VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 21, 2013) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP: 65704T 108) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that recent drill core assay results confirm the discovery of significant Nickel (Ni) Copper (Cu) Cobalt (Co) and Precious Metals (Platinum+Palladium+Gold) mineralized intrusions outside of the high grade Imiak Hill Conduit Complex in the Company's regional exploration drilling in the 75km long Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). Assay results include 6.51m @ 0.44% Ni and 0.20% Cu including 0.73m @ 2.35% Ni and 1.21% Cu. The new discovery area is located approximately 18 km south of the Imiak Hill Conduit Complex.
The newly discovered intrusions, though poorly exposed, were identified during a 2013 site inspection of a cluster of three VTEM conductors collectively known as the P-13 target (see figures 1 and 2: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/NR_112113_NAN_Fig1and2.pdf). Small exposures of rusty, gossanous norite were noted at several locations within the P-13 target area and 3 EM conductors were subsequently tested for a total of three holes (MQ-13-032 to 034).
NAN CEO, Rick Mark, states: "The discovery of new near surface Nickel, Copper, Cobalt and PGM mineralisation at the P-13 target provides more evidence of the district scale potential of Maniitsoq. These initial near surface results, coupled with the associated off hole conductors, are indicative of what we originally saw at the high grade Imiak Hill Conduit Complex. It is important to realize that the 2013 prospecting program that confirmed this airborne target was the first of its kind in more than a decade, so there is much more to learn at Maniitsoq outside our primary focus, the Imiak Hill Complex. This is the fourth new discovery of nickel sulphide mineralization at Maniitsoq this year and continues the exploration successes of NAN's technical team."
MQ-13-032 tested a 200m long, northeast-striking conductor and intersected a thick section of norite and leucogabbro with four intervals of Ni-Cu-Co-PGM mineralization as listed in Table 1 below. The hole was surveyed with a Crone three-component borehole EM (BHEM) probe and off-hole responses were detected at each of the four mineralized intervals suggesting the presence of stronger mineralization nearby.
| Table 1: MQ-13-032 significant assays | |||||||||||||
| From m | To m | Core Length m (1) |
Ni % | Cu % | Co % | Pt g/t | Pd g/t | Au g/t | TPM g/t (2) |
S % | Bore Hole EM Response Type |
||
| Interval 1 | 69.70 | 93.44 | 23.74 | 0.13 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.01 | 0.53 | Off-hole | |
| Including | 91.61 | 91.90 | 0.29 | 1.29 | 0.24 | 0.03 | 0.11 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.17 | 5.87 | ||
| Interval 2 | 99.35 | 105.86 | 6.51 | 0.44 | 0.20 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.11 | 1.92 | Off-hole | |
| Including | 101.79 | 102.52 | 0.73 | 2.35 | 1.21 | 0.05 | 0.68 | 0.06 | 0.03 | 0.77 | 9.71 | ||
| Interval 3 | 137.80 | 138.24 | 0.44 | 1.38 | 0.45 | 0.04 | 0.16 | 0.05 | 0.01 | 0.22 | 6.78 | Off-hole | |
| Interval 4 | 150.56 | 159.22 | 8.66 | 0.33 | 0.09 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.03 | 1.63 | Off-hole | |
| Including | 157.21 | 159.22 | 2.01 | 0.88 | 0.22 | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.00 | 0.09 | 4.45 | ||
| Including | 157.21 | 157.67 | 0.46 | 2.20 | 0.70 | 0.07 | 0.18 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.26 | 12.30 | ||
| Note: (m) = metres, % = percent, g/t = grams per tonne | |||||||||||||
| (1) Core length is length along the hole not true thickness | |||||||||||||
| (2) TPM is total precious metals (gold+platinium+palladium) | |||||||||||||
At the completion of drilling, the hole was surveyed with a Crone three-component EM probe. Final results of the survey are pending but preliminary interpretation indicates off-hole anomalies associated with all four of the mineralized intervals suggesting the presence of stronger mineralization nearby.
The polymetallic nature of the mineralization in MQ-13-032 is consistent with that documented from the Imiak Hill Conduit Complex and underscores the significance of the association of off-hole BHEM responses with the mineralization. These off-hole responses will be followed-up in 2014.
MQ-13-033 tested a much weaker, short strike length VTEM anomaly located 200m west of MQ-13-032. The hole intersected non-mineralized granite and granodiorite gneiss. No conductive material was encountered and an EM survey of the hole did not detect any in or off-hole conductors. However, a number of large decomposed rusty to gossanous norite boulders and blocks are strewn about this area.
MQ-13-034 tested a weak, short strike length VTEM anomaly located 275m southeast of MQ-13-032 and intersected 41m of norite with local weak disseminated sulphide mineralization. Significant assay results are listed in Table 2. The best assay was 1.10m at 0.65% Ni, 0.15% Cu and 0.13 g/t TPM. A downhole BHEM geophysical survey could not be performed in the hole due to persistent caving.
| Table 2: MQ-13-034 significant assays | |||||||||||||
| From m | To m | Core Length m (1) |
Ni % | Cu % | Co % | Pt g/t | Pd g/t | Au g/t | TPM g/t (2) |
S % | Bore Hole EM Response* |
||
| Interval 1 | 73.50 | 76.22 | 2.72 | 0.16 | 0.07 | 0.00 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.07 | 0.59 | Not surveyed | |
| Interval 2 | 82.00 | 84.50 | 2.50 | 0.38 | 0.14 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.10 | 1.67 | Not surveyed | |
| Including | 83.40 | 84.50 | 1.10 | 0.65 | 0.15 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.04 | 0.03 | 0.13 | 2.83 | ||
| Note: (m) = metres, % = percent, g/t = grams per tonne | |||||||||||||
| (1) Core length is length along the hole not true thickness | |||||||||||||
| (2) TPM is total precious metals (gold+platinium+palladium) | |||||||||||||
| * Hole MQ-13-034 was not surveyed due to bad ground conditions in the hole | |||||||||||||
Assay results have also been received for holes MQ-13-030 and MQ-13-031, located approximately 21.8 km northeast of target area P-13 (figure 1). The two holes, tested VTEM target P-49 situated 9 km east of the Imiak Hill Conduit Complex. Neither hole intersected any significant nickel mineralization.
The 2013 drill program at Maniitsoq is now complete and planning for next year has commenced. The focus in 2014 will be to expand the numerous high-grade mineralized zones within the Imiak Hill Conduit Complex (see press releases dated October 10th and 23rd and November 7th for details on these zones), to follow-up new discoveries elsewhere in the GLB (such as P-13) and to continue testing high priority VTEM targets throughout the Maniitsoq project area.
Collar coordinates and other details on the five holes discussed in this news release are listed in Table 3.
Table 3. Collar coordinates for holes MQ-13-030 to 34. The datum used to acquire the UTM coordinates is World Geodetic System 84 Universal Transverse Mercator Zone 22 North. Azimuth is degrees from true north. Elevation indicates meters above sea level.
| Hole Number | UTM East* (m) |
UTM North* (m) |
Elevation (m) |
Length (m) |
Azimuth (true) |
Dip | Target | |
| MQ-13-030 | 488025 | 7257448 | 649 | 98.00 | 343° | -45° | P-49 | |
| MQ-13-031 | 488082 | 7257461 | 649 | 116.00 | 340° | -55° | P-49 | |
| MQ-13-032 | 475094 | 7239992 | 303 | 221.00 | 145° | -60° | P-13-1 | |
| MQ-13-033 | 474922 | 7239898 | 325 | 150.00 | 320° | -60° | P-13-2 | |
| MQ-13-034 | 475384 | 7239742 | 304 | 173.00 | 325° | -50° | P-13-3 |
Drill logs and additional maps are available on the company's website at http://nan2015.q4web.com/
Drill core assay results are evaluated as part of a Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedure that includes the use of multi-element, certified standards with known precious and base metal values, blank standards and control charts to determine accuracy and precision of analytical results. Core sample analysis was completed by ALS Scandinavia AS of Öjebyn, Sweden. Three methods of analysis were used to determine element concentrations in the rock samples submitted to ALS. These were 1. A multi-element scan, subsequent to a four-acid digestion and ICP/ICP-AES finish; 2. Au, Pt and Pd lead fire assay on a 30 gram sample with ICP-AES finish; and 3. Samples with >1.00% Ni or Cu were re-analyzed by ICP-AES calibrated for ore grade detection limits. Samples with >0.50% S were re-analyzed by Leco furnace and infrared spectroscopy.
The Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt & PGM project in southwest Greenland contains the 75km-long Greenland Norite Belt (GNB) and is 100% owned by North American Nickel.
Qualified Person
All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Dr. Mark Fedikow, P.Geo, who is the Qualified Person for the Company and President, North American Nickel Inc.
About North American Nickel
North American Nickel is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland, Sudbury, Ontario, and the Thompson, Manitoba nickel belt. VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VMS) owns approximately 23.9% of NAN.
The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 5,106 square km covering numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with norite and other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). The >75km-long belt is situated along, and near, the southwest coast of Greenland, which is pack ice free year round.
The Post Creek/Halcyon property in Sudbury is strategically located adjacent to the past producing Podolsky copper-nickel-platinum group metal deposit of KGHM International Ltd. The property lies along the extension of the Whistle Offset dyke structure. Such geological structures host major Ni-Cu-PGM deposits and producing mines within the Sudbury Camp.
Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbours created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rick Mark, CEO
North American Nickel Inc.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contact Information:
North American Nickel Inc.
Evan Sleeman
604-986-2020 or Toll Free: 1-866-816-0118
nan2015.q4web.com
