TSX Venture Exchange: BSK
Frankfurt Stock Exchange: MAL2
OTCQB Venture Market (OTC): BKUCF
VANCOUVER, BC, May 24, 2023
/CNW/ - Blue Sky Uranium Corp. (TSXV: BSK) (FSE: MAL2) (OTC:
BKUCF), "Blue Sky" or the "Company") is pleased to
provide an update on exploration and development work carried out
at its wholly owned Amarillo Grande Uranium-Vanadium Project in
Rio Negro Province, Argentina ("AGP"), which includes the Ivana
uranium-vanadium deposit.
Ivana Process Design
Testwork
As an update to the process design testwork program for Ivana
(see April 6, 2021 News Release),
uranium/vanadium leach tests have been completed on the ~294 kg
averaging 530ppm U3O8 composite bulk sample
#2 prepared from RC chips from the Ivana deposit. The
optimized leach conditions were 60 g/L Na2CO3
and 10 g/L NaHCO3, at 95°C for 8 hours.
For these new tests, uranium recovery for the alkaline leach stage
was 96%, vanadium recovery was 35%.
In December 2018, Blue Sky
completed a first set of process design tests for the Ivana
uranium-vanadium mill. Based on this test work, the overall process
plant recovery was 85% for uranium (derived from 89% leach feed
preparation recovery and 95% subsequent alkaline leach circuit
recovery); and 53% for vanadium (derived from 89% leach feed
preparation recovery and 60% subsequent alkaline leach circuit
recovery) (see February 7, 2019 News
Release, filed on SEDAR).
Preparations are underway for testing the next step in the
milling process: membrane filtration. Four litres of leach
solution have been prepared for the small-scale membrane filtration
tests, which will identify the best nanofiltration and reverse
osmosis membranes for the process. Leaching of the remainder
of mineralized sample #2 is underway to provide feed for the larger
scale membrane filtration operation, which will provide solutions
for subsequent solvent extraction tests.
Ivana Resources and
Studies
Modelling work using external consultants has been advancing to
evaluate the impact of the additional 3,346m of drilling in 350 RC drill holes and
additional density measurements carried out in 2022 on the
projects' current mineral resources and the PEA completed in
2019. This work was carried out to refine the boundaries of
the deposit and to potentially upgrade the category of mineral
resources from inferred to indicated where possible.
Ivana East Drilling
Program
The previously announced RC drilling at Ivana East has been
delayed due to technical issues with the drilling rig and will
resume once it has been repaired. This program is part of the
Company's staged approach to evaluating targets with-in several
tens of kilometres from the Ivana deposit that could add to the
projects resource base.
Ivana Central Drilling
Program
Drilling at Ivana Central was initially launched in 2020, later
suspended due to pandemic effect, and finally completed in 2022.
The program totaled 2,607m of
drilling in 43 scout holes (Figure 1); the first 6 holes drilled in
2020 were reverse circulation (RC) holes, the following 36 holes
were drilled by direct circulation (DC) due to the geological
conditions, and the last (AGIC-043) was drilled DC for the initial
31m and was completed as a diamond
drill hole with core recovered. Radiometric borehole surveys
were run from hole AGIC-007 to AGIC-043. It was not possible to
survey the initial 6 RC holes due to the geological
conditions. All holes were vertical, and due to flat strata,
sample results are believed to approximate true
thickness.
Based on borehole radiometric anomalies and chip logging, the
target REDOX front is understood to have been intercepted in 18
holes, delineating a +2.4km long and +1km wide NNW-SSE corridor at
between 40m and 60m, open to the north and south (see Figure 2
and Figure 3). This REDOX front is characterized by "black"
sandstones with organic matter and disseminated pyrite, accompanied
by radiometric anomalies in most cases. This "black sand" horizon
was initially identified at hole AGIC-01, where it yielded
1m @ 120ppm
U3O8 at 46m in
depth.
A total of 281 1m samples were
collected from RC holes AGIC 001-006; Uranium ranged from less than
detection to 120 ppm U3O8 in 1m samples. Only 56 cutting samples were
recovered from the scout drillholes AGIC -007 to AGIC 042 due to
recovery limitations; samples recovered from these holes designed
for prospecting have potential for contamination due to the DC
drilling technique employed. Uranium ranged from less than
detection to 32 ppm U3O8 from 1m samples. Radiometric probe results
ranged up to 1442 cps (AGC-028), a result consistent with uranium
results in the 150 ppm U range based on correlation with other
drilling on the project (see Table 1).
Hole AGIC-043, the last in the program, was drilled in order to
better define and assess the geological characteristics of the
REDOX front with anomalous uranium and radiometric levels that had
been intersected by previous DC drilled holes. The recovery of
drill core in AGIC-043 permitted detailed logging of the geological
units and the collection of better-quality samples. The hole
cut predominantly fine tuffaceous sediments from surface to
38m in depth, and predominantly sandy
sediments from 38 to 63m in depth,
ending the hole with more fine tuffaceous material at 65m. The black sand horizon was intersected
between 46 and 62m in depth,
interpreted as the REDOX front. Multiple samples with elevated
silver-cobalt-copper-uranium-tungsten were observed in the
analytical results and, and in the case of the high-silver samples
(0.35m at 2880 ppm Ag), the core
permitted re-sampling of ¼ core for confirmation analyses.
Highlights of the AGIC-043 drill results include:
- 1.0m at 43 ppm Ag, 47ppm Cu
and 1.3 ppm U3O8 from 39m
- 0.35m at 2880 ppm Ag, 4720 ppm
Cu and 16 ppm U3O8 from 46m
- 0.5m at 89 ppm Ag, 202 ppm Cu
and 13 ppm U3O8 from 49m
- 0.3m at 19 ppm Ag, 50ppm Cu
and 72ppm U3O8 from 60.7m
Two additional discontinuous radiometric anomalous "black sand"
horizons were intercepted at shallower depths in the
20-30m depth range in several holes.
These black sand units correlate with chargeability anomalies
identified in the IP Pole-Dipole surveys covering the area (see
September 19, 2019 News Release,
filed on SEDAR). Further follow-up of the projected extent of
the REDOX front at Ivana Central and assessing of the high-grade
silver potential is being carried out by the Company.
Ongoing Exploration
Program
Regional prospecting mapping, sampling, and radiometric surveys
have been carried out over the southern sector of the Amarillo
Grande project. The program is collecting soil samples for
detection of Pb-isotopic anomalies that may be related to
uranium-sandstone type deposit or REDOX fronts. The exploration
efforts are completed with pit sampling or auger drilling when
uranium mineralization and/or radiometric anomalies are detected
while mapping.
Assay Methodology and
QA/QC
Drill samples were sent to ALS Argentina for preparation by
drying, crushing to 70% <2mm, riffle splitter 250g and pulverize
to 85% <75 µm. Pulps were sent to ALS Peru for analysis of
multi-elements ultra-trace method combining four acid digestion
with Inductively Coupled Plasma ("ICP") instrumentation. Digestion
is performed on 0.25g of sample to quantitatively dissolve most
geological materials. Analytical analysis is performed with
combinations of ICP-AES (Atomic Emission Spectrometry) & ICP-MS
(Mass Spectrometry, ME-MS61). Over limits for silver>100pm, were
processed by HF-HNO3-HClO4 digestion with HCl leach, ICP-AES or AAS
finish (OG62), meanwhile over limits >1500ppm Ag were analyzed
by fire assay and gravimetric finish (GRA21). Gold was processed by
fire assay and AAS (AA24). Approximately every
10th sample a blank, duplicate, or standard sample is
inserted into the sample sequence for quality assurance/quality
control ("QA/QC") purposes. The QA/QC internal assessment
determined that analytical results reported herein are within
standard industry limits.
Qualified Persons
The metallurgical program is conducted under the guidance of
Chuck Edwards, P. Eng. FCIM, an
independent consultant to the Company and a Qualified Person as
defined in National Instrument 43-101. The contents of this news
release have been reviewed and approved by Mr. Edwards.
The design of the Company's exploration program was undertaken
by the Company's geological staff under the supervision
of David Terry, Ph.D., P. Geo. Dr. Terry is a Director of the
Company and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument
43-101. The contents of this news release have been reviewed
and approved by Dr. Terry.
About the Amarillo Grande
Project
The Company's 100% owned Amarillo Grande Uranium-Vanadium
Project in Rio Negro Province,
Argentina is a new uranium
district controlled by Blue Sky. The Ivana deposit is the
cornerstone of the Project and the first part of the district for
which both a Mineral Resource Estimate and a Preliminary Economic
Assessment have been completed. Mineralization at the
Ivana deposit has characteristics of sandstone-type and
surficial-type uranium-vanadium deposits. The sandstone-type
mineralization is related to a braided fluvial system and indicates
the potential for a district-size system. In the surficial-type
deposits, mineralization coats loosely consolidated pebbles, and is
amenable to leaching and simple upgrading.
The Project includes several other target areas over a regional
trend, at or near surface. The area is flat-lying, semi-arid and
accessible year-round, with nearby rail, power and port access. The
Company's strategy includes delineating resources at multiple areas
and advancing the project to prefeasibility level.
For additional details on the project and properties, please see
the Company's website: www.blueskyuranium.com.
About Blue Sky Uranium
Corp.
Blue Sky Uranium Corp. is a leader in uranium discovery in
Argentina. The Company's objective
is to deliver exceptional returns to shareholders by rapidly
advancing a portfolio of surficial uranium deposits into low-cost
producers, while respecting the environment, the communities, and
the cultures in all the areas in which we work. Blue Sky has the
exclusive right to properties in two provinces in Argentina. The Company's flagship Amarillo
Grande Project was an in-house discovery of a new district that has
the potential to be both a leading domestic supplier of uranium to
the growing Argentine market and a new international market
supplier. The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource
management group that has pioneered exploration in Argentina since 1993.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Nikolaos Cacos"
_____________________________________
Nikolaos Cacos, President, CEO and
Director
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
This news release may contain forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements address future events and
conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that
address activities, events or developments the Company believes,
expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including,
without limitation, statements about the Company's plans for its
mineral properties; the Company's business strategy, plans and
outlooks; the future financial or operating performance of the
Company; and future exploration and operating plans are
forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks
and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company
to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking
statements and, even if such actual results are realized or
substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will
have the expected consequences to, or effects on, the Company.
Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ
materially from current expectations include, among other things:
the impact of COVID-19; risks and uncertainties related to the
ability to obtain, amend, or maintain licenses, permits, or surface
rights; risks associated with technical difficulties in connection
with mining activities; and the possibility that future
exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent
with the Company's expectations. Actual results may
differ materially from those currently anticipated in such
statements. Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's public
disclosure documents for a more detailed discussion of factors that
may impact expected future results. The Company undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements, unless required pursuant to applicable laws. We advise
U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit
information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S.
investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent
properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our
properties.
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SOURCE Blue Sky Uranium Corp.