Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSX-V: AEMC, OTCQB: AKEMF)
(“AEMC” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the first
independent National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Deposits (“NI 43-101”) mineral resource estimate (“MRE” or
“2023 Resource”) for its 100% owned Nikolai Ni-Cu-Co-PGE-Au Project
(“Nikolai Project”) in Alaska, USA. The study was completed by
Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., utilizing historical drill hole
data the Company purchased earlier in the year. The effective date
of the MRE is November 20, 2023.
Alaska Energy Metals President & CEO Gregory Beischer
commented: “The two areas in which we were able to calculate an
inferred mineral resource, based only on historical drill holes,
are approximately two kilometers apart. Other sparse, historical
holes drilled between the deposits indicate a reasonable likelihood
that further grid-based drilling will ultimately connect the two
deposits together. The drilling we recently conducted in Summer
2023 will go part way towards joining the deposits together and is
likely to further increase the contained metal in the deposits
substantially. The rapid growth in resources speaks to the
consistency and predictability of the deposit, which remains open
in all directions. Eureka is quickly evolving into one of the
larger nickel resources on the continent.”
The results of the 2023 Resource are reported
below:
- Total Eureka Zone
MRE contains an inferred mineral resource of 1.5 billion
pounds of nickel, 372 million pounds of copper, and 115 million
pounds of cobalt, plus a total of 1.34 million ounces of platinum,
palladium, and gold in a constrained model totaling 319.6 million
tonnes at an average grade of 0.30% total nickel equivalent
(“NiEq”) using a 0.20% NiEq cut-off grade. See the detailed
breakdown in Table 1 and Table 2 below.
- The Eureka Zone East
MRE contains an inferred mineral resource of 471 million
pounds of nickel, 165 million pounds of copper, 34 million pounds
of cobalt, plus 549 kozs of platinum, palladium, and gold in a
constrained model totaling 88.6 million tonnes at an average grade
of 0.35% total NiEq using a 0.20% NiEq cut-off grade (Table 1 &
2).
- The Eureka Zone West
MRE contains an inferred mineral resource of 1,081 million
pounds of nickel, 208 million pounds of copper, 81 million pounds
of cobalt, plus 792 kozs of platinum, palladium, and gold in a
constrained model totaling 231 million tonnes at an average grade
of 0.28% total NiEq using a 0.20% NiEq cut-off grade (Table 1 &
2).
- Deposits in the 2023 Resource are
defined by 8 of 37 drill holes cored prior to 2023. Several of the
remaining drill holes provide early confirmation that the
mineralization is interconnected across all three deposits (Figure
1). The deposits remain open in all directions.
- The Eureka Zone East and Eureka Zone
West MRE are located approximately two kilometers away from each
other (Figure 1).
- Received and pending assay results
from the eight-hole 2023 drill campaign are not included in the
2023 Resource. These eight holes were completed as ~250 to
300-meter (“m”) step-outs to build outward from the 2023 Resource
for the Eureka East, Eureka Zone 2 (“EZ2”) deposit (Figure 1). An
updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate is anticipated to be
completed in 2024 with the additional drill results.
- Chrome and Iron are also present
within the deposits but have not been reported in the 2023 Resource
due to the lack of historical assay data and analytical methods
used.
Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have
demonstrated economic viability. The 2023 Resource estimate will be
incorporated into a NI43-101 compliant technical report for the
Nikolai project to be filed within 45 days.
Table 1 – Nikolai Project Maiden Mineral
Resource Estimate (MRE)Effective November 20,
2023
Inferred Mineral Resource Tonnes and Grade |
Area |
Mineralized Zone |
NiEq Cutoff |
Tonnes |
Base and Battery Metals |
PGM and Precious Metals |
Total |
Ni |
Cu |
Co |
Pt |
Pd |
Au |
Ni Eq* |
(%) |
(MT) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(g/T) |
(g/T) |
(g/T) |
(%) |
Eureka East |
Eureka Zone 2 (EZ2) |
>= 0.200 |
88.6 |
0.24 |
0.08 |
0.02 |
0.056 |
0.124 |
0.012 |
0.35 |
Eureka West |
Eureka Zone 2 (EZ2) |
>= 0.200 |
182.8 |
0.21 |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.036 |
0.071 |
0.013 |
0.28 |
Eureka Zone 3 (EZ3) |
>= 0.200 |
48.2 |
0.23 |
0.02 |
0.01 |
0.031 |
0.021 |
0.004 |
0.27 |
Total |
EZ2 + EZ2 + EZ3 |
>= 0.200 |
319.6 |
0.22 |
0.05 |
0.02 |
0.041 |
0.078 |
0.012 |
0.30 |
Inferred Mineral Resource Tonnes and Metal
Content |
Area |
Mineralized Zone |
NiEq Cutoff |
Tonnage |
Base and Battery Metals |
PGM and Precious Metals |
Total |
Ni |
Cu |
Co |
Pt |
Pd |
Au |
Ni Eq* |
(%) |
(MT) |
(Mlbs) |
(Mlbs) |
(Mlbs) |
(tOz) |
(tOz) |
(tOz) |
(Mlbs) |
Eureka East |
Eureka Zone 2 (EZ2) |
>= 0.200 |
88.6 |
471 |
165 |
34 |
160,373 |
353,993 |
34,359 |
676 |
Eureka West |
Eureka Zone 2 (EZ2) |
>= 0.200 |
182.8 |
841 |
189 |
65 |
210,018 |
415,335 |
79,036 |
1,135 |
Eureka Zone 3 (EZ3) |
>= 0.200 |
48.2 |
240 |
19 |
16 |
48,816 |
32,694 |
6,495 |
287 |
Total |
EZ2 + EZ2 + EZ3 |
>= 0.200 |
319.6 |
1,552 |
373 |
115 |
419,138 |
802,003 |
119,915 |
2,098 |
- Canadian
Institute of Mining, Metallurgy & Petroleum (“CIM”) definitions
are followed for classification of Mineral Resource.
- Base case
cut-off grade is 0.20% Ni calculated from a Ni price of
US$23.946/tonne (US$10.9 US$/lb), surface mining cost of US$2.50
per tonne, and processing costs US$25.00 per tonne.
- The Mineral
Resource is reported from within economic pit shells whose extent
has been estimated using a Ni price of US$23,946/tonne (US$10.9
US$/lb) and mining cost of US$2.50 per tonne, from a Ni equivalent
grade calculated from Ni, Cu, Co, Pt, Pd, and Au, Ni recovery of
60% and 50% for other metals, fixed density of 2.80- and 45-degree
constant slope angle.
- Metal pricing
used to calculate Ni EQ is based on observation of monthly metal
pricing for the past 24 months up to end-October 2023 with Ni at
US$23,946/tonne (US$10.9/lb) (World Bank), Cu at US$ 8,768/tonne
($US4.0/lb) (World Bank), Co 45,000 US$/tonne (US24/lb) (Trading
Economics), Pt at US$970/toz (World Bank), Pd at US$1,700/toz
(Kitco), and Au at 1,855 (World Bank). Totals may not represent the
sum of the parts due to rounding.
- The Mineral
Resource estimate has been prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. in conformity with CIM “Estimation
of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines
and is reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities
Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral
reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is
no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into
mineral reserve.
SENSITIVITY ANALYSISA sensitivity analysis is
provided in Table 2, demonstrating the variation in grade and
tonnage in the deposit at various cut-off grades. Constrained
Mineral Resources are reported at a base case cut-off grade of
0.20% NiEq. The values in the table reported above and below the
cut-off grades should not be misconstrued with a Mineral Resource
Statement. The values are only presented to show the sensitivity of
the block model estimates to the selection of cut-off grade. All
figures are rounded to reflect the relative accuracy of the
estimate.
Table 2 – Nikolai Project MRE Grade
SensitivityEffective November 20,
2023
Inferred Mineral Resource Tonnes and Grade
Sensitivity |
Area |
Mineralized Zone |
NiEq Cutoff |
Tonnes |
Base and Battery Metals |
PGM and Precious Metals |
Total |
Ni |
Cu |
Co |
Pt |
Pd |
Au |
Ni Eq* |
(%) |
(MT) |
(%) |
(%) |
(%) |
(g/T) |
(g/T) |
(g/T) |
(%) |
Total |
EZ2 + EZ2 + EZ3 |
>= 0.100 |
329.9 |
0.22 |
0.05 |
0.016 |
0.040 |
0.077 |
0.011 |
0.29 |
>= 0.150 |
329.5 |
0.22 |
0.05 |
0.016 |
0.040 |
0.077 |
0.011 |
0.29 |
>= 0.200 |
319.6 |
0.22 |
0.05 |
0.016 |
0.041 |
0.078 |
0.012 |
0.30 |
>= 0.225 |
299.9 |
0.22 |
0.05 |
0.016 |
0.042 |
0.080 |
0.012 |
0.30 |
>= 0.250 |
261.5 |
0.23 |
0.06 |
0.017 |
0.043 |
0.085 |
0.013 |
0.31 |
>= 0.275 |
204.3 |
0.24 |
0.06 |
0.017 |
0.045 |
0.094 |
0.015 |
0.33 |
>= 0.300 |
129.2 |
0.25 |
0.07 |
0.018 |
0.051 |
0.108 |
0.019 |
0.35 |
>= 0.325 |
78.3 |
0.27 |
0.09 |
0.019 |
0.058 |
0.126 |
0.019 |
0.38 |
>= 0.350 |
46.1 |
0.28 |
0.11 |
0.019 |
0.069 |
0.153 |
0.018 |
0.40 |
>= 0.375 |
30.4 |
0.29 |
0.12 |
0.020 |
0.076 |
0.174 |
0.021 |
0.43 |
>= 0.400 |
22.3 |
0.30 |
0.13 |
0.020 |
0.079 |
0.187 |
0.023 |
0.44 |
Inferred Mineral Resource Tonnes and Metal Content Grade
Sensitivity |
|
Area |
Mineralized Zone |
NiEq Cutoff |
Tonnes |
Base and Battery Metals |
PGM and Precious Metals |
Total |
Ni |
Cu |
Co |
Pt |
Pd |
Au |
Ni Eq* |
(%) |
(MT) |
(Mlbs) |
(Mlbs) |
(Mlbs) |
(tOz) |
(tOz) |
(tOz) |
(Mlbs) |
Total |
EZ2 + EZ2 + EZ3 |
>= 0.100 |
329.9 |
1,581 |
380 |
118 |
425,278 |
814,488 |
121,356 |
2,140 |
>= 0.150 |
329.5 |
1,581 |
381 |
118 |
425,018 |
814,018 |
121,298 |
2,139 |
>= 0.200 |
319.6 |
1,552 |
373 |
115 |
419,138 |
802,003 |
119,915 |
2,098 |
>= 0.225 |
299.9 |
1,482 |
358 |
109 |
402,929 |
772,884 |
116,665 |
2,006 |
>= 0.250 |
261.5 |
1,328 |
333 |
96 |
360,130 |
715,889 |
110,796 |
1,804 |
>= 0.275 |
204.3 |
1,075 |
289 |
77 |
298,687 |
614,584 |
99,847 |
1,474 |
>= 0.300 |
129.2 |
719 |
213 |
51 |
210,593 |
446,741 |
77,788 |
1,001 |
>= 0.325 |
78.3 |
458 |
156 |
32 |
146,992 |
318,318 |
48,846 |
651 |
>= 0.350 |
46.1 |
282 |
112 |
19 |
102,277 |
226,807 |
26,878 |
412 |
>= 0.375 |
30.4 |
193 |
83 |
13 |
73,920 |
169,681 |
20,638 |
287 |
>= 0.400 |
22.3 |
146 |
65 |
10 |
57,047 |
133,925 |
16,321 |
219 |
- CIM definitions
are followed for classification of Mineral Resource.
- Base case cutoff
grade is 0.20% Ni calculated from a Ni price of US$23.946/tonne
(US$10.9 US$/lb), surface mining cost of US$2.50 per tonne, and
processing costs US$25.00 per tonne.
- Mineral Resource
are reported from within an economic pit shell whose extent has
been estimated using a Ni price of US$23,946/tonne (US$10.9 US$/lb)
and mining cost of US$2.50 per tonne, from a Ni equivalent grade
calculated from Ni, Cu, Co, Pt, Pd, and Au, Ni recovery of 60% and
50% for other metals, fixed density of 2.80- and 45-degree constant
slope angle.
- Equivalent grade
formula is Ni EQ = Ni/1 + Cu/2.7309 + Co/0.5321 + Pt/0.0008 +
Pd/0.0004 + Au/0.0004
- Metal pricing
used to calculate Ni EQ is based on observation of monthly metal
pricing for the past 24 months up to end-October 2023 with Ni at
US$23,946/tonne (US$10.9/lb) (World Bank), Cu at US$ 8,768/tonne
($US4.0/lb) (World Bank), Co 45,000 US$/tonne (US24/lb) (Trading
Economics), Pt at US$970/toz (World Bank), Pd at US$1,700/toz
(Kitco), and Au at 1,855 (World Bank).
- Totals may not
represent the sum of the parts due to rounding.
- The Mineral
Resource estimate has been prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. in conformity with CIM “Estimation
of Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines
and are reported in accordance with the Canadian Securities
Administrators NI 43-101. Mineral resources are not mineral
reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is
no certainty that any mineral resource will be converted into
mineral reserve.
Figure 1. Eureka Zone overview
displaying geology, the 2023 MRE block model, and drill hole
locations.Note: Drill holes with reported NiEQ grades represent
additional holes with interpreted intercepts of EZ2 mineralization
but are not included in the 2023 Resource due to drill spacing from
the MRE.
Figure 2. Cross section through
the Eureka East, EZ2 MRE.Note: Location of section A-A’ is located
on Figure 1.
Figure 3. Cross section through
the Eureka West, EZ2 & EZ3 MRE.Note: Location of section B-B’
is located on Figure 1.
MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATION CALCULATION
METHODOLOGYThe geologic model used for the reporting of
mineral resources is a 3D block model, developed using Hexagon
Mining’s geological modelling and mine planning software, MinePlan
version 16.0.4. The block model was developed using NAD 1983 UTM
Zone 6N and is in metric units. The block size is 40 m (X), 20 m
(Y) and 5 m (Z) rotated by 20 degrees toward the east to align the
X-axis along strike at 110 degrees. The block model captures three
mineralized ultramafic intrusive bodies (“zones” or “solids”) that
dip towards the southwest at between 45 and 50 degrees.
These three zones are called Eureka Zone 1 (EZ1), Eureka Zone 2
(EZ2), and Eureka Zone 3 (EZ3) from south to north across the
deposit, respectively. The three mineralization zones are further
divided into west and east areas separated by faulting.
The mineralized zones were built using Seequent’s Leapfrog Geo
software from a drill hole database of 37 drill holes. Mineral
sample assays have been validated in eight (8) of the 37 drill
holes and assay data from these holes has been used to estimate
grades for nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), cobalt (Co), platinum (Pt),
palladium (Pd), gold (Au), silver (Ag), iron (Fe) and chromium
(Cr). All metals, excluding Ag, Fe and Cr, have been used to
calculate a Ni equivalent grade based on average (24 month) market
prices. Only Au grades were capped prior to estimation at 55 parts
per billion (ppb) for the Eureka 2 zone and 30 ppb for the Eureka 3
zone. Ni is approximately 76% of the total value of the metals
included in the equivalent grade calculation.
Reasonable prospects for economic extraction have been
determined by calculating a Ni cutoff grade of 0.20 percent (%)
using the following assumptions:
- Mining costs US$2.5/tonne;
- Processing costs US$25/tonne;
- Overall processing recovery of
60%.
Resources are reported from within an economic pit shell at
45-degree constant slope using Hexagon mining Pseudoflow algorithm.
No underground mining is considered. Assumed revenue used to drive
the pit shell is US$10.9/lb Ni applied to a recovered Ni-equivalent
grade assuming 60% recovery for Ni and 50% recovery for all other
metal equivalents. This pit optimization does not represent an
economic study. Future engineering studies will be needed to
develop optimal bulk tonnage mining methods. The pit-constrained
maiden MRE is at inferred-level of assurance based in the quantity
of exploration data available for grade estimation. Mineral
resources are only reported for the Eureka 2 zone and Eureka 3
zone.
The Nikolai Project Maiden MRE, with an effective date of
November 20, 2023, is shown in Table 1 and associated grade
sensitivity is shown in Table 2.
MINERAL RESOURCE ESTIMATE PREPARATIONThe MRE
has been prepared by Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of Stantec Consulting
Services Inc. in conformity with CIM “Estimation of Mineral
Resource and Mineral Reserves Best Practices” guidelines and is
reported in accordance with NI 43-101.
Mr. Loveday is a qualified person (“QP”) as defined in NI 43-101
and is independent of the Company. The QP is not aware of any
environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio‐economic,
marketing, political, or other relevant issues that could
potentially affect this Mineral Resource Estimate. Mineral
resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated
economic viability. There is no certainty that any mineral resource
will be converted into mineral reserve.
METALLURGYAll three deposits in the 2023
Resource contain desirable nickel sulfide mineralization consisting
of thick, layered horizons of nickel and copper sulfides, which are
enriched in cobalt, platinum, palladium, and gold. Preliminary
deportment assessments for the EZ2 mineralization were completed by
Pure Nickel Inc. in 2014 (press release dated April 22, 2014) and
the Company in 2022 (press release dated September 29, 2022).
Results from these two assessments (Table 3) indicate an average
of 83.4% of the total nickel is in potentially recoverable phases
of Ni-sulfides and Ni-Fe alloys. The Company also analyzed copper
deportment at that time, with an average of 74% of the total copper
in potentially recoverable phases of Cu-sulfides and Cu-oxides.
Additional deportment studies and bench scale testing are ongoing
with core samples from the 2023 step-out drill program. Results
from ongoing studies will be released when completed.
Table 3. Summary of Ni-Cu Deportment work
complete on the Nikolai Nickel Project
|
PNI Composite (PNI-12-063) |
Millrock Composite 1 (FL-003) |
Millrock Composite 1 (FL-003) |
% NI |
0.28 |
0.25 |
0.23 |
% Ni in sulfides and alloys |
75.3 |
94.3 |
80.8 |
% Ni in silicates |
20 |
5.1 |
18.9 |
% Cu |
0.12 |
0.16 |
0.07 |
% Cu in sulfides and oxides |
N/A |
72.4 |
75.5 |
% Sulfur |
0.77 |
1.32 |
0.49 |
Note: Pure Nickel deportment study focused on Ni and Fe sulfides,
with no results for Cu sulfides and oxides. |
CHROME AND IRONChrome and iron have been
identified as potentially significant co-products of mineralization
at the Nikolai Nickel Project. In samples used to calculate the
2023 resource, there was incomplete iron assay data, and the
analytical methods used to determine the concentration of chrome
prevented the assessment of these elements. AEMC will continue to
evaluate the chrome and iron numbers from the 2023 step-out
drilling with the objective of integrating these elements in future
resource updates.
QUALIFIED PERSONMr. Derek Loveday, P. Geo. of
Stantec Consulting Services Inc. is the Qualified Person as defined
by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, has prepared, or supervised the preparation of, or has
reviewed and approved, the scientific and technical data pertaining
to the MRE contained in this release, and will be preparing the
NI-43-101 Technical Report for filing on SEDAR within 45 days.
Gabriel Graf, the Company’s Chief Geoscientist, is the qualified
person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the
technical information outside of the 2023 Resource estimate
contained in this news release.
For additional information, visit:
https://alaskaenergymetals.com/
ABOUT ALASKA ENERGY METALSAlaska Energy Metals
Corporation is focused on delineating and developing a large
polymetallic exploration target containing nickel, copper, cobalt,
chrome, iron, platinum, palladium, and gold. Located in central
Alaska near existing transportation and power infrastructure, the
project is well-situated to become a significant, domestic source
of critical and strategic energy-related metals for the American
market.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD“Gregory Beischer”Gregory
Beischer, President & CEO
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:Gregory
A. Beischer, President & CEOToll-Free: 877-217-8978 | Local:
604-638-3164
Sarah Mawji, Public RelationsFinal Edit Media and Public
Relations Email: sarah@finaleditpr.com
Some statements in this news release may contain forward-looking
information (within the meaning of Canadian securities
legislation), including, without limitation, (a) that the Company
will receive all assay results for samples submitted, b) that the
Company will complete metallurgical and deportment studies, c) the
estimation of Mineral Resources, (d) that the Technical Report will
be completed and that it will be filed within 45 days, and (e) that
an updated Mineral Resource is expected to be completed in 2024.
These statements address future events and conditions and, as such,
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that 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.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those
statements are made. Although the Company believes the expectations
expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, such statements do not guarantee future
performance, and actual results may differ materially from those in
the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause the actual
results to differ materially from those in forward-looking
statements include regulatory actions, market prices, and continued
availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market
or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual
results or developments may differ materially from those projected
in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are
based on the beliefs, estimates, and opinions of the Company's
management on the date the statements are made. Except as required
by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to update or
to publicly announce the results of any change to any
forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference
herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments,
changes in assumptions, or changes in other factors affecting the
forward-looking statements. If the Company updates any
forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that it
will make additional updates with respect to those or other
forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this press release.
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