Drilling Planned for Halliday Lake and Math Properties
August 04 2011 - 9:12AM
PR Newswire (Canada)
CALGARY, Aug. 4, 2011 /CNW/ -- (TSXV: UVN) CALGARY, Aug. 4, 2011
/CNW/ - Uravan Minerals Inc (Uravan) recently completed
multifaceted surface geochemical sampling programs on the Halliday
Lake, Math, OR Extension, and Stewardson Lake properties in the
Athabasca Basin(1), Northern Saskatchewan [map link]. The sampling
programs were conducted by Uravan's technical group, commencing on
June 6(th) and completed July 27(th). The sample media
collected are B- and C-horizon soils, vegetation (from spruce
and/or pine) and tree-cores (from spruce and/or pine). Depending on
the size of the project area, samples from all media were collected
from 250 meter to 500 meter spacing on off-set grids. The surface
sampling programs resulted in the collection of a total of 3305
samples from all media over approximately 40,140 hectares. The
objective of these surface geochemical surveys is to identify the
most probable location of unconformity-related uranium deposits at
depth. One of Uravan's key strategies is to develop innovative
exploration technologies that will vector drilling to discovery
quicker and more cost effectively in under-explored areas. To
accomplish this, understanding the process by which elements move
from buried uranium mineralization to near surface environments
where they can be geochemically measured is critical. The sample
preparation and analytical procedures for these surface programs
will follow the same protocols used for the Outer Ring (OR) and
Johannsen Lake (JL) sampling programs completed in 2010, as
previously developed from the Cigar Lake Study(2). All sample
material collected (clay separates from the B-and C-horizons soils
and vegetation samples) will be analysed using multi-element ICP-MS
for 52 elements plus all the REE and Pb isotopes at Acme Labs in
Vancouver. Sample preparation on the tree-cores and separation of
the clay fraction from the B-and C-horizon soils will be completed
by the Queen's Facility for Isotope Research(4) (QFIR) at Queen's
University. QFIR will also conduct further analytical work on
tree-cores and clay separates by a multi-element analysis for 52
elements plus all the REE and Pb isotopes by High-Resolution
ICP-MS. The analytical data resulting from these geochemical
surveys will be the focus of a collaborative research study between
Uravan and QFIR, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research
Council of Canada (NSERC)( 3) [Press Release Link]. Depending on
the timing for the completion of the data analysis of the surface
geochemical programs described above, a diamond drill program is
anticipated for the Halliday Lake or Math projects [map link] prior
to freeze up in early October 2011. The Halliday Lake property is
located approximately 18 kilometers northwest of the McArthur River
uranium deposit in the eastern Athabasca Basin. The Halliday
property is owned 100% by Uravan and was acquired from Cameco
Corporation (Cameco) in December 2010 as part of a larger property
exchange agreement [Press Release Link]. The Math property
adjoins the Outer Ring (OR) property on the north and was acquired
from ESO Uranium Corporation (ESO) in January 2011 [Press Release
Link]. Exploration work previously conducted on the Halliday
project by Cameco consists of six (6) widely-spaced diamond drill
holes amounting to 5167 meters drilled with drill depths averaging
850 meters. This reconnaissance drilling targeted three coincident
EM geophysical conductors within an east-west oriented magnetic
low. Based on drill core interpretation, the conductive zones
coincide with an east-west trending graphite structural zone.
Drill core analysis identified high boron concentrations within
basement samples, strong illite clay alteration in the sandstone
and anomalous uranium mineralization occurring at the unconformity,
which assayed 800 ppm to 0.12% U(3)O(8) over narrow intervals (1.0
meter). Recent exploration work on the Math property consisted of
three (3) airborne geophysical surveys (MEGATEM, radiometric +
Magnetics and ZTEM + Magnetics) completed in 2006, 2007 and 2009
respectively. The geophysical data and interpretive work from
these geophysical surveys correlate and consistently display a
strong NE trending conductor (the "Pasfield Conductor") that
coincides with a linear low magnetic susceptibility corridor that
transects the Math property. The Pasfield Conductor and coincident
magnetic low form a linear corridor that extends to the SW onto the
Outer Ring project. The NE-SW trending Pasfield Conductor was
interpreted by Geotech Limited (through inversion of the
geophysical data) as a single NW dipping conductor (probably
graphite) at the unconformity, estimated to be at a depth of
approximately 350 meters. The Pasfield Conductor shows increasing
conductive response with depth suggesting alteration of the
conductor at or near the unconformity. The geophysical data also
point to a related conductive zone above the unconformity
interpreted to represent a clay alteration zone in the Athabasca
sandstone. A potential thick basement graphitic conductor, hosted
in metapellitic basement metasediments, within a coincident low
magnetic susceptibility corridor, associated with a possible clay
alteration halo above the unconformity are key requirements for
potential unconformity-related uranium mineralization. Data
analysis and interpretation of the recently completed surface
geochemical sampling programs on the Halliday and Math projects
will be used in conjunction with the existing geophysical databases
to help vector new drill targets on the properties. Although the
existence of robust EM conductors is an important condition for
targeting potential unconformity-related uranium mineralization the
challenge for most uranium explorers is which (?) conductors have
potential and where (?) on the surface trace of the conductor
should drill-holes be positioned. Uravan believes, based on the
Cigar Lake Study(2), the positioning of exploration drill-holes
over surface geochemical anomalies to test potential bedrock source
of unconformity-related uranium mineralization is unique and will
provide a valuable vectoring component, in concurrence with the
existing prominent EM conductors, as a better means of testing
potential 'mineralized' targets versus drilling 'barren'
conductors. It is anticipated a 2500 meter diamond drill program
will commence on either the Halliday or Math projects sometime in
early October 2011, prior to winter freeze up. In anticipation of
the completion of additional data analysis, Uravan expects to
announce further results on the OR diamond drill program [Press
Release Link] in the coming week. Dr. Colin Dunn, P. Geo.,
technical advisor for Uravan, is the Qualified Person for the
purposes of NI 43-101 with respect to the technical information in
this press release. (1)The Athabasca Basin is an ancient
(Paleoproterozoic) sandstone basin located in northern
Saskatchewan, Canada. The Athabasca Basin hosts high-grade
unconformity-type uranium deposits that account for about 28
percent of the world's primary uranium production. These
unconformity-type uranium deposits occur in sandstones at the
basement-sandstone unconformity contact (sandstone-hosted
mineralization) and within the underlying structurally disrupted
crystalline basement (basement-hosted mineralization). The ore
grades are high, typically grading 5% to 20% U(3)0(8). (2)The Cigar
West Study was a collaborative applied research program conducted
by Uravan and QFIR (Queen's Facility for Isotope Research) in 2009
over a known high-grade uranium deposit in the Athabasca Basin. The
study was designed to develop new surface geochemical techniques
that can better identify bedrock sources of uranium mineralization
at depth. This research clearly identified distinctive elements and
isotopic compositions that have been mobilized from the deposit
(geosphere) to the surface media (plants and soils) from depths 450
meters. The Cigar Lake deposit is on the Waterbury/Cigar uranium
property; a joint venture partnership between Cameco Corporation,
AREVA, Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., and Tokyo Electric Power Co.
[TEPCO]) located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan. Uravan
thanks both AREVA and Cameco for their collaboration and gracious
support for the Cigar West Study; and the support provided by the
Cigar Lake facility during our field operations. (3) The goals of
this applied research study, titled 'Exploration Geochemistry for
Deep Uranium Deposits', are: (1) to apply geochemical technologies
recently developed by QFIR and Uravan from a pilot study (the Cigar
Lake Study)( 1) for remotely sensing deeply-buried deposits on
Uravan's Outer Ring (OR) and other Athabasca Basin projects; and
(2) to develop new geochemical technologies using isotope
compositions (such as Li, C, N, Pb and U) for more reliable and
definitive indicators of mineralization at depth in these highly
prospective but under-explored sandstone basin areas. NSERC aims to
make Canada a country of discoverers and innovators for the benefit
of all Canadians. The agency supports university students in their
advanced studies, promotes and supports discovery research, and
fosters innovation by encouraging Canadian companies to participate
and invest in postsecondary research projects. NSERC researchers
are on the vanguard of science, building on Canada's long tradition
of scientific excellence. (4)The Queen's Facility for Isotope
Research (QFIR) at Queens's University, Ontario is a
state-of-the-art research facility, comprising a group of highly
experienced research geochemists. The QFIR lab contains some of the
most technologically advanced analytical equipment in Canada. Under
the direction of Dr. Kurt Kyser, the QFIR research team is working
collaboratively with Uravan's technical group to develop new
exploration technologies using applied research. Dr. Colin Dunn, an
independent specialist in biogeochemistry, is working closely with
Uravan's technical group and QFIR to advance the interpretation of
biogeochemical results. Dr. Kurt Kyser and Dr. Colin Dunn are key
technical advisors for Uravan. Uravan is a Calgary Alberta based
diversified mineral exploration company that utilizes applied
research to develop new innovative exploration technologies to
identify buried uranium, rare earth elements (REE) and
nickel-copper-platinum group element (Ni-Cu-PGE) deposits in
under-explored areas. Our exploration focus in uranium is for
potential high-grade unconformity-related uranium deposits in the
Athabasca and Thelon Basins in Canada and other basin environments
globally. Uravan is expanding its acquisition efforts toward REE
geological domains in North America and specific areas globally.
The REE and uranium mineralization occur in related geological
environments thereby complementing Uravan's uranium exploration
efforts with a strategy to add diversification to its portfolio.
Further, Uravan is pursuing the exploration of its advanced- stage
Rottenstone Ni-Cu-PGE project supported by the development of new
drill targets defined by recent geophysical
re-interpretation. Uravan is a publicly listed company on the
TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol UVN. All of the
mineral properties Uravan owns are considered in the exploration
stage of development. This press release may contain forward
looking statements including those describing Uravan's future plans
and the expectations of management that a stated result or
condition will occur. Any statement addressing future events or
conditions necessarily involves inherent risk and uncertainty.
Actual results can differ materially from those anticipated by
management at the time of writing due to many factors, the majority
of which are beyond the control of Uravan and its management.
In particular, this news release contains forward-looking
statements pertaining, directly or indirectly, to the use of
proceeds of the Offering. Readers are cautioned that the
foregoing list of risk factors should not be construed as
exhaustive. These statements speak only as of the date of this
release or as of the date specified in the documents accompanying
this release, as the case may be. The Corporation undertakes no
obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking
statements except as expressly required by applicable securities
laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange)
accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this
release. To view this news release in HTML
formatting, please use the following URL:
http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/August2011/04/c9412.html
p Larry Lahusen, CEObr/ Uravan Minerals Inc.br/ Tel:
403-264-2630br/ Email: a
href="mailto:llahusen@uravanminerals.com"llahusen@uravanminerals.com/a,br/
Website: a
href="http://www.uravanminerals.com"www.uravanminerals.com/a /p
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