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Transcript of Horseshoeand raven deposits_rhysetal2010
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
A new look at basement hostedA new look at basement-hosted mineralization in the Horseshoe and
Raven deposits, eastern Athabasca BasinRaven deposits, eastern Athabasca Basin
David Rhys, Sierd Eriks and Leo HornUEX C tiUEX Corporation
Saskatchewan Geological Survey Open House, Nov. 29, 2010
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Forward-Looking StatementsThis presentation contains “forward-looking statements” that are based on UEX’s currentexpectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These forward-looking statementsinclude statements regarding UEX’s resource estimates, outlook for our future operations,plans and timing for the commencement or advancement of exploration activities on ourproperties, and other expectations, intention and plans that are not historical fact. Thewords “estimates”, “projects”, “expects”, “intends”, “believes”, “plans”, or their negatives orother comparable words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements.other comparable words and phrases are intended to identify forward looking statements.Such forward-looking statements are based on certain factors and assumptions and aresubject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differmaterially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from UEX’s expectationsi l d t i ti l ti t i t t ti f d ill lt d l dditi l d illiinclude uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and geology, additional drillingresults, continuity and grade of deposits, public acceptance of uranium as an energy source,fluctuations in uranium prices and currency exchange rates, changes in environmental andother laws affecting uranium exploration and mining, and other risks and uncertaintiesdisclosed in UEX’s Annual Information Form and other filings with the securities commissiongon SEDAR. Many of these factors are beyond the control of UEX. Consequently, all forward-looking statements made in this presentation are qualified by this cautionary statement andthere can be no assurance that actual results or developments anticipated by UEX will berealized. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on suchforward looking statements Except as required by applicable law UEX disclaims anyforward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, UEX disclaims anyintention or obligation to update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a resultof new information, future events or otherwise.
Horseshoe and Raven depositsHidden Bay setting
Horseshoe and Raven are located on UEX’s 100% owned Hidden Bay project on the eastern margin of the Athabasca Basin
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Hidden Bay projecty p j
57,000 hectare property in eastern Athabasca uranium district (area has >360
illi lb d ti
Tent-Seal
million lbs production + resources, excludes Cigar Lake)
ShamusTelephone
Rabbit Lake
Vixen
Horseshoe and Raven
Contains Horseshoe, Raven and West Bear deposits
Rabbit Lake fault
Wolf Deposits located only 4 km south of Cameco’s Rabbit Lake mill facility
Dwyer
Rhino
West Bearin an area of excellent infrastructure
Dwyer
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Horseshoe-Raven history
Two deposits approx. 1 km apart discovered through follow-up of a radioactive boulder train in the early 1970’s by Gulf Minerals
Gulf drilled 202 widely spaced (50 to 100 m apart) drill holes between 1972 and 1978 to define historical, non-compliant resources of 23 million lbs U O grading at 0 16% in bothresources of 23 million lbs U3O8 grading at 0.16% in both deposits
1 3S-9RAS
HS-4
5HS-1
HS-4
3
HS-1
3
HS-4
HS
RAVEN
SYNCLINE
4.11m @0 88% U O
1.5m @0.25% U O 3 8
Cross section through Horseshoe deposit prior to drilling by UEX: grade continuity perceived to be
1.2m @ 0meters
100
16 0
3 80.88% U O
0.22% U O 3 8
grade continuity perceived to be discontinuous, but drill holes very
widely spaced
83
16.0m @ 0.8% U O Horseshoe zone
Section 148+00SView Northeast
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
UEX drilling, 2005-2009
Potential to upgrade and further explore the deposits beyond the Gulf
Between 2005 and 2009 UEX completed 663 drill holes (198 000 m of
resources was recognized.
Between 2005 and 2009, UEX completed 663 drill holes (198,000 m of drilling) at Horseshoe and Raven to establish resources at 15 to 30 m hole spacing. Historical drill holes could not be used due to QA/QC concerns.
Drilling established continuity of mineralization expanded the deposit Drilling established continuity of mineralization, expanded the deposit footprints into areas not historically drilled, and identified areas of higher grade mineralization within the deposits.
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Resources based on drilling to July 23, 2009
July 2009 43-101 complaint resources for the Horseshoe and Raven deposits estimated by K. Palmer, P. Geo. of Golder Associates, at a
cutoff grade of 0 05% U O :cutoff grade of 0.05% U3O8 :
Deposit Tonnes U3O8 % U3O8 (pounds)Horseshoe 5,119,700 0.203 22,895,000IndicatedRaven 5,173,900 0.107 12,149,000
Totals 10,293,600 0.170 35,044,000
IndicatedResources
Deposit Tonnes U3O8 % U3O8 (pounds)Horseshoe 287,000 0.166 1,049,000Raven 822 200 0 092 1 666 000
InferredR Raven 822,200 0.092 1,666,000
Totals 1,109,200 0.111 2,715,000Resources
In addition to these deposits, Hidden Bay also contains the West Bear deposit. At a p y pcutoff grade of 0.05% U3O8, West Bear is host to 79,914 tonnes grading 0.908 % U3O8
(1.57 million pounds U3O8) in near surface (<30m) resources (2009 N.I. 43-101 complaint resources)
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Central Hidden Bay property – Geological settingGeological setting - property straddles the gradational contact between
the Paleoproterozoic Mudjatik Domain to the NW (granitic gneiss domes + psammitic to pelitic gneiss), and the Wollaston Domain to the southeastg ),
HorseshoeRaven
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Geological setting
- Deposits lie outside of Athabasca Basin: sandstone eroded here- Competent metamorphic hostCompetent metamorphic host rocks
Local geological setting of the Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Horseshoe and Raven depositsHost lithologies
Calc-arkosic to calc-silicate gneiss: Quartzite: >85% quartz, with K-Ca c a os c o ca c s ca e g e ssplagioclase-K-feldspar-pyroxene-biotite-
amphibole – above mineralization
Qua e 85% qua ,feldspar, biotite, 20-70 m thick –
hosts upper parts of mineralization
Arkosic quartzite: 40-65% quartz, 20-55% Lower biotite-quartz-feldspar, pelitic and Arkosic quartzite: 40 65% quartz, 20 55% feldspars; massive to banded (relict beds),
20 to 150 m thick – main host to mineralization
q p pcalc-silicate gneiss: mixed assemblage of biotite and calc-silicate bearing ortho-and paragneiss – below mineralization
Horseshoe and Raven depositsStructural setting
Folded lower biotite-quartz-feldspar gneiss beside Ravenfeldspar gneiss beside Raven camp, view down, top to NE. Shows style of open D2 (F2)
foldingg
Two phases of syn-metamorphic Hudsonian deformation at amphiboliteTwo phases of syn metamorphic Hudsonian deformation at amphibolite grade. Two metamorphic pulses between 1830 - 1795 Ma (Annesley et al.)
D1 = Early penetrative S1 foliation/gneissosity is dominant foliation. Regionally associated with tight to isoclinal foldsRegionally associated with tight to isoclinal folds.
D2 = Open F2 folds with second, steeply dipping spaced to penetrative NE trending foliation. Form dominant NE trending folds and principal geometry of lithologies in local area (e g Raven Syncline) with horizontal to northeastof lithologies in local area (e.g. Raven Syncline) with horizontal to northeast plunging fold axes. Non-cylindrical fold axes regionally.
Later crenulations and minor folds in later, retrograde lower strain events
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Geological setting
Hematite breccias and intense clay alteration + silicification
Local geological setting of the Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Post-metamorphic and in part post-Athabasca brittle faulting regionally in NE trending reverse faults (e g Rabbit Lake Collins Bay faults) and in
along Dragon Lake fault: fluid conduit for mineralization?
NE trending reverse faults (e.g. Rabbit Lake, Collins Bay faults), and in north-trending Tabbernor sinistral faults such as the Dragon Lake fault
Dragon Lake fault lies on east side of deposit – surrounded by intense alteration which joins the eastern parts of the Horseshoe alteration zone:alteration which joins the eastern parts of the Horseshoe alteration zone: may have been an important fluid conduit for mineralization
?Pre-mineral NE trending, SE dipping fault zone along mineralized zones
Horseshoe and Raven depositsUranium mineralization
Deposits are entirely basement hosted and d l d t d th fdeveloped to depths of 450 m below the current surface. L ll d Locally preserved paleoweathering suggests current surface was close to the now Local geological setting of the
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Deposits are developed over a 2.3 km strike length along and southeast of the Raven syncline Mineralization occurs over a strike of 800 m at
was close to the now eroded unconformity.
the Raven syncline. Mineralization occurs over a strike of 800 m at Horseshoe and 900 m at Raven, with a 600 m poorly mineralized gap between the deposits
Mineralization occurs in areas of hematite alteration within and Mineralization occurs in areas of hematite alteration within, and surrounding southeast dipping clay-chlorite alteration zones that may be localized along pre-mineral faults
Horseshoe and Raven depositsExploration techniques
H h
Horseshoe
Horseshoe
Raven
Raven
Gravity data
DC resistivity, 175 m modeled depth, Horseshoe Raven area Gravity dataHorseshoe-Raven areaWarm colours = resistivity highs
Geophysical exploration: Gravity and Resistivityf Deposits initially discovered partially as a result of a gravity survey by
Gulf Minerals, on basis of gravity low over Rabbit Lake deposit, in follow up of radioactive boulder trainG i d DC R i i i l id if f l l i Gravity and DC Resistivity lows identify areas of clay alteration associated with uranium mineralization. Mineralization is often on the margins of the most intense lows, beside areas of most intense alteration
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Exploration techniquesResistivity section, 4700N
Pelitic gneissLithologiesHS-02
7
HS-039
HS-042
HU-018
HU-019
HU-020
HU-021
HU-022
HU-024
HU-040
HU-044
HU-047
HU-054
HU-058
HU-062
HU-064
HU-065
HU-069
Pelitic gneiss
Metaquartzite
Arkosic quartzite
Calc-arkose
Hematite
Moderate clay
Alteration
300 RL
400 RL50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
200
50 m
100
150
200
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
50 m
100
150
CARK
QZIT
Hematite-pitchblende-uranophane-clay
Mineralization
UEX drill holes
Drill holes
Historic Gulf drill holes
0.395 %11.56m
Grade U O3 8
Core length (m)200 RL
HS-013
S-045
350 m
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
200
250
300
0.21 %28.95m
0.09 %15.2m
0.15 %10.4m
0 12 %
0.30 %5.65m
0.17 %13.7m
0.18 %8.5m
0.14 %14.9m
0.20 %
ARKQ
B zon
A3 zone
A2 zone
A zone
B zone west
Horseshoe DepositSection 4700N
Looking Northeast
0Meters
50 100
0 RL
100 RL
0 E
0 E
0 E
0 E
0 E
HS
350350
350
400
350 350350
350 350
400
450
350
400
350
400
450
0.23 %15.0m
0.12 %13.9m 0.10 %
15.4m
0.61%17.65m
11.0m
C zone
zone east
Looking Northeast
470
480
490
500
510
Resistivity inversion successfully modeled alteration, and patterns are locally independent of lithologylocally independent of lithology Resistivity also showed significant down dip potential of mineralization beyond the limits of Gulf drilling
Horseshoe and Raven depositsUranium mineralization
Mineralization and alteration cutand alteration cut obliquely across
the folded metamorphic sequence and preferentially
occur in arkosic quartzitequartzite
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Horseshoe mineralization style
Pitchblende main U mineral, occurring in common mineralization styles: “Nodular” and veinlet, blebby pitchblende in red-brown hematite-clay
lt ti M b b d d d t f li ti ith h ll dialteration. May be banded, and may cut across foliation with shallow dips Disseminated pitchblende in competent arkosic quartzite with hematite-
illite and/or green chlorite alteration (most of eastern Horseshoe deposit)Paragenetically late U-silicates (boltwoodite, uranophane, and locally
coffinite) overprint pitchblende, overgrowing or crosscutting as veinlets
“Nodular” style Disseminated style
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Horseshoe mineralogy
Dominant pitchblende texture is “woven intergrowth” – intergrown with hematite, chlorite and clays (i.e. synchronous)
Massive clots and fractures in quartz also common in both nodular and disseminated styles
Mineralization has low As (<100 ppm), Mo (<20 ppm), Se (<2 ppm), Co (<100 ppm), Ni (<100 ppm), V (<150 ppm) in >0.2% U3O8 samples = “clean” mineralization no deleterious elements typical of basementclean mineralization, no deleterious elements, typical of basement unconformity-type uranium signature such as Eagle Point
Metallurgically simple –composite test samples by Melis Engineering Ltd. on three HQ diameter metallurgical drill holes from both deposits showon three HQ diameter metallurgical drill holes from both deposits show 98% uranium leach extraction under relatively mild atmospheric conditions.
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
HU-16 high grade intercept =12.35 m @ 4.53% U3O8
2.29 % 0.95 %
22.17 %
8.14 %
Nodular pitchblende rimmed by boltwoodite
Pitchblende in hematite-clay
Late yellow boltwoodite-uranophane
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Nodular/veinlet style, Horseshoe A zone
2.29 %
Mineralization comprising hematite-pitchblende bands which cross cut p
gneissosity at high angle: shallow dipping morphology to zones.
Examples from HU-28 (191 8-193 4 m =Examples from HU-28 (191.8-193.4 m = 2.55% U3O8 over 1.6 m)
Horseshoe and Raven depositsHorseshoe disseminated mineralization textures, B east zone,
Hole HU-063: Interval shown is 348-357 m typical of broad low gradeHole HU-063: Interval shown is 348-357 m, typical of broad low grade interval of 60.90 m grading 0.18 % U3O8 from 322.40-383.3 m. Note
competent nature of host rocks in zone.
Horseshoe and Raven depositsHorseshoe Section 4640N
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Horseshoe Section4724N4724N
- Zones may be l li d dlocalized around a pre-mineral fault
zone
- Shallow dipping mineralized zones
may be extensional d f d iand formed in
response to late reverse faulting
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Mineralogy calculated from multielement geochem.
Alteration-geochem zoning(S. Halley, 2008)
Normative mineralogical assemblages
Chlorite 2250nm
show illite core with surrounding chlorite-dominant fringe
Terraspec patterns show Mg-rich hl i i i li i d l i Chlorite 2250nm
wavelength ranges = Mg-rich chlorites proximal to mineralization, 4640N.
chlorites in mineralization and alteration; raw Mg-geochemistry shows same pattern cutting lithologic sequence
Horseshoe and Raven depositsHorseshoe wireframe models
Horseshoe wireframe
Mineralization plunges to east-northeast
Eastern margin of o ses oe e a eview NNE with drill holes shown
gorebody is parallel and adjacent to the Dragon Lake Fault. Alteration in the orebody is contiguous with intense alteration that
t d t 600extends to >600 m depth along the fault.
Horseshoe wireframe view SSE from above
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
RRaven
wireframe
Raven
View southwest from Horseshoemodels Horseshoe from Horseshoe
towards Raven with drill hole traces
Raven view ENE
Raven view NNE
Horizontal zone: no plunge. Basal planar (L) zone (in red) dips southeast, with shallower dipping zones above reaching to 60 m from surface
Horseshoe and Raven depositsRaven mineralization
Mineralization discordant to foliation in drill hole RU-118 from interval at
RU-026 mineralization, 118-124 m. Concordant mineralization style in
in drill hole RU 118, from interval at 118.2 m grading 0.63% (in interval =
19.8 m @0.517% U3O8)
interval of 2.98% U3O8 / 5.2 m)
RU-095 mineralization,
148-149 m FromRU-002 , 106.5 m, 0.4 m at 2.13% U3O8
148 149 m. From interval 0.38%
U3O8 over 37.3 m
Horseshoe and Raven depositsRaven section 5445E5445E
Like Horseshoe, mineralizationmineralization surrounds a clay alteration zone
Lithologies thinner:
150 RL200 RL
250 RL300 RL
350 RL400 RL
450 RL
50 m10015 020 0
50 m100150200236.2 m
50 m 50 m100
150200250294.7 m
50 m100150192.9 m
50 m100
1502 00218.8 m
5 0m100
150200
25030 0313 m
50 m100
150200239 m
100
150200212 m
10 0150200
250300
50 m100
150185 .1 m
L B-040LB-041LB-0 66 LB-069L B-072RU-001RU-002RU-003RU-004 RU-006RU-008
Lithologies thinner: mineralization extends to shallower depths s a o e dept sthan Horseshoe into calc-arkose
Upper, thick parts of pp , porebody within 100 m of surface may be amenable to open pit mining.
Horseshoe and Raven depositsRaven section 5630E
150 RL200 RL
250 RL300 RL
350 RL400 RL
450 RL
50 m10015 020 0
50 m100150200236.2 m
50 m 50 m100
150200250294.7 m
50 m100150192.9 m
50 m100
1502 00218.8 m
5 0m100
150200
25030 0313 m
50 m100
150200239 m
100
150200212 m
10 0150200
250300
50 m100
150185 .1 m
L B-040LB-041LB-0 66 LB-069L B-072RU-001RU-002RU-003RU-004 RU-006RU-008
Mineralization locally exploits lithologies and lithologic contacts above a steep SE dipping basal zone and alteration
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Conclusions UEX successfully upgraded and expanded resources in the
Horseshoe and Raven deposits, increasing the deposit footprint and establishing continuity of mineralizationand establishing continuity of mineralization
The deposits are remarkable for their great extent into basement rocks, but with no association with graphitic faults. Geophysical t t i lt ti t hit Si il iti t Ki ik?target is alteration – not graphite. Similarities to Kiggavik?
Basement – basin fluid mixing and redox reaction along Dragon Lake and pre-mineralization hosting fault zones, and reaction with p greduced wallrocks may have contributed to mineralization formation
“Basement” signature geochemistry of mineralization: favorable metallurgy without deleterious elements similar mineralogy tometallurgy without deleterious elements, similar mineralogy to Eagle Point
Occurrence of mineralization in competent hematite alteration within basement wallrocks allows good geotechnical conditions forwithin basement wallrocks allows good geotechnical conditions for open pit and ramp access underground mining (i.e. no ground freezing)
Horseshoe and Raven deposits
Advancing the Horseshoe and Raven depositsg p
In anticipation of feasibility, initial metallurgical, geotechnical and p y g genvironmental baseline studies have been undertaken
High proportion of resources already in indicated category Scoping study underway examining mining methods and options Scoping study underway, examining mining methods and options
for both deposits, including possible future use of any open pit developed at Raven or Horseshoe as a regional tailings facility for other deposits in the areaother deposits in the area
Area of excellent existing mining and milling infrastructure: Potential for toll milling at Rabbit or McClean Lake is being assessed.
Additional targets in local area will be tested in 2011 which could expand local resource basee pa d oca esou ce base