VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - July 13, 2017) - North American Nickel Inc. (TSX VENTURE:NAN)(OTCBB:WSCRF) (CUSIP: 65704T 108) (the "Company") is pleased to announce it has finalized the details for the acquisition of a watershed ("0.6H") prospecting licence that overlaps the eastern boundary of its 100% owned Maniitsoq nickel sulphide project in southwest Greenland.

The licence was awarded by the Ministry of Industry, Labour, Trade and Energy of the Greenland Government subsequent to a review of the Companies prospecting plan. The licence provides for the exclusive right to assess and develop potential hydropower resources for the production of electricity (See News Release Dated March 29, 2017). The licence is in force for two years with the option to extend it for an additional three years. Subsequently, an exploitation licence can be awarded following a successful assessment of the watershed. A map of watershed 0.6H in relation to the Maniitsoq property boundary is provided in Figure 1.

The Company has retained the services of EFFLA Consulting Engineers to undertake a Hydropower Feasibility Assessment Study at Watershed 0.6H including technical, environmental and socio-economic studies as a basis for evaluating the possible exploitation of the Hydropower Resources for production of electricity. EFFLA will document physical and economical aspects of practical opportunities for hydropower development, examine the local topography and provide an initial assessment of the development's viability, identify key areas of risk and suggest mitigation actions, and determine the economic viability of hydropower development at watershed 0.6H.

EFFLA has extensive knowledge of hydropower feasibility assessments, hydropower development work and extensive practical knowledge in the field. Further EFFLA has vast skills in design and consultancy of transmission lines, roads and bridges, as well as of other infrastructural disciplines in arctic conditions that are or may be relevant.

During the course of the assessment the Company will also work closely with Nukissiorfiit the Greenland Energy Company responsible for supplying most of Greenland with electricity, water and heat from hydropower.

Concurrently the Company is engaged in the continued exploration for economic nickel sulphide deposits at its Maniitsoq project in southwestern Greenland.

About the Company

The Company is a mineral exploration company with 100% owned properties in Maniitsoq, Greenland and Sudbury, Ontario.

The Maniitsoq property in Greenland is a Camp scale project comprising 2,985 square kilometres covering numerous high-grade nickel-copper sulphide occurrences associated with norite and other mafic-ultramafic intrusions of the Greenland Norite Belt (GNB). The belt is greater than 75 kilometres long and situated along, and near, the southwest coast of Greenland accessible from the existing Seqi deep water port (see the Company's news release dated January 19, 2015) with an all year round shipping season and abundant hydro-electric potential.

The Company's Post Creek/Halcyon property in Sudbury is strategically located adjacent to the past producing Podolsky copper-nickel-platinum group metal deposit of KGHM International Ltd. The property lies along an interpreted extension of the Whistle Offset embayment structure. Such geological structures host major Ni-Cu-PGM deposits and producing mines within the Sudbury Camp.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" under applicable securities laws concerning the business, operations and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking statements and forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the risks facing the Company; success of exploration activities; impact of mineralogy, estimation of mineral resources at mineral projects of the Company; the future economics of minerals including nickel and copper; synergies and financial impact facilities; the benefits of the development potential of the properties of the Company and currency exchange rate fluctuations. Except for statements of historical fact relating to the Company, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend," "believe," "antic ipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made, and are based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct.

Factors that could cause actual results to vary materially from results anticipated by such forward-looking statements include variations in metal grades, changes in market conditions, variations in recovery rates, risks relating to international operations, fluctuating metal prices and currency exchange rates, and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to the failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of important factors is not exhaustive. Investors and others who base themselves on forward-looking statements should carefully consider the above factors as well as the uncertainties they represent and the risk they entail. The Company believes that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this press release should not be un duly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be anticipated, estimated or intended. Statements concerning mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to constitute forward-looking statements to the extent they involve estimates of the mineralization that will be encountered if the property is developed.

Statements about the Company's future expectations and all other statements in this press release other than historical facts are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and as that term defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbours created thereby. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results may differ materially from the expected results. For further information on the project, please see the Technical Report, which is available on SEDAR under the Company's issuer profile at www.sedar.com, and is also available on the Company's website at www.northamericannickel.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mark Fedikow, President, North American Nickel Inc.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view Figure 1, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/nan0713fig1.pdf.

North American Nickel Inc. Jaclyn Ruptash Corporate Communications 604-770-4334 or Toll free: 1-866-816-0118www.northamericannickel.com