Deep Yellow Limited: Scout Drilling Identifies New Mineralised Palaeochannel on Nova JV Project
HIGHLIGHTS
- Early scout RC drilling on the Nova JV project identifies greater than 100ppm eU3O8 calcrete uranium mineralisation in a newly delineated palaeochannel.
- The mineralisation occurs in 3 adjacent holes with an average thickness of 3.5M grading 220ppm eU3O8.
- The mineralisation has no surface expression and is located in a previously unknown palaeochannel, only recently identified by geophysical surveys.
o this significantly upgrades regional prospectivity of the palaeochannels occurring in the project area.
- Additionally, 3 drill holes testing basement targets intersected narrow uranium mineralisation in skarn type lithologies.
Palaeochannel Target
The reinterpretation of a previously flown VTEM survey identified palaeochannels not known to exist on both of the tenements. These channels are essentially new discoveries not identifiable from the surface. Their geophysical similarities with other mineralised palaeochannels in the region indicated that they may contain calcrete type uranium mineralisation.
Three drill sections involving 14 holes for 639m were completed to test one of these newly identified palaeochannels. In the most northern section, drilling encountered uranium mineralisation in three adjacent holes (TN035 to TN037 - see Figure 2 in the link below). These averaged 220ppm eU3O8 over 3.5m between depths of 18 to 23m as determined by fully calibrated Auslog down-hole gamma logging unit. An historic hole (NTNR4) drilled in 2010 located 100m to the west, targeting basement mineralisation also showed uranium mineralisation, in cover sediments. The details are listed on Table 1 (see link below). Figure 3 (see link below) shows a cross-section of the holes drilled through the mineralised channel.
Basement Targets
Geophysical ground surveys carried out from May to August 2017 identified 10 targets in 4 areas showing potential for uranium mineralisation in the basement rocks of the JV tenements. A total of 11 RC holes for 1660m on 3 drill sections were completed on the Speke's basement targets to test for skarn type lithologies and whether these are associated with uranium.
Drilling intersected quartz-carbonate-pyrite veins cutting quartzo-feldspathic rocks. Narrow zones of elevated uranium are associated with the most pyritic vein intervals suggesting the discovery of a hitherto unknown type of hydrothermal uranium mineralisation. The equivalent uranium values as determined from the fully calibrated Auslog down-hole gamma logging unit are listed in Table 2 (see link below). There appears to be a correlation between elevated down-hole gamma counts, high pyrite content and high vein density indicating a hydrothermal nature of the uranium mineralisation in this area and this will be further investigated.
Conclusions
The indication that previously unexplored (and unknown) palaeochannels carry uranium mineralisation as identified in 3 adjoining holes at Speke's East is regarded as a very positive development. Although the two sections drilled 1.5km and 2.5km further to the south of this mineralisation did not encounter uranium mineralisation, the identification of calcrete associated mineralisation within the palaeochannels in the JV area is considered significant as this has expanded the prospectivity of the extensive palaeochannels which have now been defined to a considerable extent.
Up until now the possibility of uranium mineralisation in the JV tenements was conjecture, hypothesising on observations and results gained from the adjoining Reptile project and interpretation of new geophysical data. The discovery of the calcrete mineralisation at Speke's East has now validated this concept thus providing a legitimate exploration target, which the JV partners can pursue with confidence.
Ongoing Drilling
Drilling is continuing on this program with over 5,000m remaining to be completed. Another 7 basement targets will be tested in this current program plus a further 7 to 8 drill sections planned to test the newly identified prospective palaeochannels on EPLs 3669 and 3670.
To view tables and figures, please visit:
http://abnnewswire.net/lnk/C3TV0ULH
About Deep Yellow Limited:
Deep Yellow Ltd. (ASX:DYL) (OTCMKTS:DYLLF) is an ASX-listed, Namibian-focussed advanced stage uranium exploration company. It also has a listing on the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX.DYL). Deep Yellow's operations in Namibia are conducted by its 100% owned subsidiary Reptile Uranium Namibia (Pty) Ltd.
The Company recently completed metallurgical testwork and is evaluating fast track development options for its Tumas Project which consists of surficial calcrete palaeochannel deposits which are amenable to physical beneficiation and upgrading techniques.
Deep Yellow also holds the Omahola Open Pit Alaskite Heap Leach Project on which value engineering studies are being conducted to supplement the recently completed preliminary economic analysis.
Contact:
Deep Yellow Ltd.
John Borshoff Managing Director/CEO
T: +61-8-9286-6999
Email: info@deepyellow.com.au
www.deepyellow.com.au