TSX - V: URC
Highlights
- Upgraded North Shore Resource includes:
-
- Total Indicated Resource at Double S Zone: 6.858 million lbs
U3O8
- Total Inferred Resource at Double S, TJ and Middle Zones
combined: 37.095 million lbs U3O8
VANCOUVER,
Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -
Uracan Resources Ltd. (the "Company" or "Uracan") (TSXV:URC)
is pleased to announce an updated National Instrument (NI) 43-101
compliant indicated and inferred resource estimation has been
completed on the Double S Zone, located within Uracan's 100% owned
1,000 Km2 North Shore Uranium Property in Quebec.
The previous resource estimation at the Double S
Zone was entirely in the inferred category. The updated
Double S mineralized Zone hosts an indicated resource of 21.5
million tonnes at an average grade of 0.014%
U3O8 containing 3.11 million kilograms (6.86
million pounds) of U3O8 and an inferred
resource of 59.96 million tonnes at an average grade of 0.012%
U3O8 containing 7.41 million kilograms (16.33
million pounds) of U3O8 using a 0.010%
cutoff.
The combined overall resource at the Double S,
TJ and Middle Zones contains a total indicated resource of 21.5
million tonnes at an average grade of 0.014%
U3O8 containing 3.11 million kilograms (6.86
million pounds) of U3O8 using a 0.010%
cutoff, and a total inferred resource estimate of 140.65 million
tonnes at a weighted average grade of 0.012%
U3O8 containing 16.826 million kilograms
(37.095 million pounds) of uranium using a 0.010% cutoff. A map
outlining the resource estimate areas is available at
http://www.uracan.ca/i/maps/URC_north-shore-property.jpg
In the 2010 resource estimation report (see
May 10th, 2010 news
release for more details), SRK Consulting Canada Inc. ("SRK") was
of the opinion that the current level of drilling was sufficient to
classify some of the mineral resource as Indicated. However
additional metallurgical test work needed to be carried out before
this was done. Uracan retained SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS") to
carry out preliminary metallurgical test work in order to upgrade
the resource category, with the report of the test work being
received earlier this year. Recoveries noted in the SGS
report ranged up to 91% uranium. The SGS report is available
as an appendix to the SRK updated mineral resource
statement.
The Double S Zone still remains open in all
directions. Only the Double S Zone has had economic
parameters applied to the resource with a whittle shell. See
below for more details. Details of the updated Double S
resource estimate are as follows:
Table 1: SRK-l Double S Indicated and
Inferred Resource Table within Whittle Pit Shell
Classification |
Cutoff Grade
(%) |
Tonnage
(tonnes) |
Grade U3O8 (%) |
U3O8 Contained
Metal (lbs) |
Indicated |
0.01 |
21,504,000 |
0.014 |
6,858,000 |
Inferred |
0.01 |
59,960,000 |
0.012 |
16,328,000 |
Reported at a cut-off grade of 0.01 percent
within a Whittle pit shell optimized using a
U3O8 price of US$75 per pound of U3O8,
metallurgical recovery of ninety percent, and overall mining and
processing costs of CN$14.50. All numbers are rounded to reflect
relative accuracy of the estimates.
Table 2: Total Combined Double S, MZ and TJ
Indicated and Inferred Resource Table
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Resource
Type |
Zone |
|
|
|
Cutoff
Grade
U3O8% |
Average
Grade
U3O8
% |
Tonnes
(MT) |
Contained
U3O8
(M Kg) |
Contained
U3O8
(Mlbs) |
Resource
Estimated
By |
Indicated
Total |
Double S |
|
|
|
0.010 |
0.014 |
21.304 |
3.111 |
6.858 |
SRK |
Inferred |
Double S |
|
|
|
0.010 |
0.012 |
59.960 |
7.406 |
16.328 |
SRK |
Inferred |
Middle
Zone |
|
|
|
0.009 |
0.012 |
52.027 |
6.209 |
13.688 |
M Jutras |
Inferred |
TJ Zone |
|
|
|
0.009 |
0.011 |
28.662 |
3.211 |
7.079 |
M Jutras |
Inferred
Weighted
Total |
|
|
|
|
|
0.012 |
140.649 |
16.826 |
37.095 |
|
All tabulated data has been rounded to three
decimal places for U3O8 grades. The Qualified Person for the
Double S resource estimation is Marek Nowak
P. Eng. The Qualified Person for the Middle Zone and
TJ Zone resource estimation is Marc Jutras
M.A.Sc., P. Eng.
Double S Mineral Resource Estimate Method
The geologic model and grade block model was
prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. of Vancouver, British Columbia using Data Mine
Studio 2® and GEMS® software. The resource estimation was
reclassified and verified by Marek Nowak P.
Eng., who is an independent Qualified Person for the
purposes of NI 43-101. Details on the methodology and parameters
used for the resource estimation can be found in the technical
report which will be filed on SEDAR.
SRK used a Whittle pit optimizer to evaluate the
reasonableness of economic extraction of each resource block based
on certain optimization parameters selected from comparable
projects. The optimization parameters include: ore mining and
processing costs of CDN$14.50 per
processed tonne, overall pit slope angles of 45 degrees,
metallurgical recovery of 90%, and appropriate dilution and offsite
costs and royalties. A uranium price of US$75 per pound of uranium oxide was considered.
The reader is cautioned that the results from the conceptual pit
optimization work are used solely for the purpose of reporting
Mineral Resources that have "reasonable prospects" for economic
extraction by an open pit and do not represent an attempt to
estimate mineral reserves.
NI 43-101 Compliant Report
The Company will file a NI 43-101 compliant
technical report covering the Indicated and Inferred Resource
Estimate completed on the Double S Zone on SEDAR within 45 days of
this news release.
Quality Control and Quality Assurance
The database used to create the model was based
on the drill hole database provided by the Company. A total
of 94 drill holes were used for the model of Double S. The
assay database was checked using the original assay certificates
from the laboratory. Any minor errors encountered in the database
were flagged and fixed as they were encountered.
ALS Chemex is the laboratory facility used for
all assays from the North Shore Property program. Samples are
weighed and catalogued before sample preparation. The samples
are crushed to 70% less than 2mm, split and then pulverized to 85%
of the sample being less than 75 µm. All samples are assayed
using ICP-MS with analysis completed for 47 elements.
A QA/QC program was implemented as part of the
sampling procedure for the drill program.
At least one standard, one blank and one
duplicate were inserted per group of 40 samples sent to the
laboratory. The laboratory also has an extensive in house
QA/QC system as part of their quality control system.
Resource Classification
Mineral Resources have been categorized using
the classification of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy
and Petroleum (December 2005), with
the relevant definitions provided below. This classification
is the basis for Technical Reports by Qualified Persons in
Canada, and the classification is
virtually the same as that of the JORC code (Australia) (note: SME does not recognize the
inferred category) SAMREC (South
Africa) and that of the European Union.
The confidence in the geological and grade
continuity is sufficient to support an Indicated classification for
some portions of the Double S Deposit. An Indicated classification
was assigned to blocks estimated during (i) the first
interpolation pass and (ii) a having more than 50% chance of being
above the cut-off grade as defined by an inverse distance model on
indicators with a grade threshold of 0.01%
U3O8. All other estimated blocks were
classified into the Inferred category.
An Inferred Mineral Resource can be estimated on
the basis of geological evidence and limited sampling and
reasonably assumed, but not verified geological and grade
continuity. The estimate is based on limited information and
sampling gathered through appropriate techniques from locations
such as outcrops, trenches, pits, workings and drill holes.
Due to the uncertainty which may attach to
Inferred Mineral Resources, it cannot be assumed that all or part
of an Inferred Mineral Resource will be upgraded to an Indicated or
Measured Mineral Resource as a result of continued
exploration. Confidence in the estimate is insufficient to
allow the meaningful appreciation of technical and economic
parameters or to enable an evaluation of economic viability worthy
of public disclosure.
Mineral Resources are not mineral reserves and
do not have demonstrated economic viability. The Mineral Resources
may be affected by subsequent assessment of mining, environmental,
processing, permitting, taxation, socio-economic and other factors.
There is insufficient information in this early stage of study to
assess the extent to which the Mineral Resources will be affected
by these factors that are more suitably assessed in a conceptual
study.
Mineral reserves can only be estimated based on
the results of an economic evaluation as part of a preliminary
feasibility study or feasibility study. As such, no mineral
reserves have been estimated by SRK as part of the present
assignment. There is no certainty that all or any part of the
Mineral Resources will be converted into a mineral reserve.
Summer 2011 Drilling Program
Uracan's summer 2011 drill program is continuing
to drill test the Costebelle A4 target area which has been the
focus of drilling during 2010 and winter 2011. The program is
following up results from the earlier programs as well as test for
strike and dip extensions to mineralization in the A4 area.
Highlights from previous drilling at the A4 Zone
include 59.65 meters of 0.026% U3O8 (265ppm
or 0.53 lbs/t) in CA4-10-22, 43.5 meters of 0.019%
U3O8 (193 ppm or 0.38 lbs/t) in CA4-11-42,
17.6 meters of 0.025% U3O8 (252 ppm or 0.5
lbs/t) in CA4-11-38, 13.55 meters of 0.038%
U3O8 (0.76 lbs/t) U3O8
in CA4-10-15, and 15 meters of 0.034% U3O8
(337 ppm or 0.68 lbs/t) in CA4-11-46.
About Quebec,
Canada
Quebec has been
voted in the top ten of the Top Mining Jurisdictions In the
World since 2001 by the Fraser Institute Mining Survey.
www.fraserinstitute.org.
Uracan Resources Ltd. is a publicly-listed
uranium exploration company, exploring for shallow, bulk tonnage
style uranium mineralization in Canada. Uracan is led by a team of
proven exploration and mine entrepreneurs and mine-builders.
The information in this news release has been prepared and reviewed
by Marc Simpson, P. Geo., the
Company's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101
standards.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release. The foregoing information may contain
forward-looking information relating to the future performance of
the Company. Forward looking information is subject to a
number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that may cause actual results to differ materially from those
anticipated in our forward looking
statements. Such risks and other factors
include, among others, the actual results of exploration
activities, changes in world commodity markets or equity markets,
the risks of the mining industry including, without
limitation, those associated with the environment, delays in
obtaining governmental approvals, permits or financing or in the
completion of development or construction activities, title
disputes, change in government and changes to regulations affecting
the mining industry, and other risks and uncertainties detailed
from time to time in the Company's filings with the Canadian
securities administrators (available at www.SEDAR.com
). Forward-looking statements are made based on various
assumptions and on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on
the date the statements are made. Should one or more of these
risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying
assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially
from those described in the forward-looking information contained
herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update
forward-looking statements if these assumptions, beliefs, estimates
and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as
required by applicable law.
SOURCE URACAN RESOURCES LTD.