Subsequent to the previous exploration update announcing commencement of the 2015 Maniitsoq exploration program (see press release June 29, 2015), the Company provides the following project updates: (see figure 1)
- An airborne Versatile Time Domain Electromagnetic (VTEM) survey comprising 6,700 line km of magnetic and electromagnetic (EM) data acquisition has been completed and has identified approximately sixty (60) additional targets for further analysis and potential ground follow-up.
- A 6,000m drilling program is 35% complete with first assays expected in mid-August.
- A surface gravity survey centered on the P-013 target area has been completed and preliminary data has outlined several gravity anomalies which are coincident with magnetic highs, some of which could represent magnetic mafic to ultramafic intrusions.
- Surface time domain electromagnetic surveys (TDEM) are currently in progress and approximately 45% complete. Two additional drill targets have been generated including one at the mineralized P-013 area and one at P-012 regional exploration target.
- Tasking of DigitalGlobe’s Worldview-3 satellite has been initiated to acquire multispectral and high spatial resolution data across the project area.
- The field component of a structural mapping program has been completed and is helping to define potential controls on nickel sulphide mineralization.
- Field checking of VTEM anomalies and ltihogeochemical sampling of mafic-ultramafic intrusions across the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB) is in progress with three helicopter supported geological field crews.
The Company’s large multi-component exploration program is well underway with field activities focussed on identifying and drill testing new regional drilling targets as well as following up existing nickel with holes completed at Imiak Hill, Fossilik, P-013 and the P-053 target areas. Initial shipments of drill core samples left the project site on July 11th and receipt of initial assay results are expected in mid-August.
The 2015 VTEM survey has completed coverage over the GNB and selected other target areas on the Maniitsoq property as shown in Figure 1. Preliminary analysis of the data has outlined approximately 60 anomalies of interest which are being modeled and prioritized for field follow-up and potential drill testing. A high priority EM anomaly with an associated magnetic anomaly has been identified at the Takisoq West nickel-copper showing where historic drilling and surface sampling identified norite and paragneisses with elevated nickel and copper values. Geological crews are field checking both new and existing VTEM anomalies in order to prioritize them for drill testing.
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Timeline
North American Nickel Maniitsoq Project Update June 2015
Helicopter surveying used at North American Nickel August 2014
NAN – Location of 2015 geophysical work and selected exploration targets
NAN – Gravity and aeromagnetic data from the P-013 target area: the map on the left shows the 2015 bouger gravity results and the map on the right presents the total magnetic intensity (reduced to pole) for the same area. Note the close correlation between the gravity and magnetic highs, particularly in the central part of the area.