North American Nickel Inc.: Significant Near Solid to Solid Sulphide Mineralization Intersected

The Imiak Hill drilling program at Maniitsoq has intersected the most significant sulphide mineralization to date and remains open at depth

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug 23, 2013) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP: 65704T 108) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that diamond drill hole MQ-13-026 intersected an 18.62 metre core length of sulphide mineralization averaging approximately 40 - 45% total sulphides, including numerous sections containing 65% to 80% sulphides, within noritic host rocks at the Imiak Hill nickel-copper-cobalt zone on the Maniitsoq project.(see MQ-13-026 table). This is the deepest of three sulphide intersections, all described in this release, that have been drilled at Imiak Hill in 2013. Drill core has been logged, samples sawed in half and shipped to ALS Chemex in Sweden for analysis. Assay results for all three holes are pending and further drilling is planned.

Figure 1 is a high-resolution photograph that documents the entire 18.62 m long intersection in MQ-13-026, which includes inclusion-bearing near solid and solid sulphides

NAN COO, Neil Richardson, states: "We are pleased to report that drill hole MQ 13-026 is the best intersection we have seen to date with intense sulphides clearly present and our BHEM surveys indicate that Imiak Hill is still open down plunge. It is also important to note is that the intensity of the sulphide mineralization, as shown in the three holes referenced in this release, is increasing with depth. It is common knowledge that most nickel deposits occur at, or near the base of, mafic intrusions, so we will continue to follow the high grade mineralization down towards the base of the Imiak Hill mafic norite intrusion with additional drilling and borehole geophysics."

Drill hole MQ-13-026 intersected near solid to solid sulphides with numerous sections containing 65-80% total sulphides. A description of the intersection is given in the table below:

MQ-13-026 Sulphide intersection

Note: the visual percent sulphide estimates and descriptions in this news release are not intended to suggest grades of contained metals, which will require assaying to determine. Mineral percentages are volume not weight.

The MQ-13-026 intersection occurs 142 to 159 m vertically below surface and is currently the deepest at Imiak, which suggests that the intensity of sulphide mineralization in the noritic host rock is increasing with depth. The hole was surveyed with a 3 component bore hole EM (BHEM) system and the mineralization produced an extremely strong "step response" type of anomaly. Interpretation by Crone Geophysics and Exploration Ltd. indicates that the mineralization continues down plunge.

North American Nickel has now delineated three, closely spaced, north-trending, near vertically dipping, steeply south-plunging mineralized zones at Imiak Hill. From east to west the zones have been provisionally named 10, 20 and 30 as shown on the attached plan map (Figure 2). The mineralization in MQ-13-026 correlates with Zone 30. A composite longitudinal section through Imiak Hill with all the intersections to date is included (Figure 3).

Sulphide textures, such as inclusion bearing massive and semi-massive sulphide, in MQ-13-026 are similar to those observed in the mineralized 2012 Imiak drill holes (MQ-12-001 and MQ-12-002); however, the volume percentage of sulphide in MQ-13-026 is significantly higher.

Drill hole MQ-13-024 intersected a 14.15 metre long interval of well mineralized to semi massive sulphides with an estimated average of 30-35% total sulphides approximately 36 metres up-plunge of MQ-13-026. This intersection also correlates with Zone 30. The hole was surveyed with a Crone 3D BHEM system and the resulting interpreted conductor plate fits well with Zone 30 as outlined from drilling.

MQ-13-024 Sulphide intersection

Note: the visual percent sulphide estimates and descriptions in this news release are not intended to suggest grades of contained metals, which will require assaying to determine. Mineral percentages are volume not weight.

Drill hole MQ-13-019, located 30 metres up-plunge of MQ-13-024 and 66 metres up-plunge of MQ-13-026 intersected 10.75 metres of sulphide mineralization that also correlates with Zone 30. This mineralization is more disseminated in nature. The hole was surveyed with the Crone BHEM instrument and a late channel (strong) off-hole anomaly was detected below and south of the hole.

MQ-13-019 Sulphide intersection

Note: the visual percent sulphide estimates and descriptions in this news release are not intended to suggest grades of contained metals, which will require assaying to determine. Mineral percentages are volume not weight.

To conclude, the mineralization at Imiak is open at depth and the geological team continues to develop a geological model that currently includes at least three zones of mineralization. The latest drilling indicates that the mineralization is strengthening with depth, producing late channel off-hole BHEM anomalies.

Since commencing the 2013 field program in late June, NAN has drilled 27 holes totaling 3037 meters at Maniitsoq. Drilling continues.

Collar coordinates for all of the Company's drill holes at Imiak are listed in the table below.

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, North American Nickel Inc.

About North American Nickel

North American Nickel is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland, Sudbury, Ontario, and the Thompson, Manitoba nickel belt. VMS Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:VMS) owns approximately 27.5% of NAN.

The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 5,106 square km's covering numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with norite and other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). The 70km plus long belt is situated along, and near, the southwest coast of Greenland, which is pack ice free year round.

The first two discoveries of economic mineralization at Imiak Hill and Spotty Hill confirm the high value and potential of the GNB.

The Post Creek/Halcyon 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. 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

Rick Mark, CEO and Chairman

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.

Figures 1 to 3 are available at the following address: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/NAN_Figures_0822.pdf