Uranium and lithium-focused advanced explorer, Aurora Energy Metals Limited (ASX:1AE) is preparing to commence its first drilling programme, since listing, at the company’s 100%-owned Aurora Energy Metals Project in Oregon, USA.
Aurora is finalising the preparatory work for its Phase 1 RC drilling programme at the Aurora Energy Metals Project, the first drilling at the project in a decade. Drilling is expected to commence next week.
The 17-hole Phase 1 RC drilling programme of approximately 3,400m, received approval from the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) earlier this year and the Company has been advised that by the Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI) that they are finalising documentation for the issue of the permit next week. The required work program bond was paid yesterday.
The Midnight Sun Drilling company has been engaged as the drill contactor, and their team is currently mobilising to Aurora’s recently acquired exploration base in McDermitt, Nevada.
The location of the holes and the defined DOGAMI Phase 1 Project Area is the subset of a larger planned exploration drilling programme consisting of 47 RC holes and 21 diamond drill (DD) holes for the 2022-23 financial year.
Phase 1 drilling is expected to be completed in December 2022, with assays to be submitted progressively and results expected to be available from late December.
The programme will target uranium and lithium mineralisation, with the first eight priority holes focused to the north- west of the existing Aurora Uranium Deposit. The decision to commence in this area was driven by outstanding uranium intersections from the five most northern holes drilled in Aurora’s 2011 DD exploration programme, which consistently delivered shallow, thick, high-grade results. These previously released results include hole AUD010, 19.2m at 1,161 ppm eU3O8 and 11m @ 1,281ppm Li and hole AUD028, 40.2m at 672ppm eU3O8 and 27.3m @ 1,164ppm Li. The lithium is located in the lakebed sediments overlying the uranium.
Aurora adopted a phased permitting approach to adhere to DOGAMI’s 640-acre project area restriction and recently submitted an amended exploration permit application to the BLM, incorporating all the remaining holes of the FY2022-23 programme. The application was amended to accommodate recommendations made during the heritage survey completed at the end of September.
Once BLM approval for the remainder of the program has been obtained, multiple applications will be made to DOGAMI in keeping with the regulator’s 640-acre project area restriction.
“We are excited about the prospect of commencing our first drilling campaign since listing on the ASX just five months’ ago. Importantly, we have developed a clearer understanding of the expectations of the various regulatory bodies involved in permitting these programs, which should make the process smoother in future,” Managing Director, Greg Cochran, said.
For further information please visit: https://auroraenergymetals.com/
