Exploration Update

RNS Number : 3652U
Niger Uranium Limited
14 May 2008
 


For immediate release

14 May 2008

Niger Uranium Limited

('Niger Uranium' or 'the Company')

Exploration Update


20 % increased uranium grades at In Gall target - resource estimation to be completed in June 2008 and step-out fence drilling lines planned to extend the resource.

Highlights

  • Resource estimation underway for a 5,000 by 900 metre area containing a continuous near-surface layer with a mean borehole interval grade of 146 ppm eU3O8 over 1.2 metres. 


  • The above grade represents an increase of 20 per cent. over previously reported grades as a result of final calibration of the radiometric probe.


  • An intersection of 4.6 metres at 172 ppm eU3O8 illustrates the potential for thicker development of the mineralised layer.


  • Only 20 per cent of the historically delineated mineralised area has been tested to date. Extension drilling commences in June which is expected to significantly extend the resource area.


Ian Stalker, Deputy Chairman, said:

'The 20 per cent. improvement of the in-situ grade demonstrates the value of our Niger licenses. Similar high tonnage open-pittable surface deposit projects within Africa typically have cut-off grades of the order of 40 to 80ppm U3O8, which further illustrates the potential of our licenses. We look forward to reporting an initial code-compliant estimate and subsequent resource statements over the coming months as our work in Niger continues

A resource estimation is being carried out by MSA Geoservices for a portion of target 17 on the Company's In Gall License in Niger. The estimate is expected to be completed early in June 2008. Based upon a finalised calibration factor for the gamma logging tool used to probe boreholes, the average grade of the uranium mineralised layer is 20 per cent. higher than previously reported. 

For all 32 holes drilled on a 400 x 250 metre grid within the 'resource area', the mineralised layer averages 1.2 metres thick and has a mean grade of 146 ppm eU3O8. This area covers approximately 5,000 by 900 metres and is continuously mineralised. A borehole outside of the 'resource area' which intersected the same layer six kilometers along strike returned 225 ppm U3O8 illustrating the potential for thicker development of the mineralization.


Drilling was completed under the direction of MSA Geoservices. All boreholes were vertical and drilled by the tri-cone method and probed with a Robertson gamma tool which was calibrated by Terratec Geoservices, at the Medusa facility in The Netherlands. Final calibration resulted in a conversion factor of 0.157 ppm eU3O8 per radiometric count. Additional validation of the gamma tool results is provided by the results of XRF analyses on samples from 15 boreholes in within the 'resource area'. All boreholes were drilled by the tri-cone method.

Uranium mineralization (visual observation of carnotite) occurs at the top of a flat-lying to gently dipping mudstone unit, below porous sandstones of the Tegama Formation. The continuity and gentle dip of the uranium-mineralised layer, and the fact that it crops out at surface support the potential for large-scale open pit mining or insitu leaching.

The mineralization is open; historical maps indicate that it extends up to 15 kilometres to the west; as little as 20 per cent. of this area has been drilled to date. Historical maps delineate a 'channel' and locate several wide-spaced historical boreholes marked as 'mineralised'. This information will be used to guide the location boreholes along 'step-out' fence lines. Drilling will commence in June and is expected to lead to expansion of the resource.

Appendix 1 - Borehole intersections by radiometric probing

All holes within area of resource estimation

 

 

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Thickness (m)

cps

eU3O8 (ppm) 

H17-22A

31.8

32.9

1.0

830.5

130.4

H17-25A

25.0

26.4

1.4

846.3

132.9

H17-25B

43.7

44.8

1.2

931.3

146.2

H17-27A

33.3

34.4

1.1

1170.7

183.8

H17-27B

51.6

52.8

1.2

817.2

128.3

H17-30A

27.1

28.2

1.2

1007.4

158.2

H17-30B

29.7

30.7

0.9

970.8

152.4

H17-32B

28.7

29.5

0.8

1025.0

160.9

H17-35B

23.7

24.5

0.8

981.3

154.1

H17-37E

39.8

41.2

1.3

624.9

98.1

H17-40H

33.9

35.0

1.1

801.0

125.8

H17-42E

52.9

54.3

1.4

1029.3

161.6

H17-42G

46.0

47.9

1.9

731.1

114.8

H17-45G

62.3

63.3

1.0

1140.9

179.1

H17-47E

75.9

76.8

0.9

966.6

151.8

H17-50C

71.8

73.1

1.3

774.6

121.6

H17-50G

49.9

51.3

1.4

1094.4

171.8

H17-52C

66.3

67.5

1.1

1002.7

157.4

H17-52G

72.8

73.8

1.0

1138.1

178.7

H17-55B

58.0

59.4

1.4

930.0

146.0

H17-55C

59.6

60.8

1.1

909.0

142.7

H17-55E

57.8

59.1

1.3

1047.5

164.5

H17-55G

50.2

51.3

1.1

1212.7

190.4

H17-57C

48.9

50.0

1.1

775.0

121.7

H17-57D/E

47.8

49.6

1.8

1369.5

215.0

H17-57F

52.5

53.4

0.9

1058.1

166.1

H17-60B

40.7

41.7

1.0

1072.3

168.4

H17-60C

46.0

46.7

0.7

481.2

75.6

H17-60D

43.6

45.3

1.8

539.3

84.7

H17-60F

51.5

52.1

0.7

797.6

125.2

H17-95A

31.9

33.4

1.5

868.2

136.3

H17-97A

33.8

34.8

1.0

851.5

133.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outlying holes

 

 

 

Hole ID

From (m)

To (m)

Thickness (m)

cps

eU3O8 (ppm) 

H17/Ext/4

28.2

32.8

4.6

1096

172.1


Appendix 2 - XRF verification analyses

All holes within area of resource estimation

 

HOLE_ID

From (m)

To (m)

thickness (m)

XRF U3O8 (ppm)

H17/27/A

34.00

36.00

2.00

167

H17/32/B

29.00

30.00

1.00

130

H17/35/B

24.00

25.00

1.00

65

H17/42/E

54.00

55.00

1.00

57

H17/42/G

47.00

48.00

1.00

223

H17/45/G

62.00

64.00

2.00

116

H17/47/E

76.00

77.00

1.00

177

H17/50/G

50.00

51.00

1.00

240

H17/52/I

49.00

51.00

2.00

200

H17/55/B

59.00

60.00

1.00

130

H17/55/C

60.00

61.00

1.00

82

H17/55/E

59.00

60.00

1.00

164

H17/57/D/E

49.00

51.00

2.00

239

H17/60/B

40.00

42.00

2.00

174

H17/60/C

47.00

48.00

1.00

131

 

 

 

 

 

Outlying holes

 

 

HOLE_ID

From (m)

To (m)

thickness (m)

XRF U3O8 (ppm)

H17/Ext/4

28.00

33.00

5.00

224.00



Appendix 3 - Borehole collar positions


All holes within area of resource estimation

 

BHID

UTM East (m)

UTM North (m)

Length (m)

Inclination

H17-22A

287,507

1,854,176

40

90

H17-25A

287,316

1,854,315

42

90

H17-25B

287,185

1,854,155

51

90

H17-27A

286,981

1,854,283

42

90

H17-27B

286,871

1,854,146

60

90

H17-30A

286,728

1,854,391

36

90

H17-30B

286,672

1,854,317

36

90

H17-32B

286,383

1,854,334

33

90

H17-35B

286,157

1,854,467

36

90

H17-37E

285,583

1,854,182

48

90

H17-40H

284,880

1,853,577

48

90

H17-42E

284,942

1,854,212

66

90

H17-42G

284,694

1,853,912

60

90

H17-45G

284,388

1,853,908

72

90

H17-47E

284,435

1,854,375

84

90

H17-50C

284,270

1,854,538

84

90

H17-50G

283,727

1,853,921

60

90

H17-52C

284,061

1,854,708

80

90

H17-52G

283,534

1,854,098

87

90

H17-55B

283,731

1,854,711

66

90

H17-55C

283,600

1,854,557

64

90

H17-55E

283,347

1,854,252

70

90

H17-55G

283,086

1,853,943

60

90

H17-57C

283,411

1,854,718

54

90

H17-57D/E

283,155

1,854,412

57

90

H17-57F

282,893

1,854,105

63

90

H17-60B

283,226

1,854,878

48

90

H17-60C

283,091

1,854,722

57

90

H17-60D

282,958

1,854,572

60

90

H17-60F

282,707

1,854,265

60

90

H17-95A

278,700

1,854,944

45

90

H17-97A

278,549

1,855,144

48

90

 

 

 

 

 

Outlying holes

 

 

BHID

UTM East (m)

UTM North (m)

Length (m)

Inclination

H17-EXT4

276,485

1,860,903

39

90


Qualified Person


The information contained in this announcement has been reviewed by Keith Kenyon (MSc. AUS IMM), Geochemical Consultant to Niger Uranium. He is the Qualified Person overseeing the geochemical exploration on the In Gall-Irhazer licences. Mr. Kenyon has 36 years experience in gold and uranium exploration and geochemistry and he is undertaking to act as a Qualified Person for the purposes of this announcement.

The chemical analyses were undertaken by SGS Minerals,  Southern Africa; 58 Melvill Street, Booysens, Johannesburg, 2091, Tel.  +27 (0)11 680-3466. This is a properly equipped, fully accredited laboratory undertaking analyses and assays for the mining industry.




Contacts:

Niger Uranium Limited

James Mellon, Non-Executive Chairman

Ian Stalker, Executive Deputy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


Tel: + 27 (0) 11 269 4900  


Beaumont Cornish Limited

Roland Cornish / Michael Cornish 

  Tel: + 44 (0) 20 7628 3396

Haywood Securities (UK) Limited

Thomas Beattie

Tel+ 44 (0) 20 7031 8011

Financial Dynamics

Ben Brewerton / Ed Westropp

Tel + (0) 20 7831 3113



This information is provided by RNS
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