ABC Uranium Project [Northern Territory]
· Project area covers 37km2 in the Pine Creek Orogen, 3 km northeast of Katherine.
· Defined by Exploration Licence EL24555, owned 100% by Aldershot.
· ABC prospect discovered by Australian government geologists (BMR) in 1953.
· Historic resource of 1,950t @ 0.25% eU3O8, cutoff of 750ppm eU3O8 (Stewart, 1966).
· Grades of up to 4.29% eU3O8 reported.
· Shallow mineralization from surface to 5m with most historical drilling to 15m.
· Visible secondary uranium mineralization (phosphuranylite, autunite and torbenite).
· Limited exploration since 1950s.
· Draft Exploration Agreement received from Northern Land Council representing traditional aboriginal owners (Jawoyn people).
The ABC Project is located on the southern limit of the Pine Creek Orogen, 3km NE of Katherine in the Northern Territory, Australia. It is covered by Exploration Licence, EL24555 which is owned 100% by Aldershot and covers 37km2.
The uranium mineralization was discovered by Australian government geologists (BMR) in 1953. There has only been minimal exploration on the prospect since its initial discovery.
The ABC Prospect is described being about 17m long and 3m thick and uranium mineralization occurs as disseminations and fine films between layers in the acid volcanics (phosphuranylite, autunite) and within the basaltic units, either as cavity infilling or fracture coatings (autunite, torbenite). Two additional occurrences were recorded, 18m and 33m to the northeast but no further information is available. A 1953 diamond-drilling program intersected up to 4.3% eU3O8 (based on downhole radiometric logs). Drilling was generally restricted to 15m depth with only three deeper (70m) stratigraphic holes.
The mineralisation at the ABC Prospect appears to be structurally controlled and related to northeast trending zones. Higher grades have developed in the McAddens Creek Volcanic Member where the structures intersect acid to basic volcanics, particularly tuffaceous units. The volcanic units are within the sandstones of the Kombolgie Formation. There are strong similarities to the Alligator Rivers Uranium Provinces, particularly the South Alligator Field.
Aldershot has received an Exploration Agreement for review and signing from the Jawcoyn people, the traditional Aboriginal owners of the area. The Agreement addresses the conditions under which exploration and mining activities can be undertaken over the area covered by EL24555. This document is an important step in the procedure to allow grant of the Licence and is the result of ongoing negotiations and successful meetings with the traditional Aboriginal owners during 2007.
See press release dated May28 2008. |
