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Aura commences extensional drilling program at the Tiris Uranium Project |
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KEY POINTS: · A 15,500m drilling program has now commenced at Tiris East, aiming to define additional Resources from the Exploration Target of 30 – 60 Mt at 120 – 240 ppm U3O8 for 8 – 32 Mlbs U3O8 at Tiris East[1] · Exploration Targets are extensions of the existing mineralisation and have been identified using radiometric surveys indicating similar characteristics to the defined Mineral Resources. · The Exploration Target is contained within Tiris East, independent of both Tiris West and the recently announced additional ~13,000 km2 of exploration tenements applied for in the Tiris Uranium Province[2]. · Aura is preparing further exploration targets and drill programs to grow uranium resources once the exploration license applications are granted.
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Aura Energy Limited (ASX: AEE, AIM: AURA) (“Aura” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce the commencement of a major 15,500m exploration drilling program aimed at targeting a 100 Mlbs U3O8 Mineral Resource at its Tiris Uranium Project1 in Mauritania.
Figure 1 – Mobilisation of Drilling Rig from Nouakchott
The program will drill seven exploration targets in Tiris East, which the Company believes has the potential to extend the existing Mineral Resource Estimate of 113Mt at an average grade of 236ppm U3O8, containing 58.9 Mlbs U3O8 by between 30 – 60 Mt at 120 – 240 ppm U3O8 for 8 – 32 Mlbs U3O81. Since the discovery of the Tiris Uranium Project, 19,000m of drilling has been completed. A successful outcome from this substantial program would elevate Tiris towards a globally significant uranium project.
The potential quantity of the Exploration Target is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration of these targets to estimate a Mineral Resource, and it is uncertain whether this exploration effort will result in an estimation of a Mineral Resource.
The exploration drilling program is expected to be completed in February 2024. Updated Mineral Resource Estimates are planned for Q1 of 2024 at key milestones as drilling is completed at each target area and consolidated at the end of the program.
Aura’s Managing Director David Woodall said:
“Aura Energy is undertaking this program because we believe the Tiris Uranium Project can grow to represent a globally significant uranium province. The Enhanced Feasibility Study illustrated that the simple mining method and beneficiation at Tiris deliver a huge economic advantage with a potential to scale U3O8 production beyond the currently planned production of 2 Mlbs U3O8 per annum[3]. Our early-stage activities indicate that we have the potential to expand our Mineral Resources towards 100Mlbs of U3O8 within the existing tenements.
“The program forms the first stage in our exploration growth strategy. Subsequently, after granting the additional 29 tenements, Aura aims to further expand its exploration for the greater Tiris Project to over 200 Mlbs of Global Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE)[4]. Given our exploration success and historically low cost of exploration at ~$0.20 /lb U3O8, we believe we can rapidly continue significant internal resource growth at Tiris. A larger total Mineral Resource inventory will facilitate further project growth and optimisation.
“The commencement of this extensional exploration program is an important step in realising the Company’s internal growth strategy, and we look forward to sharing progress updates with our shareholders over the coming months.”
Figure 2: Tiris Project Exploration Program Target Areas
ENDS
The Board of Aura Energy Ltd has approved this announcement.
