Nickel Rock Begins Drilling its Lithium Clay

Rhea-AI Summary

Nickel Rock Resources Inc. announced the commencement of reverse circulation drilling on its expanded 2,300-acre claim block at Silver Peak, Clayton Valley, Nevada. This area adjoins Albemarle's evaporation ponds and is near Cyprus Development's lithium clay project. The drilling is expected to continue until the end of March 2021, allowing the company to gather geological data to identify lithium-bearing clay layers. Albemarle plans to double its lithium production in Nevada by 2025, with significant investments between $30 million and $50 million in the property.

Positive

• Commencement of reverse circulation drilling on a strategic 2,300-acre claim block.
• Proximity to Albemarle's lithium production facilities potentially enhances resource validity.
• Opportunity to gather essential geological data from sediment layers for future exploration.
• Albemarle's plans to double lithium production indicates potential regional growth.

Negative

• None.

- Project at Clayton Valley, Nevada

Vancouver, BC, March 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nickel Rock Resources Inc. ("the Company") (TSXV: NICL), (OTCQB: NIKLF)is pleased to announce that reverse circulation drilling is commencing on the Company's recently expanded claim block at Silver Peak, Clayton Valley, Esmeralda County, Nevada.  This strategic land package, covering approximately 2,300 acres (930 ha), directly adjoins a western portion of lithium producer Albemarle's (NYSE: ALB) evaporation ponds and is nearby Cyprus Development Corp.'s (TSXV: CYP) 5,430-acre Clayton Valley Lithium Clay Project.

Mr. Robert Setter, Company President and CEO comments "The Clayton Valley area is booming again for lithium clay exploration.  On the neighbouring property of Cypress Development, they have recently oversubscribed its bought deal offering for gross proceeds of C$19,550,000 from PI Financial Corp. as sole underwriter and bookrunner.  This is fantastic news, and it complements news from our other neighbour Albemarle who announced earlier this year that it is planning to double its lithium production in Nevada at its Silver Peak mine by 2025 and is committing between US$30 million - US$50 million in additional investment on the property.  With our current exploration program in place, we will be able to lay the groundwork for a more significant exploration program budget and program in the future.  We are excited about this opportunity in Nevada for our lithium clay project."

Mr. Robert Setter continues "The reverse circulation drilling program is expected to continue until the end of the month, and the Company should be able to immediately see geological information on the sedimentary layers.  This will assist us in identifying the various clay and sediment layers to a depth of approximately 600 feet."

Of note, potential lithium bearing clays, within lake sediments and ash beds, were previously reported in rough drillers logs of historic geothermal exploration wells on file with the Nevada State Engineers office (permit #66034A). Well, GPXM2 (1994) reported "green to olive green siltstone, mudstone and clay" over a thickness of 510 ft (155.4m) from 130 ft (39.6m) to 640 ft (195m).  In January of 2006, Western Geothermal partners drilled hole WGP#2 to a depth of 405 feet (123m) in the Goat Island graben. According to their reports, this hole cut interbedded zones of gravel, silt, and hot spring apron material. More importantly, "from 280ft (85.3m) to 305 ft (93m) fine grained green sand and silt logged as volcanic ash was encountered. This unit may be correlative to the Main Ash Aquifer, which is a marker bed in other areas of the Clayton Valley Basin".

About Clayton Valley Lithium Project

Clayton Valley is a down-dropped closed basin formed by the Miocene age Great Basin extension and is still active due to movement along the Walker Lane structural zone. As a result, the basin has preserved multiple layers of lithium bearing volcanic ash, resulting from multiple eruptive events over the past 6 million years including eruptions from the 700,000-year-old Long Valley Caldera system and related events.  These ash layers are thought to contribute to the lithium brines extracted by Albemarle and are also likely involved in the formation of the exposed lithium rich clay deposits on the east side of Clayton Valley. https://nickelrockresources.com/clayton-valley-lithium/

About Nickel Rock Resources Inc. .  www.nickelrockresources.com

Nickel Rock Resources is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company with a highly focused effort on exploration for high-value battery metals required for the electric vehicle (EV) market. The company recently announced several acquisitions resulting in a significant property package prospective for awaruite, a naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy important in the manufacture of environmentally efficient batteries for the electric vehicle markets globally.

Nickel Projects

The Mount Sidney Williams Group consists of five claim blocks in four groups with a total area of 6,125.32 hectares in the area surrounding Mount Sidney Williams, both adjoining and near the Decar project of FPX Nickel Corp., located 100 kilometres northwest of Fort St. James, B.C., in the Omineca mining division. Metallic mineralization includes nickel, cobalt, and chromium. At least some of the nickel mineralization occurs as awaruite.

The Mitchell Range Group area claim consist of two contiguous claim blocks covering 3,134.70 hectares with demonstrated metallic mineralization including nickel, cobalt, and chromium. Nickel-cobalt mineralization has not been well explored, but the presence of awaruite has been documented. The company is planning detailed exploration for the upcoming exploration season.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Robert Setter"

Robert Setter, President & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements which include, but are not limited to, comments that involve future events and conditions, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Except for statements of historical facts, comments that address resource potential, upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt and security of mineral property titles, availability of funds, and others are forward-looking. Forward-looking statements are not guaranteeing future performance and actual results may vary materially from those statements. General business conditions are factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from forward-looking statements.

Vancouver, BC, Canada V6C 1H2
604- 428-5690
www.nickelrockresources.com 
info@nickelrockresources.com

 

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nickel-rock-begins-drilling-its-lithium-clay-301254552.html

SOURCE Nickel Rock Resources Inc.

FAQ

What is Nickel Rock Resources' recent drilling project in Clayton Valley, Nevada?

Nickel Rock Resources has commenced reverse circulation drilling on its 2,300-acre claim block in Clayton Valley, Nevada, expected to continue until the end of March 2021.

How does Albemarle's investment affect Nickel Rock Resources?

Albemarle's commitment of $30 million to $50 million to double its lithium output in Nevada could positively influence the regional resource environment for Nickel Rock.

What are the geological targets of the drilling program by Nickel Rock Resources?

The drilling aims to identify various lithium-bearing clay and sediment layers to a depth of approximately 600 feet.

What is the significance of the Clayton Valley lithium project?

The Clayton Valley lithium project is important due to its geological history of preserving multiple layers of lithium-bearing volcanic ash, enhancing exploration potential.

When is the drilling program expected to conclude?

The reverse circulation drilling program conducted by Nickel Rock Resources is expected to continue until the end of March 2021.