All but one of the seven drill-holes intersected disseminated magmatic copper-(nickel-PGE) mineralization with twenty-nine samples assaying greater than 0.3% Cu in association with Ni and PGEs. Select samples are shown in Table 1. Importantly, drill-holes 16HK-01, -06 and -07 all intersected the mineralized peridotite unit interlayered with a glomeroporphyritic gabbronorite (GPG). The mineralization in a sequence of interlayered peridotite and GPG is seen to thicken northward and down-dip from 9 metres in 16HK-01 to 52 metres in 16HK-07, including the interval reported in Table 1. The increase in sulphide content along with other geological features provides a vector to potentially massive sulphide mineralization down-dip and north of this hole. The similarity in geology and associated mineralization of the drill-holes along the Western Zone suggests that the mineralization is continuous for approximately 2 kilometres and still open to the north of 16HK-07, south of 16HK-01, and down-dip to the east.

Core from drill-hole 16HK-07 at 131.3 metres.

Mineralization in drill-holes 16HK-03 and -04 along the Eastern Zone occurs in a xenocrystic gabbronorite with disseminated blebs of pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite over a few metres. Both holes 16HK-03 and -04 have on average 0.36% Cu and 0.1% Ni over 4.0 (61.2 to 65.2 metres) and 4.64 metres (329.66 to 334.31), respectively. The geological sequence and mineralization is very similar in both holes which are 2.4 kilometres apart.

The sedimentary units located below, above and within the Huckleberry Intrusion, consist of argillites, sandstones, and mudstones. Some of the sedimentary intervals are conductive due to the presence of graphitic argillites, pyrite, and pyrrhotite banding. Chlorite and silica alteration was present within various sedimentary intervals. Several quartz-carbonate-chlorite veins and fractures also contained chalcopyrite. Disseminated copper and zinc was noted in nearly all sedimentary units and within the intrusion near the contact. Although the complexity and sulphidic nature of some of the sedimentary rocks present challenges for airborne EM depth penetration and interpretation, they are an excellent sulphur and contaminant source for the formation of Ni-Cu-PGE massive sulphides in the Huckleberry Intrusion.

Northern Shield President & CEO Ian Bliss commented, “The intersection of modest to significant mineralization in all but one drill-hole, highlights the extensive nature of the mineralization at Huckleberry. These first holes were always planned as ‘scout’ holes, and the assay results, geochemical ratios and core observation provide distinct and encouraging vector information with follow up drilling and ground geophysics being planned for next season.”

Preparations for a drill program at Séquoi later this month are underway. An update on this program and highlights from a pilot-scale till and boulder sampling program will follow shortly.

Table 1. Select assays from the Huckleberry Project.

The program at Huckleberry was overseen by Christine Vaillancourt, P. Geo., and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Samples were analyzed by ALS Global in Sudbury, Ontario and in Vancouver, BC, for Au, Pt and Pd by Fire Assay with ICP-AES finish and base metals by four acid digestion and ICP-AES.

Northern Shield Resources Inc. is a Canadian-based company focused on exploring for platinum group element (“PGE”) and nickel-copper-PGE deposits. It is known as a leader in grass roots exploration for Ni-Cu-PGEs and the understanding of magmatic systems as it applies to exploration.

Northern Shield Resources Inc.
Ian Bliss
President and CEO
Tel.: (613) 232-0459

Fax: (613) 232-0760
info@northern-shield.com