SPC Nickel Reports Positive Metallurgical Results from the West Graham Project,
SPC Nickel Reports Positive Metallurgical
Results from the West Graham Project,
Sudbury, Ontario
SUDBURY, ON
,
Feb. 27, 2026
/CNW/ -
SPC Nickel Corp.
(TSXV: SPC)
("SPC Nickel"
or the
"Company")
is pleased to report the results of the Company's 2025 metallurgical study completed
on its West Graham Nickel-Copper Project ("West Graham") in the heart of the world-class Sudbury
Mining Camp as well as results from its 2025 LKE Project drill program. The metallurgical test work
was completed by XPS Expert Process Solutions ("XPS"), a Sudbury based technical consultancy
and testing firm with extensive experience in flowsheet development and nickel-copper-cobalt ores.
The program focused on flotation performance, concentrate grade potential, and variability across
representative samples from the West Graham Resource.
Summary of Metallurgical Results
The West Graham Resource is a disseminated sulphide resource with 73% of the nickel hosted
in nickel sulphides (pentlandite), 14% contained in pyrrhotite, 6% in pyrite and 7% in non-
sulphide gangue ("NSG"). Effectively all copper is present as chalcopyrite.
Five regional composites and 1 master composite submitted for metallurgical testing.
Locked cycle testing produced an
18.4% Cu+Ni
(10.6% Ni)
rougher-cleaner concentrate.
Combined rougher-cleaner concentrate and pyrrhotite rejection circuit cleaner concentrate
recovered
70%
of the nickel in feed - equivalent to 96% of the Ni present in nickel sulphide - and
85%
of the copper into a combined concentrate grading
14.8% Cu+Ni (8.8% Ni)
.
Effective Cu-Ni separation of the rougher-cleaner concentrate was demonstrated in the lab with
80% Cu recovery (from Cu-Ni stage feed) into a copper concentrate grading
26% Cu and 1.8%
Ni
.
No impurity or penalty elements present in the concentrates.
The concentrate produced would be consistent with that from other Sudbury Basin ores and
could be integrated into existing Sudbury mills as incremental metal units in a blended feed
scenario.
Grant Mourre, CEO of SPC Nickel, commented
, "We are very encouraged by the results of this
metallurgical program, which demonstrate that West Graham mineralization responds well to
conventional Sudbury flotation flowsheets. The study confirms strong nickel and copper recoveries
into clean concentrates with no negative elements and highlights the potential for further upgrading
in a blended feed environment. Importantly, the concentrate specifications are consistent with other
Sudbury Basin ores and could be integrated into existing processing infrastructure. These results
meaningfully de-risk the project and reinforce the strategic value of West Graham within our
broader Lockerby East portfolio."
Steve Wilson
1
, Principal of Wil-Solve Consulting Services, who designed the study and oversaw the
test work performed by XPS, commented,
"Disseminated sulphides are always a bit of a challenge
in a laboratory environment but this material performed well at the target grinds expected in the
Sudbury basin mills and achieved good concentrate grades. I am confident that the concentrate
quality will be further improved in a blended feed scenario with massive sulphide ores."
Metallurgical Study Summary
Seventeen (17) drill holes were identified to create five composites representing the North, South,
East, West and Central regions of the West Graham mineral resource above 150 metres vertical
depth. Fifteen of those holes were drilled as part of SPC's 2024 drilling campaign and assay rejects
were used to create those composites. Two older holes (one each from 2022 and 2023) were
included in the recipe and split core was delivered to XPS for crushing and blending into the
composites. More than 400 assay reject bags were provided to create the 5 composites. The
regional composites were riffled to create 10 2-kg charges for test work, and the remainder was
retained for the master composite.
Bulk material from each of the regional composites was blended in the proportion of the regional
mass contained within the mineral resource to create the master composite. In decreasing order of
abundance, the East (36%), North (25%), West (23%), South (10%) then Central (6%) regions
contribute to the master composite. Head assays for each of the regional composites are shown in
Table 1 and are consistent with the expected results based on drill core assays.
Table 1: Composite and Master Sample Head Grades
Region
Ni
%
Cu
%
Co
%
Pd
ppb
Pt
ppb
Au
ppb
S
%
Fe
%
Si
%
Mg
%
Sulphide
Ni %
Central
0.47
0.23
0.019
19
47
24
2.94
10.2
24.4
3.24
0.31
North
0.31
0.21
0.012
19
36
15
1.73
8.5
24.9
3.33
0.24
South
0.55
0.30
0.020
16
54
15
3.38
10.8
24.2
2.68
0.44
East
0.44
0.24
0.017
19
38
20
2.62
9.8
24.7
3.23
0.33
West
0.38
0.24
0.015
53
28
24
2.16
8.3
25.2
2.91
0.33
Master
0.47
0.26
0.018
22
32
21
2.78
9.5
25.0
3.17
0.39
Samples of each regional composite and of the master composite were taken for mineralogical
investigation using Scanning Electron Microscope ("QEMSCAN"), Electron Probe Microanalysis and
X-Ray Diffraction. The major sulphide minerals were identified as pentlandite ("Pn"), pyrrhotite
("Po"), chalcopyrite and pyrite ("Py"). An estimated 73% of the nickel is hosted in nickel sulphides
(pentlandite) and 14% contained in pyrrhotite, 6% in pyrite and 7% in non-sulphide gangue while
effectively all copper is present as chalcopyrite.
Timed grind tests and flotation test work was completed on the five regional composites in order to
model variability across the deposit. A 6-cycle locked cycle test was conducted with products from
the last 3 cycles combined to create the mass balance and complete a mineralogical evaluation on
the products. Results are shown in Table 2.
Rougher Cleaner Concentrate ("Rghr Clnr Conc") collected 59% of the Ni (66% of the Pn) and 78%
of the Cu into a 10.6% Ni/18.4% Cu+Ni concentrate. The combined Rghr Clnr Conc and Pyrrhotite
Cleaner Concentrate ("Po Clnr Conc") averaged 70% (76.7% of the Pn) total recovery and 85% Cu
total recovery at 8.8% Ni/14.8% Cu+Ni concentrate. Further upgrading is highly probable in a plant
environment with less entrainment of liberated Pyrrhotite and NSG than was experienced in the low
mass recovery laboratory tests.
Table 2: Results of Locked Cycle Test
Product
Mass
Assays (%)
Recovery (%)
grams
%
Cu
Ni
Fe
S
Cu
Ni
Fe
S
Calculated Head
5972.2
100
0.24
0.43
9.71
2.72
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Rghr Clnr Conc
143.4
2.40
7.80
10.58
30.92
31.34
78.3
58.7
7.7
27.7
Po Clnr Conc
61.1
1.02
1.63
4.63
34.34
29.01
7.0
10.9
3.6
10.9
Po Rghr Tl
729.2
12.21
0.13
0.65
23.42
12.50
6.6
18.2
29.5
56.2
Rghr Scav Tl
5038.5
84.37
0.02
0.06
6.82
0.17
8.1
12.1
59.3
5.2
RghrClnr + Po Clnr Conc
204.5
3.42
5.96
8.81
31.94
30.65
85.3
69.6
11.3
38.6
Product
Mass
Assays (%, ppb)
Recovery (%)
grams
%
Co %
Pd ppb
Pt ppb
Au ppb
Co
Pd
Pt
Au
Calculated Head
5972.2
100
0.015
15.2
35.6
19.8
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Rghr Clnr Conc
143.4
2.40
0.33
382
578
278
54.3
60.2
39.0
33.8
Po Clnr Conc
61.1
1.02
0.19
307
722
179
13.0
20.6
20.8
9.3
Po Rghr Tl
729.2
12.21
0.02
24
41
30
14.3
19.2
14.1
18.5
Rghr Scav Tl
5038.5
84.37
0.00
<5
11
9
18.4
0.0
26.1
38.4
RghrClnr + Po Clnr Conc
204.5
3.42
0.29
360
621
248
67.2
80.8
59.8
43.0
Note: Rougher Cleaner Concentrate (Rghr Clnr Conc), Pyrrhotite Cleaner Concentrate (Po Clnr Conc), Pyrrhotite Rougher Tail (Po Rghr Tl), Rougher Scavenger Tail (Rghr Scav Tl)
A Cu/Ni Separation test demonstrated a Final Cu Concentrate with 26.0% Cu and 1.8% Ni.
In the locked cycle test Cobalt recovery averaged 54% to the Rghr Clnr Conc. with a further 13% in
the Po Clnr Conc. for a combined total of 67%. Pd, Pt, and Au were all under 1 g/t in concentrates.
Minor elements of interest to Sudbury smelters were not a concern.
2025 LKE Drill Results
In October 2025, the Company announced the commencement of drilling at its LKE Project, located
in the Sudbury Mining Camp. The objective of the program was to test a series of high-conductivity
electromagnetic ("EM") anomalies located down-dip of the Company's LKE Resource (see
news release
dated October 23, 2025). Over a two-month period from October to December 2025,
the Company completed a total of 921 metres of drilling in hole LKE-25-001. Drilling consisted of
completing a wedge cut off an existing hole at a depth of 957 metres and drilling an additional 921
metres to a final depth of 1,866 metres. Aggressive directional drilling techniques were required to
steer the borehole towards the modeled EM target area.
Hole LKE-25-001 intersected a 49.0 metre zone of 'West Graham style' Ni-Cu-PGM mineralization
between 1,693 and 1,742 metres, consisting of 2-10% blebby and disseminated sulphides hosted
with norites proximal to the basal contact. Higher-grade sections containing greater than 10%
sulphides were encountered over intervals exceeding 10.0 metres. Assays results are shown below
in Table 3.
Table 3: Complete assay results from the 2025 drill program on the LKE Project.
HOLE ID
From
(m)
To
(m)
Length
(m)
2
Ni
(%)
Cu
(%)
Co
(%)
Pt
(g/t)
Pd
(g/t)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
LKE-25-001
1693.0
1742.0
49.0
0.35
0.28
0.01
0.38
0.22
0.12
1.67
including
1700.0
1710.8
10.8
0.52
0.42
0.01
0.57
0.29
0.30
2.48
including
1725.5
1738.0
12.5
0.46
0.30
0.01
0.43
0.11
0.08
1.70
and
1793.0
1803.0
10.0
0.41
0.39
0.01
0.08
0.03
0.03
2.45
2. Lengths refer to downhole length; insufficient work has been done to estimate true thickness.
Due to the depth of drilling and greater than expected hole deviation, LKE-25-001 did not intersect
the target in the optimal location. While the original plan was to intersect the centre of the modeled
EM conductor (see Figure 1 of
news release
date October 23, 2025), the final intercept was
approximately 50 metres down-dip.
A follow-up borehole EM survey completed in the hole identified a strong off-hole anomaly
immediately up-dip, correlating closely with the highest assay values within the mineralized interval.
The anomaly has been modeled as a 350 metre by 125 metre target with an estimated conductance
of 4,000 Siemens. The Company's technical team considers this to be a highly compelling target
given its size, strength and close proximity to known mineralization.
About the West Graham Deposit
The West Graham Project is located in the heart of the Sudbury Mining District where nine mines are
currently in operation and two more are in the development phase. The region benefits from its
proximity to well-developed transportation infrastructure including roads, railways, and electrical grid.
In addition, West Graham is situated close to processing, smelting and refining assets which include
two mills, two smelters and one nickel refinery. Local operators include global mining corporations
Vale Base Metals and Glencore.
In January 2024, SPC Nickel announced the maiden MRE for the West Graham Project (see
news release
dated January 17, 2024). The MRE showed an In-Pit Resource (0.3% NiEq Cutoff
Grade) of Indicated Resource of 19.3 Mt at 0.42% Ni, 0.28% Cu in the indicated category and 3.3
Mt at 0.37% Ni, 0.28% Cu in the inferred category. The Out-of-Pit Resource (0.7% NiEq Cutoff
Grade) contained a further 3.2 Mt at 0.63% Ni, 0.47% Cu (0.92% NiEq) in the indicated category
and 3.9 Mt at 0.69% Ni, 0.43% Cu (0.97% NiEq) in the inferred category.
Quality Assurance, Quality Control and Qualified Persons
The technical elements of this news release have been approved by Mr. Grant Mourre, P.Geo.
("PGO"), CEO and President of SPC Nickel Corp. and a Qualified Person under National Instrument
43-101.
SPC Nickel follows rigorous sampling and analytical protocols that meet or exceed industry
standards. Core samples are stored in a secured area until transport in batches to the ALS facility in
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. Sample batches include certified reference materials, blank, and
duplicate samples that are then processed under the control of ALS. All samples were analyzed in
Vancouver by ALS Chemex. Platinum, palladium, and gold values were determined together using
standard lead oxide collection fire assay and ICP-AES finish. Base metal values were determined
using sodium peroxide fusion and ICP-AES finish. Silver values were determined using an aqua regia
digestion and an AAS finish. A Certified Reference Material (CRM) standard, blank or duplicate is
inserted on every 20th sample in the following order: CRM (high-grade), CRM (low-grade), blank.
About SPC Nickel Corp.
SPC Nickel is a Canadian public corporation focused on exploring for high-grade polymetallic Cu-Ni-
PGM mineralization in Nunavut and within the world-class Sudbury Mining Camp. SPC Nickel is
currently exploring its unique district-scale polymetallic Muskox Project in Nunavut where the team
recently completed its 2025 summer field program. The Company is also advancing its 100%-owned
exploration project Lockerby East located in the heart of the historic Sudbury Mining Camp, which
includes the West Graham Resource and the LKE Resource. SPC Nickel is committed to advancing
high-potential polymetallic projects in Tier-1 jurisdictions across Canada with an emphasis on
Nunavut and Sudbury.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information
Except for statements of historical fact contained herein, the information in this news release
constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities law. Such
forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "plans", "proposes", "estimates",
"intends", "expects", "believes", "may", "will" and include without limitation, statements regarding
estimated capital and operating costs, expected production timeline, benefits of updated
development plans, foreign exchange assumptions and regulatory approvals. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate; actual results and future events could
differ materially from such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially
include, among others, metal prices, competition, risks inherent in the mining industry, and
regulatory risks. Most of these factors are outside the control of
SPC Nickel
. Investors are
cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as otherwise required
by applicable securities statutes or regulation,
SPC Nickel
expressly disclaims any intent or
obligation to update publicly forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy
of this release.
_________________________
1
Steve Wilson, PEng, is a mineral processing professional who has worked extensively in base and precious metal processing and testing. He has almost 20 years experience
with Inco (Vale) working on Ni-Cu-PGM processing and was the Global VP, Mineralogy and Metallurgical testing for SGS. Steve is a registered engineer in the province of Ontario
and is a Qualified Person under the guidelines of NI 43-101.
SOURCE SPC Nickel Corp.
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For further information:
Further information is available at www.spcnickel.com and/or by
contacting: Grant Mourre, P.Geo., Chief Executive Officer, SPC Nickel Corp., Tel: (705) 669-
1777, Email: [email protected]
CO: SPC Nickel Corp.
CNW 07:00e 27-FEB-26