News

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 2, 2015) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN) (OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP:65704T 108) (the "Company" or "NAN") is pleased to report that first assays have been received from the diamond drilling program that commenced in late June at their 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM sulphide project in southwest Greenland. A total of 4,981 metres have been completed in twenty-seven holes to the end of August.

Drilling has resulted in new intersections of nickel sulphide mineralization at multiple locations including Spotty Hill, P-058, P-059 and P-013. Highlights include:

• Spotty Hill zone extended 80m down plunge by hole MQ-15-075 which intersected 1.06% Ni, 0.24% Cu and 0.31 g/t TPM (total precious metals incl. Pt, Pd & Au) over 15.55 metres including 1.77% Ni, 0.23% Cu and 0.46 g/t TPM over 6.0 metres.
   
• Magmatic sulphides intersected over appreciable widths at P-058 in hole MQ-15-077 which returned 0.55% Ni and 0.27% Cu over 21.5 metres.
   
• New copper-rich norite-hosted mineralization intersected at P-059 while drilling previously untested EM anomalies. Hole MQ-15-078 returned 1.16% Ni, 1.00% Cu and 0.27 g/t TPM over 12.15 metres.
   
• P-013 Centre mineralization expanded by hole MQ-15-079 which intersected 1.03% Ni and 0.39% Cu over 10.65 metres and 1.15% Ni and 0.18% Cu over 5.25 metres.
   

NAN CEO, Keith Morrison, commented: "The success of these early 2015 drill holes, continue to provide additional evidence of both the geographically diversified nature, and the high level of nickel prospectivity, at Maniitsoq. This data will be used to prioritize targets for detailed follow-up drilling next season."

This release summarizes the results for the first seven holes totaling 1,720 metres from the 2015 Maniitsoq drill program. The drill program is part of the Company's continued systematic exploration of the Maniitsoq property (News Release dated June 29, 2015). These drill holes were completed to follow-up previously intersected, shallow nickel mineralization at Spotty Hill, P-058 and P-013 as well as to test electromagnetic anomalies at the P-059 target (see Figure 1).

Four of the seven holes reported herein intersected significant Ni-Cu sulphides and have resulted in the expansion of existing mineralization at Spotty Hill, P-058 and P-013 and the discovery of new mineralization at the P-059 target. As in previous drilling, the sulphides exhibit high nickel tenors. The borehole EM surveys typically detect the most interconnected and highly conductive sulphides but do not consistently image the overall mineralized zone which can contain appreciable high nickel tenor, disseminated sulphides.

Drill collar information and a summary of assays are provided in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. Figures may be viewed using the link provided with this release. These results will be combined with upcoming results from the remaining 2015 drill holes to determine the nature and amount of drilling NAN will plan for Maniitsoq in 2016.

SPOTTY HILL (Imiak Hill Complex or "IHC") (Figures 2 and 3)

Two holes totalling 690 metres were completed at the IHC to test for the down plunge extensions of mineralization hosted in the Mikissoq and Spotty Hill norite intrusions.

MQ-15-074 was drilled to test 55 metres down plunge of previous holes MQ-14-073 which intersected a wide zone of mineralization in the Mikissoq intrusion (0.63% Ni, 0.18% Cu/61.35 metres; News Release dated November 17, 2014). Hole MQ-15-074 failed to intersect significant mineralization, intersecting mainly country rock orthogneiss and a strong mylonite zone from 205.4 to 208.75 meres, where the down-plunge extent of mineralization was expected. No assay samples were collected. However, the borehole EM (BHEM) survey detected two off-hole anomalies located close to the hole at depths of 160 metres and 250 metres down hole. The shallower BHEM anomaly is interpreted to lie above the mylonite zone and the deeper BHEM anomaly below the mylonite indicating potential off-set of the mineralization.

MQ-15-075 was drilled from the southwest to the northeast in order to intersect the targeted lithologies and mineralization at a better angle. The hole collared in the Spotty Hill norite-pyroxenite intrusion and intersected the mineralized zone approximately 80m down plunge of previous drilling. The mineralization consisted primarily of an upper interval of stringer, vein and semi-massive sulphides followed by a lower interval of disseminated sulphides. The entire 20.65 metre zone returned 0.87% Ni, 0.20% Cu and 0.26 g/t TPM from 236.45 to 257.10 metres including 1.06% Ni, 0.24% Cu and 0.31 g/t TPM over 15.55 metres. The upper higher grade portion of the zone graded 1.77% Ni, 0.23% Cu and 0.46 g/t TPM over 6.0 metres. The BHEM survey detected a small highly conductive off-hole anomaly at 235 metres which is interpreted to correlate with the narrow 0.4 metre long massive sulphide interval intersected from 239.65 to 240.05 metres. This interval returned 6.28% Ni, 0.15% Cu and 1.3 g/t TPM.

P-058 and P-059 (Fossilik Area) (Figure 4)

Two holes (MQ-15-076 & 77) totalling 373 metres were completed at P-058 and one hole (MQ-15-078) totalling 128 metres was completed at P-059.

MQ-15-076 was drilled to test a surface pulse EM anomaly located immediately east of the previous drilling. This hole did not intersect significant mineralization and no samples were collected for assay. However, the BHEM survey detected three off-hole anomalies, the strongest of which correlates to the known P-058 mineralization intersected in 2014 drilling.

MQ-15-077 was drilled to test approximately 50 metres down plunge of previous hole MQ-14-054 (1.72% Ni & 0.26% Cu/5.58 metres; News Release dated September 29, 2014). MQ-15-077 intersected a wide zone of norite-hosted disseminated and blebby sulphides grading 0.55% Ni and 0.27% Cu over 21.5 metres from 149.0 to 170.5 metres. The BHEM survey detected three off-hole anomalies defining a pipe-like body with an interpreted steep plunge and dip. The borehole anomalies are interpreted to correlate with the more conductive, narrow massive sulphide veins intersected in the 2014 drilling. The disseminated magmatic sulphides intersected in MQ-15-077 have a high nickel tenor as indicated by the low sulphur values but do not produce strong EM anomalies due to the lack of interconnectivity.

MQ-15-078 was drilled to test airborne and borehole EM anomalies at the P-059 target which were untested by previous drilling. The hole collared in norite and intersected a zone of well mineralized copper-rich norite from 79.25 to 91.4 metres. The mineralization consisted of heavily disseminated sulphides as well as sulphide stringers, veins and narrow breccias zones which graded 1.16% Ni, 1.00% Cu and 0.27 g/t TPM over 12.15 metres. The BHEM survey detected an in-hole anomaly coincident with the mineralized zone and modeling indicates a small, moderately conductive plate. Sulphides intersected in MQ-15-078 represent a new area of mineralization which contains significant copper values as well elevated precious metals, the latter being similar to the Spotty Hill zone.

P-013 (Figure 5)

Two holes totalling 529 metres were completed in the P-013 area including one at the P-013 Centre area and one at the P-013 SE target.

MQ-15-079 was drilled down plunge of the P-013 Centre mineralization and intersected two intervals of mineralized norite:

The mineralization in MQ-15-079 is located approximately 25 metres down plunge of previous hole

MQ-14-066 (1.31% Ni, 0.15% Cu/11.0 metres; News Release dated November 3, 2014). BHEM surveys detected an in-hole anomaly at 187 metres and off-hole anomalies at 140 and 195 metres which can be used to help target future follow-up drilling.

MQ-15-080 (P-013 SE) was drilled to test a borehole EM anomaly detected from previously drilling which was targeting an airborne EM anomaly located about 200 metres southeast of the P-013 Centre mineralization. MQ-15-080 did not intersect significant mineralization and no samples were collected for assay. The BHEM survey results indicated that the hole was drilled beside a steeply dipping and steeply plunging EM conductor located approximately 45 metres west of the hole which remains untested.

Quality Control

The drilling was completed by George Downing Estate Drilling of Canada utilizing a Boyles JKS 300 diamond drill rig. Drill core samples (41mm BTW) are cut in half by a diamond saw on site. Half of the core is retained for reference purposes. Samples are generally 1.0 to 1.5 metre intervals or less at the discretion of the site geologists. Sample preparation is completed at the ALS Minerals preparation lab in Öjebyn, Sweden. Sample pulps are sent by air courier to ALS Minerals analytical laboratory in Loughrea, Ireland. Blank samples and commercially prepared and certified Ni sulphide analytical control standards with a range of grades are inserted in every batch of 20 samples or a minimum of one per sample batch. Analyses for Ni, Cu and Co are completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP81). Analyses for Pt, Pd, and Au are by fire assay (30 grams nominal sample weight) with an ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP23).

Technical Information; Qualified Person

The Company is not aware of any legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the project other than those set out in its annual information form filed on www.sedar.com. Please see below under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" for further details regarding risks facing the Company.

All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Patricia Tirschmann, P.Geo, who is the Qualified Person for the Company and Vice President Exploration, North American Nickel Inc.

About North American Nickel

North American Nickel is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 2,954 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the ability to complete the port assignment, the ability of the Company to realize upon the benefit of owning the port, impact of mineralogy, estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of the Company; economics of production; success of exploration activities; the future economics of minerals including nickel and copper; synergies and financial impact facilities; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of the Company and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include difficulties realized in completion of the assignment, barriers to the assignment, difficulties in development of the assets and suitability of the port in relation to development of the assets of the Company, variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

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

Mark Fedikow, President

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.

To view the figures associated with this press release, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/1023745a.pdf

Contact Information:
North American Nickel Inc.
Jaclyn Ruptash
Corporate Communications
604-986-2020 or Toll free: 1-866-816-0118