In 2010, North American Nickel began outcrop stripping, washing and detailed mapping along with beep mat geophysical surveys to assess the Whistle Offset Structure for shallowly-buried mineralization. Elevated EM responses were obtained and these areas were stripped of overburden using an excavator and washed using a Wajax pump. Exposed mineralization was sampled and assayed for Ni, Cu, Co Au, Pt and Pd. Results documented elevated gold at 29g/t, 17g/t and 1.5g/t; silver values at 18.7 g/t and copper at 15%, 1.9% and 1,1% (Figure 4). Mobile Metal Ions soil geochemical surveys were also undertaken over airborne VTEM geophysical survey results and ground IP and magnetic surveys. Grid cutting and grid refurbishing was completed in preparation for a deep-looking ground geophysical survey using Abitibi Geophysics InfiniTEM system.
On June 16th, 2011, North American Nickel announced the discovery of a previously unrecognized Quartz Diorite (“QD”) dyke in outcrop on its North Range Post Creek property. The QD Dyke occurs within the extension of the Whistle Offset structure, host to the Podolsky Mine. The QD dyke discovered by North American Nickel prospector Cecil Johnson has been named the “the Cecil Johnson Offset Dyke” or “CJ#1”.
The QD dyke and associated outcrop has been traced for a distance of 450 metres, is 7-15 metres wide, inclusion-bearing, and has an approximate north-south trend. See Figures below for location. Mineralization in the dyke observed to date includes 1-2% disseminated pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite (Figure 5).
In 2011 a deep-looking ground EM geophysical survey contracted by NAN and undertaken by Abitibi Geophysics on the Post Creek property has documented the presence of EM anomalies within the Embayment. In late 2011 seven holes were drilled for a total of 1532 m on the CJ Embayment EM targets. The drill program was designed to test several ground geophysical InfiniTEM electro-magnetic (“EM”) targets associated with the newly recognized CJ Embayment. The anomalies were explained by heavily disseminated to near-solid pyrrhotite, pyrite and minor chalcopyrite hosted within large blocks of mafic volcanic rocks encapsulated by the embayment and within oxide and lean iron formation. Assays from drill core indicated low base and precious metal values.
Although ore grade mineralization was not discovered by this phase of drilling, initial results are encouraging. The Post Creek-Halcyon exploration programs based on ground InfiniTEM surveys, borehole pulse EM (BHPEM) surveys and diamond drilling evaluated approximately 25% of the known CJ Embayment to a depth of 250-300 m.
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Figure 4: Summary of exploration results, Post Creek-Halcyon.
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Figure 5: Quartz diorite ("QD") of the Johnson Offset Dyke, Post Creek property. Note inclusions and pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite mineralization.