Québec Nickel Corp (CSE:QNI, OTCQB:QNICF) has wrapped up its 2023 exploration program at the Ducros property, situated 85 kilometers northeast of Val-d’Or, Quebec.
The company completed a comprehensive drilling program covering 18,000 meters (m), a metallurgical study, the discovery of nickel-cobalt-bearing intrusions, and the identification of new targets through an artificial intelligence (AI) targeting study.
The 2023 diamond drilling program encompassed 50 holes across the Ducros property, exploring various nickel, copper and platinum group element (PGE) targets.
Noteworthy discoveries include large nickel-cobalt-bearing ultramafic intrusions at the Ducros Sill Trend and Q-Zone target. A metallurgical study on the Fortin Sill Zone Ni-Cu-PGE sulphides is nearing completion, with results expected in the coming weeks.
An AI-assisted targeting exercise conducted by ALS GoldSpot Discoveries identified over a dozen new nickel-sulphide targets, enhancing exploration prospects. Additionally, a litho-structural reinterpretation of the Ducros Property by ALS GoldSpot is expected to optimize future exploration efforts.
Quebec Nickel also initiated baseline studies in March 2023 with BluMetric Environmental. These studies, scheduled for completion early next year, will contribute to ongoing environmental baseline and monitoring efforts.
David Patterson, QNI’s CEO, commended the Ducros project team's resilience in overcoming challenges during the year.
“Between the unusually warm winter to start the year off and the two-month work stoppage during the summer because of the unprecedented forest fires in this part of Québec, it’s been very challenging to get our work programs completed this year,” Patterson said in a statement.
“I am very confident the results from the large amount of work done over the past two years has set the table for continued success at Ducros.”