Scandinavian explorer Nordic Nickel (ASX:NNL) has confirmed an ‘extensive’ nickel sulphide system through assays from the first diamond drillhole completed at its flagship Pulju Project in Finland.
Assay results from diamond drillhole HOT001, completed as part of a maiden diamond drilling program at the Hotinvaara prospect, have confirmed ‘significant’ scale and endowment within the nickel sulphide system at the project.
The company reports the hole encountered multiple mineralised zones from 624m downhole, noting the grade of the mineralisation intersected is consistent with the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Hotinvaara of 133.8 million tonnes @ 0.21% nickel and 0.01% copper. Further, these mineralised zones extend well beyond the current MRE envelope.
Nordic says the phase one drilling program at Hotinvaara is focused on a dual exploration strategy of targeting geophysical anomalies, including electromagnetic (EM) conductor plates interpreted to be zones of massive sulphide accumulation, together with extensions to the previously defined MRE.
While Nordic is targeting massive nickel-copper sulphides within the disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation similar to the Sakatti deposit, the company reports the ongoing drilling is also increasing its confidence in the ‘significant’ size and district-scale potential of the near-surface mineralisation at the Hotinvaara prospect.
Commenting on the results, Nordic Nickel Managing Director Todd Ross says: “These first assays from our maiden diamond drilling program have added to the excitement around the scale and endowment of the nickel sulphide system at Pulju and its significant growth potential.
Excitingly, this hole provides our first insight into the potential for mineralisation below the existing mineral resource, which was based entirely on historical drilling and extends to a maximum depth of 500m, with 81% of the MRE in the top 250m.
HOT001 intersected multiple zones of disseminated nickel sulphide mineralisation to a downhole depth of 624m in the prospective ultramafic lithologies, with the system remaining entirely open in several directions.
The clear implication of this is that the historical drilling has hardly scratched the surface of the Hotinvaara prospect, which itself makes up just 2% of Nordic’s land package at Pulju.
“The clear implication of this is that the historical drilling has hardly scratched the surface of the Hotinvaara prospect, which itself makes up just 2% of Nordic’s land package at Pulju”
This is an important first hole for Nordic Nickel which confirms we have a potentially world-class asset at Pulju. It provides clear evidence of the potential to expand the current MRE at Hotinvaara while also confirming the significant nickel sulphide endowment of the system.
It also augurs well for the potential discovery of additional high-grade massive sulphide zones, which remains a key focus of our drilling. We are looking forward to an exciting and productive period for the company over the coming months as the pace of assay turnaround begins to increase.”
Assay highlights from HOT001 include 94.15m @ 0.20% Ni from 6.4m, 38.7m @ 0.26% Ni from 149.3m including 0.65m @ 1.49% Ni and 0.07% Co from 174.7m, and 38m @ 0.18% Ni from 226m including 0.65m @ 1.09% Ni and 0.06% Co from 239.15m.
Nordic reports 16 drillholes for 10,966.4m have been completed as of 23 May 2023 at Hotinvaara. All drillholes in the current program are designed to test both geological and geophysical targets through moving-loop electromagnetic (MLEM), borehole EM (BHEM), fixed-loop EM (FLEM), gravity, and magnetic surveys.
Batches of samples are being regularly submitted for core cutting and assaying, with results expected to be received every 3-4 weeks.
Nordic Nickel is an ASX-listed nickel sulphide explorer building resources to meet the growing demand for battery minerals in Europe and the world. The company’s flagship Pulju Nickel Project lies within the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of Northern Finland. Along with Pulju, the Nordic also holds the Maaninkijoki 3 Nickel Project, also in Northern Finland.
Write to Harry Mulholland at Mining.com.au
Images: Nordic Nickel Ltd
