Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX:AGE) has kicked off its maiden drill program at Nabarlek North Project within the Alligator Rivers Uranium Province (ARUP) in the Northern Territory of Australia.
The company has launched a regional auger and RAB drilling program in the southern part of the Nabarlek North to enable geochemical sampling and to improve understanding of the underlying geology of the project.
Looking ahead, the combination of results from the drill program and an airborne gravity survey as well as an IP survey now planned for the June quarter of 2023 will inform target identification for diamond drill testing later next year.
“Extremely attractive for high-grade uranium.”
Alligator CEO Greg Hall said: “The gravity survey in August was our first exploration work on the Nabarlek North Project.
“This auger and RAB drilling will assist to identify the underlying geology and combined with geophysics will inform our targeting for diamond drilling during next year.
“The Nabarlek North Project is in a region where the overlying Kombolgie sandstone is shallow, or weathered away, and hence is extremely attractive for exploration of high-grade uranium.
“There is enough cover to mask any radiation signature, but still shallow enough for effective geophysics and low-cost drilling.
“This region has been shown to host high-grade prospects (U40) and projects (Nabarlek Mine) and we are pleased to be on the ground and working with the Traditional Owners in the region.
“The extensive work and engagement undertaken by Alligator in Arnhem Land in previous years have contributed to our successful and important agreement over the Nabarlek North Project with the Traditional Owners.”
Objectives
The primary objectives of the 2022 auger and RAB drill program at Nabarlek North will be:
- Using shallow auger and geochemistry augmenting historical information, identify underlying geology.
- Use RAB drilling where deeper weathering exists for geochemistry and geology.
- Analyse and evaluate the Falcon airborne gravity for suitable structures and other settings.
- Combine these with planned IP geophysics results next year.
- Using the above, target suitable sites for deeper diamond drilling – initially to confirm stratigraphy and relationship of geology top basement rocks.
- Target (NYSE:TGT) also known areas of interest, eg the proximal high-grade U40 prospect.
Forward plan
Due to delays in obtaining access to drill rigs, the work program duration will be approximately 4 to 5 weeks this year prior to wet season access issues and will likely continue next year
In August, AGE conducted a Falcon Plus airborne gravity survey with the results now being analysed.
The company is awaiting these results to help delineate targets for the upcoming diamond drill program in 2023.