Metal Energy Corp. (TSX-V:MERG) said it has started the Phase 2, 10,000-metre (m) drill program on its high-grade nickel and copper Manibridge project in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba.
The resource project developer said drilling will focus within the shadow of the past-producing mine that produced 1.3 million tonnes at 2.55% nickel and 0.27% copper from 1971 to 1977.
"We're very excited to start this large drill program on Manibridge. There's a lot of underexplored potential within the shadow of the old mine workings and we intend to prove up the nickel and copper endowment,” the company's CEO James Sykes said in a statement.
“Our Phase 1 drill program within the same target area had a 100% drill hole intersection success, indicating that our model is accurate and hinting that a lot of nickel-copper sulphide mineralization remains to be discovered along this trend," he added.
READ: Metal Energy receives permit for 100,000 metres of drilling on its Manibridge project in Manitoba
Metal Energy said the program consists of diamond drilling 10,000 metres in approximately 33 drill holes. The drill hole collar locations will be within 150 to 600 metres of the old mine workings. The average drill hole depths are planned for between 225 and 400 metres. All drill holes will be inclined between -45 and -85.
“Our current drill program will include a series of drill fans along twelve 50 metre-spaced drill setups,” Sykes explained. “We believe this drill density will provide sufficient detail to accurately characterize the geology of the mineral system. We recently received permit approvals for up to 100,000 metres of diamond drilling on the project; this is Phase 2 of a two-year plan.”
The company said geochemical assays will be released as they become available from the lab and reviewed for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC).
Metal Energy is the operator of the program, holds 49% of the project, and is currently earning towards 70% ownership of the project with a short-term objective for 100% ownership of Manibridge. CanAlaska Uranium Ltd currently holds the remaining 51% of the project.
“We're committed to advancing Manibridge efficiently and effectively,” Sykes concluded. “There's potential for bulk tonnage mineralization within 300 metres of surface and we intend to start defining it with this drill program.”
Metal Energy has two projects, Manibridge and Strange, in Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, respectively. Both projects are subject to earn-in agreements where the company can acquire 100% exploration rights to around 16,200 hectares.
Contact the author at stephen.gunnion@proactiveinvestors.com