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Rafaella Resources Limited (ASX:RFR) (‘Rafaella’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that assay results from three exploration diamond drillholes (‘DDH’) drilled, but never assayed, in 2015 by Valoriza Minería S.L.U. (‘Valoriza’) returned high tin grades from cassiterite mineralisation. These results will be included for the ongoing 3D geological model of the vein system and for a maiden JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for its 100% owned San Finx tin and tungsten mine1 (“San Finx”).
Investment Highlights
- Drillhole 15DDPN01 (PN01) was in the NE extreme of the main UG development of Pozo Nuevo zone, and it returned:
- 2.23% Sn over 1.50m, from 84.25m and
- 1.12% Sn over 1.10m, from 174.90m.
- Drillhole 15DDPN02 (PN02) tested depth extensions in the central part of Pozo Nuevo zone and intersected:
- 2.12% Sn over 1.60m, from 287.50m, undercutting level 8 of the UG development, proving continuity of the vein system and good grades at depth.
- Drillhole 15DDPN03 (PN03) was in the SW extreme of the main UG development of Pozo Nuevo zone, and it intersected:
- 0.73% WO3 over 1.00m from 244.90m,
- 0.55% Sn over 2.00m from 374.80 and
- 0.61% Sn over 1.00m from 436.40m.
- Cu assay returned an average grade of 0.30% Cu within the 0.25% Sn and W cut-off intervals, suggesting that the mine could generate copper concentrate by-product credits.
- San Finx was producing a clean concentrate of both tin and tungsten as recently as 2017.
Managing Director Steven Turner said: “These results confirm the exceptional grades of both tin and tungsten that are characteristic of this mine and underpin the attractiveness of restarting operations as soon as possible. San Finx is a historically producing mine with simple metallurgy and a track record of selling high-grade clean concentrates under contract. Work is continuing with the JORC compliant mineral resource estimate, and these results will be incorporated into that study. The Board looks forward to updating the market with the final report in Q3 2022.”
Assay results from 3 deep DDH, drilled by previous owners
Rafaella Resources has received assay data from the three DDH re-coded as 15DDPN01 (PN01), 15DDPN02 (PN02) and 15DDPN03 (PN03) which were drilled by Valoriza with the objective of expanding resources at depth for the underground operation. Figure 1 shows the location of the drillholes and of the underground development projections.
Figure 1. San Finx Sn-W deposit showing the mineralized zones at surface and the projection of the underground development for the zones of Buenaventura and Pozo Nuevo. Collar and projection of DDH PN01, PN02 and PN03.
Table 1 is showing drillhole coordinates, depth and downhole survey.
A total of 71 samples from the 3 DDH, including QA/QC (blanks, standards and duplicates from both, pulps, and coarse rejects) were submitted to ALS preparation laboratory in Seville.
All intercepts above 0.25% cut-off (combined Sn + WO3) have been calculated, as shown in table 2. True thickness factor has been applied according to the angles measured directly from core.
Cu assay returned an average grade of 0.30% Cu within the 0.25% Sn+WO3 cut-off intervals, suggesting that the mine could generate credits from a by-product sulphide concentrate.
The mineralised veins intersected generally correspond with the NE system, showing high core angles, Corrections ranging between 0.50 and 0.95 have been applied for the true thickness factor. Note that for the shallower mineralised veins intersected by DDH 15DDPN01, drilled in the NE extreme of the Pozo Nuevo Zone and that corresponds with the NNE trending Campelo-Silva vein system, the true thickness factor applied was much higher due to the low angle that such veins have been intersected.
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This article includes content from Rafaella Resources Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
RFR:AU
FPX Nickel Completes Production Run of Battery-Grade Nickel Sulphate to Support Discussions with Prospective EV Battery Supply Chain Partners
Overview
As described in the Company's October 15, 2024 news release, FPX completed a pilot-scale refining test program to advance the technical maturity of refining the Baptiste awaruite concentrate to nickel sulphate. This test program included continuous, pilot-scale leaching to produce low-impurity leach solution. A small portion of the leach solution was further advanced through purification and crystallization operations to nickel sulphate crystals to demonstrate the technical viability of the purification process. The remainder of leach solution was retained for future testing including continuous, pilot-scale processing of the purification and crystallization area, ensuring the final refinery strategy is supported by purification and crystallization requirements defined in collaboration with FPX Nickel's current and prospective downstream partners.
FPX recently re-engaged Sherritt Technologies Ltd. to conduct an additional nickel sulphate production run, building on Sherritt's successful completion of the previous pilot-scale refining test program. In the current testing campaign, a portion of this remaining leach solution has been processed to produce larger quantities of nickel sulphate crystals. As with previous testing campaigns, the quality of the produced nickel sulphate, presented in Table 1, meets the strict target specifications for battery applications. To further advance the produced qualification process, the nickel sulphate samples will be provided to prospective downstream partners to ensure the quality and suitability of the nickel sulphate for their battery manufacturing process. Figure 1 shows a portion of the nickel sulphate samples produced.
Table 2 – Baptiste Nickel Sulphate Crystal Quality vs. Target Specification
Qualified Person
The metallurgical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101: Standards of Disclosures for Minerals Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators ("NI 43-101"). Testwork was supervised, reviewed, and verified by Kyle D. Marte, P.Eng., FPX Nickel's Director of Metallurgy and a "Qualified Person" as defined by NI 43-101.
About the Baptiste Nickel Project
The Company's Baptiste Nickel Project represents a large-scale greenfield discovery of nickel mineralization in the form of a sulphur-free, nickel-iron mineral called awaruite (Ni3Fe) hosted in an ultramafic/ophiolite complex. The absence of sulphur and our ability to connect to the BC Hydro grid means that Baptiste has the potential to be one of the lowest carbon-intensive nickel producers in the world and will produce a very high-grade product that does not require any intermediate smelting or complex refining. The Baptiste mineral claims cover an area of 453 km2 west of Middle River and north of Trembleur Lake, in central British Columbia. In addition to the Baptiste Deposit itself, awaruite mineralization has been confirmed through drilling at several target areas within the same claims package, most notably at the Van Target which is located 6 km to the north of the Baptiste Deposit. Since 2010, approximately US$55 million has been spent on the exploration and development of Baptiste.
FPX has conducted mineral exploration activities to date subject to the conditions of agreements with First Nations and keyoh holders.
About FPX Nickel Corp.
FPX Nickel Corp. is focused on the exploration and development of the Decar Nickel District, located in central British Columbia, and other occurrences of the same unique style of naturally occurring nickel-iron alloy mineralization known as awaruite. For more information, please view the Company's website at https://fpxnickel.com/.
On behalf of FPX Nickel Corp.
"Martin Turenne"
Martin Turenne, President, CEO and Director
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain of the statements made and information contained herein is considered "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent risks and uncertainties, as disclosed in the Company's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Actual results could differ from those currently projected. The Company does not assume the obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Ni-Co Energy Set to Mobilize Critical Minerals Exploration just 90 km from Montreal
Bilingual Corporate Video introducing Ni-Co Energy Inc.
Summer Field Program Priorities (June–July)
- Targeted prospecting of southwest TDEM conductors (Kremer-2)
To verify the presence of outcropping massive or semi-massive sulfides. - Prospecting of northeast TDEM conductors (Kremer-1 2)
To assess the nature of EM anomalies and any associated metallic indicators. - Analysis of residual conductors in the eastern portion
To refine the global geophysical model ahead of final drill target placement.
Updated Interpretation of the 420 Assays from 2023
The 420 samples from the 22 holes drilled in fall 2023 have been recalculated in terms of nickel equivalent (NiEq %), using metal prices as of May 22, 2025 (Ni = $7.0375/lb, Cu = $4.6559/lb, Co = $15.286/lb).
Indicator | Updated Result |
Samples > 0.5 % NiEq | 134 (≈ 32%) |
Samples > 1.0 % NiEq | 70 (≈ 17%) |
Maximum grade | 3.89 % NiEq |
Average grade (all samples) | 0.48 % NiEq |
These data confirm the presence of significant mineralization, which may be associated with a mafic intrusion interpreted from geophysical surveys. Magnetic, gravity, and EM data show remarkable alignment over 8 km, suggesting a highly favorable environment in the central block (Kremer-2) over a 3 km section — an ideal structural setting for the formation of thicker sulfide lenses.
Next Steps – The Company Anticipates Undertaking a Drill Program in the Fall
- Validate the position and dip of key targets through surface work.
- Mobilize two drill rigs in the fall to test the central fold hinge and associated deep conductors.
- Carry out borehole EM (BHEM) surveys after each drill hole to visualize the extension of mineralized zones or detect off-hole conductors.
Photos of the team, outcrops, and trenches will be shared regularly on the company website, as well as on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X during the campaign.
The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Marc Boivin, P.Geo., a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.
About Ni-Co Energy Inc.
Ni-Co Energy Inc. is exploring the Kremer project, a mafic–ultramafic intrusion prospective for nickel, copper, and cobalt, advantageously located in southern Québec and supported by infrastructure and low-carbon hydroelectric power.
For further information, please contact:
Ni-Co Energy Inc.
info@nicoenergy.ca
Click here to connect with Ni-Co Energy Inc. to receive an Investor Presentation