Millrock Resources Inc. (TSX-V: MRO, OTCQB: MLRKF) ("Millrock" or
the “Company”) reports that it has assembled (by staking and an
option agreement) an extensive land package in the Delta River
Mining District in Alaska. The Nikolai Project (previously known by
some as the MAN project) hosts nickel (Ni) – copper (Cu) – chromium
(Cr) – cobalt (Co) – platinum group element (PGE) prospects. The
claims show potential for delineation and development of a large
tonnage deposit rich in Ni and other critical and strategic metals.
Millrock President and CEO Gregory Beischer commented: “Millrock
is very pleased to have generated this nickel-dominant project
which also has a variety of accompanying critical and strategic
metals. Other companies such as Canada Nickel (current share price
~$2.33) and Group Ten Metals (current share price ~$0.36) have had
strong market success by working on the development of geologically
similar metal accumulations. Millrock aims to have similar success
with the Nikolai project.”
One of the claim blocks covers the highly prospective and
underexplored Eureka zone. At this location, a zone of disseminated
Ni-Cu-Cr-Co-PGE mineralization was initially discovered by a
subsidiary of Inco, and further expanded by Pure Nickel Inc. (now
Galleon Gold Corp.) as reported in their press releases issued
between 2007 and 2014. The claims had become open for staking and
Millrock re-staked the land position.
Additionally, Millrock has entered into an option agreement on
the Canwell claims where very high grades of nickel, copper and
platinum group elements, including the rare platinum group metals
osmium, iridium, ruthenium, and rhodium are known from historical
surface rock sampling and drilling.
In total, Millrock’s Nikolai Project now consists of 146 State
of Alaska Mining Claims covering 9,454 hectares in a highly
prospective, underexplored ultramafic Ni-Cu-PGE mineralized belt
(Figure 1). The claims are proximal to paved highways, and a
network of gravel roads and trails afford ready access to the
Canwell claim block. The City of Fairbanks lies approximately 200
kilometers to the northwest. The city of Delta Junction lies 130 km
to the north of the project and has many services and amenities
that support the Alaska mining community. The main Alaska power
line and railway lie 150 kilometers to the west along the Denali
Highway.
Figure 1. Overview and Claims
– Nikolai Project is available
at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a1a3293a-18dd-450f-b2e8-d30bd1433572
Several deposit types are possible at the Nikolai project,
including:
- Disseminated Ni-Cu-Co-Cr-PGE mineralization in serpentinized
ultramafic rocks (analogy = Crawford deposit, Canada)
- Massive sulfide Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization (analogy = Norilsk
Mine, Russia)
- Remobilized high-grade Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization (typical in
large Ni camps)
- Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS – Besshi style) Cu (Zn-Pb)
Au, Ag (analogy = Windy Craggy deposit, Canada)
Geologically, the project is located within the underexplored
Wrangellia Terrane of Central Alaska. A characteristic component of
this terrane is the Nikolai Greenstone, an extensive sequence of
Late Triassic flood basalt rocks. Mafic and ultramafic intrusions,
the source for the Nikolai Greenstone, along with Permian and
Cretaceous felsic plutons, intruded Permian volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks. Wrangellia holds high potential for the
discovery of economic magmatic sulfide deposits containing nickel,
copper, cobalt, platinum, palladium, iridium, rhodium, osmium,
ruthenium, gold, silver, lead, and zinc. Past producing mines and
known deposits within the Wrangellia include Kennecott Copper
Mines, Windy Craggy, Wellgreen-Nickel Shaw, and White River.
At the Eureka claim block, 104 State of Alaska
mining claims were staked and are 100% owned by Millrock.
Previously discovered Ni-Cu-PGE prospects form a northwest trend of
soil and rock anomalies that contain elevated nickel, copper,
platinum, palladium, and gold. After an initial discovery by Inco
Ltd. in 1997, drilling by Pure Nickel Inc. and ITOCHU Corporation
between 2008 and 2013 resulted in the discovery of a mineralized
corridor called the Eureka Zone. More than fifteen kilometers in
length, the disseminated Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization is associated
with serpentinized mafic and ultramafic rocks (Table 1, Pure Nickel
Inc., News Release, October 29th, 2013).
Based on these historical drill hole results, Millrock has
identified a zone of mineralization (1,700m x 600m x 300m) that
contains potentially economic concentrations of nickel, copper,
cobalt, platinum, palladium, and gold. Additionally, Millrock
postulates that higher grade mineralization may occur in embayment
features at the base of the Eureka Zone, where heavy metals may
accumulate during fractionation and crystallization of the
ultramafic intrusion. Further drilling is warranted to confirm this
hypothesis, along with in-fill drilling on the identified zone of
mineralization, with the goal of defining a NI 43-101/JORC
compliant resource. The company cautions they have not yet done
sufficient exploration to test these hypotheses and there is no
certainty that exploration will be successful in confirming these
hypotheses.
Table 1. Historical Eureka Zone
drillhole intersections reported by Pure Nickel(Press Release,
October 29th, 2013)
Drill Hole |
From (m) |
To (m) |
EstimatedTrue Width(m)2 |
Ni (%) |
Cu (%) |
Co (%) |
Pt (ppb) |
Pd (ppb) |
Au (ppb) |
Ag (g/t) |
MAN05-01A1,3 |
35.0 |
136.8 |
99.9 |
0.25 |
0.08 |
0.017 |
79 |
49 |
23 |
N/A |
PNI-07-0021 |
100.6 |
388.0 |
246.4 |
0.21 |
0.02 |
0.016 |
54 |
37 |
11 |
0.20 |
FL-0041,3 |
108.8 |
242.6 |
114.7 |
0.20 |
0.05 |
0.015 |
52 |
35 |
24 |
0.00 |
PNI-10-028 |
201.0 |
488.4 |
226.4 |
0.21 |
0.07 |
0.016 |
38 |
82 |
10 |
0.41 |
PNI-10-029 |
172.1 |
399.0 |
211.8 |
0.21 |
0.04 |
0.015 |
34 |
77 |
6 |
0.36 |
PNI-10-030 |
377.7 |
729.5 |
284.6 |
0.20 |
0.06 |
0.016 |
39 |
74 |
11 |
0.44 |
PNI-10-0331 |
210.2 |
496.0 |
231.2 |
0.21 |
0.05 |
0.017 |
36 |
62 |
20 |
0.37 |
PNI-10-0351 |
192.4 |
471.0 |
224.6 |
0.23 |
0.06 |
0.017 |
39 |
81 |
8 |
0.40 |
PNI-12-0631 |
146.6 |
241.7 |
94.8 |
0.24 |
0.15 |
0.018 |
97 |
156 |
31 |
1.11 |
PNI-07-0011 |
397.5 |
659.1 |
211.6 |
0.24 |
0.08 |
0.018 |
50 |
114 |
10 |
0.56 |
PNI-10-0361 |
163.2 |
559.9 |
319.7 |
0.25 |
0.09 |
0.018 |
54 |
121 |
13 |
0.59 |
FL-0061,3 |
185.0 |
382.8 |
160.0 |
0.24 |
0.09 |
0.019 |
57 |
115 |
14 |
N/A |
FL-0031,3 |
60.2 |
393.2 |
269.4 |
0.21 |
0.08 |
0.017 |
54 |
117 |
12 |
N/A |
PNI-09-201,3 |
192.5 |
394.0 |
200.4 |
0.24 |
0.02 |
0.014 |
N/A |
N/A |
7 |
0.11 |
PNI-13-0691 |
160.3 |
373.7 |
205.2 |
0.24 |
0.09 |
0.017 |
61 |
122 |
19 |
0.72 |
PNI-13-071 |
99.4 |
247.0 |
146.8 |
0.17 |
0.08 |
0.015 |
46 |
76 |
14 |
0.57 |
And |
328.0 |
342.7 |
14.6 |
0.19 |
0.16 |
0.016 |
64 |
127 |
21 |
1.19 |
PNI-13-072 |
217.0 |
432.5 |
162.6 |
0.20 |
0.08 |
0.017 |
49 |
104 |
13 |
0.45 |
PNI-13-0731 |
245.5 |
376.7 |
130.5 |
0.22 |
0.07 |
0.016 |
52 |
118 |
16 |
0.36 |
PNI-13-0741 |
198.0 |
453.2 |
253.9 |
0.20 |
0.06 |
0.016 |
38 |
91 |
11 |
0.34 |
PNI-13-0751 |
73.0 |
116.7 |
43.4 |
0.23 |
0.06 |
0.016 |
46 |
105 |
11 |
0.34 |
And |
254.0 |
377.0 |
122.4 |
0.17 |
0.05 |
0.015 |
33 |
80 |
11 |
0.18 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 Incomplete
intersection of the Eureka Zone |
2 True widths
estimated from hole angle and average dip of mineralization
(46˚) |
3 Not
Continuously Sampled |
|
N/A No Assays
Reported |
m = meters, ppb =
parts per billion, g/t = grams per tonneNote: The Millrock
Qualified Person (QP) does not have access to all the drill logs
and assay results and has no way to verify the results that were
published by Pure Nickel. The Millrock QP was responsible for the
team that drilled holes beginning with the “FL” prefix in his prior
role as Exploration Manager for Inco Ltd. subsidiary company
American Copper & Nickel Company. The Millrock QP has access to
the drill logs and original assay certificates for these
holes. |
At the Canwell claim block, Millrock has
entered into an agreement under which it has been granted the
option to purchase the Canwell Ni-Cu-PGE project from property
owner David Johnson. The property covers 42 State of Alaska mining
claims (2,720 hectares). Millrock may purchase a 100% interest in
the property by performing exploration work totaling US$5.0 million
in value, making cash payments of US$500,000 and incremental
payments of Millrock shares (5.0 million in total), and granting a
buyable royalty. Millrock is making an initial share issuance of
1,000,000 Millrock shares and US$25,000 as the signing payment. The
agreement with the owner is subject to approval by the TSX Venture
Exchange.
Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization is associated with mafic and ultramafic
dikes/sills at Canwell and are hypothesized as deep-rooted feeders
to the same ultramafic sills located at Eureka. Felsic intrusions
on the Canwell property have the potential to upgrade the Ni-Cu-PGE
mineralization through remobilization processes. Ni-Cu-PGE
prospects located by previous explorers include Emerick, Forbes,
Odie, and Canwell Ridge. Millrock due diligence samples collected
in 2020 and 2021 from the Forbes prospect returned results ranging
from 0.36% to 4.05% copper, 0.14% to 2.87% nickel, 44 to
716.4 ppm cobalt, 0.051 to 0.114 ppm gold, 3.774 to 7.745 ppm
silver, 0.471 to 0.848 ppm palladium, 0.179 to 0.373 ppm platinum,
0.023 to 0.074 ppm iridium, 0.010 to 0.060 ppm osmium, 0.017 to
0.054 ppm rhodium and below detection to 0.110 ppm
ruthenium (Table 2).
Table 2. 2020-2021 Due diligence
sample assay results from the Forbes prospect
Sample |
Prospect |
Ni (%) |
Cu (%) |
Co (ppm) |
Pt (ppb) |
Pd (ppb) |
Au (ppb) |
Ag (ppb) |
Ir (ppb) |
Os (ppb) |
Rh (ppb) |
Ru (ppb) |
701325 |
Forbes |
2.87 |
4.05 |
716.4 |
373 |
848 |
51.8 |
7745 |
23 |
10 |
17 |
<50 |
701326 |
Forbes |
0.14 |
0.36 |
44 |
179 |
471 |
114.5 |
3774 |
74 |
60 |
54 |
110 |
The potential for Besshi-type Volcanic Massive Sulfides (VMS)
also occurs on the property in the Permian volcanic and
volcaniclastic rocks adjacent to the mafic and ultramafic sequence.
VMS prospects located by previous explorers include Silver, Red
Knob, Plateau, Canyon, Verona Pick, and Woody. Millrock due
diligence samples collected in 2020 and 2021 on the Plateau and
Woody prospects returned results ranging from 0.01
to 10.74% copper, 1.51 to 5450.48 ppm lead, 20.1
to 3989.8 ppm zinc, below detection to 11.856 ppm gold, 0.116 to
189 ppm silver, and below detection to 0.177 ppm palladium
(Table 3).
Table 3. 2020-2021 Due diligence sample assay
results from the Plateau and Woody prospects
Sample |
Prospect |
Cu (%) |
Pb (ppm) |
Zn (ppm) |
Au (ppb) |
Ag (ppb) |
Pd (ppb) |
701333 |
Plateau |
0.01 |
1376.18 |
675.0 |
10.5 |
919 |
24 |
701334 |
Plateau |
10.74 |
37.02 |
95.3 |
561.3 |
82933 |
<10 |
701335 |
Plateau |
4.12 |
22.16 |
190.9 |
14.7 |
16978 |
<10 |
701320 |
Woody |
0.01 |
53.23 |
146.0 |
2.7 |
283 |
<10 |
701321 |
Woody |
5.37 |
5450.48 |
3989.8 |
11855.8 |
53916 |
177 |
701322 |
Woody |
3.56 |
596.68 |
971.6 |
332.4 |
189000 |
32 |
701323 |
Woody |
4.85 |
2456.93 |
758.6 |
2317.3 |
37418 |
46 |
701410 |
Woody |
0.01 |
4.30 |
65.1 |
16.7 |
241 |
<10 |
967701 |
Woody |
0.01 |
2.64 |
20.1 |
1.3 |
116 |
<10 |
967702 |
Woody |
0.08 |
1.51 |
44.4 |
<0.2 |
178 |
14 |
967703 |
Woody |
0.02 |
6.70 |
83.8 |
2.7 |
337 |
<10 |
The assay results reported in Table 2 and 3 were collected by
the Millrock QP and analyzed in 2021. The samples were analyzed at
the Bureau Veritas Laboratory in Vancouver and Ontario, Canada
using methods AQ252, MA404, and NA-PGE-S. The assay results confirm
similar grades to those reported by historical workers.
Millrock has reviewed existing data and built a comprehensive
exploration plan. The Company will seek joint venture partners to
fund exploration and thereby earn an interest in the project.
Quality Control – Quality AssuranceMillrock
adheres to stringent Quality Assurance – Quality Control (“QA/QC”)
standards. Rock samples are kept in a secure location at all times.
Rock samples are assayed at the Bureau Veritas laboratory in
Vancouver, Canada. Preparation and analysis methods are described
in further detail here. The sample preparation method code
being utilized for the current rock sampling program was PRP70-250.
Analysis methods used include AQ252-EXT (Aqua Regia – ICP-ES/MS)
for all samples, MA404 (Aqua Regia and Multi-Acid – AAS) for
overlimit samples (>10,000 ppm Cu, >10,000 ppm Ni &
>100,000 ppb Ag), and NA-PGE-S for rare PGE’s. For every 20 rock
samples, a standard sample (Certified Reference Materials) of known
copper concentration was analyzed. The Qualified Person is of the
opinion that the results reported in this press release are
reliable.
Qualified PersonThe scientific and technical
information disclosed within this document has been prepared,
reviewed, and approved by Gregory A. Beischer, President, CEO, and
a director of Millrock Resources. Mr. Beischer is a qualified
person as defined in NI 43-101.
About Millrock Resources Inc.Millrock Resources
Inc. is a premier project generator to the mining industry.
Millrock identifies, packages, and operates large-scale projects
for joint venture, thereby exposing its shareholders to the
benefits of mineral discovery without the usual financial risk
taken on by most exploration companies. The company is
recognized as the premier generative explorer in Alaska, holds
royalty interests in British Columbia, Canada, and Sonora State,
Mexico, is a significant shareholder of junior explorer ArcWest
Exploration Inc. and owns a large shareholding in Resolution
Minerals Limited. Funding for drilling at Millrock’s exploration
projects is primarily provided by its joint venture
partners. Business partners of Millrock have included some of
the leading names in the mining industry: EMX Royalty, Coeur
Explorations, Centerra Gold, First Quantum, Teck, Kinross, Vale,
Inmet and, Altius as well as junior explorers Resolution,
Riverside, PolarX, Felix Gold and Tocvan.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD“Gregory Beischer”Gregory
Beischer, President & CEO
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Melanee
Henderson, Investor RelationsToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local:
604-638-3164Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking
information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation)
including without limitation the intention to form joint ventures
and to perform further exploration. These statements address future
events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown
risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or
implied by the statements.
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