Talon Metals Announces Drilling to Date Intersects Nickel-Copper Mineralization in More than 60 Holes, All Located Outside of the Resource Area at the Tamarack Nickel Project

June 01, 2021 7:30 AM EDT | Source: Talon Metals Corp.

Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - June 1, 2021) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) ("Talon" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project"), located in Minnesota, USA. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project.

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Figure 1: Drill hole 21TK0311 showing 4.3 meters (14.1 feet) of mixed massive mineralization starting at only 234 meters depth

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HIGHLIGHTS

  • Drilling is progressing extremely well at the Tamarack Nickel Project, as Talon has consistently (now in 15 more drill holes) intersected nickel-copper mineralization at shallow depths in two areas that both lie outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area. The areas are referred to as the CGO East area and the CGO Bend area (previously referred to as the SMSU Extension area).
  • The new drill holes demonstrate that the CGO East area has continuous nickel-copper mineralization over a strike length of more than 500 meters, with mineralization of 50 to 85 meters in width.
  • Some of the notable results in the CGO East area so far are as follows:
    • Drill hole 21TK0302 intersected 23.11 meters (75.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 196.6 meters, including 1.13 meters (3.7 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 218.58 meters;

    • Drill hole 21TK0304 intersected 57.95 meters (190.1 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 188.98 meters, including 1.67 meters (5.5 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 245.26 meters;

    • Drill hole 21TK0305 intersected 31.45 meters (103.2 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 186.05 meters, including 0.78 meters (2.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 216.72 meters;

    • Drill hole 21TK0306 intersected 27.22 meters (89.3 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 229.45 meters, including 1.39 meters (4.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 255.28 meters;

    • Drill hole 21TK0309 intersected 50.1 meters (59.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 232.85 meters, including 2.66 meters (8.7 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 248.17 meters;

    • Drill hole 21TK0311 intersected 17.98 meters (164.4 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 188.7 meters, including 4.3 meters (14.1 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 234.5 meters;

    • Assays remain pending for all of the above-noted drill holes.

  • To date, nickel-copper mineralization has been intersected in more than 60 holes within the CGO East, CGO West and CGO Bend areas. The Company plans to deliver a new resource estimate later this year or early next year.

"We are excited to now be consistently hitting nickel-copper mineralization at shallow depths in areas that lie outside of our resource area," said Brian Goldner, Vice President of Exploration for Talon. "As has been demonstrated by our recent press releases, this year is all about growing the size of the resource at the Tamarack Nickel Project, so we are in a much better position to assess and update the proposed mine plan by the end of this year. Drilling is ongoing at the Tamarack Project, with additional results coming out shortly."

SUMMARY

CGO East

The CGO East target area is large, stretching over an area of 500 meters (east-west) by 900 meters (north-south) outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource area (see Talon's press releases dated November 2, 2020, December 15, 2020 and March 31, 2021 for further details). Continued drilling coupled with Borehole Electro-Magnetic ("BHEM") surveys (geophysics) confirm this area hosts shallow, wide sheets of mineralization consistent with the previously reported drill results.

The new holes announced in this press release extend mineralization to the east and west and show additional continuity of the mineralized sheet between drill holes in the southern portion of the CGO East area: (all assays remain pending)

  • Drill hole 21TK0302 intersected 23.11 meters (75.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 196.6 meters, including 1.13 meters (3.7 feet) of mixed and massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 218.58 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0304 intersected 57.95 meters (190.1 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 188.98 meters, including 1.67 meters (5.5 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 245.26 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0305 intersected 31.45 meters (103.2 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 186.05 meters, including 0.78 meters (2.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 216.72 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0306 intersected 27.22 meters (89.3 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 229.45 meters, including 1.39 meters (4.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 255.28 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0307 intersected 1.82 meters (6.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 206.7 meters, including 0.40 meters (1.3 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 208.12 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0308 intersected 27.83 meters (6.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 206.7 meters, and 0.78 meters (2.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 223.18 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0309 intersected 50.1 meters (59.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 232.85 meters, including 2.66 meters (8.7 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 248.17 meters;

  • Drill hole 21TK0311 intersected 17.98 meters (164.4 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 188.7 meters, including 4.3 meters (14.1 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 234.5 meters; and

  • Drill hole 21TK0318 intersected an upper zone of 6.1 meters (20.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 230.73 meters, and a lower zone of 7.88 meters (25.9 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 243.84 meters, including 1.39 meters (4.6 feet) of mixed massive sulphide mineralization starting at only 250.33 meters.

These results provide further confirmation of the continuous trend of nickel-copper mineralization modelled by Talon using surface and BHEM data (geophysics). This consistent mineralized zone typically begins with large, shallow and thick disseminated sulphide mineralization above a sheet of higher-grade massive sulphide mineralization. Previously reported assay results (see the Company's press release dated May 4, 2021) have intervals with nickel grades up to 5.2% Ni combined with copper grades up to 1.7% Cu in the massive and mixed massive sulphide sheet.

Talon plans to continue drilling the CGO East area with the goal of delineating a resource that could be added to the current mine plan.

CGO Bend

The CGO Bend is a zone that lies between the CGO East and CGO West areas that is composed of low grade mineralized coarse-grained olivine ("CGO"). Historically 6 holes were drilled into this area along the strike-length of the CGO Bend, so Talon set out to drill holes towards the edges to determine where the contact is between the CGO East/West and the CGO Bend and to identify if it is mineralized. The drilling conducted showed that not only did the CGO Bend extend further east than expected, but it also contained thicker zones of mineralization than expected with holes intersecting up to 42 meters of disseminated mineralization as shown below.

In summary:

  • Drill hole 21TK0280 intersected 8.22 meters (27.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 98.23 meters and 17.43 meters (57.2 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 125.12 meters.
  • Drill hole 21TK0281 intersected 42.06 meters (138.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 127.71 meters and 1.36 meters (4.5 feet) of mixed and massive nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 195.54 meters.
  • Drill hole 21TK0284 intersected 27.69 meters (90.8 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 100.36 meters.
  • Drill hole 21TK0297 intersected 5.1 meters (16.7 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 247.45 meters.
  • Drill hole 21TK0300 intersected 18.29 meters (60.0 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 127.71 meters and 0.41 meters (1.3 feet) of mixed and massive nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 196.28 meters.
  • Drill hole 21TK0310 intersected 42.52 meters (139.5 feet) of nickel-copper mineralization starting at only 170.08 meters.

The mineralization in the CGO Bend area appears to be shallow and bulky, over a strike length of 300 meters.

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Figure 2: Plan view geological map of the northern portion of the Tamarack Project showing the new Ni-Cu mineralization intervals in green text boxes in the CGO East and CGO Bend areas.

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QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) #3 of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of January 8, 2021 prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101")) Leslie Correia (Pr. Eng), Andre-Francois Gravel (P. Eng.), Tim Fletcher (P. Eng.), Daniel Gagnon (P. Eng.), David Ritchie (P. Eng.), Oliver Peters (P. Eng.), Volodymyr Liskovych (P.Eng.), Andrea Martin (P. E.) and Brian Thomas (P. Geo.) for information on the QA/QC, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR at (www.sedar.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company.

The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

ABOUT TALON

Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in Minnesota, USA, comprised of the Tamarack North Project and the Tamarack South Project. Talon has an earn-in to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Project. The Tamarack Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with numerous high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon is focused on expanding its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101; identifying additional high-grade nickel mineralization; and developing a process to potentially produce nickel sulphates responsibly for batteries for the electric vehicles industry. Talon has a well-qualified exploration and mine management team with extensive experience in project management.

For additional information on Talon, please visit the Company's website at www.talonmetals.com or contact:

Sean Werger
President
Talon Metals Corp.
Tel: (416) 361-9636 x102
Email: werger@talonmetals.com

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to the timing and results of the exploration program, including mineralization, potential, assay results and grades, geophysical results and drilling plans; the Company's plans to deliver a new resource later this year and update to the mine plan. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.

Table 1: Collar Locations of New Drill Holes Referred to in this Press Release

CGO EAST
HOLE IDEasting (m)Northing (m)Elevation (masl)AzmDipEnd Depth (m)
21TK0302491165.75168989.1388.050.0-61.5240.8
21TK0303491165.05168989.0388.070.0-60.057.6
21TK0304491068.65169033.4388.084.4-52.8268.2
21TK0305491168.35168989.8388.068.1-61.0264.3
21TK0306491070.05169034.0388.0184.9-73.8283.5
21TK0307491171.05168990.0388.088.1-67.3240.2
21TK0308491169.05168990.9388.042.8-56.5246.6
21TK0309491067.45169035.6388.0158-67.5277.4
21TK0311491067.65169034.1388.0121-67.8264.4
21TK0318491009.05168962.0388.0139-74.0333.0
21TK0283491303.85169144.8388.0259.2-78.0203.3
21TK0288491298.55169148.4388.0311.9-75.2198.3
21TK0289491178.05168988.0388.023.6-79.5233.9
21TK0290491300.35169144.9388.0214.1-71.8209.7
21TK0291491178.25168985.8388.0237.5-80.1247.5
21TK0294491178.05168985.0388.0222.3-72.9301.1
21TK0295491294.05169149.9388.0345.3-67.3188.5
21TK0296491176.05168998.0388.049.5-73.9236.7
20TK0266491022.05168949.1388.0110.0-82.5283.5
20TK0267491021.25168949.1388.078.7-70.1295.5
20TK0268491021.95168951.8388.0218.1-66.2388.8
20TK0271491019.05168955.0388.0111.0-78.5299.6
CGO BEND
21TK0280491190.45169241.7388163-77.04163.4
21TK0281491194.45169140.4388140-73.23221.3
21TK0284491190.25169241.1388129-60.74205.7
21TK0297491193.85169144.9388220.3-67.8277.1
21TK0300491192.85169144.738834.3-77.64224.9
21TK0310491168.75168990.33885.56-70.38249.3

 

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83.
Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

Table 2: Quick Lithology Log for New Drill Holes in the CGO East Area

CGO EAST
Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Length (m)Lithology% Sulphides
21TK0302047.8547.85Overburden
47.85196.6148.75FGO/MZNOTraces
196.6218.5821.98FGO/MZNO5 to 8%
218.58219.711.13MMS/MSU10-85%
219.71240.7921.08SEDTraces
21TK0303Hole abandoned at 57.6 meters in FGO/MZNO
21TK0304044.8144.81Overburden
44.81188.98144.17FGO/MZNOTraces
188.98245.2656.28FGO/MZNO3-7%
245.26246.931.67MMS75%
246.93268.2221.29SED
21TK0305048.1648.16Overburden
48.16186.05137.89FGO/MZNOTraces
186.05216.7230.67FGO/MZNO2-5%
216.72217.50.78MSU30%
217.5264.2646.76SED
21TK0306045.6245.62Overburden
45.62229.45183.83FGO/MZNOTraces - 2%
229.45254.9325.48FGO/MZNO2-3%
254.93255.280.35SED3%
255.28256.671.39MMS/MSU60%
256.67264.577.9SED
21TK0307046.346.3Overburden
46.3206.7160.4FGO/MZNOTraces
206.7207.741.04FGO/MZNO5%
207.74208.120.38SED7%
208.12208.520.4MMS/MSU35%
208.52240.1831.66SEDTraces
21TK0308048.2148.21Overburden
48.21191.02142.81FGO/MZNO
191.02218.8527.83FGO/MZNO5%
218.85223.184.33FGO/MZNO2%
223.18223.960.78MMS/MSU65%
223.96246.5822.62SED
21TK0309041.9841.98Overburden
41.98232.85190.87FGO/MZNOtraces-2%
232.85248.1715.32FGO/MZNO7%
248.17250.832.66MMS/MSU70-85%
250.83277.3726.54SED
21TK0311045.645.6Overburden
45.6188.7143.1FGO/MZNOTraces-3%
188.7234.545.8FGO/MZNO5-7%
234.5238.84.3MMS/MSU40-80%
238.8264.4125.61SED
21TK0318035.9735.97Overburden
35.97230.73194.76FGO/MZNOTraces-3%
230.73236.836.1FGO/MZNO5%
236.86243.846.98FGO/MZNOTraces
243.84250.336.49FGO/MZNO7%
250.33251.721.39MMS/MSU40%
223.96246.5822.62SED

 

Quick lithology log of drill holes: Fine-grained orthocumulate/Mixed Zone (FGO/MZNO); Mixed massive sulphides (MMS); Massive sulphides (MSU); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Coarse-graned Orthocumulate (CGO)

Table 3: Quick Lithology Log for New Drill Holes in the CGO Bend Area

CGO BEND
Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Length (m)Lithology% Sulphides
21TK0297048.3448.34Overburden
48.34143.8495.5FGO/MZNOTraces
143.84151.497.65CGOTraces-3%
151.49247.4595.96CGO Traces -2%
247.45252.555.1CGO5%
252.55277.0624.51CGOTraces
21TK0280054.8654.86Overburden
54.8698.2343.37FGO/MZNOTraces
98.23106.458.22CGO5%
106.45125.1218.67CGO Traces
125.12142.5517.43CGO2-7%
142.55163.3720.82CGOTraces
21TK0281045.4845.48Overburden
45.48127.7182.23FGO/MZNOTraces
127.71169.7742.06CGO6%
169.77195.5425.77CGO 1%
195.54196.91.36MMS45%
196.9221.2824.38SEDTraces
21TK0284065.1465.14Overburden
65.14100.3635.22FGO/MZNOTraces
100.36128.0527.69CGO5%
128.0518051.95CGO Traces-2%
180205.7425.74SED
21TK0300048.8248.82Overburden
48.82105.2456.42FGO/MZNOTraces
105.24136.8631.62CGOTraces-3%
136.86155.1518.29CGO 5-7%
155.15190.134.95CGO1-3%
190.1196.286.18SED
196.28196.690.41MMS35%
196.69215.1918.5CGOTraces
215.69218.853.16SED
218.85224.946.09CGO
21TK0310048.2948.29Overburden
48.29170.08121.79FGO/MZNOTraces-2%
170.08212.642.52CGO3-5%
212.6232.3719.77CGO Traces
232.37232.870.5SED4%
232.87239.877CGO1%
239.87249.339.46SED

 

Quick lithology log of drill holes: Fine-grained Orthocumulate/Mixed Zone (FGO/MZNO); Mixed massive sulphides (MMS); Massive sulphides (MSU); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Coarse-grained Orthocumulate (CGO)

Table 4: Assay Results from Drill Holes within the CGO East and CGO Bend Areas

Drill HoleFromToLengthResults
#(m)(m)(m)Ni (%)Cu (%)Co (%)Pd (g/t)Pt (g/t)Au (g/t)NiEq (%)CuEq (%)
20TK0267232248.9916.990.870.500.030.170.330.181.233.29
including247.66248.991.333.350.890.130.440.790.294.1811.15
21TK0283146176.3630.361.300.590.040.150.270.131.684.49
including171.26176.365.14.991.660.140.310.570.206.0316.09
21TK0290153184.7331.731.000.580.030.150.280.171.393.70
including183.14184.731.595.211.730.160.330.420.626.3717.00
21TK0295139.061488.940.590.380.020.110.180.090.842.23
and155.45165.910.451.990.850.050.190.330.192.536.75
including161.35164.534.553.391.260.090.280.430.224.1911.17
20TK026620323633Assays pending
20TK0266236247.7511.751.030.720.030.140.310.251.53.99
including246.5247.751.252.31.090.090.150.270.32.997.96
20TK0268287.12312.5925.07Assays pending
20TK0271236245.559.552.120.970.060.140.280.232.717.22
Including242.84245.552.715.131.700.160.200.350.216.1516.41
21TK0280Assays pending
21TK0281Assays pending
21TK0284Assays pending
21TK0288Assays pending
21TK0289Assays pending
21TK0291Assays pending
21TK0294Assays pending
21TK0296Assays pending
21TK0297Assays pending
21TK0300Assays pending
21TK0302Assays pending
21TK0304Assays pending
21TK0305Assays pending
21TK0306Assays pending
21TK0307Assays pending
21TK0310Assays pending

Length refers to drill hole length and not True Width.
True Width is unknown at the time of publication.
All samples were analysed by ALS Minerals. Nickel, copper, and cobalt grades were first analysed by a 4-acid digestion and ICP AES (ME-MS61). Grades reporting greater than 0.25% Ni and/or 0.1% Cu, using ME-MS61, trigger a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES finish (ICP81). Platinum, palladium and gold are initially analyzed by a 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish (PGM-MS24). Any samples reporting >1g/t Pt or Pd trigger an over-limit analysis by ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP27) and any samples reporting >1g/t Au trigger an over-limit analysis by AAS (Au-AA26).
NiEq% = Ni%+ Cu% x $3.00/$8.00 + Co% x $12.00/$8.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$8.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$8.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$8.00/22.04
CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$3.00 + Co% x $12.00/$3.00 + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,300/$3.00/22.04 + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $700/$3.00/22.04 + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,200/$3.00/22.04
No adjustments were made for recovery or payability.

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