NexGen Energy Completes First Hole at Arrow Prospect; Intersects Additional Zones of Highly Anomalous Radioactivity, Rook I West, SW Athabasca Basin
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Feb 24, 2014) - NexGen Energy Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:NXE) ("NexGen" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the discovery of further new zones of uranium mineralisation within the first hole in the Arrow prospect, Rook 1 project in the SW Athabasca Basin.
Highlights
- Further Significant Uranium Mineralisation discovered in First Drill Hole at the "Arrow" Prospect, Rook I west area.
- Two sections of off-scale scintillometer counts (total 0.5 meters greater than 10,000 cps)
- Multiple structural zones containing uranium mineralisation occur to at least 584 m downhole depth
The first hole at Arrow, RK-14-21, was completed at 663.0 m on Fri 21 February 2014 (Fig 1 & 2). In addition to the 26.2m upper sheared breccia zone from 204.8-231.0 m downhole containing visible pitchblende reported previously, further mineralised zones have been observed at 318.5-319.1 m, 517.9-544.5 m (Fig 3), and 580.0-584.0 m (Fig 4).
Andrew Browne, NexGen's Vice-President, Exploration and Development, commented, "This first hole at the Arrow prospect is very encouraging. The dominant mineralisation control appears to be entirely structural, as targeted. The number and widths of structural zones, the depth of mineralisation intersected, and the multiple occurrence of apparently high-grade off-scale zones are all highly encouraging features for future drilling."
Leigh Curyer, NexGen's CEO commented, "RK-14-21 just kept getting better. It is highly encouraging. Andrew and the technical team deserve credit for this result on the very first hole. Both rigs are now focused purely on Arrow until additional rigs can be sought to drill the other 11 western located Rook I target areas. We have a lot more drilling to do. As stated last week, this result indicates the potential of this south-western section of the Athabasca Basin in becoming a new prolific uranium district."
The hole has been probed radiometrically, using a Mt Sopris 2PGA-1000 total count natural gamma scintillometer probe (Fig 4). These significant radioactive zones have been measured using a hand-held Exploranium GR-110 total count scintillometer (Table 1). Currently, NexGen defines "significant" as a minimum of 5cm greater than 500 cps (counts per second). All radiometric anomalous zones in core have been scanned with an Exploranium GR-135 spectrometer, and this has confirmed that all radiometric activity is due to uranium (with minimal or no thorium input).
The intensity of the uranium-mineralised zones at 519 m and 544 m is much higher than that of the initial zone reported at 204.8-231.0m (Figs 2 and 3). All mineralised zones have been sampled for chemical analysis.
The host lithology throughout most of the hole comprises variably chloritised medium/coarse-grained quartz-garnet-feldspar gneiss, with localized graphitic zones, shearing, brecciation, minor silicification, local dravite veins, and clay alteration.
Hole RK-14-25 has commenced drilling from the same collar as hole -21, but at a shallower angle. Hole RK-14-24 has commenced drilling, located 30m along strike from hole -21 to the NE (Fig 1).
To view Figures 1 - 5, please visit the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/929205_F1-5.pdf.
| Table 1 Radioactively anomalous zones in RK-14-21, 49.0-663.0 m (EOH) downhole depths | |||||
| From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m downhole) | Min cps | Max cps | Comments |
| 49.00 | 207.80 | 158.80 | less than 500 | Basement below 91.2 m | |
| 207.80 | 208.30 | 0.50 | 650 | 1,000 | } |
| 208.30 | 208.80 | 0.50 | 1,000 | 1,500 | } 1.40 m |
| 208.80 | 209.20 | 0.40 | 2,000 | 5,600 | } |
| 209.20 | 209.35 | 0.15 | less than 500 | ||
| 209.35 | 209.60 | 0.25 | 500 | 700 | } 0.25 m |
| 209.60 | 211.90 | 2.30 | less than 500 | ||
| 211.90 | 212.20 | 0.30 | 400 | 700 | } 0.30 m |
| 212.20 | 214.10 | 1.90 | less than 500 | ||
| 214.10 | 214.30 | 0.20 | 1,000 | 1,800 | } 0.20 m |
| 214.30 | 215.10 | 0.80 | less than 500 | ||
| 215.10 | 215.40 | 0.30 | 700 | 1,000 | } 0.30 m |
| 215.40 | 215.55 | 0.15 | less than 500 | ||
| 215.55 | 215.80 | 0.25 | 2,000 | 3,800 | } |
| 215.80 | 216.00 | 0.20 | 1,000 | 3,100 | } 0.60 m |
| 216.00 | 216.15 | 0.15 | 500 | 700 | } |
| 216.15 | 222.65 | 6.50 | less than 500 | ||
| 222.65 | 223.25 | 0.60 | 450 | 1,020 | } 0.60 m |
| 223.25 | 228.25 | 5.00 | less than 500 | ||
| 228.25 | 229.00 | 0.75 | 800 | 1,500 | } |
| 229.00 | 230.65 | 1.65 | 300 | 700 | } |
| 230.65 | 230.75 | 0.10 | 1,000 | 2,000 | } 2.75 m |
| 230.75 | 230.80 | 0.05 | 600 | 1,000 | } |
| 230.80 | 230.90 | 0.10 | 300 | 600 | } |
| 230.90 | 231.00 | 0.10 | 800 | 1,150 | } |
| 231.00 | 318.50 | 87.50 | less than 500 | ||
| 318.50 | 318.65 | 0.15 | 500 | 2,000 | } |
| 318.65 | 318.70 | 0.05 | 4,000 | 8,000 | } 0.60 m |
| 318.70 | 318.90 | 0.20 | 700 | 2,000 | } |
| 318.90 | 319.10 | 0.20 | 400 | 700 | } |
| 319.10 | 517.90 | 198.80 | less than 500 | ||
| 517.90 | 518.05 | 0.15 | 2,000 | 4,500 | } |
| 518.05 | 518.20 | 0.15 | 700 | 1,600 | } |
| 518.20 | 518.30 | 0.10 | 3,500 | 6,500 | } 0.65 m |
| 518.30 | 518.45 | 0.15 | 1,200 | 1,600 | } |
| 518.45 | 518.55 | 0.10 | 400 | 700 | } |
| 518.55 | 518.70 | 0.15 | less than 500 | ||
| 518.70 | 518.85 | 0.15 | 600 | 800 | } 0.15 m |
| 518.85 | 519.00 | 0.15 | less than 500 | ||
| 519.00 | 519.15 | 0.15 | 10,000 | greater than 10,000 | } 0.15 m |
| 519.15 | 519.40 | 0.25 | less than 500 | ||
| 519.40 | 519.55 | 0.15 | 1,300 | 1,500 | } |
| 519.55 | 519.65 | 0.10 | 1,000 | 1,300 | } |
| 519.65 | 520.20 | 0.55 | 300 | 800 | } 0.95 m |
| 520.20 | 520.35 | 0.15 | 800 | 1,600 | } |
| 520.35 | 530.60 | 10.25 | less than 500 | ||
| 530.60 | 531.00 | 0.40 | 350 | 550 | } |
| 531.00 | 531.25 | 0.25 | 3,000 | 9,000 | } 0.65 m |
| 531.25 | 544.00 | 12.75 | less than 500 | ||
| 544.00 | 544.15 | 0.15 | 10,000 | greater than 10,000 | } 0.35 m |
| 544.15 | 544.35 | 0.20 | 400 | 600 | } |
| 544.35 | 580.55 | 36.20 | less than 500 | ||
| 580.55 | 580.70 | 0.15 | 400 | 600 | } |
| 580.70 | 580.75 | 0.05 | 2,000 | 3,000 | } 0.45 m |
| 580.75 | 580.90 | 0.15 | 6,000 | 8,000 | } |
| 580.90 | 581.00 | 0.10 | 400 | 550 | } |
| 581.00 | 583.30 | 2.30 | less than 500 | ||
| 583.30 | 583.55 | 0.25 | 400 | 900 | } 0.25 m |
| 583.55 | 663.00 | 79.45 | less than 500 | EOH | |
| * Readings by total count gamma scintillometer type Exploranium GR-110; max reading 9999 cps (counts per second) | |||||
Natural gamma radiation in drill core that is reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (cps) using a handheld Exploranium GR-110 total count gamma-ray scintillometer, and using a Mt Sopris 2PGA-1000 natural gamma probe. The reader is cautioned that scintillometer readings are not directly or uniformly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured, and should be used only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive materials. All intersections are down-hole; core interval measurements and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.
Qualified Person
Andrew Browne, FAusIMM(CP), NexGen's Vice President, Exploration & Development, is a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, and has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
About NexGen
NexGen is a British Columbia corporation with a focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of Canadian uranium projects. NexGen has a highly experienced team of exploration professionals with a track record in the discovery of unconformity-style uranium deposits in Canada.
NexGen owns a portfolio of highly prospective uranium exploration assets in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, including, an option to earn a 70% interest in the Radio Project, immediately adjacent to Rio Tinto's Roughrider Deposit and a 100% interest in Rook 1, immediately adjacent to the north east of Patterson Lake South.
The TSXV has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Generally, but not always, forward looking information is identifiable by the use of words such as "will" and planned" and similar expressions. Forward-looking information is based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about the Company's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Such information is not a guarantee of future performance and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information. Assumptions and factors underlying the Company's expectations regarding forward-looking information contained herein include, among others: that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; that financing will be available if and when needed on reasonable terms; that the Company's current exploration activities can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that third party contractors, equipment and supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct the Company's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner. Further, mineralization on properties held by third parties adjacent to NexGen's properties (including Patterson Lake South) are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on NexGen's properties.
Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information are considered reasonable by management at the time the forward-looking information is given, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, among others: risks related to the availability of financing on commercially reasonable terms and the expected use of the proceeds; changes in the market; potential downturns in economic conditions; industry conditions; actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated; changes in exploration programs based upon results of exploration; future prices of metal; availability of third party contractors; availability of equipment and supplies; failure of equipment to operate as anticipated; accidents, effects of weather and other natural phenomena and other risks associated with the mineral exploration industry; environmental risks; changes in laws and regulations; community relations; and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals or financing. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. NexGen undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Contact
NexGen Energy Ltd.
Leigh Curyer
Chief Executive Officer
+61 409 679 104
lcuryer@nexgenenergy.ca
www.nexgenenergy.ca
Kin Communications
604 684 6730 or Toll free 1 866 684 6730
nxe@kincommunications.com
www.nexgenenergy.ca