enzyme Leach soil anomaly located approximately 1 kilometre southeast of the South Aubry, over a large hill approximately 2 kilometres long and 1 kilometre wide, also not previously drill tested.
 
Holes SL-09-38 and SL-09-48 are located approximately 150 metres and 50 metres east of SL02-18, respectively. The holes were designed as down-dip step outs to the east of SL-02-17 and SL-02-18, both of which intersected strong lithium mineralization (see press releases of August 25th and September 2nd, 2009). SL-09-38 did not intersect any pegmatite, but appears to have drilled into one of the altered (holmquistite) controlling structures. SL-09-48 intersected four relatively narrow pegmatite sills, the lower two of which were lithium-beryllium bearing (possibly equivalent to the Lower-1 Horizon). The upper sill, starting at 73.43 metres downhole intersected 0.422% Li2O and 0.062% BeO over 1.23 metres, while the lower, starting at 76.68 metres downhole, returned 0.854% Li2O and 0.032% BeO over 2.32 metres. 
 
Holes SL-09-37, SL09-40, SL-09-41, and SL-09-42 were located significantly further east (approximately 500 to 800 metres), and designed to test Enzyme Leach soil anomalies. Although intersecting some metasomatic alteration along structures, these holes did not encounter any pegmatite sills (SL-09-40 was collared in granite and abandoned at 20 metres depth). The possibility that the pegmatites have a sub-vertical geometry in these areas needs to be tested with additional inclined drilling.
 
Summary of Results – Pye Showing (historically called the Seymour Showing)
 
A historic pegmatite occurrence, the Pye Showing, was relocated approximately 1,600 metres east of the North Aubry Zone. Enzyme Leach soil sampling in the area identified a strong anomaly, particularly to the west (down-dip) of the pegmatite outcrop (which locally contains spodumene-beryl mineralization). SL-09-39 was collared approximately 225 metres northwest of the showing, and successfully intersected 7.94 metres of pegmatite sill, starting at 86.50 metres downhole. The intersection originally carried up to approximately 25% spodumene, but unfortunately in this location the pegmatite is highly hematite-sericite altered (near a large fault) and returned less than 0.1% Li2O. This hole confirms however that significant thickness’ of mineralized pegmatite occur at kilometric distances from the original Aubry occurrences. Further exploration is required to the west and south of the showing to explain the lithium Enzyme Leach soil and lithogeochemical anomalies.
 
The Seymour Lake Project benefits from excellent location and infrastructure. The project is accessible by an all-weather logging road, and only 10 kilometres by road from the main CN rail line at Ferland Station, where there are several rail sidings. Approximately nine kilometres to the east of the Aubry zones, Ontario Hydro is currently developing its Little Jackfish River hydroelectric project, scheduled for completion in late 2013 or early 2014.
 
Analyses for lithium and all other elements were carried out on sawed half core at Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario. Samples are crushed to 90% passing 2 mm, digested using sodium peroxide fusion, and followed by ICP or ICP-MS analysis, which for lithium has a 3 ppm lower detection limit   Standard QA/QC techniques, including the submission of company blanks, duplicates, and “ore-grade” lithium-tantalum-beryllium standards are used to monitor the analytical results.
 
This press release was prepared under the supervision of Matthew Ian Rees, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Linear Metals, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Rees has reviewed the scientific and technical information in this press release.
 
For further information, please contact: 
LINEAR METALS CORPORATION
Brian MacEachen
President and Chief Executive Officer
 (902) 482-1240        
Website: www.linearmetals.com
 
The TSX Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
 
 Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, continuity of mineralization, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. The likelihood of future mining at Seymour Lake is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, completion of pre-feasibility and final feasibility studies, preparation of all necessary engineering for pits and processing facilities as well as receipt of significant additional financing to fund these objectives, as well as funding mine construction. Such funding may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. There is no known ore at Seymour Lake and there is no assurance that the mineralization at Seymour Lake will ever be classified as ore. For more information on the Company and the risk factors inherent in its business, investors should review the Company's Annual Information Form at www.sedar.com

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