Noront Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: NOT) has provided an updated mineral resource estimate for the Eagle's Nest deposit, located at its McFaulds Lake Property in the James Bay Lowlands.
The NI 43-101 Resource estimate for Eagle's Nest deposit has significantly increased and is now estimated to contain:
Main Zone
- Measured and Indicated resource of 11.0million tonnes grading 1.78% Ni, 0.98% Cu, 0.99 gpt Pt and 3.41 gpt Pd and 0.20 gpt Au;
- Inferred resource of 9.0 million tonnes grading 1.10% Ni, 1.14% Cu, 1.16 gpt Pt and 3.49 gpt Pd and 0.30 gpt Au;
East Zone
- Inferred resource of 1.6 million tonnes grading 0.31% Ni, 0.09% Cu, 0.12 gpt Pt and 0.45gpt Pd and 0.04 gpt Au;
Noront's President and CEO, Wes Hanson, states: "For a second consecutive year the Company has realized a resource increase at Eagle's Nest. Drilling at Eagle's Nest in 2010 was undertaken to improve the geological confidence of the mineral resource disclosed in March 2010 and to increase the inferred resource at depth. This updated resource estimate confirms that both objectives were successfully accomplished. The East Zone, approximately 200 metres east of Eagle's Nest, is indicative of the potential for future resource increases within the Eagle's Nest Complex. Our winter exploration continues as planned with two drills currently operating. One drill is testing targets at AT12, the second drill is testing targets at the Western Intrusive Complex. We are also expanding the ground based geophysical survey to assist in prioritizing previously identified airborne targets within the Eagle's Nest Complex."
The updated mineral resource is based on the exploration drilling completed during the 2010 field season, and updates the previous NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Eagle's Nest Deposit announced on March 9, 2010.
During 2010, the Company drilled 20,200 metres at Eagle's Nest. The drilling was focused on improving the confidence and classification of previous resources estimates through in-fill drilling. In addition, the 2010 program also aimed at expanding the deposit at depth based on a drilling program. Despite challenges in the deep drilling program, the Company was successful in both objectives.
The extent of the mineralization now extends to a depth of approximately 1,650 metres from surface. The Eagle's Nest resource includes inferred resource along strike and down dip below 1,100 metres providing significant potential for further resource growth. It is anticipated that the nickel grade of the inferred resource will increase during further delineation drilling. Due to the depth of this inferred resource, further drilling on this target will be more effective from an advanced exploration program utilizing an underground exploration ramp.
Micon International Limited ("Micon") Qualified Persons responsible for the resource estimate are Charley Murahwi, P.Geo., MAusIMM and Alan J. San Martin, MAusIMM. The work was supervised by Richard Gowans, P.Eng. All are Qualified Persons under the definitions of NI 43-101.
Eagle`s Nest Main Zone resources are reported at a 0.50% nickel cutoff within a geological limit defined by a nickel cutoff grade of 0.25%. The East Zone is reported within a geological limit defined by a 0.25% nickel cut-off grade with no cut-off grade used to report the resource. Total tonnages are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand and individual categories are rounded to the nearest thousand tonnes.
The revised resource estimate was compared with the previous Eagle's Nest estimate to demonstrate the growth of the resource both in tonnages and contained metal by resource classification.
The updated resource is based on 116 holes (58,300 metres) which define the mineralization envelope. The limits of the resource were determined by the natural break in the mineralization at 0.25% Ni. The Eagle's Nest Main Zone extends approximately 125 metres along strike, 1,650 metres down-dip, and averages 40 metres in thickness. A block model was constructed and grades estimated using inverse distance to the third power interpolation with composite samples 1.5 metres in length.
Micon is currently in the process of completing a NI 43-101 compliant Technical Report supporting the estimate disclosed herein which will be filed with SEDAR and made available on the Company's website within 45 days of the date hereof.
This resource estimate reported in this press release includes the Eagle's Nest Deposit and the newly reported East Zone. Micon is in the process of compiling a resource estimate for the Eagle Two deposit.
The Company is currently drilling targets identified at AT-12 and AT-4 and will report results from these programs when available. The Company has all essential supplies on site to continue exploration through until the end of May.
The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing or other relevant issues. There is no guarantee that Noront will be successful in obtaining any or all of the requisite consents, permits or approvals, regulatory or otherwise for the project or that the project will be placed into production.
INDEPENDENT QUALITY CONTROL AND ANALYTICAL PROTOCOL
A thorough quality control program has been in effect for the McFaulds Lake Project, which includes grouping samples into batches of 35 into which are added 2, certified reference material standards, 2 field and pulp duplicates also form part of the quality control program. It can be said with confidence that all assays are reported in this Press Release have passed the strict quality control guidelines as set out by Noront's Qualified Person.
All samples taken since the August 2008 Resource Estimate, and used in this resource update, were analyzed by Activation Laboratories Ltd. ("Actlabs") of Ancaster, Ontario. The samples submitted to Actlabs were analyzed for multi-elements, including Ni and Cu using a four acid digestion and by ICP analysis. The samples that received base metal values greater than the upper limit for the method underwent further analysis using ICP-OES. For the Au, Pd and Pt, the assay methodology was Fire Assay on a 30 gram aliquot with an ICP finish. Silver was analyzed using a 3-acid digest with an ICP analysis.
Preparation of this press release has been supervised by Noront's senior management and reviewed by Jeremy Niemi, P.Geo., Vice President, Geology, who is a Qualified Person under Canadian Securities Administrators guidelines.
Source: Noront Resources Ltd.