Fission Hits One of the Strongest Holes to Date at PLS
All holes drilled as part of a metallurgical study hit wide, high-grade mineralization at R780E zone
KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jan. 3, 2017) - Fission Uranium Corp. (TSX:FCU)(OTCQX:FCUUF)(FRANKFURT:2FU) ("Fission" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the remaining assay results from its summer 2017 program at its' PLS property in Canada's Athabasca Basin region. The final three holes to report targeted the shallow, high-grade R780E zone as part of a metallurgical study for use in a pre-feasibility study on the high-grade Triple R deposit. All three holes returned substantial intervals of high-grade uranium. Of particular note are the results from hole PLS17-MET-C (line 660E), which intersected 144.0m of total composite mineralization, including a continuous interval of 108.0m @ 8.46% U3O8, the widest continuously mineralized intervals drilled on the Triple R deposit to date.
Metallurgical Study Highlights to Date Include:
- High uranium recovery
- Short leach times, using low acid concentrations and low temperatures
- Low detection of deleterious elements in the mineralization
- Mineralization characteristics conducive to low grinding power requirements
Assay Highlights
Include:
PLS17-MET-C (line 660E): key intervals
- 108.0m @ 8.46% U3O8 (56.5m to 164.5m), including:
- 9.0m @ 12.69% U3O8 (63.0m to 72.0m)
- 23.0m @ 15.43% U3O8 (76.5m to 99.5m)
- 8.5m @ 27.66% U3O8 (139.0m to 147.5m)
- 21.5m @ 1.90% U3O8 (189.0m to 210.5m), including:
- 8.5m @ 4.17% U3O8 (197.5m to 206.0m)
PLS17-MET-E (line 845E): key intervals
- 65.5m @ 3.40% U3O8 (115.5m to 181.0m), including:
- 8.0m @ 22.28% U3O8 (139.5m to 147.5m)
- 2.5m @ 8.26% U3O8 (162.0m to 164.5m)
PLS17-MET-W (line 335E): key intervals
- 45.5m @ 1.88% U3O8 (57.0m 102.5m), including:
- 1.0m @ 19.19% U3O8 (62.0m to 63.0m)
- 5.0m @ 6.64% U3O8 (87.5m to 92.5m)
- 22.5m @ 1.40% U3O8 (115.0m to 137.5m), including:
- 1.5m @ 7.59% U3O8 (122.0m to 123.5m)
- 1.5m @ 8.97% U3O8 (135.5m to 137.0m)
Ross McElroy, President, COO, and Chief Geologist for Fission, commented
"The metallurgical and processing data is an important component of the pre-feasibility study. We are very pleased with the remarkable strength of the mineralized assays, particularly from hole PLS17-MET-C, which, with a composite GT score of 958.9, ranks as one of the strongest holes drilled at PLS and among the best in the Athabasca Basin - home to the highest grade uranium deposits in the world. We are also encouraged by the very positive preliminary results of high uranium recovery, low detection of deleterious elements in the mineralization, short leach times using low acid concentrations, and ease of grindability - all of which are important features for low-cost production."
The 3 purpose-drilled holes were drilled to collect material for preparation of representative metallurgical sample composites for laboratory testing to provide process design data for use in a pre-feasibility study. The drill holes were spatially selected to represent mineralization both laterally (west, central and eastern areas of the R780E zone) and vertically (shallow, middle and lower) in the resource. The metallurgical study is designed to provide information to properly characterize grade, leachability, uranium recovery and grindability.
Table 1: R780E Zone - Composited Mineralized Intervals from Drill Holes
| Zone | Hole ID | Grid Line | Az | Dip | From (m) | To (m) | Interval (m) | U3O8 (wt%) |
| R780E | PLS17-MET-C | 660E | 43 | -89.4 | 56.50 | 164.50 | 108.00 | 8.46 |
| 63.00 | 72.00 | 9.00 | 12.69 | |||||
| 76.50 | 99.50 | 23.00 | 15.43 | |||||
| 139.00 | 147.50 | 8.50 | 27.66 | |||||
| 182.50 | 184.00 | 1.50 | 0.22 | |||||
| 189.00 | 210.50 | 21.50 | 1.90 | |||||
| 197.50 | 206.00 | 8.50 | 4.17 | |||||
| 214.00 | 216.00 | 2.00 | 0.19 | |||||
| 221.00 | 232.00 | 11.00 | 0.32 | |||||
| PLS17-MET-E | 845E | 316 | -64.9 | 115.50 | 181.00 | 65.50 | 3.40 | |
| 139.50 | 147.50 | 8.00 | 22.28 | |||||
| 162.00 | 164.50 | 2.50 | 8.26 | |||||
| 185.50 | 193.50 | 8.00 | 0.48 | |||||
| 188.50 | 189.50 | 1.00 | 2.94 | |||||
| 196.00 | 215.00 | 19.00 | 0.42 | |||||
| 210.00 | 213.00 | 3.00 | 1.24 | |||||
| 224.00 | 225.00 | 1.00 | 0.33 | |||||
| 230.50 | 231.50 | 1.00 | 0.89 | |||||
| 258.50 | 264.50 | 6.00 | 0.40 | |||||
| 278.00 | 278.50 | 0.50 | 0.25 | |||||
| PLS17-MET-W | 335E | 43 | -89.4 | 57.00 | 102.50 | 45.50 | 1.88 | |
| 62.00 | 63.00 | 1.00 | 19.19 | |||||
| 87.50 | 92.50 | 5.00 | 6.64 | |||||
| 106.00 | 110.00 | 4.00 | 0.12 | |||||
| 115.00 | 137.50 | 22.50 | 1.40 | |||||
| 122.00 | 123.50 | 1.50 | 7.59 | |||||
| 135.50 | 137.00 | 1.50 | 8.97 | |||||
| 140.50 | 141.00 | 0.50 | 0.13 | |||||
| 176.50 | 177.50 | 1.00 | 0.07 |
Composite Parameters
- Minimum Thickness: 0.50m
- Grade Cut-Off: 0.05 U3O8 (wt%)
- Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.00m
Metallurgical Study Update
The metallurgical test work is being completed by SGS Canada Inc. under the management of Melis Engineering Ltd. The intent of the metallurgical test program is to provide process design data for use in a pre-feasibility study for the project. Three purpose-drilled holes were completed in the R780E zone of the Triple R deposit to generate HQ diameter core for preparation of metallurgical test composites. The drill holes were spatially selected to represent mineralization both laterally (west, central and eastern areas of the R780E zone) and vertically (shallow, middle and lower) in the resource.
A total of 12 lithological sub-composites were prepared representing different lithologies in the West, Central and East parts of the deposit. These 12 sub-composites were then used to prepare blended composites for testing, including:
- Overall open-pit composite
- Overall underground composite
- Blended composites representing average annual grades as well as those close to cut-off grade
- Overall gangue composites to represent dilution material
The study is still in progress, but highlights of the findings thus far confirm the following key characteristics:
- deleterious elements such as arsenic and selenium are low within the mineralization
- initial leach results show that high uranium extractions can be achieved from the PLS mineralization under relatively mild leach conditions including low acid concentrations, low temperatures and a short leach retention time
- grinding tests show the mineralization to be soft, hence grinding power requirements will be low
Testwork still to be completed will include variability leach tests and bulk leaching to prepare material for evaluation of downstream parameters.
Composited % U3O8 mineralized intervals are summarized in Table 1. Samples from the drill core are split in half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK for analysis which includes U3O8 (wt %) and fire assay for gold, while the other half remains on site for reference. All analysis includes a 63 element ICP-OES, uranium by fluorimetry and boron. Individual zone wireframe models constructed from assay data and used in the resource estimate indicate that both the R780E and R00E zones have a complex geometry controlled by and parallel to steeply south-dipping lithological boundaries as well as a preferential sub-horizontal orientation. Similar geometrical relationships appear to be the case with the R840W, R1620E and R1515W zones as well. All depth measurements reported, including sample and interval widths are down-hole, core interval measurements and true thickness are yet to be determined.
PLS Mineralized Trend & Triple R Deposit Summary
Uranium mineralization at PLS occurs within the Patterson Lake Conductive Corridor and has been traced by core drilling approximately 3.18km of east-west strike length in five separated mineralized "zones". From west to east, these zones are: R1515W, R840W, R00E, R780E and R1620E. Thus far only the R00E and R780E have been included in the Triple R deposit resource estimate, where-as the R840W and R1620E zones and the recent addition of the R1515W zone, fall outside of the current resource estimate window.
The discovery hole of what is now referred to as the Triple R uranium deposit was announced on November 05, 2012 with drill hole PLS12-022, from what is considered part of the R00E zone. Through successful exploration programs completed to date, it has evolved into a large, near surface, basement hosted, structurally controlled high-grade uranium deposit.
The Triple R deposit consists of the R00E zone on the western side and the much larger R780E zone further on strike to the east. Within the deposit, the R00E and R780E zones have an overall combined strike length validated by a resource estimate of approximately 1.05km with the R00E measuring approximately 105m in strike length and the R780E zones measuring approximately 945m in strike length. A 225m gap separates the R00E zone to the west and the R780E zones to the east, though sporadic narrow, weakly mineralized intervals from drill holes within this gap suggest the potential for further significant mineralization in this area. The R780E zone is located beneath Patterson Lake which is approximately six metres deep in the area of the deposit. The entire Triple R deposit is covered by approximately 50m to 60m of overburden.
Mineralization remains open along strike in both the western and eastern directions. Basement rocks within the mineralized trend are identified primarily as mafic volcanic rocks with varying degrees of alteration. Mineralization is both located within and associated with mafic volcanic intrusives with varying degrees of silicification, metasomatic mineral assemblages and hydrothermal graphite. The graphitic sequences are, associated with the PL-3B basement Electro-Magnetic (EM) Conductor. The R840W zone, located 495m west along strike of the Triple R deposit, now has a defined strike length of 465m and is still open. The recent discovery of the high-grade R1515W zone located a further 510m to the west of the R840W zone, now has a defined strike length of 71m and an across-strike lateral width of up to 64m with vertical extension up to 171m. Mineralization is open. The R840W and R1515W zones have significantly upgraded the prospectivity for further growth on land to the west of the Triple R deposit within the Patterson Lake Corridor. The recently discovered high-grade mineralization in the R1620E zone, located 210m to the east along strike similarly has significantly upgraded the prospectivity for further growth of the PLS resource to the east of the Triple R deposit.
Updated maps and files can be found on the Company's website at https://fissionuranium.com/project/triple-r-deposit/overview/.
Patterson Lake South Property
The 31,039 hectare PLS project is 100% owned and operated by Fission Uranium Corp. PLS is accessible by road with primary access from all-weather Highway 955, which runs north to the former Cluff Lake mine and passes through the nearby UEX-Areva Shea Creek discoveries located 50km to the north, currently under active exploration and development.
The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Ross McElroy, P.Geol., President and COO for Fission Uranium Corp., a qualified person.
About Fission Uranium Corp.
Fission Uranium Corp. is a Canadian based resource company specializing in the strategic exploration and development of the Patterson Lake South uranium property - host to the class-leading Triple R uranium deposit - and is headquartered in Kelowna, British Columbia. Fission's common shares are listed on the TSX Exchange under the symbol "FCU" and trade on the OTCQX marketplace in the U.S. under the symbol "FCUUF."
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Ross McElroy, President and COO
Cautionary Statement:
Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Fission and Fission Uranium which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and the Company and Fission Uranium disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.
Contact
Fission Uranium Corp.
Rich Matthews
Investor Relations
TF: 877-868-8140
rich@fissionuranium.com
www.fissionuranium.com