Gladiator Resources (ASX:GLA) is assessing the potential for the in-situ recovery (ISR) of uranium at its Mkuju Project in Tanzania, following the completion of a drilling hole at the Likuyu North deposit.
Though Gladiator has not said which type of hole was drilled, it was completed at the centre of the deposit and returned six mineralised intervals, including 7.1m @ 1,963 parts per million (ppm) uranium equivalent from a depth of 63.1m.
Located to the north of the project area, the Likuyu North deposit hosts a mineral resource measuring 4.6 million pounds at an average grade of 267ppm uranium.
The hole is expected to facilitate an assessment of ISR options for uranium, which Gladiator says is the preferred method for exploiting uranium deposits. The company has appointed ERM Australia Consultants to carry out an initial ISR assessment at Likuyu North.
“Drillhole LNDD020 demonstrates the quality of the Likuyu North deposit, and we are excited by the potential opportunity the area provides. Grade and other characteristics appear to be well-suited to ISR,” Gladiator Chairman Greg Johnson says.
“With that in mind, Gladiator has appointed ERM (formerly CSA Global) to help advance this strategy, and if the ISR study is encouraging the company will consider larger-scale exploration at Likuyu North, Likuyu South, and at the Mtonya deposit area, with an aim of maximising the resource available for a potential ISR operation.”
Once ERM has completed its assessment, Gladiator notes that it may elect to progress to a Scoping Study that would include an updated resource estimate.
Write to Oliver Gray at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock, Gladiator Resources
