Midland Exploration Launches Major Nickel and Copper Exploration in Nunavik
Montreal-based Midland Exploration Inc. has announced the start of a major exploration program for nickel and copper in Nunavik, Quebec. This initiative is part of its strategic alliance with BHP Group, formalized in August 2020. The exploration follows several years of groundwork, including the discovery of new Ni-Cu-Co mineralized showings from 2020 to 2023.
The 2024 program will target a newly identified crustal-scale structure and its subsidiary faults, identified during a 2023 regional airborne electromagnetic "Z-Tipper axis" (ZTEM) survey. These previously poorly recognized structures are considered favorable for nickel-copper mineralization. The program will include a helicopter-borne time-domain electromagnetic survey (HELITEM), along with mapping and prospecting phases set for July.
Key highlights of the program include:
- 2022 Regional MT Surveys: Identified a significant new crustal-scale structure favorable for nickel-copper mineralization.
- 2022 Discoveries: New Ni-Cu-Co mineralized showing discovered by prospecting.
- 2023 Lake Sediment Survey: Approximately 1,383 samples collected to cover the identified structure, analyzed with portable XRF for field follow-up of anomalies.
- 2023 ZTEM Electromagnetic Survey: Clarified the structure's location and orientation, identifying potential conductive anomalies.
- 2023 Prospecting Program: Two phases focused on the crustal-scale structure and anomalies identified by ZTEM and lake sediment surveys.
The Nickel-Copper Exploration Alliance with BHP targets mafic troctolite/olivine gabbro intrusive rocks similar to those at Voisey's Bay and Le Nain, with several Ni-Cu-Co prospects already discovered in Quebec. Notable discoveries include the Papavoine Ni-Cu-Co prospect, which has shown assay results of up to 0.63% Ni, 0.31% Cu, and 0.04% Co over 6.6 meters, and the Mantas intrusion with up to 0.48% Ni, 0.21% Cu, and 0.06% Co over 0.7 meters.
In 2022, Midland and BHP confirmed a new high-potential area, named Target 22, with grab samples returning grades of 0.81% Ni, 0.22% Cu, and 0.19% Co. In 2023, they extended the Target-22 Soisson intrusive suite to 10 km in length, with local mineralized outcrops.
The 2024 exploration will continue to build on these findings, aiming to unlock further potential in the region.