Northwest Copper Reports Strong GOLD Results from Drilling at East Niv
News Release
NORTHWEST COPPER REPORTS STRONG GOLD RESULTS FROM DRILLING AT
EAST NIV
Vancouver, BC – March 9, 2023 – NorthWest Copper (“NorthWest” or “the Company”) (TSX -V:
NWST) (OTCQX: NWCCF) is pleased to announce the results from the eight -hole 2022 East Niv
project drilling campaign including strong gold results of over seven grams per tonne gold (7.88
g/t AuEq1) over a short interval and longer intervals at lower grades. The stronger gold
mineralization surrounds the copper dominant minerali zation encountered in the 2021
campaign. These results, combined with the large surface copper anomaly reported in 20222 and
the copper-gold mineralization encountered in 20213 outline a large mineralized system within a
large pro perty position (43,297 hectares) . Highlights from the current release are presented
below:
o ENV-22-013: 100.80 metres4 at 0.44 g/t AuEq (0.24 g/t Au, 0.10% Cu and 0.40 g/t
Ag) from 637.00 metres.
o ENV-22-018: 124.86 metres at 0.38 g/t AuEq (0.22 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu and 0.70 g/t
Ag) from 457.05 metres:
o ENV-22-016: 0.50 metres at 7.88 g/t AuEq (7.35 g/t Au, 0.13% Cu and 21.9 g/t Ag)
from 303.00 metres.
o ENV-22-017: 2.00 metres at 2.48 g/t AuEq (2.33 g/t Au, 0.07% Cu and 0.80 g/t Ag)
from 416.00 metres.
“East Niv is a new project with the first holes drilled in 2021. The 2021 program identified strong
copper and gold mineralization in one part of the property and the 2022 program expanded this
system, with gold dominant results from this campaign. We have also identified a very large
copper at surface anomalous zone as described in 2022 .” said President and CEO Peter B ell. “In
just 24 months we have taken East Niv from an exciting exploration concept to a project with two
identified zones of mineralization, several exciting drilling intercepts and multiple exploration
targets.”
1 Assumptions used in USD for the gold equivalent calculation (AuEq) were metal prices of $3.50/lb. c opper, $1,650/oz gold, $21.50/oz silver, and recovery is
assumed to be 86.0% for copper, 63.5% for gold and 61.6% for silver. The following equation was used to calculate gold equiva lence: AqEq = gold (g/t) + (copper (%)
x 1.9699) + (silver (g/t) x 0.01264).
2 See news release dated December 7, 2022 available at www.northwestcopper.ca and www.sedar.com
3 See news releases dated November 8, 2021 and January 27, 2022 available at www.northwestcopper.ca and www.sedar.com
4 True widths of the reported mineralized intervals have not been determined.
Exploration Discussion
The 2022 program at East Niv has expanded the size of the copper-gold system identified in 2021
as well as added new surface targets. New holes drilled in and around the porphyry copper-gold-
silver±molybdenum (“Cu-Au-Ag±Mo”) system encountered gold dominant mineralization in a
zone overprinted by strong illite -pyrite and chlorite-pyrite alteration. This suggests that we are
drilling the upper and/or peripheral parts of a large, preserved porphyry system. 2022 drilling
increased the length of the porphyry hydrothermal system to approximately 4 kilometres, which
remains open along strike, at depth and to t he s outhwest ( Figure 1) . Reconnaissance drilling
elsewhere on the property also encountered strongly altered volcanic and intrusive rocks that
contain strongly anomalous copper, gold, zinc, and other metals typical of settings peripheral to
porphyry deposits.
Surface sampling during geological mapping has identified a trend of high- grade bornite -rich
copper-silver veins that is at least 13 km in length. These veins indicate the presence of additional
porphyry centres or of a distinct style of high-grade exploration target.5
2022 Drill Results Discussion
The current drilling results at East Niv suggest that we are drilling the upper and/or peripheral
parts of a large, preserved porphyry system. The gold dominant intervals intersected in some
holes are interpreted to be a peripheral signature, particularly where they are accompanied by a
polymetallic signature. The alteration, polymetallic signatures and geophysical patterns all show
a strong northwest – southeast control on the hydrothermal system which is open along strike ,
at depth, and to the southwest. This provides a sound geological model and exploration search
space for future drill targeting. The exploration potential is strengthened by the large land
position, the potential for th e known porphyry system to grow in size , and by widespread
alteration and mineralization in reconnaissance drilling and surface sampling. Future exploration
will focus on developing a robust geological model vectoring to the core of the known porphyry
system using advanced geochemistry, geology, and geophysical modelling.
8 drill holes were completed in 2022, building off the 10 drill holes that were completed in 2021
(Figure 1). 14 of the total drill holes have demonstrated that the porphyry copper-gold-
silver±molybdenum discovery in hole ENV-21-004 is within a very large and strong
hydrothermal system that remains open in most directions.
East Niv exhibits classic characteristics for porphyry deposits in the Quesnel and Stikine Terranes.
Mineralization occurs in both mafic volcanic rocks of the Takla Group and in associated
intermediate intrusions, where it is associated with biotite -quartz-magnetite and potassium
feldspar-rich potassic alteration. Mineralization is commonly overprinted by strong illite -pyrite
5 See news release dated December 7, 2022 available at www.northwestcopper.ca and www.sedar.com
and chlorite-pyrite alteration, which suggests that we are drilling the upper and/or peripheral
parts of the porphyry system.
Drill h oles ENV-22-013 and EN V-22-018 intersected gold -copper mineralization, of generally
modest grade due to overprints by pyritic alteration (Figure 2 ). Viewing these holes in
conjunction with holes from 2021 they show that Cu -Au-Ag±Mo mineralization was originally
continuous over at least 1,100 metres along strike and across an unknown width southwest to
northeast.
Drill holes ENV-21-009 and EN V-22-011 are the most southeasterly and northwesterly holes in
the discovery area. They contain strong propylitic alter ation with a polymetallic signature and
document a porphyry system at least 4 km long that remains open along strike, to depth, and to
the southwest.
Hole ENV-22-014 was drilled to the north from 100 metres north of the discovery drill hole. It
initially intersected geochemically anomalous intrusive rock but then encountered a fault, across
which is mafic volcanic rock with pyritic alteration that has a polymetallic signature of zinc and
arsenic with locally anomalous gold.
The extent of these drill holes, the numerous and volumetrically abundant intrusions, the
strength of alteration, the abundance of pyrite, the extent of subsurface geochemical
enrichment, and the high copper-gold grades encountered in the discovery hole confirm East Niv
as a large and strong porphyry magmatic-hydrothermal system.
The remaining four holes – ENV-22-012, 015, 016 and 017 – were drilled on other parts of the
large property to test other targets and to obtain subsurface data to combine with our
substantial 2022 geological mapping program and aid continued exploration at East Niv (Figure
1).
The four drill holes drilled outside the discovery area establish that strong hydrothermal activity
is also present in other parts of the East Niv property. Hole EN V-22-015 was drilled 5 km
northwest of the discovery hole ENV-21-004 (Figure 1) . The entirety of Hole 15 has strong
propylitic alteration in mafic volcanic rocks, abundant pyrite, and a polymetallic signature of zinc,
arsenic, lead, silver and gold.
Drill hole ENV-22-016 was drilled at the South Nub target, located 2.5 km south of the discovery
hole, and also encountered mafic volcanic rocks with propylitic alteration and abundant pyrite,
along with a similar polymetallic signature. This hole also had a large intersection of intermediate
intrusive rock that contains significant molybdenum mineralization with individual analyses of up
to 799 ppm.
Hole ENV-22-017 was drilled 2.3 km east of the South Nub showing near a previously unknown
intrusion discovered during surface mapping. This hole first encountered weakly altered mafic
volcanic rocks that have a weak association between anomalous gold and arsenic, but after
passing through a fault the volcanic rocks have much stronger propylitic alteration with pyrite
and a marked increase in copper, gold and other metals.
Hole EN22 -012 was drilled 2.3 km north -northeast of the discovery hole where it intersected
strongly magnetic, unaltered and unmineralized volcanic rocks, achieving its goal to determin e
the cause of a strong aeromagnetic anomaly.
Drilling and mapping completed across the East Niv p roject in 2021 and 2022 confirms the
excellent exploration potential on the property. Exploration shows that intrusions are more
numerous, larger and compositionally more varied than had been recognized historically. Most
importantly, strong, sulphide -rich hydrothermal alteration with strongly anomalous metal
signatures is widespread on the property. Faults commonly juxtapose different types of rocks
with different characteristics of hydrothermal alteration and mineralization, which means that
Cu-Au-Ag±Mo mineralization originally formed at different paleodepths could be preserved
across the property.
Table 1: 2022 Drill Results From This News Release
Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m)6 Au (g/t) Cu
(%) Ag (g/t) AuEq7
(g/t)
ENV-22-011 290 324 34 0.08 0.03 0.5 0.15
ENV-22-012 No Significant Result
ENV-22-013 302.10 458.00 155.90 0.15 0.01 1.0 0.18
also 637.00 737.80 100.80 0.24 0.10 0.4 0.44
ENV-22-014 29.00 53.90 24.90 0.10 0.03 0.2 0.17
ENV-22-015 19.00 21.00 2.00 1.70 0.02 2.1 1.77
also 89.00 101.00 12.00 0.39 0.02 0.8 0.44
also 128.00 129.50 1.50 0.74 0.15 34.7 1.48
also 197.00 204.60 7.60 0.40 0.04 2.1 0.51
also 377.00 379.00 2.00 1.66 0.02 3.3 1.74
also 468.05 476.00 7.95 0.05 0.06 1.3 0.19
also 488.00 495.50 7.50 0.12 0.04 1.5 0.22
ENV-22-016 221.00 307.10 86.10 0.16 0.04 1.2 0.25
incl. 303.00 303.50 0.50 7.35 0.13 21.9 7.88
ENV-22-017 209.88 254.00 44.12 0.09 0.06 0.6 0.22
6 True widths of the reported mineralized intervals have not been determined.
7 Assumptions used in USD for the gold equivalent calculation (AuEq) were metal prices of $3.50/lb. copper, $1,650/oz gold, $21.50/oz silver, and recovery is
assumed to be 86.0% for copper, 63.5% for gold and 61.6% for silver. The following equation was used to calculate gold equiva lence: AqEq = gold (g/t) + (copper (%)
x 1.9699) + (silver (g/t) x 0.01264).
Hole From (m) To (m) Interval (m)6 Au (g/t) Cu
(%) Ag (g/t) AuEq7
(g/t)
also 416.00 418.00 2.00 2.33 0.07 0.8 2.48
also 448.00 488.00 40.00 0.08 0.03 1.0 0.15
ENV-22-018 457.05 581.91 124.86 0.22 0.07 0.7 0.38
incl. 544.60 581.91 37.31 0.39 0.07 1.4 0.55
Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)
Drilling completed at East Niv in 2022 was supervised by on- site NorthWest personnel who
collected and tracked samples and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards
and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and
shipped to AGAT Laboratories (AGAT) in Calgary AB. AGAT’s quality control system complies with
global certifications for Quality ISO 9001:2015. Core samples were analyzed using AGAT’s 201 -
071 method which is a 4-Acid digestion with ICP finish). Gold assaying was completed with either
202-052 or 202-055 methods, 30-gram fire assay with ICP finish.
Drilling completed at East Niv in 2021 was supervised by on- site NorthWest personnel who
collected and tracked samples and implemented a full QA/QC program using blanks, standards,
and duplicates to monitor analytical accuracy and precision. The samples were sealed on site and
shipped to Bureau Veritas (BV) in Vancouver BC for analysis. BV’s quality control system complies
with global certifications for Quality ISO9001:2008. Core samples were analyzed using a
combination of BV’s MA200 process for low level concentrations (ICP -MS/4 Acid digestion) and
the MA370 process for higher level concentrations (ICP -ES/4 acid digestion). Gold assaying was
completed with FA430, a 30-gram fire assay with AAS finish, with gold overlimits completed with
a gravimetric finish.
Technical aspects of this news release have been reviewed, verified, and approved by Tyler
Caswell, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration of NorthWest, who is a qualified person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Minerals Projects.
Figure 1: Plan View
Figure 2: A-A’ Cross Section
––– –
Table 2: Complete 2021 Drill Results from East Niv
Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Interval
(m)8 Au (g/t) Cu (PCT) Ag (g/t)
ENV-21-001 7.65 79.95 72.3 0.21 0.1 0.3
incl. 50.8 66.85 16.05 0.28 0.12 0.3
ENV-21-002 126 149 23 0.14 0.11 0.2
and 160 198 38 0.11 0.08 0.2
and 230 234.1 4.1 0.54 0.19 0.6
ENV-21-003 13 42 29 0.13 0.1 0.2
and 119.2 127 7.8 0.34 0.14 0.8
and 229.25 249 19.75 0.14 0.1 0.1
ENV-21-004 3 84.6 81.6 0.2 0.41 0.9
incl. 14.1 57 42.9 0.28 0.57 1.4
also incl. 15.2 30 14.8 0.35 0.75 2.5
ENV-21-005 0.1 101 100.9 0.14 0.23 0.8
Incl. 12 24.5 12.5 0.21 0.29 0.5
ENV-21-006 No Significant Values
ENV-21-007 199 240 41 1.24 0.03 1.5
Incl. 207 209 2 10.5 0.02 14.8
ENV-21-008 54.5 131.8 77.3 0.17 0.18 1.5
Incl. 63.8 85 21.2 0.18 0.29 1.9
ENV-21-009 No Significant Values
ENV-21-010 40 68.5 28.5 0.31 0.13 0.7
and 327 460.85 133.85 0.14 0.12 0.3
also incl. 376.8 397 20.2 0.28 0.17 0.4
About NorthWest Copper:
NorthWest Copper is a new copper -gold explorer and developer with an exciting pipeline of
projects in British Columbia. With a robust portfolio in a tier one jurisdiction, NorthWest Copper
is well positioned to participate fully in a strengthening global copper market. We are committed
to responsible mineral exploration which involves working collaboratively with First Nations to
ensure future development incorporates stewardship best practices and traditional land use.
Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.northwestcopper.ca.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of NorthWest Copper Corp.
“Peter Bell”
Director, President and CEO
8 True widths of the reported mineralized intervals have not been determined.