Power Metallic Partners with Ideon Technologies to Unlock Deep Discovery Potential at Nisk Lion Zone using Muon Tomography
The program is structured in two stages: first, validating the Ideon density model against Power Metallic's existing 100-plus hole drill dataset at Lion; then applying the calibrated mineralization fingerprint to rank and test deep targets across the 330 km² Nisk district scale property that are below the detection limit of conventional surface-based geophysical methods (i.e., below 200 m).
About the Technology: Seeing Deep into the Earth using Energy from Space
The Ideon REVEAL™ Platform detects cosmic-ray muons -- naturally occurring subatomic particles created by supernova explosions in deep space. Muons lose energy progressively in direct proportion to the density of the material they pass through. By positioning arrays of muon detectors in boreholes at varying depths, Ideon can construct 3D tomographic models of subsurface density over millions of cubic metres of earth, potentially replacing hundreds of drillholes while providing greater subsurface visibility at a fraction of the cost and time, and with significantly less environmental impact.
The Ideon REVEAL™ Platform and is designed for the most demanding of exploration and mining environments. It uses proprietary hardware, software and imaging systems with advanced AI-powered analysis and data fusion capabilities. It has been field-proven at some of the world's most demanding mine sites, including at
Why Lion Is an Exceptional Muon Target
The mineralogy of the
The initial phase of the program will deploy borehole muon detectors into dedicated drill holes at the
In total the survey will map the density of over 55,000,000 m3 of rock volume. The imaging program is planned to run for 6 months in duration, with the option to extend to 8 months if needed to optimize resolution and establish the
The Lion imaging program is designed as a validation exercise. Power Metallic holds an extensive drill dataset at Lion built from more than 100 holes across multiple campaigns. By producing an unconstrained muon inversion and then comparing it directly against the known resource model, the Company will establish the geophysical fingerprint of a Lion-style polymetallic massive sulfide system. Once the density signature of Lion mineralization is confirmed to match the tomographic model, that calibrated signature will become the search template for the broader Nisk project district.
District Scale: Opening a New Search Space
The most transformative potential of this program lies beyond Lion itself.
Power Metallic's Nisk project encompasses ~330 km² of land including approximately 20 km of strike on the northern basin margin and 30 km on the southern basin margin -- a contiguous belt hosting the Nisk Main deposit, the Lion discovery, and numerous additional untested geophysical anomalies. To date, surface and near-surface exploration methods including airborne magnetics, ground gravity, and Airborne EM have provided effective screening tools for targets shallower than approximately 200 m depth. Below that threshold, surface-based techniques are unable to detect deposit-scale targets.
"One of the challenges in exploring any deposit is false positives. Borehole EM continues to be the gold standard, but increasingly we are looking to combine it with other techniques that can image thicker mineralization. We are excited to integrate our current best practice workflow with muon tomography, a technique that's demonstrated it can discover thicker intersections of sulfides. By incorporating an additional physical property beyond BHEM, we aim to improve our probability of target success and better discriminate high-quality conductors. We are always striving to discover better ore, not just more ore." commented
Muon tomography will be used to target a search space below 200 meters. Ideon muon sensors can image key geological features in the deep subsurface extending the effective targeting depth range where the next Lion-scale discovery may be hiding.
The geological rationale for deep exploration at Nisk is compelling.
Once a validated muon signature of Lion mineralization is in hand, Power Metallic intends to conduct phased muon surveys across priority targets within this district, applying the calibrated density fingerprint of its known deposit type to rank and test anomalies that otherwise would have to be evaluated with blind drilling.
Learn more about how muon tomography works at this link.
"We have been excited about Nisk's geological potential for many years and of course with the amazing success of the Lion Zone Discovery we entered a new frontier. With the guidance of our technical director
Qualified Person
About
Power Metallic is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing the Nisk Project Area (Nisk–Lion–Tiger)--a high–grade Copper–PGE, Nickel, gold and silver system--toward
On
Power Metallic is expanding mineralization at the Nisk and Lion discovery zones, evaluating the Tiger target, and exploring the enlarged land package through successive drill programs. Beyond the Nisk Project Area, Power Metallic indirectly has an interest in significant land packages in
It also owns 100% of Power Metallic Arabia which owns 100% interest in the Jabul Baudan exploration license in The Kingdon of
For further information, readers are encouraged to contact:
Neither the
QAQC and Sampling
All core in this news release is either HQ or NQ sized core. Drill core is re-fitted and measured. Geotech on core includes photographs (wet & dry), rock quality index, magnetic susceptibility, conductivity, and recovery estimates. Core is logged for lithology, mineralogy, and structural features, and sample intervals are delineated and tagged.
Sampled core is mechanically sawn, and half-core is retained for future reference. GeoVector's QAQC program includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks into the sample stream with a stringent review of all results. QAQC and data validation was performed, and no material errors were observed.
All samples were submitted to and analyzed at
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This message contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "indicates," "opportunity," "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, among others; the timing for various drilling plans; the ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward and conduct drilling and exploration; to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing; to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining operations; future prices of nickel and other metals; changes in general economic conditions; accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates; the potential for new discoveries; the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if accepted, to obtain such licenses and approvals in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the applicable project; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/power-metallic-partners-with-ideon-technologies-to-unlock-deep-discovery-potential-at-nisk-lion-zone-using-muon-tomography-302770339.html
SOURCE
