VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2011) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP: 65704T 108). North American Nickel ("NAN") is pleased to announce that the helicopter time domain electromagnetic (TEM) and magnetic surveys flown in October over selected parts of its Maniitsoq project detected 25 conductive target zones.
Seven are ranked high priority and include an 850 metre-long untested conductor situated near exposures of norite, a type of rock associated with high grade nickel-copper mineralization in the Maniitsoq region. Another eleven targets are ranked as moderate priority. Details on the surveys are given in the sections below. The surveyed area amounts to 8% of the total area of the 100% owned Maniitsoq exploration licence.
NAN Chief Geologist John Pattison states: "Previous prospecting at Maniitsoq was successful in discovering high grade nickel sulphide mineralization on surface, but subsurface exploration was stymied by a lack of EM targets. Our 2011 SkyTEM results are a major step forward because they demonstrate that modern, helicopter TEM surveys are capable of locating significant EM anomalies that were not detected by previous geophysical surveys. This gives NAN a powerful tool for exploring this emerging, camp-scale nickel belt that was not available to previous explorers."
In preparation for drilling in 2012, NAN plans to model the SkyTEM targets using three-dimensional software to determine the precise location and extents of the anomalies. NAN also intends to lay out additional areas for helicopter TEM surveying as the current SkyTEM surveys cover just 8% of NAN's 4,841 km2 exclusive exploration licence.
Maps showing the location of the survey areas, electromagnetic (EM) anomalies and target zones are below and are now available on the website (www.northamerciannickel.com).
The surveys were performed by SkyTEM ApS of Beder, Denmark and the interpretation was done by Condor Consulting of Lakewood, Colorado.
SkyTEM Survey Details
Rationale for Performing the Surveys
As discussed in previous news releases, NAN's exploration licence includes numerous high-grade, nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with noritic intrusions. The occurrences were discovered in the 1960's and 70's and significant intersections were made in shallow holes drilled beneath some of the occurrences (e.g. 12.89 m averaging 2.24% Ni and 0.63% Cu at the Fossilik II showing). A large portion of the licence was flown with a fixed wing TEM system in 1995 but very few EM anomalies were detected and no follow-up drilling was done. NAN reviewed results of the fixed wing survey in detail and found that large portions were flown well above mandated ground clearance and at low angles to regional strike. NAN concluded there was a reasonable chance that significant EM anomalies, associated with irregularly shaped nickel-copper sulphide bodies, may have been missed. NAN further concluded that nickel-copper bodies missed by the 1995 fixed wing system might well be detected by modern helicopter-borne TEM systems.
Areas Surveyed by North American Nickel
Based on compilation of historical exploration results and a brief field investigation, two blocks of ground, both situated in the northern half of the licence, were selected for surveying in 2011.
Block 1 covers 352 km2 and includes the largest norite intrusions and most significant nickel occurrences in the licence. Many of the prospective intrusions have a significant component of remnant magnetism giving them a distinctive magnetic signature. Mapping out the distribution of this signature suggests that there may be considerably more prospective noritic rock in this area than is exposed on surface.
The entire block was flown along survey lines oriented 145 degrees with a nominal spacing of 200 metres. Line spacing was reduced to 100 metres when potentially significant conductors were detected. Tie lines, oriented perpendicular to the survey lines, were flown at a nominal spacing of 2 kilometres. Additional lines were flown perpendicular to the survey lines over two showings (Imiak Hill and Fossilik II) where significant intersections of Ni sulphide were made in the past. Data from these lines plus the regular survey lines will be useful in producing three-dimensional models of the mineralization.
Block 2 covers 21 km2 and is centred on a northeast-striking, norite intrusion known as Pingo that is exposed over a strike length of more than 4 km. Rusty zones ranging from less than 1 m2 to over 100 m2 occur throughout and typically contain trace to several percent pyrrhotite and trace chalcopyrite. A short (61.88 m) hole was drilled near the centre of the exposure in 1970 and intersected a 4.16 m interval of weak sulphide mineralization averaging 0.58% Ni and 0.24% Cu. This is the only recorded drilling on the intrusion.
The block was flown along survey lines oriented at 150 degrees with a nominal separation of 100 metres. Tie lines were flown perpendicular to the survey lines at 1 to 2 km intervals.
Survey Results
Block 1
Seventeen targets were identified in Block 1. In terms of priority, six are ranked high, seven medium and four low. Three of the high priority targets correspond to previously drilled nickel sulphide occurrences (Imiak Hill, Fossilik II and Quagssuk). It is likely that Fossilik II and Quagssuk were adequately drill tested but at Imiak Hill (EM target B1-J) there appears to be potential for the mineralization to continue at depth. Detailed modeling of the EM anomalies may help determine the shape and trend of the Imiak Hill mineralization in three dimensions.
The remaining three high priority and six medium priority targets in block 1 appear to be untested. Five of these targets (B1-B through B1-F) are associated with a magnetic feature interpreted to possibly represent a norite body 2.4 kilometres long by up to 1.1 kilometres wide. Outcrops of norite have been observed by previous workers in the vicinity of target B1-B, which has a strike length of approximately 850 metres.
Block 2
Eight targets were outlined in block 2 but only one, B2-D, is ranked high priority; the remainder, except for B2-H, consist of relatively weak EM anomalies that in many cases may be surficial responses. Target B2-H is comprised of three strong, but poorly defined, EM anomalies situated along the edge of a fjord and are more likely related to salt water than to bedrock conductors.
To view accompanying maps, visit the following links:
2011 SkyTEM Survey Areas: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/SkytemSurvey.jpg
SkyTEM Flight Block 1: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Block1.jpg
SkyTEM Flight Blcok 2: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Block2.jpg
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 and Chief Operating Officer, North American Nickel Inc.
About North American Nickel
North American Nickel is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Sudbury, Ontario, Maniitsoq, Greenland and the Thompson, Manitoba mining camp. The Company's initial focus is on two Sudbury, Ontario properties and its Greenland project.
The Post Creek/Halycon property in Sudbury is strategically located adjacent to the producing Podolsky copper-nickel-platinum group metal deposit of Quadra FNX Mining. The property lies along the extension of the Whistle Offset dyke structure, which is a major geological control for Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization.
The Bell Lake property in Sudbury is a 256-acre property that covers approximately one kilometre of the Mystery Offset dyke or MOD. The MOD is interpreted to be an extension of the Worthington Offset dyke which is a 10 to 11 kilometre-long mineralized structure that extends from the southwest margin of the Sudbury igneous complex.
North American Nickel also controls a 4,841 square km Mineral Exploration Licence in southwest Greenland with exclusive mineral exploration rights. The principal target is high-grade nickel-copper occurrences associated with norite and other mafic and ultramafic intrusions.
The Company has also acquired 100% ownership in the high-grade Ni-Cu-PGE South Bay property near Thompson, Manitoba and the large grassroots Thompson North and Cedar Lake properties, which are part of the world-class Thompson Nickel Belt in Manitoba. North American Nickel Inc. is a member of the North Shore Mining Group.
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.
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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
North American Nickel Inc.
Rick Mark
CEO and Chair
604-986-2020 or Toll free: 1-866-816-0118
