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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Sept. 29, 2014) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF)(CUSIP:65704T 108) (the "Company") is pleased to report new assays from their 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM sulphide project in southwest Greenland including first results from the regional exploration targets. Thirty-nine diamond drill holes and one deepened hole totaling 8,773 metres were completed during the 2014 field season. Results for twenty-three holes are reported in this release including holes completed at the Imiak Hill Complex (IHC) and at the regional exploration targets. The Company is still awaiting assay results from twelve holes.

Highlights from the drill program include:

  • Regional hole MQ-14-054 (P-058) intersected 1.72% Ni and 0.26% Cu over 5.58 metres. All four holes drilled at the P-058 target intersected high grade massive sulphide veins returning values of up to 6.18% Ni and up to 3.95% Cu.
     
  • Regional hole MQ-14-041 (P-149) intersected 0.36% Ni, 0.17% Cu and 0.15 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 23.2m including 3.31% Ni, 0.61% Cu and 0.27 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 0.5 metres in norite-hosted disseminated sulphides. The P-149 (Pingo) target area is located 25 kilometres northwest of the Imiak Hill Complex and outside of the currently defined Greenland Norite Belt.
     
  • Regional hole MQ-14-051 (P-004) intersected 0.94% Ni, 0.17% Cu and 0.99 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 4.31 metres.
     
  • Assays are pending for disseminated to semi-massive sulphide intersections at the regional targets P-013, P-030 and P-053.
     
  • MQ-14-058 (Spotty Hill) intersected two intervals of strongly disseminated sulphides grading 0.52% Ni, 0.16% Cu and 0.18 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 38.65 metres and 0.55% Ni, 0.11% Cu and 0.2 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 10.5 metres within a much larger interval of weakly disseminated sulphide grading 0.28% Ni and 0.08% Cu over 130.56 metres.
     
  • Assays are pending for semi-massive and massive sulphide intersections from Imiak Hill, Mikissoq and Spotty Hill.
     

NAN President and Interim CEO, Mark Fedikow, commented: "I'm really excited by these regional discoveries which are returning high grades of nickel, copper and precious metals and have associated borehole EM anomalies. The Spotty Hill mineralization is returning wide zones of good nickel, copper and precious metal values and new intersections of net-textured to semi-massive sulphides make this a very prospective zone for future follow-up work. The new near surface discoveries at Pingo, that are only 3 km from tide water, lie northwest of the known limits of the GNB extending our area of exploration interest. Similarly, the high grade nickel copper mineralization at P-058 and the disseminated to semi-massive sulphides intersected at P-013, P-030 and P-053 have strengthened the potential of the central and southern portions of the GNB. At the end of the year, with all assays returned, I am confident that we can communicate to our investors and supporters that North American Nickel via its 2014 exploration drilling and geophysical program has identified significant sulphide mineralization along the entire length of the Maniitsoq property."

Assay results have been received for twenty-three drill holes from the Imiak Hill Complex and the regional targets as reported herein and provided in Tables 1 and 2 and Figures 1 and 2. Figures may be viewed using the link provided with this release. Selected drill core photos are included in a recent corporate presentation on the Company's website.

REGIONAL EXPLORATION TARGETS

Twenty-two holes totaling 3,725 metres were completed to test fourteen regional targets located throughout the Maniitsoq property. Assay results have been received for sixteen holes and are pending for six additional holes.

Norite-hosted nickel sulphide mineralization has been confirmed at five regional targets: P-058, P-004, P-149, P-146 and P-136. Drilling at each of these targets was carried out to follow-up initial helicopter-borne VTEM anomalies and, in some cases, to also follow-up nickel mineralization intersected in previous drilling. Results from the drilling and borehole EM (BHEM) surveys indicate that further exploration is warranted at each of these targets.

P-058

Four holes (MQ-14-053, 54, 57 & 59), totalling 505 metres, were completed to test an initial helicopter-borne VTEM target and subsequent BHEM anomalies located near the southwestern edge of the large Fossilik norite intrusion. Historical shallow drilling in this area returned values of up to 2.24% Ni and 0.63% Cu over 12.89 metres.

All four of the 2014 holes intersected remobilized, structurally controlled high grade massive sulphide veins associated with narrow intervals of foliated norite. Best results included:

  • MQ-14-054: 1.72% Ni and 0.26% Cu over 5.58 metres from 70.6 to 76.18 metres including 6.18% Ni and 0.56% Cu 0ver 0.62 metres and 5.23% Ni and 0.07% Cu over 0.81 metres
     
  • MQ-14-057: 1.35% Ni and 0.10% Cu over 1.57 metres from 112.11 to 113.68 metres
     
  • MQ-14-59: 2.54% Ni and 2.75% Cu over 1.74 metres from 22.26 to 24.0 metres including 4.19% Ni and 7.73% Cu over 0.45 metres
     

Borehole EM results and modeling for the P-058 drill holes indicates the presence of two conductive trends related to the mineralization. The high conductance near surface anomaly has limited depth extent but the deeper conductor indicates that the mineralization is open down plunge to the southwest and that conductivity thickness is increasing with depth.

P-004

The P-004 target is located at the southwestern edge of the Fossilik norite body and lies 500 metres northeast of target P-058. MQ-14-051 was drilled to test approximately 50 metres down-dip of nickel mineralization intersected in 2013 in hole MQ-13-018 (0.59% Ni and 0.18% Cu over 32.19 metres including 1.06% Ni and 0.23% Cu over 4.53m). MQ-14-051 intersected a zone of norite-hosted disseminated to net-textured sulphides deeper in the hole which graded 0.94% Ni, 0.17% Cu and 0.99 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 4.31m from 231.14 to 235.45 metres. Included within this zone was a higher grade interval which returned values of 1.36% Ni, 0.25% Cu and 1.46 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 2.65 metres including 2.34% Ni, 0.34% Cu and 0.73 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 1.1 metres. The intersection occurred downhole of the target depth and data interpretation is underway to determine if the intersections in MQ-13-018 and MQ-14-091 are connected.

Two untested off-hole BHEM anomalies detected in the 2013 drill hole, MQ-13-018, lie southeast of the hole and warrant additional follow-up work.

A second hole, MQ-14-061 was drilled 285 metres to the east in an area of outcropping gossanous norite, previously tested by shallow historical holes, but did not return any significant nickel values.

P-059

The P-059 target is located 275 metres northwest of the P-58 target. One hole, MQ-14-055, was drilled to test an airborne VTEM anomaly but failed to intersect the conductor. A borehole EM survey of MQ-14-055 identified two off-hole anomalies located to the northeast and will require further drill testing to evaluate them.

P-149 & P-146 ( Pingo Area)

Drill holes MQ-14-041, 42 and 47 were drilled to test VTEM anomalies and gossanous norite in what is referred to as the "Pingo" area located approximately 25 kilometres northwest of the IHC. All three holes intersected norite-hosted, nickel-copper-bearing disseminated sulphide mineralization. Best results included:

  • MQ-14-041 (P-149): 0.36% Ni, 0.17% Cu and 0.15 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 23.2 metres from 85.35 to 108.55 metres including 3.31% Ni, 0.61% Cu and 0.27 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 0.5 metres.
     
  • MQ-14-042 (P-149) : 0.44% Ni, 0.20% Cu and 0.21 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 6.4 metres from 2.1 to 8.5 metres and 0.49% Ni, 0.2% Cu and 0.26 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 3.9 metres from 77.85 to 81.75 metres
     

The disseminated sulphide mineralization at the P-149 target is characterized by high nickel tenors and elevated precious metal (Pt+Pd+Au) contents similar to Spotty Hill. The linear Pingo norite unit trends northeast-southwest over a distance of approximately 2 kilometres with numerous pods of gossanous outcrop visible at surface. Prior to 2014, no surface geophysics and only one shallow historical drill hole had been completed in this area which lies well outside of the currently defined Greenland Norite Belt.

P-136

The P-136 target is located four kilometres southwest of the IHC. MQ-14-048 was drilled to test a VTEM anomaly in the vicinity of shallow historical holes which intersected norite-hosted nickel sulphides. MQ-14-048 also intersected several intervals of disseminated nickel sulphide mineralization grading 0.21% Ni and 0.09% Cu over 13.17 metres from 45.58 to 58.75 metres and 0.22% Ni and 0.09% Cu over 30 metres from 95 to 125 metres. A BHEM survey of this hole identified several untested off-hole EM anomalies. This area will be further evaluated for future surface geophysical surveys and follow-up drilling.

P-013, P-030 AND P-053

Assays are pending for disseminated to semi-massive sulphide intersected in norite at the P-013, P-030 and P-053 targets.

IMIAK HILL COMPLEX (IHC)

A total of seventeen holes and one deepened hole, totalling 5,048 metres, were completed to test for extensions of the mineralization intersected in previous drilling at Imiak Hill, Mikissoq and Spotty Hill. Assay results were previously reported for five holes at Imiak Hill. Results for five holes and one deepened hole at Spotty Hill as well as one hole at Mikissoq are reported below and assays are pending for five additional IHC holes.

Spotty Hill

Drilling and borehole geophysics at Spotty Hill in 2014 have helped to define the nature and orientation of a broad zone of norite-hosted mineralization which is interpreted to plunge steeply to the southeast. The mineralization consists of zones of disseminated to heavily disseminated and patchy sulphides typically grading 0.5% Ni or greater with internal zones of higher grade semi-massive sulphides. This mineralization is surrounded by a halo of weakly disseminated sulphides typically grading 0.1 to 0.3% Ni. The most highly sulphidic portions (semi-massive sulphides) of the zone can be correlated with moderate to high conductance BHEM anomalies, while the disseminated sulphide mineralization is correlated with a large, low conductance BHEM anomaly. The position of the latter anomaly indicates that the mineralized system is open down plunge to the southeast.

MQ-14-058 intersected disseminated sulphides which are interpreted to be part of the main mineralized zone and grade 0.52% Ni, 0.16% Cu and 0.18 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 38.65 metres from 163.4 to 202.05 metres and 0.55% Ni, 0.11% and 0.20 g/t Pt+Pd+Au Cu over 10.5 metres from 213.3 to 223.8 metres. These intersections are within a much broader halo of weaker disseminated sulphides averaging 0.28% Ni, 0.08% Cu and 0.1 g/t Pt+Pd+Au over 130.56 metres from 116.7 to 247.26 metres.

Holes MQ-14-040 and MQ-14-052 intersected the low grade nickel and copper mineralization (see Table 1) which flanks the main zone of mineralization. MQ-14-044 was collared 300 metres to the south to test a separate EM anomaly interpreted from surface geophysical surveys. This hole intersected pyroxenite and country rocks but no significant mineralization. However, the borehole EM survey from this hole showed an anomaly building to the end of the hole which is interpreted to be related to the Spotty Hill mineralization. MQ-13-022 was deepened to test for mineralization along an interpreted norite-country rock contact and intersected disseminated low grade sulphides as listed in Table 1.

Assays are pending for holes MQ-14-062 and 065, both of which intersected disseminated to semi-massive sulphides which lie within the main Spotty Hill mineralized zone.

Imiak Hill

Assays are pending for two holes including MQ-14-072 which intersected the down plunge extents of Zone 10 (19.5 metres of net-textured to semi-massive sulphides) and Zone 30 (1.7 metres of semi-massive sulphides).

Mikissoq

MQ-14-60 intersected narrow intervals of unmineralized leuconorite and was drilled southeast of the main mineralized Mikissoq norite body which is now interpreted to plunge steeply to the northeast. Assay results are pending for two holes including MQ-14-073 which intersected:

  • ~ 45m of disseminated sulphides; and
     
  • ~ 5.6 m of net-textured to semi-massive sulphides in norite.
     

Quality Control

Drill core assay results are evaluated as part of a Quality Assurance and Quality Control procedure that includes the use of matrix matched multi-element, certified standards with known precious and base metal values and blank standards to determine accuracy and precision of analytical results. Core sample analysis was completed by SGS Laboratories of Vancouver, Canada. Three methods of analysis were used to determine element concentrations in the rock samples submitted to SGS. 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 Sodium Peroxide Fusion ICP-AES calibrated for ore grade detection limits.

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, President and Interim CEO, 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 3,601 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

John Roozendaal, Director

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.

 
Table 1 Summary of Imiak Hill and Regional Target Assay Results
Hole
Number
  From
(m)
To
(m)
Core
Length
(m)
Ni % Cu % Co % TPM
g/t
Target
Imiak Hill Complex
MQ-13-022*   315.70 322.55 6.85 0.29 0.09 0.01 0.15 Spotty Hill
  incl. 320.00 321.35 1.35 0.61 0.15 0.02 0.27  
                   
MQ-14-040   115.00 135.10 20.10 0.20 0.05 0.01 0.10 Spotty Hill
MQ-14-040   163.00 283.00 120.00 0.16 0.04 0.01 0.06  
MQ-14-040   301.00 350.15 49.15 0.23 0.07 0.01 0.10  
  incl. 343.55 350.15 6.60 0.48 0.17 0.01 0.24  
                   
MQ-14-044     NSA           Spotty Hill
                   
MQ-14-052   49.00 75.00 26.00 0.22 0.05 0.01 0.07 Spotty Hill
                   
MQ-14-056   Re-collared as MQ-14-058         Spotty Hill
                   
MQ-14-058   116.70 247.26 130.56 0.28 0.08 0.01 0.10 Spotty Hill
  incl. 153.50 234.55 81.05 0.38 0.11 0.02 0.14  
  incl. 163.40 202.05 38.65 0.52 0.16 0.02 0.18  
  incl. 213.30 223.80 10.50 0.55 0.11 0.02 0.20  
                   
MQ-14-060     NSA           Mikissoq
                   
Regional Targets
                   
MQ-14-041   5.00 44.00 39.00 0.17 0.06 0.01 0.04 P-149
MQ-14-041   85.35 108.55 23.20 0.36 0.17 0.01 0.15  
  incl. 107.35 107.85 0.50 3.31 0.61 0.05 0.27  
MQ-14-041   154.50 157.90 3.40 0.41 0.18 0.01 0.14  
                   
MQ-14-042   2.10 8.50 6.40 0.44 0.20 0.01 0.21 P-149
MQ-14-042   46.50 57.50 11.00 0.21 0.07 0.01 0.06  
MQ-14-042   77.85 81.75 3.90 0.49 0.20 0.01 0.26  
                   
MQ-14-043     NSA           P-157
MQ-14-045     NSA           P-157
MQ-14-046     NSA           P-161
                   
MQ-14-047   103.50 108.95 5.45 0.26 0.12 0.01 0.08 P-146
MQ-14-047   115.10 120.00 4.90 0.23 0.09 0.01 0.07  
                   
MQ-14-048   39.55 39.90 0.35 1.35 0.15 0.04 0.07 P-136
MQ-14-048   45.58 58.75 13.17 0.21 0.09 0.01 0.01  
  incl. 58.00 58.75 0.75 0.93 0.22 0.03 0.03  
MQ-14-048   95.00 125.00 30.00 0.22 0.09 0.01 0.02  
                   
MQ-14-049     NSA           P-081
                   
MQ-14-050     No samples         P-081
                   
MQ-14-051   231.14 235.45 4.31 0.94 0.17 0.03 0.99 P-004
  incl. 232.80 235.45** 2.65 1.36 0.25 0.04 1.46  
  incl. 233.70 234.80 1.10 2.34 0.34 0.06 0.73  
                   
MQ-14-053   78.00 78.10 0.10 1.08 3.78 0.02 0.04 P-058
MQ-14-053   79.40 79.50 0.10 0.55 3.95 0.04 0.23  
MQ-14-053   82.70 82.80 0.10 1.32 0.67 0.07 0.20  
                   
MQ-14-054   70.60 76.18 5.58 1.72 0.26 0.04 0.08 P-058
  incl. 70.60 71.22 0.62 6.18 0.56 0.16 0.08  
  incl. 73.65 74.46 0.81 5.23 0.07 0.11 0.35  
                   
MQ-14-055     NSA           P-059
                   
MQ-14-057   112.11 113.68 1.57 1.35 0.10 0.04 0.02 P-058
  incl. 113.07 113.37 0.30 4.45 0.11 0.09 0.05  
                   
MQ-14-059   22.26 24.00 1.74 2.54 2.75 0.07 0.10 P-058
  incl. 23.07 23.26 0.19 5.15 2.53 0.13 0.06  
  incl. 23.55 24.00 0.45 4.19 7.73 0.12 0.10  
                   
MQ-14-061     NSA           P-004
 
Notes:
Intervals represent core lengths, not necessarily true widths.
TPM - total preciosu metals (Au+Pt+Pd)
NSA - No Significant Assays
* Deepened 87m in 2014
** Interval includes one sample containing 2.86 g/t Au and 0.2 g/t Pt
 
 
Table 2 Drill Collar Information
IHC Drill Hole Data
Hole
Number
UTM
East
UTM
North
Elevation
(m)
Length
(m)
Azimuth Dip Area
MQ-14-040 478992 7257339 624 398.00 218° -60° Spotty Hill
MQ-14-044 478874 7256949 600 338.00 360° -65° Spotty Hill
MQ-14-052 478962 7257280 628 362.00 225° -55° Spotty Hill
MQ-14-056 478992 7257339 624 50.00 230° -57° Spotty Hill
MQ-14-058 478992 7257339 624 302.00 230° -51° Spotty Hill
MQ-13-022 deepened 87 m 478986 7257278 629 377.00 220° -65° Spotty Hill
MQ-14-060 477971 7258025 484 152.00 330° -77° Mikissoq
 
Regional Drill Hole Data
Hole
Number
UTM
East
UTM
North
Elevation
(m)
Length
(m)
Azimuth Dip Target
MQ-14-041 465365 7278601 364 182.00 154° -50° P-149
MQ-14-042 465395 7278550 366 161.00 330° -45° P-149
MQ-14-043 466375 7280830 560 95.00 345° -45° P-157
MQ-14-045 466240 7280755 540 101.00 333° -45° P-157
MQ-14-046 464974 7280925 500 149.00 330° -50° P-161
MQ-14-047 463753 7277801 676 131.00 333° -70° P-146
MQ-14-048 474636 7255775 375 146.00 150° -50° P-136
MQ-14-049 473346 7250129 507 155.00 138° -59° P-081
MQ-14-050 473350 7250037 534 98.00 300° -55° P-081
MQ-14-051 474284 7248785 695 320.00 055° -62° P-004
MQ-14-053 473856 7248475 605 128.00 324° -45° P-058
MQ-14-054 473900 7248513 605 127.00 320° -50° P-058
MQ-14-055 473676 7248671 645 203.00 337° -75° P-059
MQ-14-057 473881 7248476 605 155.00 315° -50° P-058
MQ-14-059 473889 7248539 621 95.00 324° -66° P-058
MQ-14-061 474567 7248761 641 185.00 335° -47° P-004

To view Figures 1 and 2 please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/NAN929_F1-2.pdf.

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

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