Sayona Mining Limited announced it is targeting the further expansion of its Québec lithium resource base, with the launch of a prefeasibility study for the Company's emerging Moblan Lithium Project (Sayona 60%; SOQUEM 40%) in northern Québec. Continuing Sayona's focus on maximising economic benefits for local stakeholders, Québec company, InnovExplo will conduct the PFS, targeting completion by May 2023. This is expected to be followed by a definitive feasibility study, with a target completion date of September 2023.

The studies will examine the development of a mine and concentrator north of Chibougamau, near Mistissini, with the Moblan project serving as the centre of Sayona's northern lithium hub, including the emerging Lac Albert Project. Based in Val d'Or, InnovExplo is a leader in mineral resource and reserve estimation, mining engineering, economic studies and mining optimisation. The company will be assisted in its work by the firms SNC Lavalin, Primero and Journeaux Assoc.

InnovExplo will work closely with Sayona's Québec team, with work expected to begin in the next few days. The Moblan project covers around 433 ha for a total of 20 claims and is held in a joint venture with SOQUEM Inc, a subsidiary of Investissement Québec. Moblan is located in the EeyouIstchee James Bay region of northern Québec, a proven lithium mining province which hosts established, worldclass lithium resources including Nemaska Lithium's Whabouchi mine.

It is well serviced by key infrastructure and transport and has access to lowcost, environmentally friendly hydropower. Sayona's drilling at Moblan has shown positive results, including the discovery of a significant new southern lithium pegmatite zone, together with multiple new mineralised lithium pegmatites at Moblan South, the South East Extension, Moleon and extensions to the Main Moblan lithium deposit. A Mineral Resource Foreign Estimate of 12.03Mt @ 1.4% Li2O has been identified at Moblan and there is potential to expand this resource based on recent drilling.

Sayona's move to advance its northern lithium hub follows recent developments at its Abitibi hub, including the launch of a PFS for the potential production of lithium carbonate at NAL.