North American Nickel Reports Final Assays

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Nov. 10, 2015) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP:65704T 108) (the "Company" or "NAN") is pleased to report that final assays have been received from the 2015 diamond drilling carried out on their 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel-copper-cobalt-PGM sulphide project in southwest Greenland. Thirty diamond drill holes totalling 5,655 metres were completed during the 2015 field season. Results for ten holes are reported in this release including results for follow-up drilling carried out at the mineralized P-013, P-032 and P-053 targets and drilling to test five regional exploration targets. 

Highlights include:

• MQ-15-094, P-013:
  • 0.57% Ni and 0.15% Cu over 25.10 metres and
  • 0.94% Ni and 0.44% Cu over 11.95 metres 
• MQ-15-100, P-032: 0.58% Ni and 0.14% Cu over 8.0 metres
• Anomalous Cu-Ni and Cu-Zn±Ni values in two holes which tested northern regional exploration targets:
  • MQ-15-097, P-290: 0.34% Cu over 5.95 metres including 0.72% Cu and 0.11% Ni over 0.95 metres
  • MQ-15-096, Takissoq West: 0.33% Cu and 0.17% Zn over 6.75 metres including 1.04% Cu and 0.12% Ni over 1 meter 

NAN CEO, Keith Morrison, commented: "The positive drilling results from both P-013 and P-032 indicate both mineralized systems remain open, while step out drilling at P-053 indicates a complex geometry with localized high grade and wide intersections. All three of these areas will be prioritized for additional drilling in 2016. Similarly the preliminary drilling and borehole EM results from both P-290 and Takissoq West warrant additional evaluation and drilling of these targets next season."

This release summarizes the results for ten holes totalling 1,774 metres from the Maniitsoq drill program and concludes the reporting of 2015 drilling results. The drill program is part of the Company's continued systematic exploration of the Maniitsoq property. Five holes were drilled to follow up previously intersected nickel mineralization at the P-013, P-032 and P-053 targets and five holes tested regional exploration targets.

Drill collar information and a summary of assays are provided in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. A regional location map (Figure 1) and more detailed target area maps (Figures 2 through 5) may be viewed using the link provided with this release.

Five holes (1,146 metres) completed to follow-up mineralization at targets P-013, P-032 and P-053 intersected additional mineralization as reported in Table 2. At each of these areas, step-out holes have increased the footprint of the mineralization and are expected to merit further drilling. Drilling at regional targets P-290 and Takissoq West intersected mineralization with anomalous Cu, Zn and Ni values and associated strong off-hole borehole electromagnetic (BHEM) anomalies.

Table 1: Drill Collar Information

Table 2: Assay Results

P-013 (Figure 2)

Drill hole MQ-15-094 was completed to test the down plunge extent of previous mineralized intersections and related BHEM anomalies. Two zones of norite hosted mineralization were intersected consisting of irregularly distributed disseminated, blebby, patchy and stringer sulphides:

A BHEM survey of hole MQ-15-094 identified a number of in-hole and off-hole anomalies including a build-up to an off-hole anomaly beyond the end of the hole. Drilling and BHEM data to date indicate that the P-013 mineralized system consists of at least two northwest plunging lenses which remain open at depth and along strike.

P-032 (Figure 3)

Drill hole MQ-15-100 was drilled to test an off-hole BHEM anomaly approximately 35 metres south of previously reported hole MQ-15-090 (1.06% Ni and 0.37% Cu/5.10 metres; News Release dated October 20, 2015). MQ-15-100 intersected an 8.0 metre zone of norite-hosted disseminated, blebby and stringer sulphides grading 0.58% Ni and 0.14% Cu from 122.5 metres. The BHEM survey identified an off-hole anomaly at 90 metres which is interpreted to lie north in the direction of hole MQ-15-090. 

P-053 (Figures 4 & 5)

Drill holes MQ-15-101, 102 and 103, tested undrilled gaps in the interpreted P-053 mineralized horizon in up plunge, central and down plunge positions as shown in the longitudinal section in Figure 5. All three holes intersected zones of weakly disseminated sulphides over variable core lengths with individual samples typically returning values of < 0.15% Ni. Higher grade intervals were intersected in DDH MQ-14-101 and -102 and include:

• MQ-15-101: 0.6 metres of norite-hosted disseminated and stringer sulphides which returned 0.72% Ni, 0.22% Cu and 0.12 g/t TPM from 301.90 metres; 
• MQ-15-102: 0.3 metres of semi-massive breccia sulphides which graded 1.57% Ni, 1.71% Cu and 0.34 g/t TPM from 189.3 metres; and
• MQ-15-102: 3.65 metres of norite-hosted sulphide disseminations and veinlets which graded 0.38% Ni, 0.26% Cu and 0.15 g/t TPM from 190.45 metres

The P-053 mineralization has been structurally disrupted and remobilized, locally occurring as sulphide stringers and veins as well as sulphide breccia veins. The geophysical borehole response of the mineralization is represented by a number of discrete, high conductance off-hole and in-hole edge responses with the centres of highest conductivity located west of hole MQ-15-082 and west of hole MQ-15-084.

Regional Targets (Figure 1)

Assay results have been received for five holes totalling 628 metres which tested airborne EM anomalies at regional targets P-042, P-057, Takissoq West, P-289 and P-290. All holes intersected sulphides variably hosted in norites, siliceous metasedimentary rocks and metavolcanic rocks or metagabbro. Anomalous Cu-Ni values and Cu-Zn±Ni values were obtained at the P-290, P-289 and Takissoq West targets all located in the northern portion of the Maniitsoq property. Assay results from the P-042 and the P-057 targets did not return any significant assay values.

At P-290, hole MQ-15-097 intersected mafic intrusive rocks locally containing sulphide veins and stringers over a 5.95 metre interval which returned 0.34% Cu from 69.05 metres including 0.72% Cu and 0.11% Ni over 0.95 metres. A strong off-hole BHEM anomaly was detected beyond the end of the hole. At P-289, hole MQ-15-098 intersected weakly anomalous Ni-Cu values within sulphide veins/stringers hosted in interpreted amphibolites and siliceous metasedimentary rocks (see Table 2).

At Takissoq West, hole MQ-15-096 intersected a sequence of interpreted supracrustal rocks comprising mafic metavolcanic rocks or metagabbro and siliceous to mafic metasedimentary rocks hosting two mineralized zones:

The BHEM survey detected off-hole anomalies at 102 and 130 metres indicating that the most conductive portions of the conductors have not been intersected.

Quality Control

The drilling was completed by George Downing Estate Drilling of Canada utilizing a Boyles JKS 300 diamond drill rig. Drill core samples (41mm BTW) are cut in half by a diamond saw on site. Half of the core is retained for reference purposes. Samples are generally 1.0 to 1.5 metre intervals or less at the discretion of the site geologists. Sample preparation is completed at the ALS Minerals preparation lab in Öjebyn, Sweden. Sample pulps are sent by air courier to ALS Minerals analytical laboratory in Loughrea, Ireland. Blank samples and commercially prepared and certified Ni sulphide analytical control standards with a range of grades are inserted in every batch of 20 samples or a minimum of one per sample batch. Analyses for Ni, Cu and Co are completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP81). Analyses for Pt, Pd, and Au are by fire assay (30 grams nominal sample weight) with an ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP23).

Technical Information; Qualified Person

The Company is not aware of any legal, political, environmental or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the project other than those set out in its annual information form filed on www.sedar.com. Please see below under the heading "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements" for further details regarding risks facing the Company.

All technical information in this release has been reviewed by Patricia Tirschmann, P.Geo, who is the Qualified Person for the Company and Vice President Exploration, 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 2,985 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 accessible from the existing Seqi deep water port (See NAN News Release dated January 19, 2015) with an all year round shipping season and abundant hydro-electric potential.

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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the success of exploration activities; impact of mineralogy, estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of the Company; ability to complete the port assignment, the ability of the Company to realize upon the benefit of owning the port, economics of production; the future economics of minerals including nickel and copper; synergies and financial impact facilities; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of the Company and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently 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 statements are 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 statements. 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 statements include variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, difficulties realized in completion of the assignment, barriers to the assignment, difficulties in development of the assets and suitability of the port in relation to development of the assets of the Company, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

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 statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

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

Mark Fedikow, President, 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.

To view Figures 1 to 5, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/nan1110figures.pdf.

Contact

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