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GTI Resources makes positive start to maiden uranium drilling program in Wyoming

Last updated: 14:06 06 Dec 2021 AEDT, First published: 13:06 06 Dec 2021 AEDT

GTI Resources Ltd - GTI Resources maiden drill program yields promising results with only 10% complete 
Drill samples at the Thor ISR Uranium Project.

GTI Resources Ltd (ASX:GTR) has made a highly encouraging start to its maiden drilling program at the Thor ISR Uranium Project in Wyoming’s Great Divide Basin with mineralisation meeting expectations for economic ISR recovery.

Positive results have been returned from the first 10 holes of a program of about 100 holes for around 15,000 metres with five holes meeting both grade and GT (grade + thickness) cutoff for an average GT of 0.99.

Two mud rotary drill rigs were used to drill the first of a planned 100-hole program at exploration area 1 at the Thor ISR project.

Map of the area, including planned drill-holes.

First 10 holes

These first drill-holes were completed for 1,530 metres within the target area, with viable ISR grade and grade by thickness (GT) cut-offs typically 3 metres at 0.02% (200ppm) U3O8.  

With 90% of drilling still to come, the company said that the results from the 10 initial holes were promising.

Of the remaining five holes, three met grade cut-off but not GT cut-off, one had trace mineralisation and the last was barren.

Highlights from the best holes to date: 

  • 8 metres at 0.44% (440ppm) eU308 for a GT of 1.92; and
  • 7 metres at 0.63% (630ppm) eU308 for GT of 1.741.

The company is encouraged by these results – with the returns meeting expectations for economic ISR recovery.

Historic data conforms to the expectations set by the drilling and will be an accurate guide for further exploration.

Conducive to ISR 

The drill program has shown that the geological and hydrogeological setting of the mineralisation is conducive to economically viable ISR. The main host sand seems continuous in the area and the water table is more than 30 metres above the main host sand – preconditions for ISR.

At least three separate roll fronts are present in the main host sand, and additional sands are positioned above and below the main sand unit, indicating at least trace mineralisation.

In addition to defining the depth, thickness, grade and width across the REDOX front, the company’s exploration objective is to identify REDOX boundaries and potential host sands.

GTI is targeting mineralisation at least 15 metres below the water table. The drill program may ultimately also allow the company to estimate inferred mineral resources or an exploration target.

Lost Creek similarities 

The company hopes to encounter mineralisation of a similar tenor to that encountered at the nearby Lost Creek deposit, which otherwise meets typical economic cut-off criteria for sandstone-hosted ISR uranium projects in the Great Divide Basin.

This means a grade greater than 0.02% (200 ppm) U3O8 and a GT greater than 0.2 (3 metres at  200 ppm U3O8). The company is plumping for a width of mineralisation above cut-off nominal 15 metres and a GT of 0.4.

UR Energy’s Lost Creek ISR uranium deposit is reported to contain a remaining 13 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 0.048%e U3O8, with a cut-off GT of 0.2.

Clement weather

The drilling is progressing well and is expected to take fewer than 30 operational days in total to complete, weather permitting, and allowing for a Christmas break.

The weather has been kind thus far, and the company expects a finish date in early 2022 if conditions remain favourable.

With 90 holes to go, more drilling results can be expected in the coming weeks, with final results, conclusions and recommendations for next steps to be developed at the end of the drill program next year.

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