SPC Nickel Intersects 1.27% Nickel and 0.47% Copper over 18.0 metres at the West Graham Project, Sudbury, Ontario
SUDBURY, Aug. 23, 2023 - SPC Nickel Corp. (TSXV: SPC) ("SPC Nickel"), is pleased to announce assay results at the West Graham Project, located in the world-class Nickel-Copper mining district of Sudbury, Ontario. SPC Nickel is reporting the first 13 holes of 30 from the ongoing Phase 2 drill program. The Phase 2 program is well underway, with over 6,748 metres already completed, and continues to confirm and extend historic mineralization at expected or better grades while discovering new high-grade mineralization. The program is on track to provide the data required to complete an updated global resource estimate for the West Graham Project by the end of 2023.
Highlights
- Hole WG-23-047, intersected a high-grade section that returned 1.27% Ni, 0.47% Cu over 18.00 metres from 245.00 to 263.00 metres within a thick zone of nickel and copper mineralization grading 0.70% Ni, 0.32% Cu over 50.00 metres from 221.00 to 271.00 metres. Length refers to downhole length. Estimated true thickness ratios are given in Table 1.
- A total of 12,086 metres in 57 holes have so far been completed on the West Graham Project since drilling commenced in early March. The Phase 1 program consisted of 5,338 metres in 27 holes and was completed in late May while a total of 6,748 metres in 30 holes have been completed from the ongoing Phase 2 program (Figure 1).
- Assay results from a total of 40 holes completed as part of the Phase 1 and 2 programs have been received and significant results are presented in Tables 1 and 2. Samples from the remaining 17 completed holes are being processed and will be reported when available.
Grant Mourre, CEO and President of SPC Nickel commented, "We are very pleased with the excellent results we have so far received from our Phase 2 drill program. The drill program successfully demonstrates the robust upside potential at West Graham, where we have not yet reached the limit of the strike and depth continuity of the main mineralized zone. While the recently completed ground EM survey has the potential to identify new targets within a sparsely tested footwall environment, we're looking forward to announcing additional drilling result and a maiden Mineral Resource estimate for the combined deposits in 2023."
The Company is also pleased to announce the completion of a 6.5 line kilometre, ground electromagnetic (EM) survey covering a large portion of the property. This survey represents the first ground EM survey to date completed on the property. The objectives of the survey are to test the contact of Sudbury Igneous Complex (SIC) west of the ongoing Phase 1 and 2 drilling as well as to evaluate the potential of the related footwall to host economic sulphide mineralization similar to what is observed at other Sudbury mines.
Furthermore, we are pleased to announce that SPC Nickel has received an Ontario Junior Exploration Program (OJEP) grant from the Ontario Government to support our ongoing exploration efforts.
Through the OJEP program, SPC Nickel has been selected to receive up to $200,000 to cover 50% of eligible explorations costs on the project, aimed at facilitating the exploration of Critical Minerals within Ontario. The receipt of grant funding represents a meaningful milestone, leveraging government support towards advancing the exploration of this high-quality magmatic nickel project.
For detailed sections across the West Graham Property, please visit the website at https://spcnickel.com/projects/lockerby-east/ or click on the following link West Graham Sections.
Table 1: Reported assay results from the Phase 2 drill program on the West Graham Project. Assays from all holes not listed in Table 1 are pending.
| HOLE ID | From | To | Length | Ni | Cu | Co | Pt | Pd | Au | Ag | Estimated True Width % |
| WG-23-046 | 381.55 | 402.35 | 20.80 | 0.46 | 0.58 | 0.01 | 0.32 | 0.04 | 0.14 | 4.03 | 65 |
| including | 381.55 | 387.30 | 5.75 | 0.51 | 0.59 | 0.01 | 0.76 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 3.79 | 65 |
| Including | 395.30 | 402.35 | 7.05 | 0.89 | 1.09 | 0.02 | 0.29 | 0.06 | 0.35 | 7.63 | 65 |
| WG-23-047 | 221.00 | 271.00 | 50.00 | 0.70 | 0.32 | 0.02 | 0.14 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 1.57 | 80 |
| including | 245.00 | 263.00 | 18.00 | 1.27 | 0.47 | 0.04 | 0.20 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 2.16 | 80 |
| WG-23-048 | 196.00 | 229.10 | 33.10 | 0.54 | 0.38 | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 1.98 | 85 |
| including | 216.00 | 230.00 | 14.00 | 0.76 | 0.60 | 0.02 | 0.14 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 3.03 | 85 |
| WG-23-049 | 271.00 | 302.00 | 31.00 | 0.46 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 1.78 | 70 |
| including | 289.00 | 299.00 | 10.00 | 0.69 | 0.47 | 0.02 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 2.10 | 70 |
| WG-23-050 | 118.00 | 143.00 | 25.00 | 0.53 | 0.34 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.82 | 85 |
| including | 130.00 | 141.00 | 11.00 | 0.76 | 0.48 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.56 | 85 |
| WG-23-051 | 86.00 | 111.05 | 25.05 | 0.28 | 0.23 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.11 | 100 |
| WG-23-052 | 174.00 | 228.00 | 54.00 | 0.55 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.45 | 60 |
| including | 184.60 | 208.00 | 23.40 | 0.78 | 0.35 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.63 | 60 |
| including | 202.50 | 206.15 | 3.65 | 1.24 | 0.21 | 0.04 | 0.11 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.92 | 60 |
| WG-23-053 | 256.00 | 259.85 | 3.85 | 0.41 | 0.35 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 2.09 | 90 |
| and | 276.75 | 281.00 | 4.25 | 0.49 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.62 | 90 |
| and | 294.00 | 299.00 | 5.00 | 0.52 | 0.35 | 0.01 | 0.30 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 2.10 | 90 |
| WG-23-054 | 339.00 | 384.15 | 45.15 | 0.38 | 0.28 | 0.01 | 0.18 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 1.74 | 85 |
| including | 348.70 | 369.00 | 20.30 | 0.55 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 2.30 | 85 |
| WG-23-055 | 335.00 | 354.30 | 19.30 | 0.36 | 0.22 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.00 | 75 |
| and | 382.5 | 394.00 | 11.50 | 0.35 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.19 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.92 | 75 |
| WG-23-056 | 455.00 | 480.75 | 25.75 | 0.47 | 0.36 | 0.02 | 0.15 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.01 | 65 |
| and | 485.35 | 492.00 | 6.65 | 0.56 | 0.46 | 0.02 | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.06 | 2.49 | 65 |
| WG-23-057 | 409.00 | 428.00 | 19.00 | 0.41 | 0.33 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 1.67 | 95 |
| and | 447.00 | 462.00 | 15.00 | 0.39 | 0.28 | 0.01 | 0.34 | 0.07 | 0.06 | 0.63 | 95 |
| and | 467.00 | 468.05 | 1.05 | 1.47 | 0.17 | 0.04 | 0.46 | 0.58 | 0.09 | 0.70 | 95 |
| WG-23-058 | 327.00 | 358.00 | 31.00 | 0.52 | 0.37 | 0.02 | 0.16 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 2.11 | 90 |
| Notes: |
| 1. Length refers to downhole length. Estimated True Width is expressed as a percentage of downhole length. Bold intervals are based on a Ni wt.% grade thickness greater than 15. |
Previously Reported Results
Table 2: Previously reported assay results from the Phase 1 drill program on the West Graham Project.
| Hole ID | From | To (m) | Length | Ni | Cu | Co | Pt | Pd | Au | Ag | Estimated Width % |
| WG-23-019 | 64.00 | 93.00 | 29.00 | 0.39 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.36 | 70 |
| WG-23-020 | 47.00 | 91.00 | 44.00 | 0.53 | 0.27 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.41 | 100 |
| including | 75.00 | 83.00 | 7.00 | 0.75 | 0.39 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.86 | 100 |
| including | 87.00 | 91.00 | 4.00 | 1.03 | 0.62 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 2.85 | 100 |
| WG-23-021 | 41.00 | 72.00 | 31.00 | 0.46 | 0.29 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.50 | 90 |
| including | 42.00 | 46.00 | 4.00 | 0.63 | 0.46 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.40 | 90 |
| including | 58.00 | 63.00 | 5.00 | 0.66 | 0.30 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 1.50 | 90 |
| WG-23-022 | 61.00 | 81.00 | 20.00 | 0.51 | 0.26 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 1.12 | 100 |
| including | 76.00 | 80.00 | 4.00 | 0.85 | 0.46 | 0.03 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.80 | 100 |
| WG-23-023 | 45.00 | 83.00 | 38.00 | 0.47 | 0.28 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.45 | 90 |
| including | 71.00 | 82.00 | 11.00 | 0.71 | 0.41 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 2.09 | 90 |
| WG-23-024 | 29.00 | 48.00 | 19.00 | 0.46 | 0.25 | 0.02 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 1.21 | 100 |
| and | 56.00 | 61.00 | 5.00 | 0.93 | 0.50 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 4.18 | 100 |
| WG-23-025 | 20.00 | 67.00 | 47.00 | 0.56 | 0.30 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.85 | 90 |
| including | 42.00 | 65.00 | 23.00 | 0.72 | 0.42 | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 2.73 | 90 |
| WG-23-026 | 106.00 | 186.90 | 80.90 | 0.49 | 0.25 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.29 | 35 |
| including | 167.00 | 186.90 | 19.90 | 1.19 | 0.37 | 0.04 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.29 | 35 |
| including | 170.00 | 177.90 | 7.90 | 2.48 | 0.64 | 0.08 | 0.15 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.82 | 35 |
| WG-23-027 | 68.00 | 120.50 | 52.50 | 0.43 | 0.27 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.49 | 85 |
| including | 96.65 | 120.50 | 23.85 | 0.57 | 0.33 | 0.02 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.79 | 85 |
| including | 111.00 | 120.50 | 9.50 | 0.83 | 0.37 | 0.02 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 2.16 | 85 |
| WG-23-028 | 79.00 | 275.85 | 196.85 | 0.32 | 0.19 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 1.07 | 30 |
| including | 89.00 | 110.00 | 21.00 | 0.72 | 0.18 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.75 | 30 |
| including | 93.60 | 95.00 | 1.40 | 3.73 | 0.27 | 0.17 | 0.06 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 1.26 | 30 |
| WG-23-029 | 84.00 | 107.00 | 23.00 | 0.37 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.39 | 50 |
| WG-23-030 | 20.00 | 52.00 | 32.00 | 0.60 | 0.36 | 0.02 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 2.02 | 45 |
| including | 39.00 | 46.00 | 7.00 | 0.98 | 0.54 | 0.03 | 0.15 | 0.38 | 0.04 | 3.00 | 45 |
| WG-23-031 | 3.00 | 9.65 | 6.65 | 0.37 | 0.22 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 1.08 | 95 |
| WG-23-032 | 34.50 | 42.50 | 8.00 | 0.49 | 0.38 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 2.00 | 85 |
| WG-23-033 | 38.00 | 52.00 | 14.00 | 0.35 | 0.24 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.29 | 80 |
| WG-23-034 | 59.00 | 90.00 | 31.00 | 0.27 | 0.19 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 1.26 | 50 |
| including | 96.00 | 97.65 | 1.65 | 0.67 | 0.34 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 2.29 | 50 |
| WG-23-035 | 43.00 | 51.00 | 8.00 | 0.26 | 0.21 | 0.01 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.25 | 80 |
| WG-23-036 | 97.00 | 102.00 | 5.00 | 0.39 | 0.23 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 1.54 | 45 |
| WG-23-037 | 147.00 | 188.65 | 41.65 | 0.50 | 0.34 | 0.02 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.64 | 50 |
| including | 174.00 | 188.65 | 14.65 | 0.81 | 0.51 | 0.02 | 0.14 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 2.61 | 50 |
| including | 174.00 | 179.00 | 5.00 | 1.21 | 0.69 | 0.04 | 0.14 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 3.32 | 50 |
| WG-23-038 | 130.00 | 140.00 | 10.00 | 0.43 | 0.25 | 0.01 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 0.21 | 1.31 | 75 |
| WG-23-039 | 191.50 | 241.00 | 49.50 | 0.36 | 0.28 | 0.01 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.49 | 40 |
| including | 224.00 | 241.00 | 17.00 | 0.43 | 0.49 | 0.01 | 0.08 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.58 | 40 |
| WG-23-040 | 169.00 | 209.00 | 40.00 | 0.46 | 0.32 | 0.01 | 0.07 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.90 | 60 |
| WG-23-041 | 237.00 | 276.00 | 39.00 | 0.43 | 0.36 | 0.01 | 0.17 | 0.03 | 0.06 | 2.04 | 55 |
| including | 243.00 | 250.00 | 7.00 | 0.60 | 0.49 | 0.02 | 0.10 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.13 | 55 |
| including | 262.82 | 275.00 | 12.20 | 0.60 | 0.54 | 0.02 | 0.36 | 0.05 | 0.11 | 3.46 | 55 |
| WG-23-042 | 256.00 | 306.00 | 50.00 | 1.06 | 0.34 | 0.03 | 0.15 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 1.71 | 75 |
| including | 286.00 | 306.00 | 20.00 | 1.71 | 0.46 | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 2.61 | 75 |
| including | 286.90 | 291.70 | 4.80 | 3.15 | 0.21 | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.02 | 0.95 | 75 |
| and | 331.00 | 331.40 | 0.40 | 6.23 | 0.30 | 0.14 | 0.10 | 0.12 | 0.03 | 2.60 | 75 |
| and | 336.90 | 337.20 | 0.30 | 7.07 | 0.09 | 0.15 | 0.04 | 0.07 | 0.01 | 2.50 | 75 |
| WG-23-043 | 212.00 | 280.00 | 68.00 | 0.46 | 0.36 | 0.01 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.90 | 60 |
| including | 246.00 | 280.00 | 34.00 | 0.64 | 0.50 | 0.02 | 0.12 | 0.03 | 0.04 | 2.64 | 60 |
| including | 266.00 | 275.00 | 9.00 | 0.94 | 0.68 | 0.02 | 0.19 | 0.05 | 0.06 | 3.83 | 60 |
| including | 277.50 | 280.00 | 2.50 | 0.96 | 1.02 | 0.02 | 0.05 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 4.58 | 60 |
| and | 304.10 | 304.60 | 0.50 | 6.09 | 0.07 | 0.12 | 0.81 | 0.30 | 0.03 | 2.50 | 60 |
| WG-23-044 | 362.35 | 375.40 | 13.05 | 0.74 | 0.81 | 0.02 | 0.22 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 4.84 | 45 |
| including | 369.25 | 375.40 | 6.15 | 0.96 | 1.33 | 0.03 | 0.26 | 0.08 | 0.18 | 8.04 | 45 |
| WG-23-045 | 286.00 | 296.00 | 10.00 | 0.33 | 0.24 | 0.01 | 0.12 | 0.02 | 0.03 | 1.33 | 60 |
| and | 302.05 | 304.00 | 1.95 | 0.54 | 0.75 | 0.02 | 0.21 | 0.05 | 0.11 | 4.93 | 60 |
| and | 307.55 | 308.55 | 1.00 | 0.81 | 1.12 | 0.02 | 0.31 | 0.09 | 0.37 | 8.50 | 60 |
| Notes: |
| 1. Length refers to downhole length. Estimated True Width is expressed as a percentage of downhole length. Bold intervals are based on a Ni wt.% grade thickness greater than 15. |
On January 23, 2023, SPC Nickel announced the signing of an Agreement with Vale Canada ("Vale") granting SPC Nickel the right to earn an 100% interest in Vale's Crean Hill 3 Property that is located adjacent to SPC Nickel's West Graham Property (see Figure 2 for property location and SPC Nickel's January 23, 2023 press release for full details of the Agreement).
- As an advanced project, the combination of the West Graham and Crean Hill 3 assets is a transformational opportunity for SPC Nickel. The historical mineral resources on these properties form one contiguous near-surface deposit and consists of the following:
- Crean Hill 3 hosts a historic mineral estimate of 16.78Mt @ 0.43% Ni and 0.30% Cu1.
- West Graham hosts a historic indicated mineral resource of 8.55Mt @ 0.45% Ni, 0.31% Cu along with an inferred mineral resource of 2.0Mt @ 0.38% Ni, 0.30% Cu2.
SPC Nickel considers the West Graham and Crean Hill 3 resource estimates to be historical mineral estimates for purposes of NI 43-101. Neither the Company nor a qualified person on behalf of SPC Nickel have done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates as current mineral resources and SPC Nickel is not treating such historical estimates as current mineral resources. SPC Nickel considers the historic mineral estimates to be relevant to an understanding of the Project but has not done any work to validate the estimates.
| Reference | |
| 1. | Van Wiechen, A.G (1990): December 31, 1989 Mineral Resource Inventory table in: The Exploration Potential for Sulphide Mineralization in the Crean Hill - Ellen - Crean Hill No.3 Environment, Internal Inco Report, December 13, 1990. |
| 2. | Routledge, Richard and Churchill, Bruce (2009): Technical Report on the West Graham Property Conwest Zone Resource Estimate, Graham Township, Ontario, Canada prepared for First Nickel Inc., January 15, 2009. Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates . |
The technical elements of this news release have been approved by Mr. Grant Mourre, P.Geo. (PGO), CEO and President of SPC Nickel Corp. and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.
SPC Nickel follows rigorous sampling and analytical protocols that meet or exceed industry standards. Core samples are stored in a secured area until transport in batches to the ALS facility in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Sample batches include certified reference materials, blank, and duplicate samples that are then processed under the control of ALS. All samples were analyzed in Vancouver by ALS Chemex. Platinum, palladium, and gold values were determined together using standard lead oxide collection fire assay and ICP-AES finish. Base metal values were determined using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES finish. Silver values were determined using an aqua regia digestion and an AAS finish. A Certified Reference Material (CRM) standard, blank or duplicate is inserted on every 10th sample in the following order: CRM, blank, CRM, duplicate. The cycle repeats every 40 samples, thus ensuring that 10% of samples submitted are control samples.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SPC Nickel Corp. is a Canadian public corporation focused on exploring for Ni-Cu-PGMs within the world class Sudbury Mining Camp. SPC Nickel is currently exploring its key 100% owned exploration project Lockerby East located in the heart of the historic Sudbury Mining Camp that includes the West Graham Resource and the Crean Hill 3 property under option from Vale. SPC Nickel also holds three additional projects across Canada including the large camp-scale Muskox Project (located in Nunavut), the past producing Aer-Kidd Project (located in the Sudbury Mining Camp) and the Janes Project (located 50 km northwest of Sudbury). The corporate focus is on Sudbury, and SPC Nickel continues to look for new opportunities to add shareholder value. Additional information regarding SPC Nickel and its projects can be found at www.spcnickel.com.
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates", "intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of SPC Nickel. Investors are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required by applicable securities statutes or regulation, SPC Nickel expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
SOURCE SPC Nickel Corp.
Contact
Further information is available at www.spcnickel.com by contacting: Grant Mourre, Chief Executive Officer, SPC Nickel Corp., Tel: (705) 669-1777, Email: info@spcnickel.com