Atlantic Nickel Commences Phase 2 Drilling in Newfoundland
In the heart of Newfoundland, the Atlantic Nickel Project by Canadian miner First Atlantic Nickel is making significant strides. The latest developments revolve around the Phase 2 drilling program, which is expanding the awaruite nickel mineralization at the RPM Zone.
The Phase 2 drilling program has delivered impressive results, with hole AN-25-06 returning an outstanding 1.27% awaruite nickel alloy (Ni₃Fe) in magnetic concentrate over a continuous 447.35-meter interval. This drill hole also showed a 9.02% mass pull with 51.84% total nickel recovery and significant chromium mineralization averaging 1.69% in the magnetic concentrate.
The Phase 2 drilling program is designed to extend the mineralized footprint beyond the 400 m by 500 m area defined in Phase 1. Current drilling is testing an expanded strike length of up to 800 meters north-south and pushing eastward toward Chrome Pond as well as north toward Pipestone Pond and west into the RPM fault zone. The program benefits from infrastructure upgrades, enabling deeper and more efficient drilling with refined geological models.
Awaruite, a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy (Ni₃Fe or Ni₂Fe), is significant due to its sulfur-free and magnetic properties. It can be processed into high-grade concentrates (exceeding 60% nickel) through magnetic processing and flotation without smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching, offering an environmentally safer pathway. This makes the resource important for North America's critical minerals supply chain security.
The success of the Phase 1 program has validated the geological model, marking the first major drilled awaruite discovery in the Atlantic region. The RPM Zone's footprint has nearly doubled in strike length, and drilling results confirm consistent grade continuity with Phase 1 data.
Adrian Smith, CEO of First Atlantic, prioritizes expanding the known extent of the awaruite discovery at the Atlantic Nickel Project. Ongoing petrographic studies are targeting the characterization and potential recovery of chromium by-products from the mineralized zones.
Further district-wide exploration across the 30-kilometer Pipestone Ophiolite Complex has identified numerous new occurrences of visible awaruite in surface rock samples, indicating high potential for new deposits beyond the RPM Zone.
In summary, the Phase 2 drilling by First Atlantic Nickel is successfully expanding awaruite nickel mineralization at greater depths and over a larger area. The project shows strong potential for both nickel and chromium, supported by improved infrastructure and processing advantages inherent to awaruite mineralization. The RPM Zone’s footprint has nearly doubled in strike length, and drilling results confirm consistent grade continuity with Phase 1 data. The Atlantic Nickel Project, with its potential to become a strategic supply of nickel for North America's critical minerals supply chain, continues to offer exciting prospects for the future.
[1] First Atlantic Nickel Press Release, [date], [link] [2] Atlantic Nickel Project Drill Plan Map, [date], [link] [3] First Atlantic Nickel Corporate Presentation, [date], [link] [4] First Atlantic Nickel Technical Report, [date], [link] [5] Atlantic Nickel Project Exploration Update, [date], [link]
The Phase 2 drilling program is not only expanding the awaruite nickel mineralization at the RPM Zone, but it also shows strong potential for chromium by-products, as highlighted by ongoing petrographic studies.
The success of the Phase 2 drilling program, along with district-wide exploration, suggests the Atlantic Nickel Project could potentially discover new deposits of awaruite beyond the RPM Zone, providing a strategic supply of nickel for North America's critical minerals supply chain.
