Hard Creek Nickel Corp.
Hard Creek Nickel Corp.: Metallurgical Report Confirms Significantly Improved Flotation Performance

Hard Creek Nickel Corp. / Key word(s): Miscellaneous

18.02.2011 / 11:00

February 9, 2011                                                           

Trading Symbol: TSX - HNC
Frankfurt:  WKN: A0B6ST

Metallurgical Report Confirms Significantly Improved Flotation Performance

(VANCOUVER) - Hard Creek Nickel Corporation (TSX - HNC) announced today the
Company is in receipt of a Metallurgical Report, authored by Mr. Mike
Ounpuu, which confirms significantly improved flotation performance for the
100% owned Turnagain Project.  'We are happy to report that the new
flotation regime, which uses standard reagents and off-the-shelf equipment
and technology, is capable of producing concentrates containing in excess
of 15% nickel while maintaining recoveries equal to or better than previous
results,' said Mark Jarvis, President of Hard Creek Nickel Corporation.

'Initial variability testwork shows that the new metallurgical regime is
robust across different zones of  the Turnagain deposit.  The Preliminary
Assessment (PA) released in April, 2010, which modeled an on-site refinery
to upgrade low grade nickel concentrates may, subject to a more
comprehensive program of variability testwork, be amended to model the sale
of concentrate to smelters.   Eliminating the on-site refinery would result
in significant capital cost savings and a reduction in the technical risk
of the project.'

Following a strategic review of the Turnagain Project by the Board and
senior management of the Company, a decision was made in the summer of 2010
to focus our efforts on a Metallurgical Improvement Program (MIP).  A
steering committee comprised of industry experts was established to guide
and review the MIP.

Initially a series of ten batch flotation tests were conducted in late 2010
and early 2011 on a 162 metre continuous sample composite collected from a
horizontal drill hole (Hole 10-265) within the proposed starter pit area in
the Horsetrail Zone.  Drill hole 10-265 was completed in September of 2010
and is a twin of an earlier drill hole completed in 2008 (Hole 08-264).

The initial flotation tests were followed up by two locked cycle tests. 
The results reported in previous press releases (November 1, 2010 and
January 5, 2011) represent an improvement in concentrate grade and quality,
at similar or better recoveries, compared to all previous metallurgical
testwork.  The locked cycle test results, including previously unreported
assays for platinum, palladium and cobalt, are reported below:

Table 1:  Locked Cycle Test Results for Sample 10-265 
(SGS Canada in Vancouver, January 2011) 


Test    Head Assay          Concentrate
        Ni %        MgO %   Ni %          Ni % Recovery  MgO %   Fe:MgO
LCT-1   0.31        40.8    16.0          65.0           7.8     4.7
LCT-2   0.33        37.6    21.3          62.1           7.0     4.6
 




Test    Head Assay                     Concentrate Assay
        Pt (g/t)    Pd (g/t)   Co %    Pt (g/t)           Pd (g/t)   Co %
LCT-1   0.03        0.025      0.016   1.05               1.58       0.75
LCT-2   0.03        0.025      0.016   1.09               1.86       1.1
 



Since the completion of the initial flotation tests, seven additional
samples from various locations within the Turnagain deposit were selected
to test the robustness of the most recent flotation test procedure.  The
batch flotation test results shown in Figure 1 and listed in Table 2
suggest the new procedure will work reliably across the deposit in
producing a concentrate exceeding 15% nickel with recoveries estimated at
or above 50%.  Importantly, MgO levels have been reduced to levels
acceptable to most nickel smelters.

Figure 1: www.hardcreek.com/i/maps/FEB-9-MET-REPORT-CONFIRM-2.jpg

Table 2:  Summary Results of Turnagain Batch Flotation Tests


Sample         Head Assay               Concentrate
               Ni %        S %   MgO %  Ni % Rec    Ni %   MgO %  Fe:MgO
V37            0.27        1.4   40.4   47.7        21.6   5.72   6.9
V125           0.30        0.6   40.4   37.9        19.2   10.2   3.2
V27            0.29        0.5   40.5   46.9        23.2   7.57   4.4
V121           0.34        0.5   37.6   43.8        21.0   7.78   4.3
V79            0.28        1.4   42.5   29.8        20.4   10.40  2.9
V38            0.27        1.5   38.4   58.8        24.9   5.57   6.3
V80            0.26        1.3   46.5   48.1        28.7   3.13   11.5
08-264 (F-11)  0.29        1.1   39.8   43.4        17.7   6.42   5.4
10-265 (F-5)   0.32        1.2   39.3   55.0        26.4   4.81   7.2
 



Flow sheet optimization and variability testwork is ongoing.  The Company
has received permits for the 2011 drill program to collect fresh
metallurgical samples.  Results from the variability testing will be fed
into a geometallurgical block model which will form the basis of a new
mining plan.

'Although we are still at an early stage in the variability testing, we
have learned enough about the metallurgical response of different zones in
the deposit to the new flotation regime to be confident a significant
portion of the Turnagain deposit will be amenable to upgrading to a high
quality, smeltable concentrate at reasonable recoveries,' said Mr. Jarvis. 
'This breakthrough is anticipated to enhance the overall project economics
and reduce the technological risk profile.'

Preparation, compositing and laboratory testing of the drill core samples
summarized in this press release were performed at SGS Canada in Vancouver,
B.C. under the supervision of Jake Lang, B.E.Sc. of SGS Canada and the
direction of metallurgist Mike Ounpuu.

This press release contains 'forward looking statements'.  Such
forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the company's plans to materially differ
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. Known risks include, but are not
limited to, financing risks, commodity price risks, scheduling risks and
engineering risks. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the
statements were made, and readers are advised to consider such
forward-looking statements in light of the risks set forth in the company's
continuous disclosure filings as found at www.sedar.com.

This news release has been reviewed and approved by Neil Froc, P. Eng, a
Qualified Person consistent with NI 43-101.

'Mark Jarvis'
MARK JARVIS, President
HARD CREEK NICKEL CORPORATION

The Toronto Stock Exchange does not accept responsibility for the accuracy
or adequacy of this news release.

Suite 1060 - 1090 W. Georgia St., 
Vancouver, BC, Canada  
V6E 3V7       
T: 604-681-2300        
F: 604-681-2310
E: info@hardcreek.com      
W: www.hardcreeknickel.com


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