• Anomalous Ni, Cu and/or PGE mineralization was detected in 11 of the 13 holes completed in the Q3-2021 drill program.

• Rottenstone-like stratigraphy was identified in a 13-meter interval in hole AL21029 (located in “the Dime Area”).  Significant intercepts in this interval included 4,200ppm Ni and 1.25 g/t Pd-Pt+Au over a 1.17-meter interval.

• Within the Island Showing trend, drillhole AL21033 has defined a robust off-hole BHEM conductor 130.0 meters south of drillhole AL21021 and its associated mineralization and BHEM conductivity. 

• Exploration crews have been mobilizing at Albert Lake since January 3.  The Q1-2022 winter program will consist of a 5,000-meter drill program commencing the week of January 10, 2022 (expanded from the originally planned 3,000 meters).  

Calgary, Alberta – January 10, 2022 – Fathom Nickel Inc. (the “Company” or “Fathom“) (CSE:FNI) (FSE: 6Q5), (OTCQB: FNICF) is pleased to announce the results of the Q3-2021 drilling program at its wholly owned Albert Lake Property and the commencement of the Q1-2022 drilling program.  The Albert Lake Property is host to the historic Rottenstone mine, a past producer of high-grade nickel, copper and platinum group metals. 

Q3-2021 Drill Results

The Q3-2021 drill program consisted of 13 diamond drill holes totalling 3,106 meters located in the south-central region of the Albert Lake property.  

Table 1 Fall Drill Program Drilling Information (NAD83, Zone 13)

Anomalous Ni, Cu and PGE mineralization was detected in 11 of the 13 holes, including the occurrence of Rottenstonelike stratigraphy in a 13-meter interval in hole AL21029 (located in “the Dime Area”).  Hole AL21029 was drilled to test a 2021 B-horizon soil geochemical anomaly and intersected Rottenstone-like stratigraphy (ultramafic, pegmatite) at 136.53-148.72m:

Drillhole	From	To	Interval (m)*	Ni (ppm)	Cu (ppm)	Co (ppm)	Pd (ppb)	Pt (ppb)	Pd- Pt+Au
AL21029	135.7	148.72	13.02	658	151	41
including	136.53	138.4	1.87	3062	673	119	363	400
including	136.53	137.7	1.17	4200	882	164	460	580	1.25 g/t
including	144.52	148.72	4.20	658	151	42

This drilling success is of particular significance for two reasons.  

• First, the location for hole AL21029 was chosen based on a Cr, Mg, Ni-Cu-Co + Pd-Pt geochemical anomaly that was identified during the summer-2021 surface soil sampling program.  Management is very encouraged by the accuracy of soil geochemistry  as part of the “fingerprinting” process helping to identify areas of Rottenstone-like stratigraphy and mineralization.  With a total of 5,719 soil samples obtained and analysed thus far at Albert Lake (press release December 9, 2021), soil geochemistry  will be an increasingly important exploration tool as we seek to identify additional mineralized deposits.
• Secondly, the existence of Rottenstone-like stratigraphy and mineralization identified in the Dime Area a significant distance of 4.2 km south of the historic Rottenstone Mine supports the Company’s exploration premise that the Rottenstone deposit is not an isolated occurrence at Albert Lake.

Ian Fraser, VP Exploration commented, “We are very pleased to report an intersection of Rottenstone-like stratigraphy and mineralization at the Dime Area, 4.2 km south of the historic Rottenstone Mine.    The results of the Q3-2021 drill program have played a pivotal role in the development and refinement of high-quality drill targets which will be the focus of the upcoming drill program utilizing the winter ice to optimize drill hole positioning.  We are extremely excited to further test our priority targets at the Dime Area and the Island Showing (press release June 7, 2021) in our upcoming Q1-2022 drill program in our efforts to translate Rottenstone-like stratigraphy into Rottenstone-like mineralization and grade.”

Q1-2022 Drill Program

The Q1-2022 winter program will consist of a 5,000-meter drill program commencing the week of January 10^th 2022.  This program was recently expanded from the originally planned 3,000 meters after the successful completion of the Company’s $4 million (gross proceeds) flow through financing on November 29, 2021. Diamond drilling will initially focus on the follow-up of the 2 most prospective target areas – the Island Showing and the Dime Area.  Additional drill targets are expected to be refined as the geological team completes and further processes information from BHEM, geophysical and airborne targeting initiatives.  

Brad Van Den Bussche President and CEO commented “I am extremely pleased with our accomplishments on the Albert Lake Project to date. The systematic approach used to develop and test the geological model has resulted in a pipeline of excellent drill targets which we are excited to follow-up on during the Q1-2022 drill program.  The frozen conditions at Albert Lake during the winter season are ideal to drill-test key targets at the Island Showing and Dime Area.  We will also utilize the winter conditions to drill from the ice to follow up on additional BHEM conductors associated with several drillholes on the Big Island located 400m west of the historic Rottenstone Mine.”

The following Figure illustrate the location of all drillholes drilled in 2021:  

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA / QC) Statement

Fathom implements an industry-standard QA / QC for all field and diamond drill programs. Fathom through the services of TerraLogic Exploration insert QA / QC samples in its diamond drill programs at a rate of 1 sample per approximately every 12-13 sample collected. Standards sourced from CDN Resource Laboratories and CCRMP were inserted into the sample stream at a rate of 1 in 30 samples. Additionally, Lab duplicates (coarse rejects) were inserted and positioned in the sample sequence at a rate of 1 in 30 samples and positioned in the sample sequence alternating with standards to result in a QA / QC insertion rate of no less than 1 in 15 samples. Blanks were inserted at the start of every sample batch and additionally after samples of anticipated high-grade or high sulphide content.  

Assaying is performed at ALS Canada Ltd. ALS is an accredited laboratory; (SCC – CAN-P-1579 and CAN-P-4E ISO/IEC 17025) and is independent of Fathom. All drill core samples are analyzed using a 4-Acid digestion followed by 33 element ICP-AES analyses (Code ME-ICP61). Over limit Ni, Cu results are further analyzed by 4-Acid ore grade elements ICP-AES process (Code ME-OG62). Analyses for Au, Pd and Pt utilized the ore grade Pt, Pd and Au by ICPAES (Code PGM-ICP27).

Qualified Person and Data Verification

Ian Fraser, PGeo., VP Exploration and a Director of the Company and the “qualified person” as such term is defined by National Instrument 43-101, has verified the data disclosed in this news release, and has otherwise reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release on behalf of the Company. 

About Fathom Nickel Inc.

Fathom Nickel is a resource exploration and development company that is targeting high-grade nickel sulphide discoveries for use in the rapidly growing global electric vehicle market.

The Company is accelerating exploration on its flagship Albert Lake Project, host to the historic Rottenstone mine, which is recognized as one of the highest‐grade (Nickel, Copper, Platinum group metals) deposits of its type ever mined in Canada. The Albert Lake Project consists of over 90,000 ha of mineral claims located in the Trans-Hudson Corridor of Saskatchewan, which is home to numerous world-class mining camps.   

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

“Brad Van Den Bussche”

President and CEO, Director

For Further Information Please Contact:

Brad Van Den Bussche, President and CEO

or

Manish Grigo, Director of Corporate Development

+1-416-569-3292

Email: ir@fathomnickel.com

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on expectations, estimates, projections and interpretations as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “seek”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “suggest”, “indicate” and other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur, and include, without limitation, statements regarding the enhancement of the Company’s geologic model and extending the areas of known mineralization and the Company’s work towards defining a resource base. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to, the results of exploration activities; the ability of the Company to complete further exploration activities; timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information except in accordance with applicable securities laws.