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Projects
IOCG Deposits
Development Projects
Exploration Projects
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One of Few Such Projects in Europe Stora Sahaavara, one of Northland's key assets, is an advanced project containing a potentially significant iron (magnetite) ore body. Its size and mineral content make it one of few such projects in Europe. The property lies within 150 kilometers of Western Europe's only major iron mines, Kiruna and Malmberget, owned by the Swedish state mining company LKAB. Stora Sahaavara belongs to the same broad class of mineral deposits as Kiruna and Malmberget (i.e., Iron-Oxide-Copper-Gold or IOCG). It is also within 20km of a rail head. Initial Resource Estimates The known magnetite body at Stora Sahavaara measures approximately 1.4 km in length, at least 700 meters in depth and 50 meters in average width. Following drilling and compilation of past exploration data, we completed initial resource estimates in 2006 (NI 43-101 compliant), using a 25% Fe cut-off:
The results placed more than 50% of the resource in the "Measured" category. The deposit was modeled to a depth of 550 meters, but remains open to depth. Bulk Sampling During the spring of 2007, Northland hired a local excavation contractor to clear the overlying glacial till and prepare the access ramp for the start of the underground phase of a bulk sample. After completion of an access ramp to the magnetite, the contractor blasted a 50 meter long horizontal tunnel within the magnetite from which a 2,000 tonne bulk sample of material was collected. A representative sample of this material was then sent to the metallurgical testing laboratory (SGS Group) in Ontario, Canada.
Metallurgical Testwork In early 2007, Northland collected a 2,000 tonne underground bulk sample, a portion of which was analyzed by SGS metallurgical laboratory in Canada. Late in 2007, Corus Group R&D (Netherlands) completed a successful pelletizing test on 2.5 tonnes of iron ore concentrate generated by the bulk sample program. The results demonstrate that the pellets made from Stora Sahavaara concentrate already fulfill or exceed all of the necessary chemical and physical characterists of commercial-grade iron ore pellets. After pelletization, the pellets returned the following chemical analysis:
The pellets were found to be of excellent quality, with high Fe, low SiO2 and Al2O3. In addition, Sulfur analysis was found to be low at 0.008%. The pellets physical properties returned the following positive results:
Based on metallurgical and other positive results, a scoping study is being initiated to be followed by a bankable feasibility study. Property History Stora Sahavaara was drilled by the Swedish Geological Survey (SGU) in 1967. The SGU completed a rough resource estimate (non NI 43-101 compliant) on the basis of their drilling which tested down to 750 meters. The SGU established that a significant magnetite body was present containing additional by-product copper credits. Little further work was done, however, until Northland acquired the project in 2004. Northland has systematically drill tested the magnetite body using large diameter core where possible. Our geologists have also re-logged and re-sampled the historic core stored in the SGU core archive. The large diameter core also provided sufficient material for initial metallurgical test work and completion of a NI 43-101 resource calculation in May, 2006. Geology and Mineralization The Stora Sahavaara magnetite body is hosted by structurally deformed rocks within the Pajala Shear Zone (PSZ), a major feature striking across the border into Finland where our Rautuvaara and Hannukainen projects are located. Historic drill data indicates the Stora Sahavaara massive magnetite body can be traced for 1,300m along strike, and it sub-crops close to surface below a few meters of glacial till. The body---reported at 40m to 100m in true thickness---appears to be open down dip below the current known extent of 750m. Northland's recent drilling intersected the body near surface over downhole thicknesses in excess of 50m. The geometry of Stora Sahavaara, a moderately dipping, roughly tabular sheet, is highly favorable for both open pit and underground block cave type mining. See Technical Report for a detailed geology discussion. Ownership Northland owns the exploration permits 100%, free of any royalties or back-in rights. |
Tapuli
Hannukainen
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