Project 81: Exploration Update Crawford Ni-Co Sulphide Project - Canada Nickel Announces Maiden Resource
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
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Project 81: Exploration Update
Crawford Ni-Co Sulphide Project -
Canada Nickel Announces Maiden Resource
Toronto, Ontario – March 02,, 2020 - Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. (“Noble” or the "Company") (TSX-V:NOB,
FRANKFURT: NB7, OTC.PK:NLPXF) Noble is pleased to announce that Canada Nickel Company Inc. (“Canada Nickel”)
has issued a news release dated February 28, 2020, with a number of Resource and Drilling Highlights, including the
Maiden Resource Estimate and Current Drilling Results. Noble is pleased to reiterate the significance of these results
for a Ni-Co-PGE Sulphide Project, that sits on a major paved highway and within 12 km of an existing mine and milling
complex, in close proximity to rail, power and mining person nel in a mining friendly jurisdiction , with MOU with the first
Nation Communities within the area.
The Crawford Ni-Co-PGE Sulphide Project lies within -the Noble Project 81 area and is underlain by the Kidd-Munro
assemblage of the western Abitibi sub- province, which is one of the most ultramafic -rich volcanic successions and an
important example of a bimodal mafic to ultramafic volcanic associated succession, of any age in the world, which hosts
the giant Kidd Creek VMS deposit and now the Crawford Ni-Co-PGE Sulphide Deposit. Noble believes that Project 81
hosts a number of similar Ni-Co bodies similar to the Crawford deposit and the Kingsmill deposit.
The main Crawford Ni -Co Sulphide minerali zed body has only been tested over a strike length of 1.74km out of a
potential 8.0km anomaly. There are two (2) additional potentiall y mineralized bodies to the immediate east and to the
north of the main anomaly (Figure 1).
Resource & Drilling Highlights:
• Maiden resource with higher grade core of measured and indicated resource of approximately
263 million tonnes at 0.31% nickel, 0.013% cobalt, and 0.038 g/t Pd + Pt within an overall
measured and indicated resource of approximately 600 million t onnes at 0.25% nickel, and
0.013% cobalt, and an additional higher grade inferred resource of approximately 66 million
tonnes at 0.29% nickel and 0.013% cobalt within an overall inferred resource of approximately
310 million tonnes at 0.23% nickel and 0.013% cobalt.
• Based on metrics utilized by Wood Mackenzie and SNL, the Crawford Nickel -Cobalt Sulphide
Project already ranks as one of the largest 12 nickel sulphide resources globally according to
WoodMac (Table 2).
• All drill holes intersected multi-hundred metre mineralization with multiple intersection of 19 to 92
metres in excess of 0.40% nickel and 0.014% cobalt. Hole CR19-14A intersected 901 metres of
mineralization with 0.31% nickel and extended mineralization to a depth of 850 metres (well
below the current modelled resource bottom of 650 metres vertical).
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
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• Similar to other ultramafic hosted deposits where serpentinized waste rock and tailings have
demonstrated the ability to capture CO 2 which provides the potential for lower carbon footprint
operation.
• Significant potential to expand resources as drilling has only tested <20% of the overall Crawford
structure and maiden resource remains open in multiple directions.
o The westernmost hole, CR19- 22, continued with strong mineralization, highlighting
additional potential at the Main anomaly and striking northwestward.
Maiden Resource Estimate:
A total of 13,042 metres of c ore drilling in 24 drill holes was utilized to calculate the Mineral Resources in the
three categories as provided in Table 1 below, and specifically Measured + Indicated Resources of
approximately 600 million tonnes grading 0.25% Ni and Inferred Resources of approximately 310 million
tonnes grading 0.23% Ni. A cut-off grade of 0.15% Ni was used for the low-grade domain and 0.25% Ni for the
higher-grade domain (Higher Grade Core) of the Mineral Resource Estimate. Example cross-section and block
model views of the resource estimate are provided in Figure 2 and Figure 3 below.
This Mineral Resource Estimate was prepared by Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc. in accordance
with CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves. A Technical Report in support of the
Mineral Resource Estimate will be filed on SEDAR ( www.sedar.com) within 45 days. The Mineral Resource
Estimate is effective as of February 27, 2020.
Table 1 – Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Crawford Nickel-Cobalt Sulphide Project, Ontario
1. The independent Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource Estimate, as defined by NI 43-101, is Mr. Luis
Oviedo, P.Geo. (Chilean Mining Commission: RM, CMC #013), of Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc.
and Atticus Chile S.A. The effective date of the Mineral Resource Estimate is February 27, 2020.
2. These Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability. The
quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and
there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured, however it
is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral
Resources with continued exploration.
DOMAIN CLASS TONNES Ni (%) Ni Contained (kt) Co (%) Co Contained (kt)
Measured 59,490,559 0.31 185 0.013 8
Indicated 203,350,316 0.31 622 0.013 26
Mea+Ind 262,840,875 0.31 807 0.013 34
Inferred 66,385,504 0.29 191 0.013 8
Measured 145,379,632 0.21 310 0.013 19
Indicated 192,169,547 0.21 407 0.013 25
Mea+Ind 337,549,180 0.21 718 0.013 44
Inferred 244,110,758 0.21 516 0.013 31
DOMAIN CLASS TONNES Pd (g/t) Pd Contained (oz) Pt (g/t) Pt Contained (oz)
Measured 59,490,559 0.026 49,496 0.010 19,798
Indicated 203,350,316 0.028 180,640 0.011 73,531
Mea+Ind 262,840,875 0.027 230,136 0.011 93,330
Inferred 66,385,504 0.029 61,606 0.014 29,103
DOMAIN CLASS TONNES Ni (%) Ni CONTENT (kt) Co (%) Co CONTENT (kt)
Mea+Ind 600,390,054 0.25 1,525 0.013 78
Inferred 310,496,263 0.23 707 0.013 39
DOMAIN CLASS TONNES Pd (g/t) Pd CONTENT (oz) Pt (g/t) Pt CONTENT (oz)
Mea+Ind 262,840,875 0.027 230,136 0.011 93,330
Inferred 66,385,504 0.029 61,606 0.014 29,103
HIGHER
GRADE CORE
SUMMARY
TOTAL
GRADE
HIGHER
GRADE
CORE
LOWER
GRADE
HIGHER
GRADE
CORE
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
Phone: 416-214-2250
Toll Free: 866-214-9486
Fax: 416-367-1954
3. A cut-off grade of 0.15% Ni was used for the low -grade domain and 0.25% Ni for the high-grade domain of the
Mineral Resource Estimate, both determined on the basis of core assay geostatistics for the deposit and by
comparison to analogous deposit types.
4. Geological and block models for the Mineral Resource Estimate used data from 24 surface drill holes completed
by Spruce Ridge Resources (4 holes in 2018) and Noble Mineral Exploration and Canada Nickel Company (20
holes in 2019-2020). The drill database was validated prior to resource estimation and QA/QC checks were made
using industry-standard control charts for blanks, core duplicates and commercial certified reference material
inserted into assay batches by CNC and by comparison of umpire assays performed at a second laboratory.
5. The geological model as applied to the Mineral Resource Estimate comprises two mineralized domains hosted
by var iably serpentinized ultramafic rocks: a relatively high-grade core (largely dunite) and a lower grade
envelope (largely peridotite). Individual wireframes were created for each domain.
6. The block model was prepared using Micromine 2020. A 20 m x 20 m x 15 m block model was created and
samples were composited at 3 m intervals. Grade estimation from drill hole data was carried out for Ni and Co
using the Ordinary Kriging interpolation method and Pt and Pd using Inverse Distance Cubed method.
7. Grade estimation w as validated by comparison of input and output statistics (nearest neighbour and inverse
distance cubed), swath plot analysis, and by manual inspection of the assay data, block model, and grade shells
in cross-sections.
8. An average bulk density value for th e ultramafic unit was calculated on the basis of 2,738 specific gravity
measurements collected during the core logging process. Blocks within the high -grade and low-grade portions
of the resource model were assigned a single bulk density value of 2.65 g/cm3 (t/m3).
9. Estimates in Table 1 have been rounded to two significant figures.
10. CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Reserves (May 10, 2014) have been followed.
Table 2 – Ranking of Largest Resource Nickel Projects worldwide.
NICKEL SULPHIDE RESOURCES (WoodMac)
* Denotes Operating Mines. Other Projects are
exploration / development / earlier stage
Nickel (Mt)
Company Project Contained
1 Norilsk Polar/Kola 19.0*
2 Waterton Dumont 5.8
3 Terrafame Terrafame 4.4*
4 Jinchuan Jinchaun 4.4*
5 Zebedelia Zebedelia 4.0
6 GIGA Metals Turnagain 3.7
7 FPX Decar 2.7
8 BHP Yakabindie 2.7
9 Ivanhoe Platreef 2.7
10 ONEXIM Kingashky 2.4
11 BHP Leinster 1.8*
12 Canada Nickel Crawford 1.5(1)
(1) Measured & Indicated resource only. All other comparators are based on total resources (measured, indicated, and
inferred)
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
Phone: 416-214-2250
Toll Free: 866-214-9486
Fax: 416-367-1954
Figure 1. Crawford Ni-Co Deposit - location, infrastructure and mineralized body
Figure 2. Plan View of the drill tested section of the Mineralized Body
Fig 3. Crawford Ni-Co Sulphide Deposit showing Mineralized Grade Modelling
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
Phone: 416-214-2250
Toll Free: 866-214-9486
Fax: 416-367-1954
Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling and Assay Procedures
William E. MacRae, MSc, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43- 101, is responsible for the on- going
drilling and sampling program, including quality assurance (QA) and quality control (QC). The core is collected
from the drill in sealed core trays and transported to the core l ogging facility. The core is marked and sampled
at 1.5 metre lengths and cut with a diamond blade saw. Samples are bagged with QA/QC samples inserted in
batches of 35 samples per lot. Samples are transported in secure bags directly from the Canada Nickel c ore
shack to Actlabs Timmins, an ISO/IEC 17025 accredited lab. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum and
palladium) are completed by Fire Assay while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and 17 other elements are
performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at a rate
of one QA/QC sample per 32 core samples making a batch of 35 samples that are submitted for analysis
Randy S.C. Singh P.Geo (ON), P.Eng (ON) VP - Exploration & Project Development a "qualified person" as
such term is defined by National Instrument 43- 101 has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and
has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of Noble Mineral
Exploration Inc.
Vance White President and CEO stated that ”we are very pleased and congratulate the Canada Nickel team
for getting the Crawford Nickel-Cobalt project to this stage therefore directly benefiting the Noble shareholders
directly from the spin out of the Canada Nickel. The Noble shareholders will also benefit from the Canada Nickel
team’s expertise in the nickel industry . We strongly feel that we are only now just scratching the surface of
Project 81 potential and that the VMS and Gold potential of the project are equally exciting.”
About Canada Nickel Company
Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-cobalt sulphide projects to deliver nickel
and cobalt required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless steel markets. Canada Nickel provides
investors with leverage to nickel and cobalt in low political risk jurisdictions in a geopolitically stable jurisdiction
Canada Nickel is currently anchored by its 100% owned flagship Crawford Nickel -Cobalt Sulphide Project in
the heart of the prolific Timmins-Cochrane mining camp.
About Noble Mineral Exploration Inc.:
Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. is a Canadian- based junior exploration company which, in addition to its
shareholdings in Canada Nickel, Spruce Ridge Resources Ltd. And MacDonald Mines Exploration Ltd. and its
interest in the Holdsworth gold exploration property in the area of Wawa, Ontario, holds in excess of 78,500
hectares of mineral rights in the Timmins - Cochrane areas of Northern Ontario known as Project 81. Project
81 hosts multiple diversified drill-ready gold, nickel-cobalt and base metal exploration targets at various stages
of exploration. More detailed information is available on t he website at www.noblemineralexploration.com .
Noble’s common shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol “NOB”.
Cautionary Statement:
Neither 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 release. No stock
exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information
contained herein.
The foregoing information may contain forward- looking statements relating to the future performance of Noble
Mineral Exploration Inc. Forward- looking statements, specifically those concerning future performance, are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from the Company’s plans and
2500 – 120 Adelaide St. West, Toronto, OntarioM5H 1T1
Phone: 416-214-2250
Toll Free: 866-214-9486
Fax: 416-367-1954
expectations. These plans, expectations, risks and uncertainties are detailed herein and from time to time in the
filings made by the Company with the TSX Venture Exchange and securities regulators. Noble Mineral
Exploration Inc. does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward- looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Contacts:
Noble Mineral Exploration Inc.
H. Vance White, President
Phone: 416-214-2250
Fax: 416-367-1954
Email: [email protected]
Investor Relations
Email: [email protected]