Perth, July 1, 2008 (ABN Newswire) - Uranium Exploration Australia Limited (ASX:UXA)(PINK:UXPAF) has completed the acquisition of a 3rd generation prompt fission neutron tool for use in its ongoing uranium exploration program. Prompt fission neutron (PFN) is a unique geophysical wire-line logging technology used for the direct measurement of uranium in boreholes.
By acquiring its own PFN tool, UXA becomes only the third resources company in Australia to own and use this unique technology, and the only grassroots exploration company in Australia to do so. UXA will begin utilising PFN technology on its upcoming drilling program at its Crystal Creek prospect in the Northern Territory.
UXA's Managing Director Patrick Mutz said, "We are excited to be able to employ PFN technology in the coming weeks on our most advanced uranium prospect, Crystal Creek. Given that we have already detected the presence of uranium, and with drilling set to commence in the current quarter, PFN will undoubtedly prove very useful, providing rapid and reliable in-ground uranium analysis, which will allow the drilling team to make in-field adjustments to the drilling program and focus on any areas where uranium is detected."
Advantages of PFN technology
PFN has a number of advantages over conventional gamma logging technology. PFN can;
- Eliminate concern of missing uranium in the borehole, irrespective of disequilibrium
- Provide immediate analysis of uranium within the borehole
- Analyse larger mass of host rock than core samples or drill cuttings
- Reduce assay costs
- Eliminate need for core sample collection in initial exploration stages
For further information regarding PFN technology, refer to the presentation on UXA's website at:
http://www.uxa.com.au/PromptFissionNeutronMarch2008.pdfCrystal Creek Drilling
In June 2008 UXA finalised an exploration agreement with the Central Land Council (CLC) regarding exploration on its 100% owned Ngalia Thrust exploration licence (EL 24566) in the Northern Territory. This agreement paves the way for heritage clearance surveys to be completed in advance of drilling at the Crystal Creek Prospect. Crystal Creek is approximately 360 kilometres northwest of Alice Springs and 30 kilometres east of Energy Metals' Bigrlyi Uranium Project in the Ngalia Basin, with current uranium and vanadium resources of over 23 million lbs. U3O8 and more than 43 million lbs. V2O5 (www.energymetals.net).
In January 2008, UXA announced it had identified anomalous uranium on-surface at Crystal Creek. Six soil samples collected during initial field investigations of anomalous airborne radiometric mapping averaged 90 ppm U3O8 with the highest concentration at 230 ppm.
The surface radiometric expression of Anomaly 'A' is approximately 1.5 square kilometres. Samples were collected in the south-eastern section of Anomaly 'A' from an area approximately 400 metres long by 120 metres wide. These samples cannot be considered representative of the entire area.
Drilling is scheduled to commence at Crystal Creek Prospect in August 2008 and will focus on the area in and around Anomaly 'A'. UXA's drill program will include up to 2,000 metres of rotary mud and diamond core. PFN will be used to log the drill holes and will allow for in-field modifications to the drill program in the event of significant uranium intercepts.
UXA is also continuing with exploration activities on its other 100% owned exploration licences (ELs) in South Australia and Western Australia as well as on ELs controlled by a Joint Venture Agreement with RIL Australia, a subsidiary of India's largest private sector company Reliance Industries Limited.
Drilling is scheduled to commence in August 2008 on UXA's 100% owned Yeelirrie South East tenement (EL 36/546) in Western Australia for calcrete hosted uranium. Prompt fission neutron logging technology is scheduled to be used to support this drilling program.
Ground-based gravity surveys are being conducted on UXA's 100% owned Porter Hill tenement (EL 3865) in South Australia and drill site selection is underway on the UXARILA Joint Venture controlled exploration tenement Glenside (EL 3470) in SA.
