Highlights Include:
- MNB040A: 36.55 metres of 1.13% NiEq, including 19.45 m of 1.69% NiEq
- MNB039: 36.2 metres of 0.69% NiEq including 12.15 m of 1.14% NiEq
- New high-grade nickel zone demonstrates the discovery potential for multiple high-grade nickel shoots within the broader mineralized shell at Manibridge.
Toronto, Ontario – March 16, 2023 - Metal Energy Corp. (the "Company" or "Metal Energy") (TSXV: MERG, OTCQB: MEEEF) is pleased to announce the final drill hole assays of the Phase Two drill program (Table 1, Figures 1 & 2) on the high-grade nickel and copper-cobalt Manibridge project (the "Project" or "Manibridge") in the Thompson Nickel Belt, Manitoba.
"This new zone of over 1% nickel mineralization in the Upper Lens demonstrates discovery potential for multiple high-grade nickel shoots within the overall mineralized shell at Manibridge. Manibrdige’s mineralized shell is over 1 km of strike, traced down to 800 m depth, and locally exceeds 90 m thickness. Drill holes MNB036, MNB037 and MNB040A show the growth of this new nickel mineralized zone that currently measures 25 m thick by 40 m down-dip. This new zone contains our highest-grade continuous nickel intersection (19.45 m of 1.69% NiEq). We have maintained a 100% Ni-sulphide intersection success rate, and 34 of 36 drill holes have intersected over 1% nickel over variable sample widths. These facts demonstrate the robust nature of the Manibridge nickel system. Overall, we’re thrilled with the results from 2022’s drill programs, and we look to expand and discover additional high-grade nickel mineralization in 2023," said James Sykes, CEO of Metal Energy.
Table 1 - Drill hole composite assay results from Sections 3N & 4N
| DDH | Composite Width (m) | Ni% | Cu% | Co% | NiEq% | GT (NiEq% x m) |
| MNB036 (4N) | ||||||
| Upper Lens | 34.25 | 0.53 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.55 | 18.8 |
| Lower Lens | 27.9 | 0.49 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.51 | 14.2 |
| MNB037 (4N) | ||||||
| Upper Lens | 4.5 | 1.35 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.4 | 6.3 |
| Lower Lens | 27.15 | 0.45 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.47 | 12.8 |
| MNB038 (4N) | ||||||
| Upper Lens | 2.7 | 0.47 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.49 | 1.3 |
| Lower Lens | 41.65 | 0.52 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.55 | 22.9 |
| MNB039 (4N) | ||||||
| Upper Lens | 4.25 | 0.53 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.56 | 2.4 |
| Lower Lens | 36.2 | 0.69 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.73 | 26.4 |
| MNB040A (3N) | ||||||
| Upper Lens | 36.55 | 1.09 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.13 | 41.3 |
| Lower Lens | 17.65 | 0.41 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.44 | 7.8 |
| NOTES: | ||||||
| 1. See Table 3 for individual results used to compile these composite results | ||||||
Figure 1 – Cross-section of results for Section 4N (MNB036 to MNB039)
Figure 2 – Cross-section of results for Section 3N (MNB040A)
Manibridge Phase 2 Drill Program Results
A total of 10,091 metres were completed over 36 diamond drill holes, including 6 abandoned drill holes, with all completed drill holes intersecting visible nickel sulphides. The drill hole collar locations were all within 150 to 600 metres of the old mine workings. The drill holes targeted the shallower parts of the Manibridge nickel sulphide system at depths between 100 and 400 metres from surface.
Table 3 provides the individual and composite assay results and Table 4 provides the collar details for drill holes MNB036 to MNB040A.
Geochemical Sampling Procedures
Drill core samples were shipped to the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (SRC) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, in secure containment for preparation, processing, and whole rock and multi-element analysis by ICP-MS2 using total 4-acid digestion (HF:NHO3:HCl:HClO4). Assay samples comprise 0.2 to 1.5 m continuous samples of cut-core samples over nickel-sulphide mineralized intervals determined with a handheld XRF. Point samples comprise an isolated 0.1 to 0.5 m sample to characterize the rock types, alteration, structure, and potential for mineralization. The SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and quartered core repeats were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals by Metal Energy and the SRC in accordance with Metal Energy's quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures. Geochemical assay data are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by Metal Energy prior to disclosure.
All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted, and do not represent true thicknesses, which have yet to be determined.
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About the Manibridge Project
Manibridge encompasses 4,368 hectares within the world-class Thompson Nickel Belt. The Project is 20 kilometers southwest of Wabowden, which has significant infrastructure and capacity that has supported previous exploration programs and mine development, including year-round highway access via Highway 6.
Table 2 below shows some of Metal Energy’s 2022 individual drill hole intersections compared with historic drill intersections from the mined portion of the Manibridge project.
Table 2 - Selected Historic and Recent Individual Drill Intersections on Manibridge
| Hole Number | Location | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | %Ni | %Ni*m | |
| 6-60 | Underground | 33.83 | 75.59 | 41.76 | 1.8 | 75.02 | |
| W50-39 | Mined | 98.45 | 163.98 | 65.53 | 1.1 | 72.14 | |
| W50-27 | Mined | 185.93 | 210.01 | 24.08 | 2.93 | 70.61 | |
| W50-34 | Mined | 86.26 | 110.64 | 24.38 | 1.88 | 45.76 | |
| W50-31 | Mined | 244.75 | 261.52 | 16.77 | 2.67 | 44.84 | |
| W50-05 | Mined | 311.51 | 336.8 | 25.29 | 1.57 | 39.64 | |
| MN08-01 | Surface | 156.5 | 195.75 | 39.25 | 0.98 | 38.47 | |
| MNB035* | Surface | 189.7 | 221 | 31.3 | 1.19 | 37.25 | |
| W50-28 | Mined | 203.3 | 211.99 | 8.69 | 4.15 | 36.07 | |
| W50-09 | Mined | 178.92 | 198.73 | 19.81 | 1.8 | 35.62 | |
| MNB040A* | Surface | 202.55 | 223 | 20.45 | 1.62 | 33.13 | |
| W50-33 | Mined | 274.93 | 289.56 | 14.63 | 2.15 | 31.5 | |
| MNB004* | Surface | 150.45 | 183.4 | 32.95 | 0.88 | 29 | |
| W50-50 | Surface | 184.4 | 196.6 | 12.2 | 1.24 | 15.13 | |
| Notes to Table 2: | |||||||
| · Cut-off grade = 0.3% Ni | |||||||
| · Maximum consecutive internal dilution = 3.0 m downhole | |||||||
| · Historic drill holes have not been verified or confirmed with twinned drill holes | |||||||
| · Metal Energy considers "high-grade" to be nickel mineralization with a concentration greater than 0.8% Ni. | |||||||
| · All reported depths and intervals are drill hole depths and intervals, unless otherwise noted,and do not represent true thicknesses,which have yet to be determined. | |||||||
| · "*" Drilled by Metal Energy in 2022 | |||||||
Table 3 – Individual interval and total drill hole composite assay results
| DDH | From | To | Interval | Ni% | Cu% | Co% | Ni eq.% | GT (Ni eq%*m) |
| MNB036 | 179 | 180 | 1 | 0.34 | 0 | 0 | 0.34 | 0.34 |
| 186 | 209 | 23 | 0.58 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.6 | 13.8 | |
| 215.5 | 225.75 | 10.25 | 0.45 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.47 | 4.82 | |
| includes | 224.5 | 225.75 | 1.25 | 1.35 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 1.39 | 1.74 |
| 296 | 297 | 1 | 0.39 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.41 | 0.41 | |
| 309 | 310 | 1 | 0.36 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.38 | 0.38 | |
| 321.75 | 330 | 8.25 | 0.32 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.33 | 2.72 | |
| 344.7 | 346 | 1.3 | 0.38 | 0 | 0 | 0.39 | 0.51 | |
| 350 | 361 | 11 | 0.73 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.76 | 8.36 | |
| includes | 351.5 | 352.5 | 1 | 1.31 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 1.37 | 1.37 |
| and includes | 358.5 | 359 | 0.5 | 1.78 | 0.09 | 0.03 | 1.85 | 0.93 |
| 365 | 370.35 | 5.35 | 0.32 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.34 | 1.82 | |
| Composite Summary | 62.15 | 0.51 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.53 | 33.16 | ||
| MNB037 | 172.75 | 173.6 | 0.85 | 0.33 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.36 | 0.31 |
| 176.65 | 179.55 | 2.9 | 1.57 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.61 | 4.67 | |
| 182.75 | 183.5 | 0.75 | 1.71 | 0.08 | 0.02 | 1.77 | 1.33 | |
| 222.45 | 224.45 | 2 | 0.34 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.37 | 0.74 | |
| 247 | 248 | 1 | 0.4 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.42 | 0.42 | |
| 256 | 258 | 2 | 0.32 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.34 | 0.68 | |
| 264 | 267 | 3 | 0.39 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.42 | 1.26 | |
| 274 | 280 | 6 | 0.55 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.57 | 3.42 | |
| includes | 279 | 280 | 1 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 0.02 | 1.46 | 1.46 |
| 285 | 291 | 6 | 0.33 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.34 | 2.04 | |
| 296.45 | 298.55 | 2.1 | 0.49 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.51 | 1.07 | |
| 301.95 | 307 | 5.05 | 0.62 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.64 | 3.23 | |
| includes | 301.95 | 303 | 1.05 | 1.04 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 1.07 | 1.12 |
| Composite Summary | 31.65 | 0.58 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.61 | 19.17 | ||
| MNB038 | 133.3 | 135 | 1.7 | 0.48 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.5 | 0.85 |
| 144 | 145 | 1 | 0.46 | 0.04 | 0.01 | 0.48 | 0.48 | |
| 171.4 | 172.4 | 1 | 0.39 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.41 | 0.41 | |
| 185.7 | 192.4 | 6.7 | 0.36 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.39 | 2.61 | |
| 214.9 | 216.9 | 2 | 0.38 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.4 | 0.8 | |
| 221 | 223 | 2 | 0.66 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.69 | 1.38 | |
| 228 | 229 | 1 | 0.41 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.42 | 0.42 | |
| 235 | 261.5 | 26.5 | 0.59 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.61 | 16.17 | |
| includes | 256.5 | 258.5 | 2 | 1.28 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.32 | 2.64 |
| and includes | 261 | 261.5 | 0.5 | 2.13 | 0.03 | 0.03 | 2.18 | 1.09 |
| 264.5 | 265 | 0.5 | 0.3 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.33 | 0.17 | |
| 268 | 269 | 1 | 0.34 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.36 | 0.36 | |
| 280 | 281 | 1 | 0.31 | 0.13 | 0.02 | 0.37 | 0.37 | |
| Composite Summary | 44.4 | 0.52 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.54 | 24.01 | ||
| MNB039 | 117.5 | 118.5 | 1 | 0.57 | 0 | 0.02 | 0.59 | 0.59 |
| 131.5 | 132.5 | 1 | 0.46 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.49 | 0.49 | |
| 135.5 | 137.75 | 2.25 | 0.54 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.57 | 1.28 | |
| 156 | 159 | 3 | 0.4 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.44 | 1.32 | |
| includes | 156 | 156.35 | 0.35 | 1.37 | 0 | 0.08 | 1.49 | 0.52 |
| 162 | 166 | 4 | 0.38 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.41 | 1.64 | |
| 180 | 186.1 | 6.1 | 0.99 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.03 | 6.28 | |
| includes | 181 | 186.1 | 5.1 | 1.06 | 0.04 | 0.02 | 1.1 | 5.61 |
| 196 | 201.9 | 5.9 | 0.55 | 0.03 | 0.01 | 0.57 | 3.36 | |
| includes | 197 | 198 | 1 | 1.14 | 0.09 | 0.02 | 1.19 | 1.19 |
| 205.3 | 221 | 15.7 | 0.8 | 0.02 | 0.02 | 0.83 | 13.03 | |
| includes | 207.3 | 212 | 4.7 | 1.11 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 1.15 | 5.4 |
| and includes | 219 | 220 | 1 | 1.03 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 1.07 | 1.07 |
| 225 | 226 | 1 | 0.38 | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.4 | 0.4 | |
| 242.9 | 243.4 | 0.5 | 0.42 | 0.16 | 0.04 | 0.52 | 0.26 | |
| Composite Summary | 40.45 | 0.68 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.71 | 28.66 | ||
| MNB040A | 176 | 179 | 3 | 0.33 | 0.01 | 0.01 | 0.35 | 1.05 |
| 185 | 198.1 | 13.1 | 0.52 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.55 | 7.21 | |
| 202.55 | 223 | 20.45 | 1.57 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 1.62 | 33.13 | |
| includes | 202.55 | 222 | 19.45 | 1.63 | 0.06 | 0.02 | 1.69 | 32.87 |
| 267.5 | 268.5 | 1 | 0.44 | 0 | 0.03 | 0.49 | 0.49 | |
| 275.5 | 276.5 | 1 | 0.35 | 0 | 0.02 | 0.37 | 0.37 | |
| 286 | 296 | 10 | 0.35 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.37 | 3.7 | |
| 320.2 | 322.35 | 2.15 | 0.4 | 0 | 0.01 | 0.41 | 0.88 | |
| 335 | 336 | 1 | 1.09 | 0.05 | 0.02 | 1.13 | 1.13 | |
| 339 | 341 | 2 | 0.43 | 0.02 | 0.01 | 0.44 | 0.88 | |
| 360.5 | 361 | 0.5 | 0.35 | 0.15 | 0.02 | 0.43 | 0.22 | |
| Composite Summary | 54.2 | 0.87 | 0.03 | 0.02 | 0.9 | 49.05 | ||
| NOTES: | ||||||||
| 1. Ni% cutoff grade is 0.30% | ||||||||
| 2. Ni% cutoff grade for "includes/and includes" is 1.00% Ni | ||||||||
| 3. Reported widths do not contain greater than 2 m of consecutive core with less than cutoff grades | ||||||||
| 4. Ni eq.% is calculated as the sum of Ni% + Co% * (51,960/33,960) + Cu% (9,470/33,960) | ||||||||
| 5. Price of Ni = $33,960/metric ton, price of Co = $51,960/metric ton, price of Cu = $9,470/metric ton | ||||||||
| 6. Metal prices were derived from Shanghai Metal Market website (www.metal.com) on January 3, 2023 | ||||||||
Table 4 – Drill hole collar details
|
DDH |
Target Area |
Section |
East |
North |
Elevation |
Azimuth |
Dip |
EOH |
|
MNB036 |
Manibridge Mine |
4 North |
510,738 |
6,062,122 |
236 |
300 |
-82 |
401.75 |
|
MNB037 |
Manibridge Mine |
4 North |
510,738 |
6,062,122 |
236 |
300 |
-73 |
356 |
|
MNB038 |
Manibridge Mine |
4 North |
510,738 |
6,062,122 |
236 |
300 |
-60 |
296 |
|
MNB039 |
Manibridge Mine |
4 North |
510,738 |
6,062,122 |
236 |
300 |
-47 |
264.15 |
|
MNB040A |
Manibridge Mine |
3 North |
510,713 |
6,062,093 |
236 |
300 |
-80 |
283 |
|
5 DDH |
|
|
|
1,700.9 |
||||
|
NOTES: East and North units are metres using NAD83 datum, UTM Zone 14N |
||||||||
About Metal Energy Corp.
Metal Energy is a nickel and battery metal exploration company with two projects, Manibridge and Strange, in the politically stable jurisdictions of Manitoba and Ontario, Canada, respectively. The Manibridge project is 85% owned by Metal Energy and 15% owned by Mistango River Resources Inc. (CSE: MIS). The Strange project is subject to earn-in agreements where the Company can acquire 100% exploration rights to approximately 12,000 hectares.
QP Statement
The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mike Sweeny, P.Geo., Vice-President, Exploration & Development for Metal Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."
For further information, please contact:
Metal Energy Corp.
MERG on the TSXV
James Sykes, CEO
jsykes@oregroup.ca
306-221-8717
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