Cruz Battery Metals has moved to strengthen its Nevada lithium position through a new joint venture with Sienna Resources and Adelayde Exploration. The agreement focuses on a 2,300‑acre land package in Clayton Valley, entirely enclosed by SLB and Pure Energy Minerals’ lithium holdings. Clayton Valley remains the only long‑running lithium brine basin in the United States, centred on Albemarle’s Silver Peak operation.
Cruz President James Nelson said the timing aligns with renewed interest in the sector, noting the opportunity to combine ground and share exploration costs. He added that the JV will allow the partners to test deeper parts of the basin, which hosts the country’s sole producing lithium brine resource.
The company is also progressing its Solar Lithium Project in Big Smoky Valley, where Stantec Consulting has been appointed to deliver a maiden resource estimate. Stantec’s qualified person, Derek Loveday (PGeo), has worked on several major Nevada lithium projects.
Cruz has intersected lithium in all 14 drill holes completed across the 4,938‑acre Solar Project, which borders American Lithium Corp.’s TLC project. According to American Lithium, “TLC currently hosts 6.17Mt LCE measured resources, 2.39Mt LCE indicated resources and 1.44Mt LCE inferred resources.”
Under the JV terms, each party holds a one‑third beneficial interest, sharing costs, liabilities and potential benefits. Any partner may exit with 30 days’ notice, after which its claims are removed from the venture.
