VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - March 2, 2015) - Commander Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:CMD) and Fjordland Exploration Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FEX) are pleased to announce that geophysical interpretation of final results from the electromagnetic survey completed in late 2014 has outlined several strong conductive sources in the Sandy nickel target area. The South Voisey's Bay (SVB) nickel-copper-cobalt property is located in Labrador, 80 km south of the operating Voisey's Bay nickel mine. The 180 square kilometre SVB property covers the large Pants Lake Gabbro complex which is of similar age and composition as the host rocks of the giant Voisey's Bay deposits. Fjordland has an option to earn a 75% interest in the SVB property (October 2, 2014 and December 17, 2014 news releases).
Previous drilling on the SVB property has encountered numerous nickel sulphide intersections grading one to two percent nickel, including a 1.1 metre interval assaying 11.7 percent Nickel and 9.7 percent copper. An extensive data review of previous work was able to identify several key target areas which are considered to have a high probability of hosting large nickel sulphide deposits.
The 2014 UTEM-EM survey completed in November 2014 covered 22.3 line kilometres both inside and outside a large loop to measure both horizontal and vertical conductors. The program is considered a success as the geophysical anomalies detected are considered by both companies' geologists to be of a size, strength and location to be sourced by nickel sulphide mineralization.
The Sandy anomaly is sourced by an extremely strong, sub-horizontal conductive body approximately 350 metres by 400 metres in size, elongated north-northwest. The conductive source may extend to depth, which cannot be determined by this UTEM survey. This body is separated into two lobes, possibly by a fault along the long axis, with two-thirds in the western lobe and one-third in the eastern lobe. The conductivities of the Sandy source lobes are intense and could be caused by a massive, or semi-massive, flat lying nickel sulphide bodies similar to the Ovoid at Voisey's Bay. The eastern boundary of the Sandy conductor is situated within 100 metres of the 500 metre wide Worm Gabbro, which is a large, 10 kilometre long, steep easterly dipping dyke-like body. From previous drilling, nickel sulphides are known to occur within the Worm Gabbro, so this could act as a feeder source of nickel for the Sandy conductor. Magnetic surveying shows a moderate magnetic response associated with the eastern lobe while variable highs and lows are at the western lobe.
In general, magnetic response of nickel sulphides are very low in South Voisey's Bay drill core, even at grades approaching two percent nickel, indicating a low magnetic nickel sulphide assemblage on the property. Very high grade nickel (+10% Ni) shows moderate to strong magnetic response, likely due to magnetite.
A minimum of two - 200 metre deep drill holes are planned to test the Sandy conductors and possible depth extensions.
A second group of four sub-parallel conductors located one km to the north are closely associated with the Worm Gabbro body. These conductors, named Sandy North, are dipping steeply to the north and two of the four are situated exactly on the footwall contact of this wide gabbro body. This is the classical position of nickel footwall deposits, so there is a strong likelihood these conductors are sourced by conductive nickel sulphide mineralization. These conductors are 300 and 150 metres in strike linear extent, separated by about 100 metres, along the strike direction of the gabbro contact. Both conductors are co-incident with magnetic highs.
A third, 300 metre long conductor, is situated well within the Worm Gabbro, 150 metres to the north. As this conductor also strikes parallel to the gabbro contact, there is strong possibility it is sourced by a lense of nickel sulphides. A moderate strength magnetic high is coincident with this conductor. Hanging wall (inside) nickel sulphides are known elsewhere, including Voisey's Bay but are less common than footwall deposits.
A fourth, 300 metre long conductor is situated 200 metres to the south, under a lake, so its geological setting is not clear at this time. This conductor is situated within a larger magnetic high.
As three of these four linear conductors are directly related to a known nickel sulphide hosting gabbro body, there is an excellent possibility that they are sourced by related nickel sulphide mineralization. As such, each of these four conductors will be drill tested by a 150 metre hole for a total of 600 metre drilling. With the 400 metre drill program planned for at the Sandy Target, a total 1,000 metre drill program is proposed for the next phase of work.
The South Voisey's Bay nickel property has potential to host very large quantities of nickel sulphides as calculated and described by senior geologists at the NFLD Dept. of Mines. ( see A.Kerr, "PANTS LAKE GABBRO COMPLEX", 2012 )
The targets defined by the 2014 work as described above are only on a portion of the extensive nickel potential of the South Voisey's Bay Gabbro complex.
One of the largest targets on the SVB Property is the extensive Black Gabbro of the Sarah target, located 10 km north of the Sandy anomalies.. This Black Gabbro is equivalent in size and alteration to the host of the large Eastern Deeps deposit of the Voisey's Bay reserves. The base of the Black Gabbro has only been sporadically drilled and deep sensing UTEM EM surveys have not been completed over the main target area.
For the above reasons, a second part of the 2015 exploration program will be a series of large loop UTEM surveys over this high potential Sarah target area. Four to five large UTEM loops are planned for late winter to cover targets under lakes while frozen. This work will be undertaken from an on-site winterized camp.
All permits are in place. Estimated budget for the 1000 metre drill program and EM survey is $1 million.
Interpretation of all UTEM data and results of the November survey was undertaken by geophysicist Jules J. Lajoie, PhD, P.Eng., principal of Comtek Ltd. Dr Lajoie has many years experience working with UTEM surveys with Cominco Ltd. where he was Chief Geophysicist.
Bernard H. Kahlert, P.Eng., a Director of Commander, is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure of this news release.
About Commander Resources:
Commander Resources is a Canadian focused exploration company that has leveraged its success in exploration through partnerships and sale of properties. Commander has a portfolio of base and precious metal projects across Canada and significant equity positions in Canadian junior exploration companies and also retains royalties from properties that have been partnered, optioned or sold.
About Fjordland Exploration Inc.
Fjordland Exploration Inc. is a mineral exploration company historically focused on the discovery of copper and gold deposits in British Columbia. Fjordland's principal exploration focus is currently nickel-cobalt deposits in Labrador. Fjordland's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "FEX". For further information visit Fjordland's website at www.fjordlandex.com
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Statements in this press release, other than purely historical information, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
