Midland Exploration, in strategic alliance with BHP's subsidiary Rio Algom, has initiated a nickel and copper exploration programme in Nunavik, Quebec, Canada.

The 2024 exploration programme will target a newly identified major crustal-scale structure and its subsidiaries, revealed in a 2023 airborne electromagnetic survey.

These geological formations, previously underexplored, are now considered promising for nickel-copper mineralisation.

As part of the programme, the companies will undertake aerial electromagnetic surveying and a phase of mapping and prospecting planned for July 2024.

In this month, the companies will also carry out regional helicopter-borne time domain electromagnetic survey, spanning approximately 6,500 line-kilometres, in addition to prospecting and mapping activities.

Key achievements from the exploration work between 2020 and 2023 include the discovery of new nickel-copper-cobalt (Ni-Cu-Co) mineral occurrences.

In 2022, regional magnetotelluric surveys highlighted the crustal-scale structure and prospecting led to the identification of a new Ni-Cu-Co mineral occurrence.

A comprehensive lake sediment survey was completed in July 2023, with approximately 1,534 samples collected.

Additionally, the Z-Tipper axis electromagnetic survey conducted in the same month covered around 8,900 line-kilometres, uncovering several new conductive features.

Another Ni-Cu-Co mineral occurrence was discovered through prospecting in 2023.

Midland’s wholly owned unit, Midland Base Metals, and Rio Algom entered a strategic alliance in August 2020.

In May 2024, BHP formed an exploration alliance with Kingsrose to focus on the search for nickel and copper in Norway and Finland.