MONTREAL, July 04, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Midland Exploration Inc. (“Midland”) (TSX-V: MD) is pleased to announce that work will resume in the vicinity of the recent nickel-copper (“Ni-Cu”) discovery named Santos. This zone was discovered during the maiden drilling program completed by Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc. (“RTEC”) on the Tête Nord property. The upcoming drilling program will begin shortly to test new prospective geophysical targets located near Santos as well as further south in the vicinity of the Palmeiras and Savane showings.
Located near the town of La Tuque, Quebec, the Tête Nord property is currently wholly owned by Midland but is subject to an option agreement with RTEC since December 2021 (see press release by Midland dated December 2, 2021).
Highlights:
- Commencement of a new drilling program with 6 drill holes totalling up to 1,900 metres;
- Several new drilling targets identified in the Santos and Palmeiras areas, north of the former Lac Edouard Ni-Cu mine;
- New drilling targets at Savane.
New drilling targets at Santos and Palmeiras
Over the past few months, ground-based gravity surveys were completed in the vicinity of the new Santos Ni-Cu zone and further south along the same N-S-trending structure, in the vicinity of the Palmeiras showing. The gravity survey led to the identification of new prospective drilling targets, favourably located near the two showings. This new drilling campaign will consist of six (6) drill holes totalling up to 1,900 metres and is scheduled to begin in early July, depending on the forest fire situation in this part of the province of Quebec.
During the maiden drilling program, drill hole MDLD0015, designed to test a VTEM anomaly and an off-hole anomaly detected in drill hole MDLD0009, intersected from 14 metres to 80 metres downhole depth, several layers with Ni-Cu mineralization within altered gabbro horizons. From 20.11 to 22.79 metres, the drill hole intersected 1.10% Ni and 0.71% Cu over 2.68 metres. Further down, from 33.02 to 43.39 metres, a mineralized interval graded 0.45% Ni and 0.18% Cu over 10.37 metres (see press release by Midland dated April 27, 2023). Regionally, this new Santos zone is favourably located along a N-S-trending structure, approximately 8 km north of the former Lac Edouard Ni-Cu mine.
Modelling of the ground gravity survey completed this summer in the Santos area led to the identification of a new anomaly located a few hundred metres northwest of the Santos zone. A total of three (3) drill holes totalling up to 900 metres will be completed in the Santos area. Two of these drill holes will test possible extensions of the Santos zone to the south and west, and the third drill hole will be collared northwest of Santos to test the new gravity anomaly.
Approximately two kilometres south of Santos, along the same N-S-trending structure, a large gravity anomaly was detected immediately north of the Palmeiras showing, where mineralized Melagabbro to pyroxenite outcrops were identified near VTEM anomalies. One (1) drill hole totalling up to 300 metres is planned to test this new geophysical target.
Additional drilling on the Savane showing
A gravity survey was also completed in the Savane showing area. During the maiden drilling campaign, a mineralized interval intersected in drill hole MDLD0001 graded 1.07% Ni and 0.13% Cu over 0.78 metre, from 101.87 to 102.65 metres. Modelling of the gravity survey resulted in a better definition of the geometry of the mineralized intrusion at Savane and the identification of two lobes possibly representing previously unknown parts of the mineralized intrusion. Two (2) drill holes totalling up to 700 metres will be completed to test these intrusive targets.
In addition, prospecting work will be conducted approximately 750 metres northwest of the Savane showing, to explain the presence of a new gravity anomaly like the one associated with the mineralized intrusion at the Savane Ni-Cu showing.
About the Tête Nord Ni-Cu property
The Tête Nord property covers mafic and ultramafic rocks of the La Bostonnais Complex north of La Tuque, which hosts the former Lac Edouard mine that historically produced 50,000 tonnes of ore grading 1.50% Ni and 0.50% Cu (source: SIGEOM NTS sheet 31P09).
Cautionary statements:
Note that grab sample grades may not be representative of mineralized zones.
The true thickness of reported intervals cannot be determined with the information currently available; intervals are thus reported in core length.
Mineralization occurring at the former Lac Edouard mine is not necessarily indicative of mineralization that may be found on the Tête Nord property held by Midland.
Quality Control
Drill core samples were sent to ALS Thunder Bay for preparation and ALS Vancouver for analysis. Samples were prepared according to the RIORCK package, where the entire sample is crushed to 70% passing less than 2 mm using a Boyd crusher-splitter combination, then 1 kg of material is pulverized to at least 85% passing 75 microns. This method includes between-sample washes on both crushers and pulverizers. Samples were analyzed for a full element suite using lithium borate fusion (ME-ICP06 and ME-MS81), with four-acid and aqua regia digestion (ME-MS61L and ME-MS41L), S and C by induction furnace (ME-IR08) and Au-Pt-Pd by ultralow detection 30 g fire assay (PGM-MS23L). The MDLD0015 batch of 114 samples included 8 certified reference materials (CRM) and 13 blanks, as well as 4 core duplicates for a quality control insertion rate of 28%. Reference materials consist of in-house standards CL-LG, CL-HG and EA-M, all independently prepared and certified. ALS included laboratory quality control using a range of blanks and CRM standards, and 16 RTX samples were analyzed twice as duplicates.
About Midland
Midland targets the excellent mineral potential of Quebec to make the discovery of new world-class deposits of gold and critical metals. Midland is proud to count on reputable partners such as RTEC, BHP Canada Inc., Barrick Gold Corp., Wallbridge Mining Company Ltd, Probe Gold Inc., Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, Osisko Development Corp., SOQUEM Inc., Brunswick Exploration Inc., Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund, and Abcourt Mines Inc. Midland prefers to work in partnership and intends to quickly conclude additional agreements in regard to newly acquired properties. Management is currently reviewing other opportunities and projects to build up Midland’s portfolio and generate shareholder value.
This press release was prepared by certified geologist Mario Masson, P.Geo., VP Exploration for Midland and Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
For further information, please consult Midland’s website or contact:
Gino Roger, President and Chief Executive Officer
Tel.: 450-420-5977
Fax: 450-420-5978
Email: info@midlandexploration.com
Website: https://www.midlandexploration.com/
Neither 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 release.
This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from targeted results. Such risks and uncertainties include those described in Midland’s periodic reports including the annual report or in the filings made by Midland from time to time with securities regulatory authorities.
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