home Equities T.DML: Reports High-Grade Uranium Intercepts Northeast of the Gryphon Deposit

T.DML: Reports High-Grade Uranium Intercepts Northeast of the Gryphon Deposit

By SightlineU3O8   Posted in Equities
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Denison Mines Corp. (“Denison” or the “Company”) (TSX:DML) (NYSE MKT:DNN) (NYSE American:DNN) is pleased to report the discovery of high-grade uranium mineralization 600 metres and 1 kilometre to the northeast of the Gryphon uranium deposit, on the Company’s 63.3% owned Wheeler River project, in northern Saskatchewan. The winter drilling program is now complete, resulting in a total of 21,153 metres drilled in 29 diamond drill holes.  The program was focused on step-out drilling along strike of the Gryphon deposit and reconnaissance level regional exploration along the K-North and K-West trend.  The winter 2018 drilling results reported in this release are preliminary, equivalent uranium (“eU3O8”) results derived from a calibrated downhole probe. Drill core samples have been collected and submitted for chemical assay, results of which will be reported when available.

Regional Exploration Highlights:

High-grade intercepts were obtained at the sub-Athabasca unconformity along the K-North trend, to the northeast of Gryphon, from reconnaissance drill fences spaced 200 metres apart, including:

  • 0.55% eU3O8 over 5.6 metres, located 600 metres northeast of Gryphon, including 2.3% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre in drill hole WR-704; and
  • 0.94% eU3O8 over 3.5 metres, located 1 kilometre northeast of Gryphon, including 2.7% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre in drill hole WR-710D1.

The results indicate a continuation of the Gryphon mineralizing system to the northeast, and highlight the potential for the discovery of an additional high-grade uranium deposit within the basement or at the unconformity along strike of Gryphon.

In addition, wide-spaced reconnaissance drilling along the K-West trend, approximately 500 metres west and northwest of the Gryphon deposit, has identified the hallmarks of a significant fertile trend with the potential to host high-grade uranium – including a large re-activated graphite-bearing fault zone, hydrothermal alteration and elevated radioactivity.

Gryphon Exploration Highlights:

Multiple basement intercepts were obtained from step-out drilling on 50 to 100 metre centres immediately along strike to the northeast of the Gryphon deposit.  Highlights from the Gryphon step-out drilling include:

  • Intercepts of upper basement mineralization extending the E series lenses to the northeast:
    • 2.5% eU3O8 over 1.3 metres in drill hole WR-696;
    • 0.86% eU3O8 over 1.9 metres in drill hole WR-709; and
    • 0.38% eU3O8 over 2.8 metres in drill hole WR-702.
  • Intercept of mineralization, 100 metres along strike to the northeast of the previous down-plunge extent of A series mineralization for the Gryphon deposit, including:
    • 0.82% eU3O8 over 3.9 metres, including 2.1% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre in drill hole WR-698

Further details of the winter 2018 drilling program and the results are provided below, including comprehensive drilling tables of preliminary eU3O8 results.

Dale Verran, Vice President Exploration of Denison commented, “The last time Denison undertook any significant regional exploration on Wheeler was in 2014, which resulted in the discovery of Gryphon. The initiation of regional exploration once again in 2018 has been met with positive results delivering high-grade intercepts along the K-North trend and identifying K-West as a significant fertile trend. Furthermore, the initial step-outs from Gryphon confirm potential to continue to expand the mineral resource. We look forward to the summer drilling program to continue to test regional targets across the Wheeler River property and commence follow-up activities where warranted.”

Details of Regional Exploration Results:

K North

A total of eight reconnaissance holes were completed along the K-North trend to the northeast of the Gryphon deposit. Drilling was completed along four drill fences located approximately 200 metres apart with two drill holes per fence. On each fence, the drill holes were designed to test the G-Fault (principle mineralized structure at Gryphon); (1) at the sub-Athabasca unconformity, and (2) within the basement, approximately 100 metres below the unconformity, respectively.  Preliminary eU3O8 drilling results are provided in Table 1 and drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2.

  • Three of the four holes designed to test the unconformity intersected mineralization, including drill hole WR-704 (2.3% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre, 600 metres northeast of Gryphon) and WR-710D1 (2.7% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre, 1 kilometre northeast of Gryphon).
  • Drill hole WR-708, located between WR-704 and WR-710D1, did not intersect mineralization but was interpreted to have overshot the optimal target, intersecting elevated radioactivity at the unconformity and significant structure and alteration above the unconformity.
  • The mineralization intersected in WR-704 and WR-710D1 was located at or immediately below the unconformity and comprised of massive to semi-massive uraninite with associated hematite and clay alteration – typical of unconformity-hosted deposits.
  • The drill results indicate the unconformity-related mineralizing system extends over approximately 600 metres of strike length (from WR-697D1 to WR-710D1) and may have connectivity to the E series lens mineralization at Gryphon.
  • The four drill holes testing the basement confirmed Gryphon-type stratigraphy (graphitic pelitic gneiss overlying quartz-pegmatite) and encountered Gryphon-like structural disruption along the G-Fault with associated clay alteration. Basement mineralization was intersected in drill holes WR-697D1 (0.23% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre) and WR-700 (0.11% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre).

K West

The K-West trend is parallel to, and located approximately 500 metres west of, the K-North trend and shares many geological similarities. During summer 2016, weak basement-hosted mineralization and extensive clay alteration was intersected in drill hole WR-663 at K-West (see Denison’s press release dated August 4, 2016).  Follow-up drilling commenced along strike of WR-663 as part of the winter 2018 program, with 100 metre step-out holes in both directions, and two reconnaissance drill holes completed further along strike to the northeast (located at 400 and 750 metres from WR-663, respectively). Preliminary eU3O8drilling results are provided in Table 1 and drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2.

  • A significant basement fault zone with associated clay alteration was intersected in every hole, with elevated radioactivity recorded in drill hole WR-715 (up to 700 counts per second over 6 metres using a down-hole 2GHF-1000 triple gamma probe) and drill hole WR-714 (up to 550 counts per second over 1 metre).
  • Taken together, the results indicate K-West is a large fertile trend with the potential to host high-grade uranium within the basement and at the unconformity.

Table 1: Preliminary Regional Exploration winter 2018 drilling results.

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m)5 eU3O8 (%)1,2,4 Zone & Location
WR-697D1 557.3 558.3 1.0 0.09 K-North – 400 m NE of Gryphon
and 664.8 665.8 1.0 0.23
WR-700 611.7 612.7 1.0 0.11
WR-701 No significant mineralization. K-North – 600 m NE of Gryphon
WR-704 561.9 567.5 5.6 0.55
including3 565.2 566.2 1.0 2.3
WR-705 No significant mineralization. K-North – 800 m NE of Gryphon
WR-708 Elevated radioactivity. Significant alteration.
WR-710 No significant mineralization. K-North – 1 km NE of Gryphon
WR-710D1 567.1 570.6 3.5 0.94
including3 569.4 570.4 1.0 2.7
WR-714 No significant mineralization. Elevated radioactivity. K West – see Figure 2
WR-716 No significant mineralization.
WR-715 No significant mineralization. Elevated radioactivity.
WR-717 No significant mineralization.

Notes:
1. eU3O8 is radiometric equivalent U3O8 derived from a calibrated total gamma down-hole probe.
2. Composited above a cut-off grade of 0.05% eU3O8 unless otherwise indicated.
3. Composited above a cut-off grade of 1.0% eU3O8.
4. Composites compiled using 1.0 metre minimum mineralization thickness and 2.0 metres maximum waste.
5. As the drill holes are oriented steeply toward the northwest and the unconformity mineralization is interpreted to be flat-lying, the true thickness of the mineralization is expected to be approximately 75% of the intersection lengths.

Details of Gryphon Exploration Results:

Gryphon Down-Plunge

The Gryphon deposit remains open in the down-plunge area to the northeast and five holes were completed in this direction during the winter 2018 drill program. Preliminary eU3O8 drilling results are provided in Table 2 and drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2.

  • Drill hole WR-698, located approximately 100 metres along strike and to the northeast of the Gryphon deposit’s A series lenses, intersected 0.82% eU3O8 over 3.9 metres, including 2.1% eU3O8 over 1.0 metre.
  • Additional weak mineralization was intersected in three follow-up holes drilled on an approximate 50 metre spacing (WR-698D1, WR-703 and WR-707), which showed apparent continuity of the mineralization and extensive Gryphon-style alteration.

E Series Lenses

A total of seven drill holes were completed to test for Gryphon E series lens mineralization along strike to the northeast of the Gryphon deposit. Drill holes were spaced approximately 50 metres apart on sections up to 200 metres away from the Gryphon deposit. Preliminary eU3O8 drilling results are provided in Table 2 and drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2

  • Six of the seven drill holes were mineralized, including WR-696 (2.5% eU3O8 over 1.3 metres), WR-709 (0.86% eU3O8over 1.9 metres), and WR-702 (0.38% eU3O8 over 2.8 metres).
  • The winter 2018 drilling has extended the E series lens mineralization a further 200 metres to the northeast.  As a result, the E series lenses remain open to the northeast and southwest, and now have a total strike length of over 500 metres.

D Series Lenses

Four step-out drill holes were completed on a 50 metre spacing to test for D series lens mineralization along strike to the southwest of the D series lenses included in the current Gryphon mineral resource estimate. Preliminary eU3O8 drilling results are provided in Table 2 and drill hole locations are shown in Figure 2.

  • Two of the drill holes were mineralized above the 0.05% eU3O8 cut-off, with drill hole WR-711 returning a highlight intersection of 0.46% eU3O8 over 1.1 metres.

Table 2: Preliminary Gryphon Exploration winter 2018 drilling results.

Section Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Length (m)5 eU3O8 (%)1,2,4 Lens Target &
Designation
5350GP WR-698 775.9 779.8 3.9 0.82 A/B/C Lens
including3 776.7 777.7 1.0 2.1
and 780.5 781.5 1.0 0.05
WR-698D1 783.2 784.2 1.0 0.06
5400GP WR-703 806.3 808.6 2.3 0.35
and 813.9 814.9 1.0 0.08
WR-703D1 No significant mineralization.
5450GP WR-707 802.6 803.6 1.0 0.15
5325GP WR-696 580.8 582.0 1.2 0.28 E Lens
and 595.6 596.9 1.3 2.5
including3 595.7 596.7 1.0 3.3
and 618.1 619.1 1.0 0.06
and 624.9 625.9 1.0 0.09
and 665.3 666.5 1.2 0.42
5350GP WR-699D1 604.7 605.7 1.0 0.06
and 620.1 621.1 1.0 0.07
5400GP WR-702 542.6 545.4 2.8 0.38
and 703.7 704.7 1.0 0.09
and 713.6 714.6 1.0 0.44
WR-702D1 556.7 557.7 1.0 0.26
5450GP WR-706 No significant mineralization.
5500GP WR-709 580.1 582.0 1.9 0.86
including3 580.1 581.1 1.0 1.0
WR-709D1 Not probed due to drilling issues.
WR-712 580.7 581.7 1.0 0.09
5075GP WR-711 631.9 632.9 1.0 0.06 D Lens
and 634.2 635.2 1.0 0.06
and 636.0 637.1 1.1 0.46
5000GP WR-713 668.7 670.7 2.0 0.16
5025GP WR-713D1 No significant mineralization.
4975GP WR-718 No significant mineralization.

Notes:
1. eU3O8 is radiometric equivalent U3O8 derived from a calibrated total gamma down-hole probe.
2. Composited above a cut-off grade of 0.05% eU3O8 unless otherwise indicated.
3. Composited above a cut-off grade of 1.0% eU3O8.
4. Composites compiled using 1.0 metre minimum mineralization thickness and 2.0 metres maximum waste.
5. As the drill holes are oriented steeply toward the northwest and the unconformity mineralization is interpreted to dip moderately to the southeast, the true thickness of the mineralization is expected to be approximately 75% of the intersection lengths.

Illustrative Figures and Further Details

A location map of Wheeler River and the Phoenix and Gryphon deposits is provided in Figure 1. The winter 2018 drill hole locations are provided in Figure 2. Drill traces, mineralized pierce points and Gryphon mineralized wireframes are projected to the interpreted basement geology at the sub-Athabasca unconformity. The interpreted basement geology map has not yet been updated to include the geology intersected in the winter 2018 program; however, the revised G-Fault location is shown to illustrate the optimal ‘target horizon’ at the unconformity.

Further details regarding the Wheeler River project are provided in the NI 43-101 Technical Report for the Wheeler River project titled “Technical Report with an Updated Resource Estimate for the Wheeler River Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada” dated March 15, 2018 with an effective date of March 9, 2018.   A copy of this report is available on Denison’s website and under its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml.

Qualified Persons and Data Quality

Dale Verran, MSc, P.Geo, Pr.Sci.Nat., Denison’s Vice President, Exploration, who is a Qualified Person in accordance with the requirements of NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this release.

The Company currently reports preliminary radiometric equivalent grades (“eU3O8“), derived from a calibrated down-hole total gamma probe, during or upon completion of its exploration programs and subsequently reports definitive U3O8 assay grades following sampling and chemical analysis of the mineralized drill core. Radiometric equivalent probe results are subject to data verification procedures by qualified persons employed by Denison prior to disclosure. For further details on the total gamma down-hole probe methods employed by Denison, QAQC procedures and data verification procedures please see Denison’s Annual Information Form dated March 27, 2018 available on the Company’s website and filed under the Company’s profile on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).

About Wheeler River

Wheeler River is the largest undeveloped high-grade uranium project in the infrastructure rich eastern portion of the Athabasca Basin region, in northern Saskatchewan – including combined Indicated Mineral Resources of 132.1 million pounds U3O8 at an average grade of 3.3% U3O8, plus combined Inferred Mineral Resources of 3.0 million pounds U3O8 at an average grade of 1.7% U3O8.  The project is host to the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix uranium deposits (discovered by Denison in 2014 and 2008, respectively), and is a joint venture between Denison (63.3% and operator), Cameco Corp. (“Cameco”) (26.7%), and JCU (Canada) Exploration Company Limited (“JCU”) (10%).

A Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) was initiated for the Wheeler River project in Q3’2016 and is expected to be completed during 2018. Prior to initiation of the PFS, a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) was completed in Q2’2016, which consideredthe potential economic merit of co-developing the high-grade Gryphon and Phoenix deposits as a single underground mining operation. The PEA returned a base case pre-tax Internal Rate of Return (“IRR”) of 20.4% based on the then current long term contract price of uranium (US$44.00 per pound U3O8), and Denison’s share of estimated initial capital expenditures (“CAPEX”) of CAD$336M (CAD$560M on 100% basis). 

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the preliminary economic assessment will be realized. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability.

In January, 2017, Denison entered into an agreement with its Wheeler River Joint Venture partners, Cameco and JCU, to fund 75% of Joint Venture expenses in 2017 and 2018 (ordinarily 60%) in exchange for an increase in Denison’s interest in the project to up to approximately 66%. Under the terms of the agreement, Cameco will fund 50% of its ordinary 30% share in 2017 and 2018, and JCU is expected to continue to fund its 10% interest in the project. Pursuant to the agreement, as at December 31, 2017, Denison had increased its interest in the Wheeler River project from 60% to 63.3%.

Source: Denison Mines website