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AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. ("Azincourt" or the "Company") (TSX.V: AAZ, OTC: AZURF) is pleased to report the completion of the airborne radiometric survey and provide an update on preparations for the upcoming 2021-2022 drill program at the East Preston uranium project, located in the western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada.
The primary target area for the 2021-2022 program continues to be the conductive corridor from the A-Zone through to the G-Zone (Figures 1 and 2). The selection of this trend is based on a compilation of results from the 2018 through 2020 ground-based EM and gravity surveys, property wide VTEM and magnetic surveys, and the 2019 through 2021 drill programs. The 2020 HLEM survey completed in December indicates multiple prospective conductors and structural complexity along the eastern edge of this corridor.
Airborne Radiometric Survey Complete
Terralogic Exploration Inc. was contracted to facilitate an airborne radiometric survey over the previously unsurveyed southern portion of the property and conduct field investigations of resulting anomalies. Special Project Inc. (SPI) of Calgary, Alberta conducted the survey using a fixed wing aircraft to complete the airborne radiometric survey, which consisted of 2,514 km of survey lines flown at a low minimum altitude and 50 m line spacing to ensure good data collection and a high survey resolution. The survey commenced on August 4 th and was completed by August 14 th . Preliminary results have been received (Figure 3) and ground-based follow-up of identified anomalies is currently underway.
An airborne radiometric survey uses a gamma ray scintillometer mounted on an airborne platform to measure and map the natural radiation emitted by the rocks and soil the aircraft is flying over. Gamma radiation occurs from the natural decay of elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium. Locations that have a higher radiation signature (anomalies) than the normal values for the surrounding area (background) would then be examined by crews on the ground for the potential presence of radioactive bedrock if there is not much glacial till cover, or boulders in the till that could be traced back to a source. Many uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin, including the nearby Triple-R deposit, have been found by following trails of radioactive boulders in the glacial till back to their source.
"The radiometric survey coverage has further highlighted the G-zone and the Q-zone to the east, reinforcing our decision to focus on these conductive packages at this stage of the project. I'm eager to see what boots on the ground may yet show based on these results," said VP, Exploration, Trevor Perkins.
Updated Exploration Plans
The planned early fall diamond drilling program to complete approximately 1,000 meters of drilling remaining from the shortened winter 2021 program has been rescheduled after consultation with local communities and contractors. As a result, this meterage will be used to further expand the upcoming extensive winter drill program. This program will now consist of approximately 7,000 meters in 30-35 drill holes. Preparations are set to begin in early December. Target selection is ongoing and will be refined based on the ground-based follow-up of anomalies identified from the recently completed airborne survey.
"We don't want our activities to negatively impact traditional activities by members of the local communities in the area at this critical time of year. There are number of concerns, including the impact of this summer's heightened fire conditions on the environment," said VP Exploration, Trevor Perkins. "In consideration of this, we made the decision in consultation with the community to push the scheduled 1000 meters out 90 days into an expanded winter program, which is due to commence in December. We are looking forward to the upcoming drill campaign," continued Mr. Perkins.
"The radiometric survey has successfully increased our potential target inventory at East Preston," said Alex Klenman, President and CEO. "In addition, in a matter of weeks we'll be starting the largest drill campaign yet at East Preston. We are heading towards discovery, with all previous work programs contributing critical data and creating what is now a very compelling exploration case. With renewed life in the sector, our timing appears to be really good. The next couple of years could be very exciting for both the Company and our shareholders," continued Mr. Klenman.
Permits and funding are in place to complete all the planned work through the winter of 2022, and consultations and information sessions with local communities will continue throughout.
Figure 1: Target corridors at the East Preston Uranium Project, Western Athabasca Basin Saskatchewan
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Figure 2: 2021 Drill Target areas at the East Preston Uranium Project
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Figure 3: 2021 Radiometric survey coverage at East Preston Uranium Project.
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Figure 4: Project Location – Western Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada
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About East Preston
Azincourt controls a majority 70% interest in the 25,000+ hectare East Preston project as part of a joint venture agreement with Skyharbour Resources (TSX.V: SYH), and Dixie Gold. Three prospective conductive, low magnetic signature corridors have been discovered on the property. The three distinct corridors have a total strike length of over 25 km, each with multiple EM conductor trends identified. Ground prospecting and sampling work completed to date has identified outcrop, soil, biogeochemical and radon anomalies, which are key pathfinder elements for unconformity uranium deposit discovery.
The East Preston Project has multiple long linear conductors with flexural changes in orientation and offset breaks in the vicinity of interpreted fault lineaments – classic targets for basement-hosted unconformity uranium deposits. These are not just simple basement conductors; they are clearly upgraded/enhanced prospectivity targets because of the structural complexity.
The targets are basement-hosted unconformity related uranium deposits similar to NexGen's Arrow deposit and Cameco's Eagle Point mine. East Preston is near the southern edge of the western Athabasca Basin, where targets are in a near surface environment without Athabasca sandstone cover – therefore they are relatively shallow targets but can have great depth extent when discovered. The project ground is located along a parallel conductive trend between the PLS-Arrow trend and Cameco's Centennial deposit (Virgin River-Dufferin Lake trend).
Qualified Person
The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Azincourt Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Azincourt Energy Corp.
Azincourt Energy is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects, including uranium, lithium, and other critical clean energy elements. The Company is currently active at its majority controlled joint venture East Preston uranium project in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada, and the Escalera Group uranium-lithium project located on the Picotani Plateau in southeastern Peru.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.
"Alex Klenman"
Alex Klenman, President & CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release includes "forward-looking statements", including forecasts, estimates, expectations and objectives for future operations that are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of Azincourt. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking information represents management's best judgment based on information currently available. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed, and actual future results may vary materially.
For further information please contact:
Alex Klenman, President & CEO
Tel: 604-638-8063
info@azincourtenergy.com
Azincourt Energy Corp.
1430 – 800 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6
www.azincourtenergy.com
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