Nov 10 2010
Continental Nickel Limited (TSX VENTURE:CNI) has reported final assay results from its recently completed "Phase 1" diamond drilling program on the Nachingwea nickel-copper sulphide project in Tanzania.
The project is a 75:25 Joint Venture between CNI and IMX Resources Limited ("IMX") of Australia. Highlights include: 1.70% nickel and 0.07% copper over 2.15 metres from drill hole NAD10-206 at H Zone at Ntaka Hill, and a 13.8 metre interval of disseminated sulphide mineralization grading 0.60% nickel and 0.10% copper from drill hole NRD10-021 at Lionja.
The Company has recently increased the Nachingwea 2010 exploration work plan and budget to $4.4 million from $ 4.0 million to allow for additional drilling on the newly-discovered Sleeping Giant Zone. In the original "Phase 1" drilling program, thirty-five diamond drill holes, totalling 4,725.8 metres, were completed at Ntaka Hill, and one 266.1 metre drill hole was completed at the Lionja target, 8 kilometres to the south. Assay results have now been reported for all thirty-six drill holes totalling 4,991.9 metres, including the results of eight drill holes totalling 1,228.5 metres reported herein.
The primary objective of the Nachingwea drilling program is to evaluate selected sulphide deposits for extensions of mineralization beyond the currently defined Mineral Resources and to test prioritized targets for new sulphide zones. Currently, NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, from six separate sulphide deposits (G, H, J, L, M and NAD013) at Ntaka Hill, total 3.1 million tonnes grading 1.31% nickel and 0.24% copper at a US$23/tonne Net Smelter Return ("NSR") cut-off (Press Release July 15, 2009).
Ntaka Hill
H Zone
A total of seven diamond drill holes, totalling 941.3 metres, were completed to test for extensions to mineralization at H zone beyond the previously defined Mineral Resources. Four drill holes totalling 440 metres were previously reported (July 28, 2010) and the assay results for the final three drill holes (NAD10-206,217 and 218) are reported below. All three drill holes, which were positioned to drill down dip to the west below existing drill holes, intersected intervals of largely disseminated to locally massive sulphide mineralization. Highlights include 2.15 metres grading 1.70% nickel and 0.07% copper, including a high grade interval of 5.35% nickel and 0.07% copper over 0.60 metres from drill hole NAD10-206.
Misc. Targets (Grizzly, P and 12B)
Four diamond drill holes (NAD10 204, 205, 209 219) totalling 461.1 metres were completed to test selected targets at Ntaka Hill. Two of the targets (P and 12B) were each tested with a single drill hole (NAD10-205, 209) to follow up previous drill results where nickel sulphide mineralization had been intersected while drilling ground electromagnetic ("EM") anomalies. The drill holes did not intersect any nickel sulphide mineralization. The Grizzly target, which was tested with two drill holes (NAD10-204 and 219), consisted of an untested surface EM anomaly. Only one drill hole (NAD10-219) intersected mineralization, which consisted of a narrow 0.25 metre interval grading 0.85% nickel and 0.13% copper.
Lionja
One drill hole (NRD10-021) totalling 266.1 metres was completed in the Lionja area located approximately eight kilometres to the south of Ntaka Hill. The drill hole was positioned to test approximately 100 metres down dip to the south of drill hole LID-08-005EXT which intersected an ultramafic sill with a 7.75 metre interval of sulphide mineralization near the base grading 0.91% nickel and 0.20% copper, including a higher grade interval grading 2.03% nickel and 0.41% copper over 2.25 metres (previously reported November 24, 2009).
NRD10-021 intersected a 13.8 metre interval of disseminated sulphide mineralization grading 0.60% nickel and 0.10% copper starting at a down hole depth of 191.2 metres. The intersection confirms the presence of an ultramafic sill which is prospective for the accumulation of nickel sulphide mineralization and has expanded the dimensions of the sulphide zone by 100 metres down-dip. Additional drilling will be required to adequately test this developing target.
Next Steps:
A reverse circulation drilling program comprised of twenty-four drill holes totalling 2,317 metres has just been completed. This program tested various targets located beyond the immediate area of Ntaka Hill that were developed from the regional exploration program. Assay results will be reported once they are received, validated and compiled.
Diamond drilling has re-commenced at the new Sleeping Giant discovery where up to seven additional drill holes totalling approximately 1,850 metres are planned. The program is expected to be completed by the end of November and assay results will again be reported once they are received, validated and compiled.
Updating of geological interpretations of the various Ntaka Hill sulphide zones is in progress in preparation for commissioning of a revised Mineral Resource Estimate.
Craig MacDougall, President & CEO of Continental Nickel Limited, said "The Phase 1 diamond drilling program has been very successful in outlining extensions to the known sulphide zones which are expected to add to our existing Mineral Resources at Ntaka Hill. More importantly, the program has also resulted in the discovery of a significant new sulphide zone at Sleeping Giant. With potential to outline a large sulphide zone at Sleeping Giant, drilling has now re-commenced."
Qualified Persons
The quality control, technical information and all aspects of the exploration program are supervised by Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration for CNI. The information in this release was prepared under the direction of Craig MacDougall, P. Geo., President and CEO for Continental Nickel Limited. Both Ms. Tirschmann and Mr. MacDougall are qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Quality Control
The drilling was completed by Tandrill Limited of Tanzania. Drill core samples (NQ) are cut in half by a diamond saw on site. Half of the core is retained for reference purposes. Samples are generally 1.0 metre intervals or less at the discretion of the site geologists. Sample preparation is completed at the ALS Chemex preparation lab in Mwanza, Tanzania. Sample pulps are sent by courier to the ALS Chemex analytical laboratory in Vancouver, Canada. Blank samples and commercially prepared and certified Ni sulphide analytical control standards with a range of grades are inserted in every batch of 20 samples or a minimum of one per sample batch. Analyses for Ni, Cu and Co are completed using a peroxide fusion preparation and ICP-AES finish (Analytical Code ME-ICP81). Analyses for Pt, Pd, and Au are by fire assay with an ICP-AES finish (Analytical Code PGM-ICP23).
Information in this announcement relating to exploration results is based on data collected under the supervision of or compiled by Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo., who holds the position of Vice President, Exploration and is a full time employee of Continental Nickel Limited. Ms. Tirschmann is a registered member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and has sufficient relevant experience to qualify as a Competent Person under the 2004 Edition of the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Ms. Tirschmann consents to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.
Source: Continental Nickel Limited