Novo Identifies Ni-Cu Targets at Southcourt, Andover Intrusion, Adjacent to Azure's Andover VC-07 Ni-Cu-Co Discovery

 

HIGHLIGHTS

• Novo’s extensive greenfields exploration program has recently identified and advanced a series Ni-Cu-Co targets adjacent to Azure Minerals Limited’s (“Azure”) (ASX: AZS) Andover VC-07 Ni-Cu-Co massive sulphide discovery (“Andover”) and Artemis Resources Limited’s (“Artemis”) (ASX: ARV) Carlow Castle Au-Cu-Co discovery (“Carlow Castle”)
• Novo’s 100%-owned exploration licence 47/1745 contains several airborne electromagnetic (“VTEM”) anomalies (previously defined in 2007 by Legend Mining Limited (“Legend”) (ASX: LEG)) which have not been drill tested, along with large high order soil geochemical anomalies (including Cu, Ni and Co) associated with the VTEM conductors, including the Southcourt and Milburn prospects
• Novo is now progressing ground electromagnetic (“EM”) geophysical surveys in the near-term to advance these discoveries
• This work is consistent with Novo’s accelerated exploration strategy targeted at growing the Company’s portfolio of gold and battery metals prospects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Novo Resources Corp. (“Novo” or the “Company”) (TSX: NVO, NVO.WT & NVO.WT.A) (OTCQX: NSRPF) is pleased to advise that it has recently identified and advanced a series of Au-Cu and Ni-Cu-Co targets on EL47/1745, adjacent to Andover¹ and Carlow Castle² in the West Pilbara region of Western Australia, although there is no certainty that EL47/1745 contains the same levels of mineralization as either of these discoveries.

The general area has benefited from a renewed exploration interest since Azure announced its drilling success on Andover in November 2020¹ with 3.9m @ 2.85% Ni and 0.47% Cu from 94.5m in their maiden drill hole ANDD001, subsequent to success by the Creasy Group, in 2018, who intersected 7m @ 2.62% Ni and 0.65% Cu in ADRC002³.

Recent geochemical sampling by Novo over previously defined VTEM conductors on EL47/1745 (weak conductors within airborne electro-magnetic surveys by Legend^4,5) has defined several large high-order Cu, Ni and Co anomalies relating to the VTEM targets.

Results and technical information referred to in this news release from Azure, Legend, Artemis, Westfield Minerals Ltd (“Westfield”) and AMAX Exploration (“AMAX”) are not necessarily representative of mineralization throughout the district. This historical data was disclosed in ASX announcements, other public disclosure documents, and annual exploration reports filed on the Western Australian Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety’s (“DMIRS”) website (collectively, “Disclosure”) issued by Azure, Legend, Artemis, Westfield, and AMAX. The technical information contained herein has been extracted from this Disclosure. Reference should be made to the relevant Disclosure which is available online at the links provided in various footnotes throughout this news release.

A qualified person has not verified the technical information contained in the Disclosure, and Novo is unaware of the existence of any technical report prepared in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects or the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves in connection with the technical information contained in the Disclosure. Novo is unable to comment on the reliability of the technical information contained in the Disclosure and therefore, reliance should not be placed on such technical information.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/639bed66-5cfe-4d58-ac4f-9ead23808126
(Figure 1 – EL47/1745 location and priority targets, in relation to Andover and Carlow Castle.)

Southcourt Anomalies

Three weak VTEM conductors 3km WNW of Andover are present in a zone of complex geology within the Andover intrusion at Novo’s Southcourt prospect (Figure 1), including layered gabbro and ultramafic intrusive rocks.

Detailed 20 x 20 m to 20 x 40 m spaced soil sampling undertaken by Novo utilizing a Niton XL5 pXRF has defined a high-order 500 m long Cu anomaly flanking the western two VTEM conductors (Figure 2). Co and Ni partially overlap the broad copper anomaly (Figure 3). Peak pXRF soil values include 1,456 ppm Cu, 1,521 ppm Ni, and 1,938 ppm Co. Peak rock chip results utilizing the pXRF for spot assaying on sulphide minerals or Cu-Ni oxide minerals yielded up to 19.6% Cu, 0.13% Co and 2.07% Ni. These results are not necessarily representative of mineralization throughout the entire district. Novo interprets the broad anomaly to be a zone of disseminated sulphide (Figure 5a) on the margin of potentially more substantial sulphide bodies at depth (VTEM target). Additional assay results are pending.

Milburn Anomaly

One high intensity VTEM anomaly is present at Milburn, 1.4km ESE from the east end of Carlow Castle. Previous work by Legend⁶ included eight lines of ground EM which identified a single conductor modelled to a dip of 45^o west at a depth of 35 m. The EM anomaly was followed up by Legend^5,7,8 with 17 -2 mm soil samples which returned peak values of 36 and 33 ppb Au and previous rock chip sampling yielded values of 4.83% Cu, 0.15 g/t Au and 0.21% Ni. The anomaly was not drilled by Legend.

In 1967, Westfields Minerals⁹ defined a 1 km long induced polarization (“IP”) anomaly (Fig. 3) to the south of the EM conductor and completed shallow vertical percussion holes with a best result of 6m @ 0.22% Ni and 0.15% Cu (BH31) (Fig. 3). Subsequent drilling in 1971 by AMAX¹⁰ intersected a sequence of mafic and ultramafic rocks with 1 to 10% disseminated sulfides (pyrite, pyrrhotite and rare chalcopyrite) with best results from PDH20A (Fig. 3) of 3.66 m @ 0.23% Ni and 0.17% Cu. These results are not necessarily representative of mineralization throughout the entire district. Importantly, Au, Co and PGE minerals were not analyzed.

Detailed 20 x 20m spaced soil sampling undertaken by Novo utilizing a Niton XL5 pXRF has defined a high-order 450 m long Cu anomaly flanking the eastern side of the VTEM conductor (Figure 4). Peak pXRF soil values include 1,677 ppm Cu, 1,131 ppm Ni, and 238 ppm Co. Peak rock chip results utilizing the pXRF for spot assaying on sulphide minerals or Cu-NI oxide minerals yielded up to 15.2% Cu, 92 ppm Co and 0.33% Ni. These results are not necessarily representative of mineralization throughout the entire district. Figure 5b highlights a copper rich siliceous altered mafic rock from the trend. Additional assay results are pending.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d4efe865-748e-4f4f-9a3c-e129a140dd07
(Figure 2 – Southcourt Cu soil geochemistry (pXRF) with overlapping Co anomaly and VTEM conductors (white dashed circles).)

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/18c3576f-1fd3-4dc7-8356-f69f9583be31
(Figure 3 – Southcourt Ni soil geochemistry (pXRF) with overlapping Cu anomaly Co anomaly (white shapes) and VTEM conductors (white dashed circles.))

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/19312c11-f490-4c79-afbe-5d01f9ab6588
(Figure 4 – Milburn Cu soil geochemistry (pXRF) and VTEM conductors (white dashed circles) and the location of Westfields IP anomaly and drillholes in the general area.)

Other significant targets (Figure 1) on EL47/1745 include:

Anna Valley, which is in the SW corner of EL47/1745. This VTEM anomaly defined by Legend^4,5 was followed up with a ground fixed loop transient EM (“FLTEM”) survey⁶ defining a strong conductor dipping between 35 - 55°to the northwest with a modelled depths of 30 to 35 m. The target was thought to relate to a chert body which outcrops to the west, but the target is under thick alluvial and colluvial cover.

Fortune South #1 and #2, which are part of a 2 km long shear zone with several historic workings and a number of metal detector pits where sheared gabbro and anastomosing quartz veins are present. Previous sampling has assayed up to 8.51 g/t Au and 0.134% Cu on EL47/1745⁸. pXRF rock chip samples at Fortune South #2 into banded and sheared Cu-rich gossan (Figure 5d) yielded peak values of 60% Cu and 802 ppm Ni. These target types (shear-related Au-Cu) are not highlighted by VTEM.

Thorpe East, which is part of a 2 km long shear corridor with several historic workings and peak assay results of 3.11 ppm Au⁸. Novo has identified significant gossanous zones (Figure 5c) associated with quartz veining, yielding up to 676 ppm As, 3.5% Cu, 0.15% Ni, and 48.6 ppm Mo. These target types (shear-related Au-Cu) are not highlighted by VTEM.

Carlow Castle Extension, on which Artemis² have reported a soil geochemical anomaly and favourable stratigraphy along strike and to the east of Carlow Castle, on EL47/1745, directly north of Milburn. Novo has not yet conducted any work on this 1.7 km long zone of potential. This orogenic Au-Cu-Co target type is not highlighted by VTEM.

The foregoing results at Anna Valley, Fortune South #1 and #2, and Thorpe East are not necessarily representative of mineralization throughout the entire district.

Exploration planned for EL47/1745 by Novo in early 2022 includes ground FLTEM surveys to better define the EM conductors, possible induced polarization lines across the identified target zones pending results of EM, and drilling into the main target areas, including the Milburn, Southcourt and Anna Valley prospects. Drill holes will be surveyed using downhole EM techniques to locate off-hole conductors. Extensive first pass reconnaissance soil sampling, regional to detailed mapping, and rock chip sampling will be conducted across highly prospective EL47/1745.

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bdab9da9-60a8-46a9-b9fa-cc9b7af6d6e3
(Figure 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d – Milburn Cu soil geochemistry (pXRF) and VTEM conductors (white dashed circles).)

Analytic Methodology

The pXRF assay technique utilized a Niton XL5 handheld XRF machine. The Niton is calibrated daily, with 4 QAQC standards (fit for purpose including certified Ni, Cu and Co values) run concurrently, with an additional 2 standards checked per 100 readings and 4 QAQC standard assayed before the machine is shut down. pXRF is utilized as a preliminary exploration technique for base metals. Soil samples are unprepared and analysed for 30 seconds using two machine filters and rock chip samples are point analysed for 90 seconds using 4 machine filters. The pXRF is a spot reading device and has diminished precision due to grainsize effect, especially on rock samples where peak results represent a window of < 10mm field of view.

QP STATEMENT

Dr. Quinton Hennigh (P.Geo.) is the qualified person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, responsible for, and having reviewed and approved, the technical information contained in this news release other than the technical information extracted from the Disclosure. Dr. Hennigh is the non-executive co-chairman and a director of Novo.

ABOUT NOVO

Novo operates its flagship Beatons Creek gold project while exploring and developing its prospective land package covering approximately 13,250 square kilometres in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. In addition to the Company’s primary focus, Novo seeks to leverage its internal geological expertise to deliver value-accretive opportunities to its shareholders. For more information, please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail leo@novoresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

Novo Resources Corp.

“Michael Spreadborough”

Michael Spreadborough

Executive Co-Chairman

Forward-looking information

Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including, without limitation, planned exploration activities. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without limitation, customary risks of the resource industry and the risk factors identified in Novo’s management’s discussion and analysis for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, which is available under Novo’s profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date those statements are made. Except as required by applicable law, Novo assumes no obligation to update or to publicly announce the results of any change to any forward-looking statement contained or incorporated by reference herein to reflect actual results, future events or developments, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting the forward-looking statements. If Novo updates any forward-looking statement(s), no inference should be drawn that the Company will make additional updates with respect to those or other forward-looking statements.

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¹ Refer to Azure’s ASX announcement dated November 9, 2020.
² Refer to Artemis’ ASX announcement dated November 20, 2019.
³ Refer to Azure’s ASX announcement dated August 6, 2020.
⁴ Refer to Legend’s ASX announcement dated July 23, 2007.
⁵ Refer to Legend’s Annual Report 2009 – WAMEX Open File Data Rept. A82043
⁶ Refer to Legend’s ASX announcement dated October 02, 2007.
⁷ Refer to Legend’s ASX announcement dated January 24, 2008.
⁸ Refer to Legend’s Annual Report 2009 – WAMEX Open File Data Rept. A69000
⁹ Refer to Westfields Final Report 1967 – WAMEX Open File Data Rept. A982
¹⁰ Refer to AMAX Final Report 1972 – WAMEX Open File Data Rept. A3472