ASX newcomer UVRE has started an extensive maiden diamond drilling of up to 50 holes at its East Canyon uranium-vanadium project in Utah.
The program is aimed at test extensions of high-grade uranium and vanadium mineralisation of up to 1.27% U3O8 and 9.21% V2O5 which were observed and sampled within and around historical workings.
UVRE’s (ASX:UVA) drilling will target shallow prospects with depths of about 50m across the None Such and Bonanza areas which host extensive historical workings with visible mineralisation.
“This represents a significant milestone for the company and we are excited to commence the maiden drill program at the East Canyon project less than two months since listing on the ASX,” managing director Pete Woods said.
“The program will test extensions of the visual high-grade uranium and vanadium observed and sampled from within the historical workings at a shallow depth from surface.
“Diamond core drilling will allow for early metallurgical test work to be carried out, further shoring up the potential of this strategic project.”
Drill plans
The company intends to drill up to 25 holes at each of the two prospect areas, adding that the relatively high density of core holes is designed to establish disequilibrium ratios, which quantify the degree to which the emitted gamma radiation from radioactive decay daughter products represents the actual uranium grade.
This will be achieved through the comparison of down-hole radiological and chemical analysis which should allow for cheaper rotary drill programs in the future with the use of down-hole wireline probing.
Sampling will employ visual interpretations, hand-held Scintillometer measurements, as well as possible XRF detectors to evaluate uranium and other economic minerals content while chemical analysis will be carried out by the laboratory.
Uranium and vanadium mineralisation samples will also be selected for possible preliminary bench scale metallurgical and mineralogical testwork to technically de-risk the project and provide scoping study pathways for mineral process design.
Drilling is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter.
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