VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Aug 18, 2014) - North Arrow Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAR) ("North Arrow") is pleased to report it has completed the sample collection phase of the bulk sampling program at the Qilalugaq Diamond Project located near the hamlet of Repulse Bay (Naujaat), Nunavut. The intent of the program is to recover a Diamond parcel of approximately 500 carats for the purpose of determining an initial value estimate for the diamonds in the Q1-4 kimberlite. North Arrow is funding the bulk sampling program as part of an option agreement with Stornoway Diamond Corporation (SWY.TO) ("Stornoway").
A total of 1,688 megabags of kimberlite have been collected from the 12.5 hectare Q1-4 kimberlite, and transported approximately nine kilometres to the company's sample laydown site in Repulse Bay. The final field sample weight is being determined but will exceed the targeted 1,500 tonnes. The sample was collected from two surface trenches which are currently undergoing final mapping and data collection prior to reclamation. The sample will be shipped south on the annual sealift scheduled to arrive in Repulse Bay on August 25th and sample processing is expected to commence in early October. The sample will be processed for the recovery of commercial sized (+0.85 mm) diamonds and the resulting Diamond parcel will be used to better determine Diamond content, size distribution, Diamond parcel value and to establish whether or not fancy yellow diamonds persist into the larger Diamond sizes.
North Arrow is currently working to earn an 80% interest in the Qilalugaq Diamond Project by completing an option work program consisting of the collection of a minimum 1,000 tonne sample from the Q1-4 kimberlite. If North Arrow completes the option work program and provides notice to Stornoway of its intent to vest an 80% interest in the project, Stornoway has a one-time right (the "Back-in Right") to buy-back a 20% interest in the project by paying to North Arrow an amount equal to three times the costs incurred in connection with the option work program (please see North Arrow news release dated April 29th, 2013 for additional details on the option agreement with Stornoway).
Redemption Project Update
North Arrow also reports it has completed an exploration drilling program at the Redemption Diamond Project in the Northwest Territories. The property is located in the Lac de Gras region, approximately 32 km southwest of, and 47 km west of the Ekati and Diavik Diamond Mines, respectively.
A total of 799.8 m of drilling tested seven targets located in the central part of the property near the up-ice termination of the South Coppermine kimberlite indicator mineral (KIM) train. The targets included various combinations of gravity, magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical responses that were identified based on results of a detailed data compilation and new airborne and ground geophysical surveys. None of the drill holes definitively encountered a bedrock kimberlite source for the South Coppermine KIM train. Drill hole 14-RED23-08 (Az. 180 degrees; dip -60 degrees) tested a linear gravity low and encountered predominantly fresh to weakly altered granite that included a moderately to strongly fractured fault zone from 89.9 m to 99.7 m downhole. This fault zone contained intervals of dull green clay gouge which have been collected for kimberlite indicator mineral analyses.
The property hosts a number of lake based geophysical targets that could not be tested as part of the current drilling program. The Company will also continue to evaluate the comprehensive project exploration database, including information on surficial geology and an evaluation of the geophysical data sets for the identification of more subtle, and perhaps linear structural kimberlite targets.
North Arrow is exploring the Redemption property under an option agreement with Arctic Star Exploration Corp. (TSX VENTURE:ADD), under which the Company can earn a 55% interest by incurring $5 million in exploration expenditures prior to July 1, 2017.
About North Arrow Minerals
North Arrow is a Canadian based exploration company focused on the identification and evaluation of Diamond exploration opportunities in Canada. North Arrow's management, board of directors and advisors have significant successful experience in the Canadian Diamond industry. In addition to the Qilalugaq and Redemption projects, North Arrow is also evaluating each of the Pikoo (SK), Lac de Gras (NWT), Mel (NU), Luxx (NU) and Timiskaming (ON/QC) Diamond Projects.
Qualified Person
Kenneth Armstrong, P.Geo. (ON), President and CEO of North Arrow and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
North Arrow Minerals Inc.
Kenneth Armstrong, President and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" including but not limited to statements with respect to North Arrow's plans, the estimation of a mineral resource and the success of exploration activities. Forward-looking statements, while based on management's best estimates and assumptions, are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the successful integration of acquisitions; risks related to general economic and market conditions; closing of financing; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; actual results of proposed exploration activities; possible variations in mineral resources or grade; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes, title disputes, claims and limitations on insurance coverage and other risks of the mining industry; changes in national and local government regulation of mining operations, tax rules and regulations. Although North Arrow has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. North Arrow undertakes no obligation or responsibility to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law.