Nickel North Exploration (NNX-V) Nov 10, '14 is pleased to announce initial diamond drill results from the Company's 2014 exploration program at the Hawk Ridge Project, northern Quebec.
Highlights from the initial drill results at Hawk Ridge include;
Gamma Zone magmatic sulphide intersection: 7.01 metres of magmatic sulphides grading 2.11% Ni, 2.73% Cu and 0.62 grams PGE's per tonne from 60.5 metres drill depth, including; 4.35 metres at 3.37% Ni, 4.28% Cu and 0.86 grams PGEs per tonne, and; 3.35 metres at 4.24% Ni, 4.70% Cu and 0.95 grams PGEs per tonne.
Hole HR-2014-50 was drilled approximately 50 m north of HR-2012-03. HR-2012-03 intersected 1.86m grading 2.84% Ni, 4.67% Cu and 1.31 grams PGE's per tonne of Gamma Zone magmatic sulphides in 2012 (see release dated December 4, 2012). The results from HR-2014-50 indicate both the Ni concentration and widths of the massive sulphide intersection have increased considerably northwards along strike.
| | Table 1: Initial Drill Hole Results from 2014 Hawk Ridge Exploration Program | | HOLE # | | From | | To | | Width (1,2) | | Ni(3) | | Cu(3) | | Pd(3) | | Pt(3) | | Au(3) | | Prospect | | Comments | | (m) | | (m) | | (m) | | (%) | | (%) | | (g/t) | | (g/t) | | (g/t) | | | HR-2014-50 | | | 57.84 | | 64.85 | | 7.01 | | 2.11 | | 2.73 | | 0.500 | | 0.120 | | 0.012 | | Gamma | | Massive Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulphides | | Incl. | | 60.50 | | 64.85 | | 4.35 | | 3.37 | | 4.28 | | 0.688 | | 0.168 | | 0.009 | | Gamma | | Massive Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulphides | | Incl. | | 60.50 | | 63.85 | | 3.35 | | 4.24 | | 4.70 | | 0.759 | | 0.193 | | 0.009 | | Gamma | | Massive Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE Sulphides | | HR-2014-49 | | | 100.50 | | 109.00 | | 8.50 | | 0.13 | | 0.51 | | 0.104 | | 0.043 | | 0.026 | | Gamma | | Interstitial Magmatic Sulphides | | Incl. | | 100.50 | | 104.00 | | 3.50 | | 0.21 | | 0.71 | | 0.135 | | 0.046 | | 0.031 | | Gamma | | Interstitial Magmatic Sulphides | | HR-2014-48 | | | 64.80 | | 70.30 | | 5.50 | | Assays Pending | | Pio | | Sedimentary Sulphides | | HR-2014-47 | | | - | | - | | - | | Assays Pending | | Pio | | No Significant Sulphides | | HR-2014-46 | | | 34.00 | | 73.00 | | 29.00 | | Assays Pending | | Lucille | | Disseminated Magmatic Sulphides | | HR-2014-45 | | | - | | - | | - | | Assays Pending | | Lucille | | No Significant Sulphides | | HR-2014-44 | | | 60.00 | | 80.00 | | 20.00 | | Assays Pending | | Lucille | | Disseminated Magmatic Sulphides |
| 1 Reported intersections are believed to represent true thicknesses. | | 2 Calculated intervals use a 0.25% Cu per tonne cut-off value. | | 3 No top cut has been used on assay values. | | 4 Ni EQ calculations are based on London Metals Exchange 3 year trailing average metal prices as of July 6, 2012 at US$9.48/lb. nickel, US$3.56/lb. copper, US$16.23/lb. cobalt, US$1377.87/troy oz. gold, US$1587.97/troy oz. platinum, and US$581.28/troy oz. palladium. |
Click here to view a Map of the Hawk Ridge Drill Hole Locations, and additional technical information.
The Gamma Zone
The Gamma Zone occurs in the central part of the Hawk Ridge property. On surface the mineralized horizon can be followed for at least 850m along strike, and expands in width from <10m in the extreme southern portion of the zone to approx. 30m in the north. The mineralized zone consists of medium-to-coarse-grained interstitial Cu-Ni-PGE magmatic sulphides and disseminated sulphides in a coarse-grained gabbro. Drilling in 2013 confirmed that the mineralized horizon maintains it mineralogical character and metal grades and widths down-dip for at least 380m. The 2013 deep resource holes were approximately 250 m east of the 2012 holes and confirmed the down-dip extension of the mineralization over a strike length of at least 570m.
Massive Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide concentrations are found flanking the southern end of the Gamma Zone. This mineralization is associated with surface gossans. In 2012 hole HR-2012-03 was drilled to investigate the surface gossanous material and intersected 1.86m grading 2.84% Ni, 4.67% Cu and 1.31 grams per tonne PGE's. HR-2014-50 was drilled approximately 50 m north of HR-2012-03.
The 7.01m mineralized intersection in HR-2014-50 averaged 2.11% Ni, 2.73% Cu, 0.62 grams PGE's per tonne (3.33% Ni EQ(4)). Included in this intersection is 3.35m of massive sulphide averaging 4.24% Ni, 4.70% Cu and 0.95 grams PGE's per tonne, (6.33% Ni EQ(4)). If one includes the semi-massive sulphide interval in the immediate footwall to the above, one gets 4.35m averaging 3.37% Ni, 4.28% Cu and 0.86 grams PGE's per tonne (5.26% Ni EQ(4)). These intersections are believed to be near true thicknesses.
Comparison of grade and thickness intersected in HR-2012-03 to the south demonstrates that both the Ni concentration and widths of the massive sulphide intersection in HR-2014-50 have increased considerably northwards.
Drill hole HR-2014-49 was collared 42m east and 10m south of HR-2014-50 and was drilled prior to HR-2014-50. HR-2014-49 intersected 8.50m of 0.13% Ni, 0.51% Cu, 0.147 grams PGE's per tonne, (0.36% Ni EQ(4)). Included in this intercept is 3.50m of 0.21% Ni, 0.71% Cu and 0.181 g/t grams PGE's per tonne, (0.52% Ni EQ(4)). This mineralization and host-rock is typical of the bulk of the Gamma Zone mineralization. HR-2014-50 was drilled to follow-up a highly conductive borehole geophysical response detected above, and to the north of the HR-2014-49.
Examination of geological and geophysical data together with the northward thickening massive sulphide intersections in holes HR-2012-03 and HR-2014-50 suggest the high-grade Ni-Cu-PGE massive sulphides are a lens-like concentrations of magmatic mineralization that plunges down the east side of the laterally extensive Gamma Zone mineralized horizon.
Other:
Assay results for the remaining drill holes completed as part of the 2014 exploration campaign are pending and will be disclosed as soon as they become available; however, it should be noted that weak disseminated magmatic sulphides were recorded in hole HR-2014-44 from 60m to 80m, and heavy disseminations and patchy semi-massive magmatic sulphides were logged in HR-2014-46 from 34m to 73m with the remainder of the hole hosting weak to moderate disseminated magmatic sulphides. Holes HR-2014-45 and HR-2014-47 contained no significant sulphides; whereas hole HR-2014-48 contains an intersection of what appears to be barren sedimentary sulphides from 64.8m to 70.30m
Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Drill core assay results are monitored and evaluated upon receiving each new assay certificate. Two certified international standards, two certified standards, two certified laboratory inserted standards, and two company inserted blanks, laboratory inserted blanks, company duplicates and laboratory repeats are monitored in each certificate using industry accepted protocols. The geochemical protocol for the project in 2012, 2013 & 2014 includes sampling the entire length of the diamond drill-hole (half cut NQ core) for Ni, Cu and Pt, Pd, Au (Pb-fire assay) and a 39-element ICP-MS package following a 4 acid digestion. Core sample analysis was completed by TSL, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
Due to the extreme high-grade nature of the massive sulphides from HR-2014-50 representative splits of the eight (8) samples from the interval 60.5m to 64.85m (Table 1.) were submitted to two other laboratories for confirmation assays; ACME Analytical Laboratories, Vancouver, and and SGS (Assayers Canada Ltd.), Vancouver. Results from all three laboratories and the internal CANMET reference material were in good agreement.
In addition, the same samples re-assayed for Ni, Cu, Co were submitted to ACTLABS (Ancaster, Ontario) for full PGE (Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os) and Au analyses by NiS fire assay followed by a Neutron Activation finish. These analyses will confirm the presence and concentration of the other platinum-group elements not analyzed by the Pb-fire assay technique and any concerns regarding the recovery of Pt, Pd, Au by Pb-fire assay of nickel and copper-rich massive sulphide material.
Qualified Persons
Technical information included in this news release was verified, reviewed and approved by Dr. Larry Hulbert, D.Sc., P.Geo, and Gabe Fortin, P.Geo., consultants engaged by the company to manage and oversee the 2014 Hawk Ridge exploration program. Both Dr. Hulbert and Gabe Fortin are Qualified Persons as defined by NI 43-101.
About Nickel North Exploration Corp.
Nickel North Exploration is a Canadian based explorer focused on defining a Ni-Cu-PGE resource at our Hawk Ridge Project in Northern Quebec. The board of directors, advisor committee and management team are experienced, successful mine finders. The property consists of a 50 km long belt of magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE occurrences covering 18,000 hectares. The project is located near tidewater. Quebec is a mining friendly jurisdiction. Nickel North Exploration is a conscientious corporate citizen, maintains good relations with first nations, and is committed to sustainable development. For more information on the company, please visit www.nickelnorthexploration.com.
On behalf of the Board of Directors:
Andrew Lee Smith, P.Geo., Interim President and CEO |
