TORONTO, Jan. 22, 2018 /CNW/ - Nickel Creek Platinum
Corp. ("Nickel Creek" or the "Company") is pleased to report
that the updated Phase 2 Metallurgical Program, performed by Expert
Process Solutions ("XPS"), yielded encouraging results indicating
potential viability of separating saleable copper and nickel
concentrates at the Company's 100%-owned Nickel Shäw Project,
located in the Yukon Territory of
Canada. XPS is a technical
consultancy firm that has extensive experience in flowsheet
development and copper-nickel separation and is conducting the
metallurgical test work on behalf of Nickel Creek. The results of
the optimization and batch scale testing were highlighted in a
recent XPS Bulletin (Issue 19, accessible via the website link
below), a semi-annual industry magazine which summarizes technical
achievements of the ongoing XPS projects. Diane R. Garrett, Nickel Creek's President and
CEO, commented: "We are thrilled to receive this positive update
from XPS. Efficient separation of copper and nickel concentrates
has the potential to achieve enhanced recovery of saleable metals
and thus improve potential project economics, which is particularly
important in the environment of escalating metal prices. While we
understand it is early days, we believe this update and the
continued metallurgical work being performed by XPS, represent an
important next step in the process of unlocking further value from
our project."
The Company commenced its Phase 2 Metallurgical Program in
September 2017 with an initial focus
on flowsheet optimization and batch scale testing to determine the
viability of split concentrate production prior to advancing to
Mini Pilot Plant ("MPP") steady state testing. As noted in the XPS
Bulletin, at this stage of project development, with limited sample
and relatively low mass pulls to concentrate, it was important to
use open-circuit batch scale testing to develop split factors for a
closed-circuit simulation. The bulk concentrate produced in
open-circuit separation was also assessed by QEMSCAN (Quantitative
Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy) to confirm
mineralogy and compare theoretical grade/recovery relationship with
that of the closed-circuit simulation projections. This metal split
factor approach, combined with a confirmation of mineralogy,
facilitates advanced evaluation of the conditions required to
achieve effective concentrate separation and determine targets for
future work.
The results of batch scale metallurgical testing were
encouraging and, although preliminary in nature, indicate the
potential for the production of separate saleable copper and nickel
concentrates. The ultimate grades and recovery of the concentrates
produced by Cu-Ni separation will be dependent on tests of bulk
concentrate processed through steady state evaluation in the MPP.
The MPP testing is expected to commence in Q1/18 utilizing the bulk
of the drilled-out material earmarked for metallurgical
testing.
In addition to the XPS metallurgical test work outlined in the
XPS Bulletin, the Company and XPS are working on flowsheet
optimization inclusive of the rougher flotation circuit, grind,
reagent additions, and magnetic separation. During the course of
testing to date, flowsheet refinements produced metallurgical
results consistent with previously reported information, but with a
coarser grind, optimized flotation capacity and at lower reagent
costs. As a result, these refinements could have the potential of
favourably impacting both the capital requirements and operating
costs of the project. Nickel Creek intends to include the flowsheet
improvements into the MPP testing this quarter.
Download XPS Bulletin Issue 19 at
www.xps.ca, containing the Nickel Creek
article (on page 2).
About Nickel Creek Platinum Corp.
Nickel Creek Platinum Corp. (TSX: NCP; OTCQX: NCPCF) is a
Canadian mining exploration and development company focused on
advancing its 100%-owned Nickel Shäw project with a view to
creating Canada's next world-class
nickel sulphide mine. The project has exceptional access to
infrastructure, located three hours west of Whitehorse via the paved Alaska Highway, which further offers
year-round access to deep-sea shipping ports in southern
Alaska.
The Company is led by a management team with a proven track
record of successful discovery, development, financing and
operation of large-scale projects. Our vision is to create value
for our stakeholders through development of the Nickel Shäw project
into a leading North American nickel, copper and PGM producer.
Qualified Person
The technical information disclosed in this news release was
reviewed and approved by Gordon
Marrs, P. Eng., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in
National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, and an independent consultant to the Company. Please
see technical report dated June 26,
2017, filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com,
for a description of data verification and QA/QC procedures.
The technical information disclosed in the article entitled,
"XPS develops Copper-Nickel Separation for Nickel Creek Platinum
Corp.", contained in XPS Bulletin Issue 19, was reviewed and
approved on behalf of the Company by Gordon
Marrs, P. Eng., who is a "Qualified Person" as defined in
National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, and an independent consultant to the Company. Please
see technical report dated June 26,
2017, filed under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com,
for a description of data verification and QA/QC procedures.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information:
This news release includes certain information that may be
deemed "forward-looking information". Forward-looking information
can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking
terminology such as "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "believe",
"continue", "plans" or similar terminology, or negative
connotations thereof. All information in this release, other than
information of historical facts, including, without limitation,
regarding the results of the Phase 2 Metallurgical Program and
other technical test work, the potential to separate bulk
concentrate into a copper and nickel concentrate, the potential to
produce separate saleable copper and nickel concentrates, the
potential for favourable impacts to project capital requirements
and operating costs, the potential to unlock value from the Nickel
Shäw Project, the timing of commencement of MPP testing, and
general future plans and objectives for the Company and the Nickel
Shäw Project, are forward-looking information that involve various
risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the
expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are
based on reasonable assumptions, such expectations are not
guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments
may differ materially from those in the forward-looking
information. For more information on the Company and the key
assumptions, risks and challenges with respect to the
forward-looking information discussed herein, and about our
business in general, investors should review the Company's most
recently filed annual information form, and other continuous
disclosure filings which are available at www.sedar.com. Readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
information. The Company does not undertake to update any
forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable
securities laws.
SOURCE Nickel Creek Platinum Corp.