TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Royal Nickel Corporation ("RNC") (TSX: RNX) has discovered new high grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization at multiple locations during the 2015 exploration season at its 68% owned West Raglan nickel sulphide project located in northern Quebec.
"We are very encouraged by the discovery of new high grade mineralization at surface during the brief 2015 exploration program at West Raglan. The prospecting program provided new evidence of the untapped potential for additional high grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization along the extensive strike lengths at West Raglan, which lies in the Cape Smith Belt, home to existing high grade nickel sulphide mines," said Mark Selby, President and CEO of RNC.
Royal Nickel Corp has completed a summer exploration program at its West Raglan property consisting of extensive prospecting over the Red, CDC, Beverly, Boomerang, Blue and Pure portions of the North (Raglan) trend and 10 drill holes totaling 1,493 meters (Table 1).
Prospecting along 29 km of strike length of the North (Raglan) trend has resulted in 3 new high grade mineralization discoveries at surface. Highlight results from individual grab samples from these discoveries include:
- CDC Zone, 2.86% Ni, 1.40% Cu, 4.80g/t Pd and 1.17g/t Pt
- Boomerang Zone, 1.35% Ni, 0.35% Cu, 1.61 g/t Pd, and 0.70g/t Pt
- Beverly Zone, 1.11% Ni, 0.40% Cu, 1.31 g/t Pd and 0.46 g/t Pt
In addition to these discoveries, a surface extension of high grade mineralization previously identified at the Red Zone was defined by grab samples with grades up to 1.79% Ni, 1.85% Cu, 2.21 g/t Pd and 0.49g/t Pt.
These discoveries demonstrate the occurrence of high grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization outside of the Frontier zone and that the potential for the discovery of high grade deposits on the West Raglan property extends for tens of km along the strike of the North (Raglan) Trend at surface. The success of this year's program highlights the exploration potential of the remaining portions of the North (Raglan) trend and South (Nunavik Nickel) trend. Only 20% of the West Raglan property was covered by the 2015 prospecting program.
Drilling at Frontier has helped define the grade and extent of known lenses of high grade Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralization and drilling at Beverly Zone has yielded new evidence of Ni-enriched ultramafic packages. Highlights include:
- 15-TR-042 28.5m grading 2.91%Ni, 1.23%Cu, 2.31g/t Pd and 0.59 g/t Pd
- 15-TR-033 0.75m grading 4.19 %Ni. 2.26 %Cu, 0.76g/t Pt and 2.89g/t Pd
- 15-TR-034 1.3m grading 0.95%Ni. 0.45%Cu, 0.38g/t Pt and 2.03g/t Pd
- 15-TR-035 1.5m grading 0.51%Ni, 0.17%Cu, 0.09g/t Pt and 0.34g/t Pd
Figure 1: West Raglan Property: 2015 New High Grade Ni-Cu-PGE Discoveries and Drill hole locations
Regional Exploration
During a four week program in August of 2015 prospecting was completed over 29 km of strike length of the North (Raglan) trend on the Red CDC, Beverly, Boomerang, Blue and Pure zones. New high grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization has been discovered at surface at Red, CDC, Beverly, and Boomerang zones. Sample results reported above and in figure 1 are from felsenmeer (frost-heaved boulder fields) associated with ultramafic units.
These discoveries demonstrate the occurrence of high grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization outside of the Frontier zone and that the potential for the discovery of high grade deposits on the West Raglan property extends for tens of km along the strike of the North (Raglan) Trend at surface. Prior to the discovery of the high grade surface mineralization in 2015, three holes totalling 411 meters were drilled at the Beverly zone to test new VTEM targets. While drilling did not intersect high grade Ni-Cu-PGE intersections, disseminated high Ni tenor sulphide mineralization was intersected providing evidence for nickel enrichment of primary magmatic sulfides outside of Frontier. Drill hole locations are shown in table 1 and on figure 1.
Frontier Zone Drilling
Historically, over $50 million has been spent in exploration on the 400 square kilometer West Raglan property including the drilling of 229 diamond drill holes totaling over 43,541 metres. Drilling has previously been focused on Frontier where 5 lens clusters of high grade Ni-Cu-PGE sulphide mineralization have been found. Highlights from historical drilling (which are summarized in detail in the RNC news release dated July 29, 2014) at the Frontier Zone include:
- Seahawk A: 28.28m grading 3.21% Ni, 1.32% Cu, 2.43g/t Pd and 0.65g/t Pt
- Frontier Central: 10.50m grading 2.78% Ni, 1.21% Cu, 2.78g/t Pd and 0.80g/t Pt
- Frontier East: 7.62m grading 2.54% Ni, 1.42% Cu, 1.56g/t Pd and 0.39g/t Pt
- Frontier South: 20m grading 2.41% Ni, 0.92% Cu, 2.28g/t Pd and 0.66g/t Pt
The 2015 summer exploration program at Frontier consisted of 7 holes totalling 1,082 metres to test the extent of known high grade Ni-Cu-PGE's lenses and to complete minor infill drilling. Drill collar locations for Frontier Zone and Beverly Zone drilling are shown in table 1 and figure 1. Significant drill intersections are shown in table 2 and figure 2.
Table 1: Drill Hole Collars for all 2015 Drill Holes
| Hole Number |
Northing |
Easting |
Azimuth |
Dip |
Depth |
Area |
| TR-15-033 |
6802978.4 |
443633.1 |
169.7 |
-54.8 |
230 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-034 |
6802948.4 |
443724.1 |
178.5 |
-54.9 |
199 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-035 |
6802683.8 |
443190.6 |
181.8 |
-54.9 |
88 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-036 |
6803110.1 |
443905.9 |
356 |
-54.9 |
175 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-037 |
6802801.0 |
443454.0 |
155.1 |
-56.4 |
52 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-038 |
6803393.2 |
445251.8 |
345.4 |
-44.3 |
151 |
Frontier |
| TR-15-039 |
6809879.2 |
468031.4 |
230.3 |
-48.8 |
178 |
Beverly |
| TR-15-040 |
6810743.2 |
470883.9 |
169 |
-51 |
151 |
Beverly |
| TR-15-041 |
6810743.2 |
470883.5 |
169 |
-64.3 |
82 |
Beverly |
| TR-15-042 |
6802980.7 |
443734.9 |
184.6 |
-52 |
187 |
Frontier |
Table 2: 2015 Significant Drill Intersections at Frontier
| Hole # |
From |
To |
Length (m) |
Ni % |
Cu % |
Pt g/t |
Pd g/t |
| TR-15-033 |
192.89 |
193.62 |
0.73 |
2.21 |
0.76 |
0.25 |
1.18 |
| TR-15-033 |
219.10 |
219.85 |
0.75 |
4.19 |
2.26 |
0.76 |
2.89 |
| TR-15-034 |
151.77 |
153.00 |
1.23 |
0.95 |
0.45 |
0.38 |
2.03 |
| TR-15-035 |
61.00 |
62.50 |
1.50 |
0.51 |
0.17 |
0.09 |
0.34 |
| TR-15-042 |
134.50 |
163.00 |
28.50 |
2.91 |
1.24 |
0.59 |
2.31 |
| TR-15-042 |
164.50 |
166.00 |
1.50 |
0.59 |
0.19 |
0.12 |
0.62 |
*Calculated with a 0.5% Ni Cut-off and a minimum internal dilution of 0.5% Ni. All thicknesses represent drill intersected thickness and have not been corrected to true thickness.
The Frontier deposits and the new 2015 discoveries occur in the same geological setting as the Raglan mine in ultramafic intrusions and flows occurring stratigraphically below the Chukotat Group basalt. The mineralization is also very similar to the typical ores from the neighbouring Raglan mine, which are amongst the richest Ni-Cu-PGM mines in the world. The Raglan Mine hosts similar clusters of mineralized lenses in 12 distinct zones, four of which are currently in production and feeding a central mill facility.
The excellent prospectivity of the West Raglan property is highlighted by the quality of the mineralization identified at surface and by drilling, the large volume of fertile ultramafic rocks, the numerous discrete electromagnetic conductors, and the strong similarities with other published mineral deposits in the belt. The West Raglan exploration model is based on the potential to build on the success of historical discoveries at Frontier and new property-wide discoveries made in 2015 to define Raglan-style lens clusters that will support mining development.
Quality Control
Drilling was completed by Major Nuvumiut Inc. Drill core samples (47.6mm diameter NQ) were cut in half with a hydraulic splitter. Sample lengths are generally 1.0 to 1.5m or less at the discretion of the site geologists. Half the core is retained for reference on the West Raglan Property while the other half is sent by air for assay at ALS minerals in Val-d'Or, Quebec. Sample preparation is completed at ALS minerals in Val-d'Or, Quebec before being sent to ALS Minerals in Vancouver, British Columbia. Multi element analyses including Ni and Cu are completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and an ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP81). Analyses for Pt, Pd and Au are completed by fire assay with an ICP_AES finish (PGM-ICP23). Certified reference materials are commercially prepared by CDN Resource Laboratories (blanks) and Ore Research and Exploration (Ni sulphide analytical control standards). They are inserted at the rate of 1 in every 10 samples.
Surface samples are rock chip grab samples collected from outcrop or felsenmeer. A representative reference sample for each sample is retained in Royal Nickel's storage facility in Amos, Quebec. Samples are sent to ALS Minerals in Val-d'Or, Quebec for analysis using the same methods (ME_ICP_81 and PGM-ICP23) and the same certified reference material insertion frequency as described above for drill core.
Qualified Person
The disclosure of the technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Alger St-Jean, P. Geo., Vice President Exploration of RNC, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101.
About Royal Nickel Corporation
Royal Nickel Corporation is a multi-asset mineral resource company focused primarily on the acquisition, exploration, evaluation and development of base metal and platinum group metal properties. RNC's principal asset is the Dumont Nickel Project strategically located in the established Abitibi mining camp, in the municipalities of Launay and Trécesson, 25 kilometres northwest of Amos, Quebec. RNC also owns interests in two advanced stage nickel exploration properties: the Aer-Kidd project near Sudbury, Ontario and the West Raglan project in northern Quebec. RNC has a strong management team and Board with over 100 years of mining experience in the nickel business at Inco and Falconbridge. RNC's common shares and warrants trade on the TSX under the symbols RNX and RNX.WT.
Cautionary Statements Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking information" including without limitation statements relating to the liquidity and capital resources of RNC, the outlook for the nickel market, key milestones for 2015 to 2018, including the potential of the Dumont, West Raglan and Aer-Kidd projects.
Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of RNC to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. There are no assurances that Dumont, or any of RNC's other property interests, will be placed into production. Factors that could affect the outcome include, among others: the inability to raise the funds necessary to achieve the milestones or complete development of Dumont and inability to raise the funds necessary to advance exploration activities; the actual results of development activities at Dumont and exploration activities at Aer-Kidd and West Raglan; project delays; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; future prices of metals; availability of alternative nickel sources or substitutes; actual nickel recovery; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability, terrorism, insurrection or war; delays in obtaining governmental approvals, necessary permitting or in the completion of development or construction activities. For a more detailed discussion of such risks and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, refer to RNC's filings with Canadian securities regulators available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Although RNC 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 to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and RNC disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.
SOURCE Royal Nickel Corporation
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/09/28/20150928_C5688_PDF_EN_508504.pdf
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/09/28/20150928_C5688_PDF_EN_508483.pdf
Rob Buchanan, Director, Investor Relations, T: (416) 363-0649 ext. 235, www.royalnickel.com; Pierre-Philippe Dupont (French contact), Manager, Sustainable Development, T: (819) 727-3777 ext. 222
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