Murchison Minerals Concludes Summer 2022 Exploration Program at HPM Project in Quebec
September 6th, 2022 (Burlington, Ontario): Murchison Minerals Ltd. (“Murchison” or the “Company”) (TSXV: MUR | OTCQB: MURMF) is announcing the conclusion of its three-Phased summer exploration program on the 100% - owned HPM (Haut-Plateau de la Manicouagan) high-grade Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project, located in Quebec.
The Exploration Program had Three Phases
- Versatile time-domain electromagnetic (VTEM™) aerial geophysical survey, designed to cover the entire 648 km2 land package for the purpose of identifying additional electromagnetic (EM) anomalies – potentially coinciding with Ni-Cu-Co mineralization,
- Ground prospecting, which tested high potential EM anomalies for Ni-Cu-Co mineralization outcropping and sub-cropping, and
- Diamond drilling, where the Company had planned diamond drilling (See August 5th, 2022 news release) focusing primarily at Barre de Fer, for the purpose of expansion and delineation, designed to produce a maiden resource by Q1 of 2023.
Summer Exploration Program
The Company was able to complete most of the planned work during the three-Phased exploration program which began in late April 2022.
- Phase I: Aerial geophysical survey, commenced at the end of April and was completed on August 12th, 2022.
- Resulted in the identification of numerous highly prospective EM anomalies, indicative of potential Ni-Cu-Co mineralization, and the Company expanding the project area from 576 km2 to 648 km2
- Phase II: Ground prospecting, kicked off in late June and was completed on August 29th, 2022.
- Identified numerous additional showings of Ni-Cu-Co mineralization outcropping and sub-cropping across the extents of the property. Assays are pending and these results are currently being evaluated and will be released at a later date.
- Phase III: Diamond drilling, began in early August (See August 5th, 2022 news release) and ended on September 5th, 2022.
- The Company drilled a total of 13 holes comprising 4,316 m. Preliminary results from the diamond drilling Phase are expected to be released over the coming weeks.
The Company has concluded the Phase III component of the 2022 Summer Exploration Program earlier than planned following concerns raised by the Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (“ITUM”), on whose traditional territory the HPM Project lies. By taking this action, Murchison is focussing on continuing dialogue with the ITUM and the Government of Quebec. The objective of the continued dialogue is to establish a path forward which is mutually beneficial to all parties. The Company holds the mineral claims that comprise the HPM Project, granting it the right to access the claim areas and explore for minerals. Furthermore, the Company obtained all necessary permits and authorizations from the Government of Quebec to complete its exploration work during its summer 2022 program. Prior to applying for the necessary permits and commencing work in April of 2022, Murchison began early and on-going engagement with the ITUM. During those discussions, the Company was able to address and accommodate all specific concerns raised.
”“Murchison is committed to building active and meaningful relationships and partnerships through open, transparent, and inclusive communication with Indigenous peoples, communities, and stakeholders. Murchison is dedicated to conducting mineral exploration in a sustainable, safe, socially conscientious, and environmentally responsible manner. Murchison seeks to establish a productive working relationship, with the ITUM.”
Troy BoisjoliMurchison Minerals President and CEO
HPM Project in Quebec
As the world economies transition away from fossil fuels, the need for Critical Minerals like those found at the HPM (Ni-Cu-Co) Project in the Haut-Plateau de la Manicouagan region of Quebec, are paramount. In 2020, the Quebec Government announced the Quebec Action Plan on Critical Minerals, which strives to develop a supply chain for the manufacture of new battery technologies, of which critical minerals are a major raw component. Although, the HPM Project is the early stages of exploration, the Company has already identified a zone of high-grade Ni-Cu-Co mineralization called Barre de Fer (BDF), numerous additional showings identified through prospecting, and over 75 EM anomalies which have yet to be tested. Based on these initial results, the Company believes the HPM Project area has the potential to be a source of these critical minerals. Furthermore, the HPM Project lies within an area that has advanced existing infrastructure: rail line within 8 km and access to Port Cartier, Haut Jaune hydro station within 30 km (potential for any future development to be net carbon neutral), and 40 km from provincial highway 389.
About HPM Project
The HPM Project is located within the Haut-Plateau de la Manicouagan area, east of the Manicouagan structure, the site of a major 215 Ma impact event. The extensive reservoir at Manicouagan supports five hydro-power plants. The existing Quebec Cartier rail line, located eight kilometres west of the PYC target area, links Labrador City to Port Cartier and Sept Iles, two major iron ore port facilities.
The claims host prospective gabbroic, ultramafic and anorthositic bodies within the Manicouagan metamorphic complex and are associated with significant nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralization first identified by Falconbridge in 1999, where they discovered extensive nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization at BDF during drilling in 2001 – 2002. Murchison Minerals Ltd.’s predecessor – Manicouagan Minerals – drilled in the area in 2008 and 2009. The majority of the past drilling at the HPM Project targeted the BDF geophysical conductor and confirmed the presence of nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralization over approximately 300-metres strike length to a depth of 280 metres. The mineralization remains open at depth and partially along strike.
Figure 1: HPM Location Map.
The Company recently completed a comprehensive data compilation, verification and modelling program, comprising all drill hole data from the BDF Zone. The modelling program consisted of developing a preliminary 3D interpretation of nickel mineralization at BDF (Figure 5). Based on the modelling, the Zone outcrops on surface, extends to a vertical depth of 295 m, has a strike length of 315 m, and is composed of multiple stacked lenses over a maximum footprint width of 150 m. Individual lenses have a maximum thickness of 28 m. However, extensive mineralization has been intersected to a vertical depth of 440 m, and the Zone remains undrilled and unconstrained along strike and at depth. No resource estimates have been completed on the Zone to date.
Figure 2: Barre de Fer Zone Preliminary Nickel Mineralization Model, isometric view looking Northeast.
((Nickel Equivalent (NiEq) values were calculated using the following USD metal prices from Mar 23, 2022: $12.76/lb Nickel, $4.76/lb Copper and $37.20/lb Cobalt.)
After Murchison acquired 100% ownership of the property in 2019, the Company focused exploration work on the camp-scale potential of the region. Aerial EM surveys completed in the spring of 2021 identified more than 50 anomalous conductors. Prospecting crews were able to traverse three (3) of the more than 50 anomalies, and discovered new outcrops of nickel-bearing sulphide mineralization in the process. The prospecting program was followed by an inaugural drill program at the PYC Target area – an EM anomaly with a 1.95-km strike length. Subsequent to the completion of the drill program at PYC, the Company increased its dominant land position in the Haut-Plateau region from 139 km2 to 576 km2. Finally, as a result of the spring 2022 VTEM survey, completed over the remaining 85% of the HPM property area, the Company further increase its land holdings at HPM to 648 km2.
Qualifying Statement
The foregoing scientific and technical disclosures on the HPM Project have been reviewed by John Shmyr, P.Geo., VP Exploration, a registered member of the Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan. Mr. Shmyr is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Murchison Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: MUR)
Murchison is a Canadian‐based exploration company focused on nickel-copper-cobalt exploration at the 100% – owned HPM Project in Quebec and the exploration and development of the 100% – owned Brabant Lake zinc‐copper‐silver project in north‐central Saskatchewan. The Company also holds an option to earn 100% interest in the Barraute VMS exploration project also located in Quebec, north of Val d’Or. Murchison currently has 218.2 million shares issued and outstanding.
Murchison Minerals