Canadian miner First Atlantic Nickel has released its initial Phase 2 Drill Plan Map detailing the locations of the first five holes at the RPM Zone, within its 100%-owned Atlantic Nickel Project in central Newfoundland.

The recently completed Phase 1 drilling program successfully defined a near-surface mineralized zone measuring approximately 400 m x 500 m containing magnetically recoverable awaruite nickel mineralization.

All Phase 1 RPM Zone drill holes intersected broad, continuous zones of mineralization, yielding consistent grades and recoveries. Metallurgical testing via the Davis Tube Recovery (DTR) method yielded an average magnetically recoverable nickel grade (DTR Ni%) of 0.13%, an average magnetic nickel concentrate of 1.41% Ni and an average mass pull of 9.1%.

These results indicate an average total nickel recovery of 54% based on an initial total nickel grade of 0.24%. The mineralized system at the RPM Zone remains open in all directions, presenting significant exploration upside.

The fully funded Phase 2 drilling program is now underway and designed to further expand on this discovery.

Awaruite, a natural nickel-iron alloy (Ni₃Fe), is notable for its sulfur-free and magnetic properties, which facilitate straightforward processing through magnetic separation and flotation. This eliminates the need for downstream high-temperature smelting, roasting, or high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL), processes typically required for conventional nickel sulfide and laterite deposits.

“The successful completion of our Phase 1 program validates our geological model, marking the first major drilled awaruite discovery in the Atlantic region,” said Adrian Smith, CEO of First Atlantic. “Our priority is to rapidly expand the known extent of this discovery and further assess the district-scale opportunity at the Atlantic Nickel Project. We believe this project has the potential to become a strategic supply of nickel for North America’s critical minerals supply chain that can be both mined and fully processed domestically.”

Source: First Atlantic Nickel