Canada Nickel Announces Results from Crawford PGM Zone Infill Drilling Campaign – Insidexploration


TORONTO, July 31, 2024 – Canada Nickel Company Inc. (“Canada Nickel” or the “Company”) (TSXV: CNC) (OTCQX: CNIKF) today announced additional results from its drilling program targeting the PGM zones that occur along the Crawford Main and East Zone boundaries and within the existing mine plan outlined in the Crawford Nickel Project feasibility study.

Highlights

  • Successful infill drilling campaign targeted PGM Zones at Crawford with 45 holes intersecting drill intervals of > 1g/t palladium + platinum
  • Results include:
    • 2.19 g/t palladium + platinum over core length of 76.5 metres in Crawford Main Zone including 3.90 g/t over core length of 13.5 metres
    • 1.15 g/t palladium + platinum over 38.5 metres in Crawford East Zone including 2.94 g/t over core length of 4.5 metres
  • PGM results will be included in development of a Crawford PGM Zone resource estimate and incorporated into the Crawford nickel mine plan

Mark Selby, CEO of Canada Nickel, said, “We are very pleased with the drilling results of the PGM Zones for both the Crawford Main & East Zones, which occur within the existing feasibility study mine plan for Crawford. The opportunity to drill out these zones and to incorporate the findings into a PGM resource estimate have the potential to unlock incremental value from material that was previously unaccounted for, and in fact was treated as waste material within the Crawford feasibility study.”

Crawford PGM Drilling

In early drilling campaigns at Crawford, “PGM zones” were identified (Figure 1) with platinum (Pt) and palladium (Pd) mineralization (Pt+Pd or PGM) occurring within a transitional boundary between the pyroxenite and peridotite units (the “PGM zone”) that overlie the nickel-bearing dunites. In 2022, several areas were targeted for PGM mineralization throughout the whole Crawford property. Seventeen holes within the proposed Crawford pit are reported in this release. In 2024, a total of 31 holes were completed – 23 holes were drilled into the East zone, and eight new holes were drilled into the Main Zone to target the PGM zones. These zones are of interest as they reside within the boundaries of the proposed Crawford open pit and, as a resource had not been previously defined for the PGM zone, were treated as waste in the current feasibility study.   

The purpose of the 2024 drill program was to provide sufficient infill drilling to produce a resource estimate on the PGM zones.  Canada Nickel successfully intersected mineralized peridotite/pyroxenite in 28 of the 31 holes drilled.   Assay results from both the 2022 and 2024 programs are tabulated in Table 1 and shown in Figure 2.

Table 1: Crawford selected PGM intervals (2024 and 2022 drilling)

Hole ID From To Length  Calculated
true
width
Pt+Pd Pd Pt Ni Co Cr Fe S
(m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (g/t) ( %) ( %) ( %) ( %) ( %)
EAST ZONE
CR24-345 201 205.5 4.5 2.8 0.55 0.20 0.35 0.05 0.01 0.37 6.99 0.08
CR24-344 286.5 297 10.5 1.5 1.53 0.81 0.72 0.07 0.01 0.49 7.27 0.05
including 289.5 292.5 3 0.4 2.97 1.57 1.40 0.06 0.01 0.53 8.02 0.05
CR24-342 370 382.5 12.5 10 0.51 0.28 0.23 0.04 0.01 0.24 6.54 0.21
including 378 381 3 2.4 1.16 0.52 0.64 0.05 0.01 0.4 7.01 0.04
CR24-338 228 234 6 2.8 1.87 0.87 1.00 0.02 0.01 0.28 5.74 0.17
CR24-336 199.5 208.5 9 3.1 1.02 0.48 0.54 0.02 0.01 0.34 5.55 0.06
CR24-335 69 78 9 6.7 0.86 0.38 0.48 0.03 0.01 0.31 6.13 0.06
including 73.5 78 4.5 3.3 1.53 0.67 0.86 0.03 0.01 0.27 5.94 0.06
CR24-333 205.5 212.9 7.4 2.7 1.07 0.42 0.65 0.06 0.01 0.5 6.74 0.18
including 207 210 3 1.1 2.10 0.84 1.26 0.05 0.01 0.59 6.39 0.08
CR24-332 87 90 3 1.3 1.66 0.79 0.87 0.03 0.01 0.32 5.75 0.09
CR24-330 210 217.5 7.5 2.3 0.29 0.22 0.07 0.16 0.01 0.59 6.95 0.04
CR24-328 58 65 7 4.8 0.91 0.39 0.52 0.05 0.01 0.43 6.88 0.1
including 61 63.5 2.5 1.7 2.06 0.95 1.11 0.04 0.01 0.39 6.46 0.03
CR24-327 306.5 324.8 18.3 5.0 0.38 0.13 0.25 0.06 0.01 0.37 7.82 0.03
including 311 312.5 1.5 0.8 1.24 0.30 0.94 0.06 0.01 0.34 7.67 0.03
CR24-326 210.5 249.5 38.5 11.9 1.15 0.52 0.63 0.03 0.01 0.39 5.84 0.11
including 216.5 221 4.5 1.4 2.94 1.35 1.59 0.04 0.01 0.35 5.3 0.22
including 233 240.5 7.5 2.3 2.06 0.98 1.08 0.03 0.01 0.35 5.3 0.22
CR24-325 147 156 9 2.8 0.88 0.38 0.50 0.04 0.01 0.36 5.96 0.15
including 151.5 154.5 3 0.9 2.36 1.07 1.29 0.04 0.01 0.31 6.27 0.28
CR24-323 88.5 93 4.5 3.3 1.01 0.48 0.53 0.07 0.01 0.42 7.32 0.1
CR24-322 237 249.5 12.5 3.9 0.99 0.46 0.53 0.05 0.01 0.45 6.86 0.07
including 240 244 4 1.2 2.75 1.31 1.45 0.05 0.01 0.46 7.67 0.03
CR24-321 64.5 67.5 3 1.2 0.91 0.43 0.48 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.71 0.1
CR24-320 195 198 3 0.9 0.24 0.17 0.07 0.11 0.02 0.49 8.15 0.03
CR24-319 119 124.5 5.5 1.3 1.19 0.51 0.68 0.04 0.01 0.48 6.13 0.11
CR24-318 69 76.5 7.5 5.6 1.22 0.56 0.66 0.05 0.01 0.49 7.69 0.07
including 72 75 3 2.2 2.52 1.16 1.36 0.05 0.01 0.46 6.94 0.02
Hole ID From To Length  Calculated
true
width
Pt+Pd Pd Pt Ni Co Cr Fe S
CR24-317 190.3 208.5 18.2 5.6 1.09 0.54 0.55 0.03 0.01 0.38 6.11 0.08
including 199.5 205.5 6 1.9 2.16 1.04 1.12 0.02 0.01 0.35 5.76 0.05
CR24-316 115.5 120 4.5 3.3 0.92 0.35 0.56 0.06 0.01 0.48 7.22 0.05
including 115.5 117 1.5 1.1 1.57 0.57 1.0 0.05 0.01 0.53 7.41 0.03
CR24-315 324 339 15 7 1.10 0.57 0.53 0.06 0.01 0.39 7.67 0.03
including 324 330 6 2.8 2.50 1.32 1.18 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.75 0.03
including 324 327 3 1.4 3.73 1.96 1.77 0.06 0.01 0.42 8.1 0.04
CR22-298 90 96 6 4.1 1.65 0.79 0.86 0.02 0.01 0.26 5.32 0.03
CR22-296 159 165 6 2.8 0.39 0.22 0.16 0.05 0.01 0.42 6.13 0.01
CR22-295 114 118.5 4.5 3.3 0.97 0.54 0.44 0.02 0.01 0.34 4.86 0.02
CR22-294 186 190.5 4.5 2.1 1.57 0.76 0.81 0.03 0.01 0.35 6.01 0.01
CR22-291 106.5 112.5 6 4.5 0.42 0.15 0.27 0.04 0.01 0.37 6.04 0.01
CR22-288 120 130.5 10.5 4.9 0.86 0.37 0.49 0.05 0.01 0.36 6.93 0.25
including 123 127.5 4.5 2.1 1.69 0.72 0.97 0.04 0.01 0.31 6.25 0.02
CR22-287 92 98 6 4.5 1.02 0.45 0.57 0.07 0.01 0.51 7.79 0.04
CR22-286 98 105.5 7.5 3.5 1.53 0.66 0.87 0.05 0.01 0.41 6.93 0.01
CR22-286 101 104 3 1.4 3.37 1.48 1.89 0.05 0.01 0.43 7.51 0.01
CR22-285 73 74.5 1.5 1.1 1.52 0.56 0.96 0.06 0.01 0.71 7.38 0.04
CR22-284 76.5 84 7.5 5.6 0.99 0.44 0.56 0.04 0.01 0.28 6.8 0.06
including 79.5 82.5 3 2.2 2.14 1.00 1.14 0.04 0.01 0.21 6.11 0.06
CR22-283 106.5 126 19.5 7.6 1.20 0.53 0.67 0.03 0.01 0.37 5.13 0.11
CR22-281 129 133.5 4.5 3.3 0.76 0.34 0.42 0.03 0.01 0.38 6.1 0.02
including 130.5 133.5 3 2.2 1.92 0.86 1.06 0.03 0.01 0.36 6.06 0.02
CR22-267 120 130.5 10.5 4.1 0.22 0.11 0.12 0.06 0.01 0.35 7.15 0.13
CR22-265 200 246 46 .18.0 1.94 0.87 1.07 0.03 0.01 0.43 6.05 0.1
including 228.5 243 14.5 5.7 3.49 1.65 1.83 0.02 0.01 0.3 5.83 0.01
MAIN ZONE
CR24-341 457.5 468 10.5 1.3 0.26 0.12 0.14 0.06 0.01 0.4 7.47 0.03
CR24-334A 244.5 267 22.5 3.9 1.03 0.60 0.43 0.04 0.01 0.52 5.99 0.05
CR24-331 369 445.5 76.5 9.3 2.19 1.03 1.16 0.04 0.01 0.39 6.49 0.06
including 376.5 390 13.5 1.6 3.90 1.87 2.02 0.05 0.01 0.44 6.94 0.07
CR24-329 391.5 397.5 2.5 0.7 0.30 0.11 0.08 0.07 0.01 0.44 6.93 0.1
CR24-324 291 294 3 1.4 0.32 0.12 0.20 0.03 0.01 0.42 5.37 0.05
CR22-272 54 93 39 10.7 0.84 0.45 0.38 0.05 0.01 0.5 7.02 0.08
including 60 63 3 0.8 1.24 0.83 0.41 0.05 0.01 0.57 7.1 0.07
And 66 76.5 10.5 2.9 1.90 0.97 0.93 0.05 0.01 0.61 6.93 0.06
CR22-257 190.8 195.5 4.7 3.8 2.20 0.84 1.36 0.06 0.01 0.48 7 0.05

Figure 1 – Crawford PGM Highlights 2024 (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.)

Figure 2 – Crawford PGM Cross Sections East Zone (CNW Group/Canada Nickel Company Inc.)

Table 3: Drillhole Orientation

Hole ID Easting (mE) Northing (mN) Azimuth (⁰) Dip (⁰) Length (m)
CR24-345 473300 5409950 356 -60 402
CR24-344 473205 5409985 0 -90 366
CR24-342 473373 5410260 170 -45 397
CR24-341 473833 5408690 0 -75 540
CR24-340 473278 5410290 173 -42 462
CR24-338 473610 5409950 0 -70 252
CR24-336 473827 5409967 0 -78 270
CR24-335 473950 5410000 0 -50 201
CR24-334A 473681 5408782 12 -70 372
CR24-333 474215 5409965 340 -77 236
CR24-332 474180 5410015 0 -72 252
CR24-331 473555 5408774 15 -74 501
CR24-330 474350 5409905 320 -80 450
CR24-329 473265 5408895 45 -70 450
CR24-328 474460 5409970 335 -55 231
CR24-327 473265 5408895 14 -66 351
CR24-326 474515 5409895 0 -80 273
CR24-325 474600 5409925 0 -80 201
CR24-324 472837 5409083 35 -55 351
CR24-323 474600 5409925 0 -50 261
CR24-322 474715 5409905 0 -80 306
CR24-321 474770 5409965 5 -75 300
CR24-320 474820 5409900 0 -80 270
CR24-319 474915 5409940 5 -84 171
CR24-318 474915 5409940 5 -50 204
CR24-317 475120 5409900 0 -80 300
CR24-316 475120 5409900 0 -50 207
CR24-315 473682 5410225 172 -54 399
CR22-298 473564 5410008 0 -55 252
CR22-296 473374 5409984 2 -70 201
CR22-295 473374 5409984 2 -50 282
CR22-294 475434 5409927 0 -70 192
CR22-291 475204 5409922 10 -50 210
CR22-288 474805 5409925 2 -70 171
CR22-287 474806 5409923 4 -50 252
CR22-286 474705 5409932 2 -70 180
CR22-285 474705 5409932 2 -50 252
CR22-284 474504 5409940 2 -50 261
CR22-283 474504 5409939 2 -75 222
CR22-282 474303 5409955 2 -75 222
CR22-281 474303 5409956 2 -50 252
CR22-272 473764 5408865 172 -82 651
CR22-267 474606 5410009 180 -75 650
CR22-265 474403 5410013 180 -75 577
CR22-257 473644 5408751 355 -45 354

Assays, Quality Assurance/Quality Control and Drilling and Assay

Edwin Escarraga, MSc, P.Geo., a “qualified person” as defined by National Instrument 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 logging facility. The core is marked and sampled at 1.5 metre lengths and cut with a diamond blade saw. One set of samples is transported in secured bags directly from the Canada Nickel core shack to Actlabs Timmins, while a second set of samples is securely shipped to SGS Lakefield for preparation, with analysis performed at SGS Burnaby or SGS Callao (Peru). All are ISO/IEC 17025 accredited labs. Analysis for precious metals (gold, platinum, and palladium) are completed by Fire Assay while analysis for nickel, cobalt, sulphur and other elements are performed using a peroxide fusion and ICP-OES analysis. Certified standards and blanks are inserted at a rate of 3 QA/QC samples per 20 core samples making a batch of 60 samples that are submitted for analysis.

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Stephen J. Balch P.Geo. (ON), VP Exploration of Canada Nickel and a “qualified person” as 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 Canada Nickel.

The magnetic images shown in this press release were created from Canada Nickel’s interpretation of datasets provided by the Ontario Geological Survey.

About Canada Nickel Company

Canada Nickel Company Inc. is advancing the next generation of nickel-sulphide projects to deliver nickel required to feed the high growth electric vehicle and stainless-steel markets. Canada Nickel has applied in multiple jurisdictions to trademark the terms NetZero NickelTM, NetZero CobaltTM, NetZero IronTM and is pursuing the development of processes to allow the production of net zero carbon nickel, cobalt, and iron products. Canada Nickel provides investors with leverage to nickel in low political risk jurisdictions. 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. For more information, please visit www.canadanickel.com.

For further information, please contact:

Mark Selby
CEO
Phone: 647-256-1954
Email: [email protected]

Cautionary Note and Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” under applicable Canadian securities legislation.  Forward looking information includes, but is not limited to, drill and exploration results, the significance of drill results, the ability to continue drilling, the impact of drilling on the definition of any resource, the potential of the Crawford Nickel Sulphide Project, timing and completion (if at all) of mineral resource estimates, strategic plans, including future exploration and development plans and results, and corporate and technical objectives.  Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon several assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.  Factors that could affect the outcome include, among  others:  future prices and the supply of metals, the future demand for metals, the results of drilling, inability to raise  the money necessary to incur the expenditures required to retain and advance the property, environmental liabilities  (known  and  unknown), general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, results of  exploration programs, risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals, failure to obtain  regulatory or shareholder approvals.  There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information.  Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.  All forward-looking information contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and is based upon the opinions and estimates of management and information available to management as at the date hereof.  Canada Nickel disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.