AuKing Mining Ltd (ASX:AKN) is encouraged by preliminary XRF analysis of samples from an aircore drilling program at the Itigi Uranium Project in central Tanzania that indicates anomalous uranium mineralisation.
A total of 925 metres of aircore drilling has been completed across 63 holes to a maximum depth of 15 metres below surface with a further 1,300 metres planned.
The initial XRF analysis has indicated anomalous uranium mineralisation across several of the completed holes, up to a maximum reading of 338ppm U3O8.
Awaiting assays
Samples are being prepared for laboratory analysis and AuKing is awaiting assay results with the hope that they confirm the preliminary analysis. Assay results are expected within 8-10 weeks.
AuKing’s CEO Paul Williams said that initial results from drilling at Itigi were encouraging and provided the basis for more formal assays to be received within the next couple of months.
“We are very pleased with the activities of our in-country exploration team at Itigi and good progress is being made with our first drilling program in Tanzania.
"We remain hopeful that a significant uranium deposit can be established at Itigi and these early XRF readings from near-surface drilling samples taken so far are an important first step.
“We now look forward to receiving the formal lab assays in due course,” he said.
Itigi and Manyoni project location.
About Itigi
AuKing holds a prospecting licence (PL) over the Itigi project area which is 80 kilometres west of the company's Manyoni Project and in turn about 100 kilometres west of the major city of Dodoma in central Tanzania.
Two other adjoining areas at Itigi are the subject of PL applications held by AuKing.
On January 29, 2010, previous holder Uranex (ASX:UNX) NL (UNX) announced details of an intense radiometric anomaly at a project area called Itigi.
The anomaly extends over 40 kilometres long and 10 kilometres wide and, in this announcement, UNX stated: “This is the most intensive and extensive radiometric anomaly identified by Uranex during its years of exploration in the Manyoni and Bahi region.
"Given its very favourable location, with road and rail access to the Manyoni project area, it has the potential to substantially enhance the development opportunity in the region.”
Potential to lift resources
A significant amount of exploration activity was then undertaken by UNX up until late 2010/early 2011 when priorities then turned towards other minerals.
All of AuKing's Itigi licence areas are across the radiometric anomaly and provide an opportunity to substantially increase the existing uranium resources already identified at the nearby Manyoni Project.
Hand-held XRF analyser
The company uses an Olympus Vanta portable hand-held XRF analyser to screen aircore samples for mineralisation before submitting samples to the lab for assay.
This allows for some understanding of the distribution of mineralisation prior to sampling to better ensure that samples submitted for analysis are representative of the type and style of mineralisation.
The hand-held XRF provides confirmation that mineralisation is present, however, it is not an accurate determination of the elemental concentration within the sample analysed.
AuKing intends to complete the planned 2000-metre Itigi aircore drilling program over the next 2-3 weeks.