Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. Reports Additional Assay Results at Its 100% Owned Selebi Mine in Botswana: 6.40 metres of 0.52% NI, 2.63% CU, 1.51% NIEQ
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd. Reports
Additional Assay Results at Its 100% Owned
Selebi Mine in Botswana: 6.40 metres of 0.52%
NI, 2.63% CU, 1.51% NIEQ
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - September 13, 2022) -
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.
(TSXV:
PNRL)
(formerly, North American Nickel Inc.) ("PNRL" or the "Company")
is pleased to report
additional assay results from the Company's 2022 diamond drilling program at its 100% owned Selebi
nickel-copper-cobalt ("
Ni-Cu-Co
") sulphide Mine in Botswana.
The Company's 2022 diamond drilling program commenced March 14, 2022, with approximately 8,958
metres of drilling completed as of September 5, 2022. Assay results have been received for an
additional two drillholes, SMD-22-001-W1 and SMD-22-002 and are reported herein.
Initial drill hole SMD-22-001 was prioritized to test an off-hole borehole electromagnetic ("
BHEM
") target
from historical hole sd140 identified by PNRL during the compilation and verification of historic data in
2021. This initial hole was previously released and intersected two intervals of amphibolite hosted Ni-Cu
sulphide mineralization (see news release dated August 17, 2022). SMD-22-001-W1 is a wedge hole
that intersected two intervals of mineralization located 85 metres from SMD-22-001 in the direction of
historic hole sd119. Hole SMD-22-002 pierced mineralized amphibolite 110 metres down-dip of sd119
and is interpreted to be located west of the fold structure that contains thick intervals of massive
sulphides (figure 1).
SMD-22-001-W1 intersected two intervals of amphibolite hosted Ni-Cu sulphides. This new hole has
returned potentially significant results including:
SMD-22-001-W1 (upper interval):
4.35 metres of 0.98% Ni, 1.61% Cu, 0.02% Co and 4.69 g/t
Ag
(1.59% NiEq)
SMD-22-001-W1 (lower interval):
12.55 metres of 0.39% Ni, 1.99% Cu, 0.02% Co and 5.42 g/t
Ag
(1.14% NiEq)
Including
6.40 metres of 0.52% Ni, 2.63% Cu, 0.03% Co & 7.49 g/t Ag (1.51% NiEq)
Keith Morrison, CEO, commented:
"A SAMREC compliant resource was calculated for the Selebi
Mine in 2016 that included Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources of 7.19 Mt of 1.05 % Ni and 2.28
% Cu and Inferred Mineral Resourced of 4.09 Mt of 0.86% Ni and 1.21 % Cu (see
"Technical Report")
.
Due to the location of drilling completed by the previous operator at that time, the volume contained in
this SAMREC resource is located at shallower depths than the main controlling structure of the
mineralization. PNRL is using a combination of BHEM and structural data to accurately locate this
structure and drill additional associated massive sulphide mineralization. The purpose of this additional
drilling is to extend future PEA resource calculations to include these mineralized volumes that were not
included in the SAMREC resource estimate."
This news release summarizes the results from drill hole SMD-22-001-W1, which was wedged from
SMD-22-001 at 453.55 and drilled to 1467.95m, as well as SMD-22-002 which was drilled from surface
to a down hole depth of 1,467.95 metres. A summary of assays and drill collar information are provided
in Tables 1 and 2, respectively. An inclined long section and drill plan map are provided in Figures 1 and
2, respectively.
Figures may be viewed using the link provided with this news release.
Further details of drilling completed at the Selebi deposit are outlined below.
SMD-22-001-W1 targeted the area midway between SMD-22-001 and sd119 (figure 2). Two extended
intervals of amphibolite with localized Ni-Cu sulphide mineralization and large sections of barren
amphibolite were encountered; the two intervals are separated by a 0.8 metre interval of weakly
mineralized quartzo feldpathic gneiss.
The sulphide mineralization in the upper amphibolite unit (from 1344.05 to 1387.65 metres) consists of
textures ranging from disseminated, to coarse blebby and local semi-massive to massive sulphide
stringers hosted in a coarse grained massive amphibolite that returned 0.37% Ni, 0.58% Cu, 0.01% Co
and 2.95 g/t silver ("Ag") over 6.95 metres from 1,344.05 to 1,351.00 metres. Lower down, from 1363.0
to 1367.35 metres, the mineralized amphibolite host returned values of 0.98% Ni and 1.61% Cu, 0.02%
Co, 4.69 g/t Ag over 4.35 metres.
The lower mineralized amphibolite unit (from 1,388.40 to 1,403.50 metres) contains primarily
disseminations and blebby sulphides with localized intervals of chalcopyrite-rich stringers to semi-
massive sulphides that returned 0.39% Ni, 1.99% Cu, 0.02% Co and 5.42 g/t Ag over 12.55 metres from
1,385.65 to 1,398.20 metres. This interval included a more strongly mineralized portion over 6.40 metres
that returned values of 0.52% Ni, 2.63% Cu, 0.03% Co, 7.49 g/t Ag from 1391.00 to 1397.40 metres.
BHEM results show that a strong conductor, dipping westward and plunging to the northwest, was
intersected. The center of the conductor is located up-dip and north of SMD-22-001-W1.
Drill hole SMD-22-002 intersected a single short interval of mineralized amphibolite. Sulphide textures
are primarily disseminations with chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite rich stringers that returned grades of 0.55%
Ni, 0.22% Cu, 0.02% Co over 2.90 metres from 1,374.80 to 1,397.40 metres. BHEM results indicate
that hole passed 15 metres below a strong conductor plunging to the northwest. This supports the
geological interpretation that this hole is interpreted to have intercepted immediately west of the primary
fold nose that contains thicker intervals of massive sulphides. (See Table 1). True thickness is expected
to be 70 to 80% of drill length intervals.
Table 1: Assay Results Selebi Deposit (Selebi Mine)
Hole-ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
Cu
(%)
Ni
(%)
Co
(%)
S
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
NiEq
(1)
(%)
SMD-22-
001-W1
1,344.05
1,351.00
6.95
0.58
0.37
0.01
3.86
2.95
0.59
SMD-22-
001-W1
1,363.00
1,367.35
4.35
1.61
0.98
0.02
12.6
4.69
1.59
SMD-22-
001-W1
1,385.65
1,398.20
12.55
1.99
0.39
0.02
5.92
5.42
1.14
including
1,391.00
1,397.40
6.40
2.63
0.52
0.03
7.87
7.49
1.51
SMD-22-
002
1,374.80
1,377.70
2.90
0.22
0.55
0.02
4.54
1.39
0.62
Note:
(1)
Nickel equivalent (NiEq) calculation based on London Metal Exchange prices as at August 29,
2022, being (i) nickel (US$21,633.00 per metric ton), (ii) copper (US$8,160.50 per metric ton)
To date, an additional two drill holes have reached target depth and tested the various modeled BHEM
conductors. Assays are expected in the coming weeks. Table 2 below shows the hole coordinates and
depths of each hole. The coordinate system is WGS84 UTM Zone 35 South.
Table 2: Drill Collar Information Selebi Deposit (Selebi Mine)
HOLE ID
UTM
EAST
UTM
NORTH
Elevation
Azimuth
Dip
Hole
Length
Drilled
Meters
Comment
SMD-22-
001
582889.3
7562998.8
903.6
107.8
-78.4
1,498.37
1,498.37
completed
SMD-22-
001-W1
582889.3
7562998.8
903.6
107.8
-78.4
1,467.95
1,015.40
wedge at
453.55m,
completed
SMD-22-
002
582854.5
7562848.3
904.2
107.0
-79.2
1,458.95
1,458.95
completed
SMD-22-
003
582745.0
7562843.0
905.0
108.0
-78.5
54.84
54.84
hole
abandoned,
excessive
deviation
SMD-22-
004
582749.1
7562843.3
905.0
108.2
-78.5
427.07
427.07
on hold
SND-22-
005
584710.0
7564991.3
895.0
297.9
-72.5
353.47
353.47
Hole halted
at 353.47
due to
excessive
deviation
from plan.
SND-22-
005a
584710.0
7564991.3
895.0
297.9
-72.5
517.07
209.16
Wedged
from 005 at
307.91m
SND-22-
005b
584710.0
7564991.3
895.0
297.9
-72.5
909.67
469.80
Wedged
from 005a
at 439.87m
SND-22-
005c
584710.0
7564991.3
895.0
297.9
-72.5
957.97
108.90
in progress
SMD-22-
006
582754.0
7563543.0
903.0
108.4
-78.3
18.21
18.21
Abandoned
in casing
SMD-22-
006a
582754.0
7563543.0
903.0
108.4
-78.3
1,656.95
1,656.95
Re-start of
SMD-006,
hole
completed
SMD-22-
006a-W1
582754.0
7563543.0
903.0
108.4
-78.3
840.95
72.19
wedge at
840.95,
hole in
progress
SMD-22-
007
582801.0
7563267.0
897.0
108.2
-76.9
21.94
21.94
Hole
abandoned
in casing
SMD-22-
007a
582801.0
7563267.0
897.0
108.2
-76.9
1,592.84
1,592.84
hole
completed
TOTAL
8,958.09
Sept. 5,
2022
Simultaneous to ongoing drilling, PNRL will continue to improve the database with the collection of
additional data from the drilling, BHEM and gyro programs as it becomes available. In addition to the
two diamonds drill rigs currently drilling new holes for PNRL, there have been up to three diamond drill
rigs designated to cleaning out historic holes in preparation for the collection of gyro and BHEM data. To
date, televiewer and physical property logging has been collected in five holes. Work is continuing on the
creation of a 3D geological and structural model utilizing oriented core measurements from new holes
and relogging of historic holes.
BHEM surveys are ongoing in both of the new and historic holes, results of these ongoing surveys
continue to highlight the area at the down-dip western extent of the mineralized horizon. Structurally, the
western extent of mineralization correlates with an interpreted fold nose with associated thickening of the
mineralized amphibolite. Drilling continues to explore this structure both down dip and down-plunge.
PNRL's engineering team, with the support of G-Mining Services and third parties, has completed its
assessment, review and planning of required work to support the upcoming surface and underground
drilling program at the Selebi North and Selebi deposits.
Since August 1, 2022, PNRL's care and maintenance ("C&M") team has taken responsibility from the
Liquidator for the care and maintenance of the Selebi mine surface and underground infrastructure. The
C&M team has also been supporting the engineering team in its planning and execution of underground
work required to support underground drilling.
The Selebi Mine includes two shafts and related infrastructure (rail, power and water).
The Selebi
deposit is serviced by a 6.1 metre diameter shaft commissioned in 1980 which is concrete lined along
the entire 340 metre length and an access ramp from surface. The Selebi shaft is equipped with a
double drum production hoist, a double drum services hoist, two 6 tonne skip and a 70-person cage with
a daily capacity of 3,600 tonnes per day. The infrastructure also includes two inclined shafts down to 900
metres, a hoist room and winder, headframe, surface structures and two overhead power lines.
The Selebi North deposit is serviced by a 3.5 metre diameter shaft commissioned later in 1990 and has
an access ramp from the surface. The Selebi North shaft is equipped with a Koepe hoist with a two cage
6 tonne skip. The cage has a four person capacity. The shaft limitation implies that it is mainly used for
ore skipping with a daily capacity of 1,500 tonnes per day. The Selebi North shaft runs a length of 730
metres and is supported by an additional decline down to 1000 metres. This shaft is also supported by
hoist room and winder, headframe, surface structures and overhead power lines.
The two shafts are fully functional, and the care and maintenance of the remaining infrastructure is
ongoing. The Company estimates that the replacement cost of the current infrastructure at the Selebi
Mine would be approximately US$400 million.
Quality Control
The drilling was completed by Mitchell Drilling of Botswana utilizing a Sandvik UDR1500 and a Boart
Longyear LF-160 diamond drill rig. Drill core samples (47.75mm NQ) 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 and lab analysis was
completed at the ALS Chemex in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Commercially prepared Blank samples
and certified Cu/Ni sulphide analytical control standards with a range of grades are inserted in every
batch of 20 samples or a minimum of one set per sample batch.
Analyses for Ni, Cu, Co and S are
completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and ICP-AES finish (ME-ICP81). Ag analyses are
completed using a four acid digestion with ICP-AES Finish (ME-ICP61).
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Sharon
Taylor, Chief Geophysicist of the Company, who is a "qualified person" for the purposes of National
Instrument 43-101 -
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects
("
NI 43-101
").
Technical Report
Scientific and technical information relating to the Selebi Mine is supported by the technical report titled
"Technical Report on the Selebi Mines, Central District, Republic of Botswana, Report for NI 43-101"
,
dated June 16, 2022 (effective date of March 1, 2022) (the "
Selebi Technical Report
"), and prepared
by SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd. for PNRL. Reference should be made to the full text of the Selebi
Technical Report, including to review the assumptions, limitations and data verification relating to the
historic data compilation presented in this news release, which was prepared in accordance with NI 43-
101 and is available electronically on SEDAR (
www.sedar.com
) under PNRL's issuer profile.
Historical Estimate
The historical SAMREC compliant resource (the "Historic SAMREC Resource") that was calculated for
the Selebi Mine in 2016 is considered to be historical in nature and should not be
relied upon as a
current mineral resource estimate. While management believes that the Historic SAMREC Resource
could be indicative of the presence of mineralization on the Selebi deposit, a qualified
person has not
completed sufficient work to classify the historical mineral estimate as a current mineral
resource
estimate and PNRL is not treating the historical mineral estimates as current mineral resource
estimate.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Keith Morrison
Chief Executive Officer
Premium Nickel Resources Ltd.
For further information about Premium Nickel Resources Ltd., please contact:
Jaclyn Ruptash
Vice President Business Development
+1 (604) 770-4334
Toll-Free: 1-833-770-4334
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Certain statements contained in this news release may be considered "forward-looking statements"
within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, including the timing and ability of the
Company to report additional assay results; the ability of exploration results (including drilling) to
accurately predict mineralization; the significance of exploration (including drilling) results; the
objectives of the first phase; the ability of the Company to transition to underground resource drilling
at Selebi North and Selebi; the ability of assay results to indicate mine horizons and mineralization, at
all, including beyond the limits of legacy production; management's interpretation of BHEM data; the
ability of the Company to use exploration drifts for underground drilling to optimize drilling and the
time and cost to develop a PEA compliant resource; the timing and ability of the Company (if at all) to
commence underground drilling at Selebi North; the timing and ability (if at all) of the Company
prepare an inferred mineral resource on Selebi North in accordance with NI 43-101; the ability of the
Company to compile and verify historic data; the potential for establishing a mineral resource
estimate on the Selebi deposit at depth; the Selebi North mineralization remaining open at depth and
having a potential for a mineral resource estimate; and the business and prospects of the Company.
These forward-looking statements, by their nature, require the Company to make certain assumptions
and necessarily involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of performance. Words such as "may", "will", "would", "could", "expect",
"believe", "plan", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "continue", or the negative or comparable
terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and the conditional, are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Information contained in forward-looking statements are based upon
certain material assumptions that were applied in drawing a conclusion or making a forecast or
projection, including management's perception of geology and mineralization; perceptions of
historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, current information available
to the management of the Company, public disclosure from operators of the relevant mines, as well
as other considerations that are believed to be appropriate in the circumstances. The Company
considers its assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, but cautions the
reader that their assumptions regarding future events, many of which are beyond the control of the
Company, may ultimately prove to be incorrect since they are subject to risks and uncertainties that
affect the Company and its businesses.
For additional information with respect to these and other factors and assumptions underlying the
forward-looking statements made in this news release concerning the Company, see the section
entitled "Risks and Uncertainties" in the most recent management discussion and analysis of the
Company, which is filed with the Canadian securities commissions and available electronically under
the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR (
www.sedar.com
) and the risk factors outlined in the filing
statement of the Company dated July 22, 2022, which are available electronically on SEDAR
(
www.sedar.com
) under the PNRL's issuer profile. The forward-looking statements set forth herein
concerning the Company reflect management's expectations as at the date of this news release and
are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or
revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise, other than as required by law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy
or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other
regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Figure 1. Selebi Drill Results: Inclined Long Section
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7759/136917_5e13d14104c60ad8_002full.jpg
Figure 2. Drill Hole SMD-22-001-W1 and SMD-22-002 Location Map
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7759/136917_5e13d14104c60ad8_003full.jpg
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/136917