First Atlantic Nickel Extends RPM Zone Discovery with 400 Meter Step-Out Hole North

First Atlantic Nickel Corp. (TSXV: FAN) (OTCQB: FANCF) (FSE: P21) has made a significant stride in its Atlantic Nickel Project, located in central Newfoundland, Canada. The company recently announced the intersection of 402 meters of visibly disseminated awaruite nickel in a 400-meter step-out hole to the north of the RPM Zone. This discovery has substantial implications for the project's size, potential tonnage, and metallurgical processing.

The 400-meter step-out hole at the RPM Zone (AN-24-05) has significantly expanded the known mineralized footprint. The drill hole intersected abundant visible awaruite (nickel-iron alloy) throughout the entire 402-meter interval, confirming the presence of large-scale consistent mineralization. This expands the RPM Zone to at least 400 meters long and 500 meters wide, with mineralization remaining open in all directions (First Atlantic Nickel Corp., 2025). The discovery of consistent mineralization over a large area suggests the potential for a significant volume of material, with the RPM Zone now estimated to host a deposit with potential tonnage ranging from 500 million to over 1 billion tonnes (First Atlantic Nickel Corp., 2024).



The consistent, large-grain awaruite mineralization across the 402-meter interval has significant implications for the metallurgical processing and recovery of nickel. Awaruite, being a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy, can be processed using simple magnetic separation and flotation recovery methods, which are more energy-efficient and cost-effective than the energy-intensive smelting processes required for nickel sulfide ores. The large grain size of the awaruite, with grains up to 732 microns, exceeds the 10-micron threshold for effective magnetic recovery, making the mineralization more easily separable and recoverable. This large grain size, combined with the consistent style of mineralization across a large area, suggests that the Project has the potential to host a significant volume of material that can be efficiently processed and recovered for nickel production. Additionally, the sulfur-free nature of awaruite eliminates the need for smelting, further reducing processing costs and environmental impacts.

The discovery of the RPM Zone is a significant development within the broader context of the Atlantic Nickel Project's 30 km nickel trend. This trend hosts multiple mineralized zones, indicating the potential for a district-scale model with multiple deposits. The RPM Zone, located approximately 900 meters from Chrome Pond, 10 kilometers south of Super Gulp, and 24 kilometers south of Atlantic Lake Zone, is part of this extensive mineralized trend. The potential synergies between these zones lie in their shared geological setting and the consistent style of mineralization observed across the trend. The discovery of the RPM Zone confirms the significant scale and consistent presence of high-quality awaruite mineralization across the 30 km trend, indicating the potential for the Project to host a significant volume of material, which could be economically viable for mining and processing.

In conclusion, First Atlantic Nickel's extension of the RPM Zone discovery with a 400-meter step-out hole north has significant implications for the project's size, potential tonnage, and metallurgical processing. The consistent, large-grain awaruite mineralization across the 402-meter interval suggests that the Project has the potential to host a significant volume of material that can be efficiently processed and recovered for nickel production. The discovery of the RPM Zone also fits into the broader context of the Atlantic Nickel Project's 30 km nickel trend, indicating the potential for a district-scale model with multiple deposits. As the company continues to explore and develop the project, investors should keep a close eye on its progress and the potential opportunities it presents.