Adavale to double uranium project portfolio and start drilling
Mining
Mining
Special Report: After acquiring the EL6553 licence from Kilonova Metals to broaden the scope of its Marree Embayment project to 2258km2, Adavale Resources is now rapidly moving towards an extensive AC drilling program.
Uranium explorer Adavale Resources’ (ASX:ADD) MacDonnell Creek and George Creek prospects lie close to the uranium-rich inliers of the northern Flinders Ranges, where the nearby Beverley and Honeymoon deposits are located.
Previous exploration by Cauldron Energy (ASX: CXU) from 2008 to 2011 intersected geology highly prospective for uranium which occurs in the underlying Eyre Formation sediments at levels 30 to 80m in thickness.
It had targeted a paleochannel at MacDonnell Creek and George Creek, which was outlined by a detailed heliborne electromagnetic survey.
The upcoming exploration program has been designed to focus on those previous results, starting with a 3000m drill program, which will be the first-time drilling at the MacDonnell Creek and George Creek uranium prospects since Cauldron’s foray into the area.
The paleochannel at the project is known to be dominated by oxidised sands – with the highest-grade uranium mineralisation in interbedded reduced sands and clays at the bottom of the channel.
Extensions of the known mineralised areas remain to be fully explored.
ADD’s initial drill program will target extensions of known mineralisation and roll fronts of oxidised and reduced sediments further downstream.
Engagement with Traditional Custodians has commenced and timing of Heritage clearance surveys are being finalised ahead of drilling, with contracts being finalised.
Field exploration of Marree Embayment will test for near-surface uranium mineralisation, which is pegged to get underway soon, as well as planning of first-pass drilling at the Depocentre prospect, Mundowdna.
“We are finalising the heritage clearances and associated administration requirements to enable us to shortly commence a cost effective aircore drilling program at MacDonnell and George Creek,” ADD exec director David Riekie says.
“While the historical drilling outlined the general uranium prospectivity, our current program of up to 40 holes is anticipated to trace, extend and test the uranium redox boundaries that were previously intersected.
“The average depth of the holes will be around 100m and testing will be conducted on site using pXRF and subsequently verified by laboratory based assays.
“This current drilling program will include both infill drilling (200m x 100m), designed to confirm and extend the previous uranium mineralisation as well as some broader spaced (800m x 400m) drilling anticipated to generate new target areas within this uranium rich paleochannel.”
This article was developed in collaboration with Adavale Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.