First Atlantic Nickel Announces Expanded 4-Kilometer Strike Length at RPM Zone from DTR Surface Sampling at Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador
First Atlantic Nickel Announces Expanded 4-Kilometer Strike Length at RPM Zone from
DTR Surface Sampling at Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project
Grand Falls-Windsor, Newfoundland and Labrador – October 21, 2025 – Globe Newswire –
First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSX -V: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) ("First Atlantic" or the
"Company") is pleased to report that recent Davis Tube Recovery ( DTR) surface sampling and
geological mapping has successfully expanded the RPM Zone target area to a continuous 4-kilometer
strike length within the 30-kilometer nickel trend at its Pipestone XL Nickel Alloy Project in central
Newfoundland. The new results extend the known mineralization footprint approximately 2 kilometers
north of the previously defined 2-kilometer drill -defined RPM Zone, where 800 meters of drilling has
already confirmed awaruite mineralization over a north-south strike length. This newly identified northern
extension, designated Exploration Priority 1 (See Figure 1) , demonstrates continuity of awaruite nickel
mineralization based on DTR surface sampling and detailed geological mapping.
The surface sampling program has returned consistent, positive magnetically recoverable DTR nickel
values over a larger area than previously outlined. DTR Surface sample results from the northern
extension (Figure 1 - Exploration Priority 1 Area) are comparable to those from the initial RPM discovery
area, where drill holes AN-24-05 and AN-25-06 returned an average DTR grade of 0.12% magnetically
recoverable nickel in drill core. Integration of surface sampling, improved geological mapping, and
Phase 2X drilling has refined the geological model and identified a westward-dipping body of awaruite
nickel mineralization. Based on this understanding, future drilling at the Pipestone XL Nickel Project will
target eastward to cross the true width of the mineralized zone. This approach will be applied across
the project including at the RPM Zone extension and the Super Gulp Zone (~10 kilometers north of the
RPM Zone discovery), where it will correct prior westward drilling that failed to optimally test the
westward-dipping awaruite structure.
HIGHLIGHTS:
● 4-Kilometer Strike Length Outlined at RPM Zone: Surface DTR sampling and geological
mapping have outlined continuous mineralization creating a 4 km target area at the RPM Zone
(RPM, RPM North, and RPM South). This target area combines the previously defined 2 km drill
target area with a 2 km north-south extension.
● Southern RPM Extension Discovered: Areas previously mapped southeast of the RPM Zone
as submarine mafic to felsic volcanics have now been confirmed as ultramafic peridotites. DTR
sampling from small islands outcropping in shallow water cover in Pipestone Pond returned
positive results, extending awaruite mineralization approximately ~1 km south of the RPM Zone.
● Westward-Dipping District Structure Defined: Phase 2X drilling and mapping have delineated
a westward-dipping ultramafic structure hosting awaruite nickel mineralization within
serpentinized peridotite. Future drilling will be oriented eastward to drill across the mineralized
body.
● Regional Deformation Zone Identified: Interpretation of a northeast-southwest trending
deformation structure beneath Pipestone Pond provides a new structural framework and opens
additional exploration opportunities for both north-south strike extensions and further expansion
westward of Pipestone Pond.
● Western Sampling Increases RPM Zone Target Width: Positive DTR results west of
Pipestone Pond expand the RPM Zone potential width to ~1.2 kilometers, significantly broader
than the 750-meter width currently defined in Section 2.
● DTR Surface Sampling Proves Effective: Surface sampling remains a reliable method for drill
targeting, with drill cores typically yielding DTR nickel grades multiple times higher than
weathered surface samples.
● Super Gulp: Company geologists have completed additional mapping and sampling at Super
Gulp (~10 kilometers north of the RPM Zone). Future eastward-oriented drilling is planned to
retest the target area.
● Phase 2X Assay & DTR Drill Results: Additional whole rock assay and DTR Results from
Phase 2X drill core are anticipated over the coming weeks.
For further information, questions, or investor inquiries, please contact Rob Guzman at First
Atlantic Nickel by phone at +1-844-592-6337 or via email at [email protected]
NORTHERN EXTENSION - INCREASES RPM ZONE STRIKE LENGTH TO 4 KILOMETERS
The Company's systematic DTR surface sampling program has successfully doubled the strike length
of the RPM Zone target area to approximately 4 kilometers. The existing, well -defined drill target area
spans ~2 kilometers north-south, where drilling has confirmed awaruite mineralization over 800 meters
to date. Recent DTR surface sampling and geological mapping have outlined an additional ~2 kilometers
of continuous mineralization further north, now designated as Exploration Priority 1 (See Figure 1), with
magnetically recoverable nickel grades comparable to those from the initial RPM Zone Discovery Area.
This creates a continuous 4-kilometer target zone along strike throughout the RPM Zone.
Figure 1: RPM Zone Area Map with Surface Sample DTR Nickel Results Outlining Larger Target
Areas.
SOUTHERN EXTENSION - NEW DISCOVERY IN PREVIOUSLY MISIDENTIFIED ROCK
UNITS
Surface sampling has identified a ~1-kilometer southern extension of the RPM Zone in areas that were
previously mapped as submarine mafic to felsic volcanics. Company geologists have now reclassified
these units as ultramafic peridotites hosting awaruite mineralization. The sampling program tested small
islands and outcrops in and around shallow water cover in Pipestone Pond, where positive DTR results,
comparable to those from the main RPM Zone, highlight the potential for additional mineralization. This
newly defined area has been designated as Exploration Priority 2 (See Figure 1).
EXPANSION POTENTIAL WEST OF PIPESTONE POND
Positive DTR results from peridotite outcrops west of Pipestone Pond have expanded the potential RPM
target width to approximately 1.2 kilometers, compared to the ~750-meters currently drill-defined on line
Section S2 (Holes AN -24-05 to AN -25-07) (See Figure 2) . Surface samples from this western area
returned positive magnetically recoverable nickel values comparable to surface results near hole AN -
24-05, which intersected 351 meters grading 0.12% magnetically recoverable nickel in drilling. These
results demonstrate the potential for westward expansion of the RPM Zone into areas beneath and west
of Pipestone Pond that have not yet been drill tested.
STRUCTURAL INTERPRETATION - WESTWARD-DIPPING STRUCTURE DEFINED
Phase 2X drilling has provided a major advancement in understanding the geometry of the ultramafic
body hosting awaruite mineralization. The data indicates that the harzburgite-dominant peridotite unit
dips steeply to the west, meaning that eastward-orientated drilling will be required to effectively test the
true width of the mineralized awaruite body. Previous drilling orientated westward, including the single
hole at Super Gulp, may have followed along mineralized layers or lower -grade halos rather than
intersecting them perpendicularly. This refined structural model will significantly improve the
effectiveness of future drilling, ensuring holes cross-cut the mineralized awaruite body.
Figure 2: RPM Zone Area Geology Map with Surface Sample DTR Nickel Results Outlining
Larger Target Areas.
REGIONAL DEFORMATION STRUCTURE UNDER PIPESTONE POND
Company geologists have interpreted a large regional deformation structure trending northeast-
southwest throughout the Pipestone Ophiolite Complex. This fault-controlled structure, which lies
beneath shallow water cover in Pipestone Pond, has incorporated small blocks or wedges of sediments
into contact with the larger ultramafic units through intense faulting. The deformation zone is positioned
beneath Pipestone Pond.
This structure represents a compelling opportunity for expansion, as fault structures within this zone
could develop areas of concentrated nickel mineralization due to increased fluid flow. This enhanced
fluid circulation promotes serpentinization, a criti cal process necessary for the formation of awaruite
nickel alloy. Positive DTR samples delineate the western shore of Pipestone Pond as a 1.8-kilometer-
long target area (See Figure 2). With the new interpretation of the westward-dipping structure, eastward-
oriented drill holes collared from the western shore of Pipestone Pond are expected to test both the
deformation zone and the underlying awaruite-enriched RPM structure, providing an opportunity to
significantly expand the interpreted width of the mineralized system.
Figure 3: Project Geologist Mike Piller collecting DTR surface samples at Pipestone XL Nickel
Alloy Project.
Figure 4: Surface sampling west of Pipestone Pond, where awaruite-bearing peridotite samples
returned positive DTR nickel values similar to the RPM Zone.
Table 1: Pipestone XL Project - RPM Zone Additional Phase 2X Drill Results Pending
Drill Hole Zone Section
From
meters
To
meters
Interval
meters
Magnetically
Recovered
(DTR)
Nickel %
Magnetic
Concentrate
Nickel
Grade (Ni %)
Mass
Pull (%)
Comment
AN 24 - 02 RPM S1 11.0 394.1 383.1 0.13 1.37 9.50 NR - March 12,
2025
AN 24 - 03 RPM S1 18.0 234.0 216.0 0.11 1.32 9.12 NR - April 15,
2025
AN 24 - 04 RPM S1 12.0 378.0 366.0 0.14 1.46 9.53 NR- June 24,
2025
AN 24 - 05 RPM S2 6.0 357.0 351.0 0.12 1.47 8.21 NR - July 9, 2025
AN 25 - 06 RPM S2 5.65 453 447.35 0.11 1.27 9.02 NR - August 12,
2025
AN 25 - 07 RPM S2 495.0 pending pending Awaruite - Visibly
Disseminated
AN 25 - 08 RPM S3 491.0 pending pending Awaruite - Visibly
Disseminated
AN 25 - 09 RPM S3 480.0 pending pending pending
AN 25 - 10 RPM S1 233.0 pending pending pending
AWARUITE - RARE & PURE NATURAL NICKEL-IRON-COBALT ALLOY MINERAL
The sulfur-free nature of awaruite (Ni3Fe), a naturally occurring nickel-iron-cobalt alloy already in metallic
form, eliminates the need for secondary processes such as smelting, roasting or acid leaching that are
typical of sulfide or laterite nickel ores. Unlike sulfides, which are not natural alloys, awaruite avoids the
challenge of sourcing smelter capacity - a bottleneck in North America's nickel supply chain. With an
average nickel grade of approximately 76%, awaruite significantly exceeds the ~25% 1 nickel grade
characteristic of pentlandite. Awaruite's strong magnetic properties enable concentration through
magnetic separation, as demonstrated by Davis Tube Recovery (DTR) testing at First Atlantic's RPM
Zone drill core.
Awaruite eliminates the electricity requirements, emissions, and environmental impacts associated with
conventional smelting, roasting or acid leaching processes of common nickel minerals. Moreover,
awaruite's sulfur-free composition removes the risks of acid mine drainage (AMD) and related permitting
challenges commonly posed by sulfide minerals 2. As noted by the United States Geological Survey
(USGS) in 2012: "The development of awaruite deposits in other parts of Canada may help alleviate
any prolonged shortage of nickel concentrate. Awaruite, a natural iron-nickel alloy, is much easier to
concentrate than pentlandite, the principal sulfide of nickel."
Figure 5: Quote from USGS on Awaruite Deposits in Canada
1 https://fpxnickel.com/projects-overview/what-is-awaruite/
2 https://d9-wret.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/assets/palladium/production/mineral-pubs/nickel/mcs-2012-nicke.pdf