TORONTO, May 22, 2024
/CNW/ - NiCAN Limited ("NiCAN" or the "Company") (TSXV:
NICN) (FRA: W8Y) is pleased to report additional results from its
Phase III-B drilling program on the Wine Property located near
Snow Lake, Manitoba, Canada
(Figure 3). This drill program expanded the Company's
understanding of several mineralized zones at the Wine Occurrence
including defining a new zone to the north (press release
May 6, 2024). The remaining assays
are expected shortly.
Highlight:
- Diamond drill hole Wine 24-4 intersected 20.3 meters
averaging 2.88% Cu and 2.14% Ni (2.85% NiEq), 0.09% Co and
1.19g/t PGMs.
Brad Humphrey, President and
CEO of NiCAN, commented, "We continue to be very encouraged by our
March 2024 drill program, which is an
extension to the Phase III program completed late in 2023. Overall,
the program has returned strong nickel and copper grades over
meaningful widths, all near surface, and continues to identify new
zones. As with all of the exploration at the Wine Project to date,
we continue to refine and better understand the Wine Occurrence
which assists in our approach to the wider Wine Gabbro
project.
Future exploration work will aim to determine if the
mineralization extends to the south and better define the extent of
the new near surface zones. These results, combined with the
recently completed, deep penetrating, TDEM survey will assist in
designing further drill programs at the Wine property."
Table 1: Wine Occurrence - Summary Assays released to date
from Phase III-B Diamond Drill Program
Hole
#
|
From
(m)
|
To
(m)
|
Length
(m)
|
Cu
(%)
|
Ni
(%)
|
NiEq
(%)
|
Co
(%)
|
PGM's
(g/t)
|
Wine
24-1
|
6.8
|
12.2
|
5.5
|
0.71
|
1.35
|
2.27
|
0.07
|
0.33
|
Wine
24-1
|
23.5
|
29.0
|
5.5
|
0.76
|
1.58
|
1.75
|
0.07
|
0.58
|
Wine
24-1
|
41.6
|
46.2
|
4.6
|
0.92
|
1.00
|
1.33
|
0.05
|
0.26
|
Wine
24-1A
|
7.5
|
11.2
|
3.7
|
1.40
|
1.63
|
1.89
|
0.08
|
0.61
|
Wine
24-1A
|
24.8
|
26.4
|
1.6
|
0.55
|
0.60
|
0.71
|
0.03
|
0.14
|
Wine
24-1A
|
29.7
|
75.1
|
45.5
|
1.20
|
1.32
|
1.55
|
0.06
|
0.59
|
Wine
24-2
|
76.5
|
83.0
|
6.6
|
1.27
|
0.74
|
1.77
|
0.04
|
0.70
|
Wine
24-2
|
87.0
|
104.5
|
17.5
|
1.23
|
0.45
|
0.82
|
0.02
|
0.77
|
Wine
24-4
|
66.0
|
86.3
|
20.3
|
2.88
|
2.14
|
2.85
|
0.09
|
1.19
|
Note: Nickel equivalent
grades include nickel and copper values only and assume recoveries
of 85% for nickel and 85% for copper based on comparable deposits.
A 6-year trailing average with a Nickel price: US$8.10/lb; Copper
price US$3.40/lb.
|
Phase III-B Drilling Program – Wine Property
The Phase III-B Wine diamond drill program consisted of 8
diamond drill holes for a total of 942 meters following up on
the significant results returned from the Phase III drill program
completed in the fourth quarter of 2023 (press release dated
January 31, 2024). Diamond drill hole
Wine 23-29 intersected an upper, sub-cropping zone, which assayed
2.20% Cu and 1.56% Ni (2.11% NiEq) over 9.6 meters followed by
three middle zones that returned lower grade mineralization and the
Main Zone returning 31.5 meters at 1.90% Cu and 1.92% Ni (2.31%
NiEq). True widths are interpreted to be approximately 80% of
intersected widths.
The Phase III-B drill program was designed to further drill test
the Wine Occurrence and test one greenfield geophysical target to
the north. Diamond drill holes Wine 24-1, Wine 24-01A, Wine 24-2
and Wine 24-5 were previously released (May
6, 2024).
Follow Up Drill Program – Wine Occurrence
The Wine Occurrence follow up drilling program was completed in
March 2024 with the objective of
further defining the Company's understanding of the configuration
of both the Main and Upper Zones.
Note: Only NiCAN drill holes are displayed and hole
23-16, 27 and 29 as well as 22-6 are not displayed to highlight the
2024 drill holes.
|
Diamond drill hole Wine 24-4 was collared to determine if
there was a down dip extension to the Upper Zone. While the hole
did not intersect the Upper Zone, indicating the Upper Zone is
close to vertical, it intersected the Main Zone, returning 2.85%
NiEq over 20.3 meters. Elevated PGM values of 1.19g/t over this
intersection were of particular interest.
Diamond drill hole Wine 24-6 targeted a conceptual down
dip extension to the mineralization intersected in hole Wine 22-9
(0.74% NiEq over 11.6 meters). It is interpreted that this hole was
stopped short of intersecting the down plunge extension of the
Upper Zone seen in hole Wine 24-2 (1.77% NiEq over 6.55 meters).
Additional work is required, including potentially extending this
hole in a future program.
Note: Only NiCAN drill holes are
displayed
|
Analogies to Historical Lynn Lake Nickel Deposits
NiCAN believes that the nickel mineralization hosted by the Wine
Gabbro may have analogies to the nickel-copper deposits in the
Lynn Lake area, which is to the
north of the Wine property. At Lynn
Lake, approximately 22.2 million tonnes averaging 1.0%
nickel and 0.5% copper were historically mined at the Farley Mine.
The Farley Mine consisted of multiple lenses of mineralization
contained within a 4.2 km2 gabbro body. The Wine Gabbro
area contains numerous similarities and has seen very little
exploration for nickel-copper deposits.
QAQC
All core samples are sent to the ALS Canada Ltd laboratory
Winnipeg-Vancouver (an accredited laboratory) by secure
transport for base and precious metal assay. Base metals were
assayed by their ICP61 package, which includes a total of 34
analytes by 4 acid digestion and ICP-AES (Inductively Coupled
Plasma – Atomic Emission Spectroscopy Over-limits for copper and
nickel were analyzed by ALS's 4 acid digestion ICP OG62 package.
Fire Assay Techniques (ICP23 package) involved a 30 gram aliquot of
sample pulp which was mixed with a standard fire assay flux in a
clay crucible. After the mixture was fused, the melt was poured
into a form which was cooled. The lead bead was then recovered and
cupelled until only the precious metal bead remained. The bead was
analysed by ICP-AES
Laboratory Quality Control protocols were applied to the assay
sample package by ALS. NiCAN submitted a regular schedule of
standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream for Quality
Control measures. Drill core samples are split in half using a
diamond saw with half saved for reference and the other half
shipped for assay. In the case of duplicate samples, the half core
is quarter split with the two quarter splits sent for separate
assay.
A review of the Company's QAQC program indicate that all results
were returned within acceptable limits.
The nickel equivalent grade calculation incorporates:
- nickel and copper values only,
- assume recoveries of 85% for nickel and 85% for copper based on
comparable deposits,
- A 6-year trailing average nickel price: US$8.10/lb; copper price US$3.40/lb.
Qualified Person
Mr. Bill Nielsen, P.Geo, a
consultant to NiCAN, who is a qualified person under National
Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects
("NI 43-101") has reviewed and approved the scientific and
technical information in this news release.
About NiCAN
NiCAN Limited is a mineral exploration company, trading under
the symbol "NICN" on the TSX-V. The Company is actively exploring
two nickel projects, both located in well-established mining
jurisdictions in Manitoba,
Canada.
www.nicanltd.com
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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The information contained herein contains certain
"forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws
concerning the proposed financing, business, operations and
financial performance and condition of NiCAN Limited.
Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, the
size and timing of the drill program, results of the drill program,
interpretations of the various surveys, NiCAN's ability to identify
mineralization similar to that found in prior drill holes, the
benefits and the potential of the properties of the Company; future
commodity prices (including in relation to NiEq calculations);
drilling and other exploration potential; costs; and permitting.
Forward-looking information may be 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
information is 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 information.
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 information includes changes in market conditions,
fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, the
possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and
expenses and permitting disputes and/or delays. 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 information, there may be other
factors that cause actions, events or results not to be
anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that
forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual
results and future events could differ materially from those
anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances
or management's estimates or opinions should change except as
required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not
to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that
term is defined in policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE Nican Ltd.