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Investor Insight
Toro Energy’s significant uranium resource in a tier 1 jurisdiction places the company in a compelling position to leverage a bullish uranium market and the mineral’s strategic role in global decarbonization.
Overview
Countries worldwide are working towards decarbonization and paying more attention to clean energy sources. About 10 percent of the world's electricity is produced from 440 power reactors, and more countries like Japan, Germany, the UK and the US are revitalizing their nuclear energy capacities to reduce fossil fuel production while improving energy security.
Australia produces 12 percent of the world’s uranium, behind Canada (13 percent) and Kazakhstan (43 percent). It is also home to the Wiluna uranium project, a well-established uranium resource, which is also the flagship asset of Toro Energy (ASX:TOE), a uranium exploration and development mining company that actively seeks to uncover value from other commodities in its existing highly prospective project ground.
As of September 24, 2024, Toro holds JORC-compliant uranium resources of 112.7 million pounds (Mlbs) uranium oxide (U3O8), which includes the flagship Wiluna project, Dawson Hinkler deposit (100 ppm U3O8 cut-off), and Theseus and Nowthanna deposit (200 ppm U3O8 cut-off).
The 100-percent-owned Wiluna uranium project includes three key deposits – Lake Maitland, Centipede-Millipede and Lake Way – and offers significant uranium exposure of 87.8 million tons (Mt) at 381 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U3O8 at 100 ppm cut-off (JORC 2012). It is located only 30 kilometers southeast of Wiluna in Central Western Australia.
The Wiluna uranium project has received state and federal approval (subject to required amendments) and has been granted mining leases.
Considerable research over recent years has identified processing redesign opportunities from unique geological attributes within the uranium deposits, but particularly at Lake Maitland, as well as the ability to extract the inherent vanadium held within the uranium ‘ore’ for a vanadium by-product.
Within the uranium mineralization envelope, the Wiluna project is estimated to contain 141.8 Mt vanadium oxide (V2O5) at 286 ppm for 89.3 Mlbs of V2O5 at 100 ppm V2O5 cut-off (JORC 2012), as of September 24, 2024.
The unique geology of the Lake Maitland deposit and the processing redesign have allowed for a mining and processing option exclusively for Lake Maitland, that could be economic on its own or be the economic spearhead of a longer-term, larger Wiluna mining operation (dependent on market conditions and approvals). The stand-alone Lake Maitland option, aided by the economic efficiency of the new processing design, results in a transformational potential increase in production from the Lake Maitland deposit.
The scoping study for the stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation option shows potential for exceptional financial returns with a pre-tax NPV of AU$832.8 million, a short payback period of 2.5 years, 48 percent internal rate of return, and low capex of AU$291 million (US$203 million), based on price assumption of US$85/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 and a 70 cents US$:AU$ exchange rate.
In September 2024, the Lake Maitland deposit has been re-estimated using a resource envelope more in line with the other Wiluna uranium deposits; allowed the lowering of the cut-off grade to 100ppm U3O8, expanding Lake Maitland resources by 12 percent and that of the entire Wiluna project by 17 percent (when the expansions at Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede are also included).
The design phase of Toro Energy’s beneficiation and hydrometallurgical pilot plant is on track and in line with plans to finalise construction at the end of 2024-beginning of 2025. . The pilot plant will test the improved beneficiation and hydrometallurgical circuit developed by Toro from bench scale research at a closer-to-production scale and as single streams. It will also test potential ore from the three uranium-vanadium deposits that Toro believes will make up an extended Lake Maitland operation – these include Lake Maitland, Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede.
The company will commence a large sonic core drill program to provide bulk, but targeted potential ore, for the upcoming pilot plant program in 2025.
The Lake Maitland deposit is part of a joint venture partnership with two reputable Japanese corporations, Japan Australia Uranium Resource Development. (JAURD) and Itochu.
Toro has been actively evaluating the prospectivity of its Wiluna asset portfolio for minerals other than uranium, including nickel and gold.
Toro’s Dusty nickel project is located on the northern, eastern and southern shores of Lake Maitland and the Lake Maitland uranium deposit and is focused on two main target areas: Dusty and Yandal One. These properties will be the subject of a proposed demerger, following Toro’s recent strategic review of its non-core assets and future plans to solely focus on its uranium development opportunities and its flagship Wiluna project.
Toro Energy’s management team and board of directors have extensive experience in the mining industry, with combined expertise that includes working at major mining houses, exploration companies, uranium mining operations, corporate financing and government and community relations.
Company Highlights
- Toro Energy is a well-established Western Australian uranium exploration and development company that actively seeks to uncover value from other commodities in existing highly prospective ground.
- Toro holds JORC-compliant uranium resources of 112.7 Mlbs uranium oxide across its Western Australian projects.
- Toro’s 100-percent-owned flagship Wiluna uranium project, located 30 kilometers southeast of Wiluna in Central Western Australia, 87.8 Mt at 331 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U3O8 at 100 ppm cut-off over three deposits: Lake Maitland, Centipede-Millipede and Lake Way.
- The company has defined a significant maiden vanadium resource of 89.3 Mlbs of V2O5 at a 100ppm V2O5 cut-off inside the uranium mineralisation envelope.
- Scoping study completed for a stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation shows potential for exceptional financial returns.
- In addition to its flagship uranium project, Toro’s strategic evaluation of the Lake Maitland tenure has resulted in the discovery of massive nickel sulphide and vein-hosted gold, which include the Dusty nickel project and the Yandal gold project.
- Following a recent strategic review, Toro is considering to solely focus on its uranium development opportunities and demerge its portfolio of non-core projects, including the nickel, gold and base metal assets in Western Australia.
- The company is led by a management team and board of directors with direct experience in the uranium exploration and mining as well as base metal exploration industry.
Key Projects
Wiluna Uranium Project
Toro Energy’s flagship asset is located only 30 kilometers from the town of Wiluna in the northern goldfields region within central Western Australia. The Wiluna project contains 87.8 Mt at 381 ppm for 73.6 Mlbs U 3O8 at 100 ppm cut-off over three deposits: Centipede-Millipede, Lake Way and Lake Maitland. The asset has been de-risked and optimized to improve yield and has successfully incorporated the processing of a vanadium resource as a by-product. A scoping study was completed for a stand-alone Lake Maitland uranium-vanadium operation.
Project Highlights:
- De-risked Uranium Project: Toro Energy has de-risked the Wiluna uranium asset by:
- Obtaining state and federal environmental approvals. Retrospective amendment to substantial commencement date condition will be required as well as amendment to mining proposal required as a result of further studies which significantly enhanced the project (refer below)
- Securing mining leases
- Identifying a simple yet effective mining process
- Extensive laboratory testing of a new and efficient beneficiation and processing technique inclusive of the extraction of vanadium for a valuable by-product.
- Uranium Exploration assets: Toro also owns 100 percent of three other exploration projects in Western Australia that have a total uranium resource of 39.1 Mlbs Nowthanna (200ppm U3O8 cut-off), Dawson Hinkler (100ppm U3O8 cut-off) and Theseus (200ppm U3O8 cut-off).
- Lake Maitland Pit Expansion: A 2022 pit expansion for a stand-alone Lake Maitland mining and processing operation, based on an updated uranium price, the inclusion of vanadium as a by-product, revised OPEX based on a the new beneficiation and processing flow sheet, increased the potential volume of uranium ore
- Initial Scoping study at proposed Lake Maitland Uranium-Vanadium Operation: Initial scoping study results following the 2022 pit expansion highlight the project’s potential for robust financial returns, increasing the asset to US$608 million in potential gross product value (assumes a US$70/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 price and a US$: AU$0.70 exchange rate).
- 2024 Scoping Study Financial Metrics Update: A refresh of the scoping study on the stand-alone Lake Maitland operation which incorporates current financial metrics and improved uranium pricing has been recently completed resulting an increase in pre-tax NPV to $832.8 million and 48% IRR (assumes a US$85/lb U3O8, US$5.67/lb V2O5 price and a US$: AU$0.70 exchange rate).
- Further Expansion of Scoping Study: to incorporate amenable ore from Toro’s Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede uranium deposits into the proposed processing operation at Lake Maitland.
- Expanded Resource at Lake Maitland, Lake Way and Centipede-Millipede deposits: Expansion of the stated U3O8 and V2O5 resources at all three uranium-vanadium deposits was conducted by reducing the stated U3O8 and V2O5 resource cut-off grades to 100 ppm (from 200 ppm):
- The stated Lake Maitland U3O8 resource expands by 12 percent or 3.2 Mlbs to 29.6 Mlbs contained U3O8, with a reduction in average grade to 403 ppm U3O8
- The stated Centipede-Millipede U3O8 resource expands by 25 percent or 5.98 Mlbs to 29.95 Mlbs contained U3O8, with a reduction in average grade to 351 ppm U3O8.
- The stated Lake Way U3O8 resource expands by 15 percent or 1.79 Mlbs to 14.12 Mlbs contained U3O8, with a reduction in average grade to 406 ppm U3O8.
- The stated Lake Maitland V2O5 resource expands by 74% or 13.4Mlbs to 31.4Mlbs contained V2O5, with a reduction in average grade to 285ppm V2O5. The stated Centipede-Millipede V2O5 resource expands by 17 percent or 6.6 Mlbs to 45.2 Mlbs contained V2O5, with a reduction in average grade to 281 ppm V2O5.
- The stated Lake Way V2O5 resource expands by 9.5 percent or 1.1 Mlbs to 12.7 Mlbs contained V2O5, with a reduction in average grade to 307 ppm V2O5.
- Pilot Plant Design Commissioned: A detailed pilot plant design is being undertaken to further assess the new processing flowsheet for Lake Maitland at a closer to ‘operational’ scale. The pilot plant design is on track incorporating all aspects of both uranium and vanadium production. A sonic core drilling program will commence to deliver potential ore to the pilot plant currently in design for Wiluna.
- Robust Local Infrastructure: The assets are within an established mining center, which means much of the required infrastructure is readily available. The project has access to power and water, which reduces initial development costs.
- Joint Venture Partnership: Toro Energy has entered into a joint venture partnership with JAURD and Itochu for its Lake Maitland deposit. Both corporations have the right, but not the obligation, to earn a combined 35 percent interest in the project upon contributing US$39.6 million, and an additional proportionate share of expenditure thereafter, once a positive final investment decision has been made based on a definitive feasibility study.
The Dusty Nickel Project – Discoveries of Massive Nickel Sulphide
Toro’s Lake Maitland tenure is located in the Yandal Greenstone Belt within the Yilgarn Craton of Western Australia, a gold district within a world-class gold and nickel province. With little exploration for non-uranium minerals ever conducted on the properties, Toro considers the project area highly prospective for nickel, gold and base metals.
In 2020, Toro made a blind discovery of massive and semi-massive nickel sulphides associated with the base of a 7.5-kilometer unbroken length of previously unknown komatiite (Dusty komatiite) – arguably the first massive nickel sulphides discovered in the Yandal Greenstone Belt, which is located 50 kilometers east of the world-class Mt. Keith nickel deposit. The Dusty nickel project is located near the Lake Maitland uranium deposit and contains two key target areas: Dusty and Yandal One.
Continued exploration and diamond drilling on the project has resulted in four discoveries of massive/semi-massive nickel sulphide zones to date with only 4.5 kilometers tested so far at a single depth along a 7.5-kilometer komatiite magnetic trend. Only limited testing for massive nickel sulphides has been undertaken to date of an approximately 15-kilometer strike length of known komatite - ultramafic target rock. With such limited drilling on the Lake Maitland tenure, it is yet to be known whether other similar magnetic anomalies are also komatiite-ultramafic rock and how much more rock is prospective for massive nickel sulphides on Toro’s 100-percent-owned Dusty nickel project.
Project Highlights:
- Four zones of massive nickel sulphide discovered: Toro has discovered four zones of massive and semi-massive nickel sulphides: Dusty, Houli Dooley, Jumping Jack and Dimma. Significant diamond drill results from these discoveries to date include:
- DUSTY
- 9 meters at 2.07 percent nickel from 250.9 meters downhole (TED07) including:
- 2.0 meter at 4.01 percent nickel from 250.9 meters downhole; and
- 2.0 meters at 3.85 percent nickel from 255.5 meters downhole.
- 2.6 meters at 3.45 percent nickel from 184.5 meters downhole (TED04).
- 7.2 meters at 1.05 percent nickel and 0.26 percent copper from 252 meters downhole (TED22).
- 9 meters at 2.07 percent nickel from 250.9 meters downhole (TED07) including:
- HOULI DOOLEY
- 3.05 meters at 1.59 percent nickel from 297.75 meters downhole (TED14).
- JUMPING JACK
- 3.45 meters at 1.42 percent nickel from 240.2 meters downhole (TED37).
- 2.44 meters at 1.16 percent nickel from 231.6 meters downhole (TED38).
- DIMMA
- 4.31 meters at 1.16 percent Ni from 243.3 meters downhole (TED41).
- 3.13 meters at 1.42 percent Ni from 314 meters downhole (TED42).
- 4.6 meters at 1.61 percent Ni from 194.2 meters downhole, including 3m at 1.09 percent Ni from 166 meters downhole (TED54).
- 2.1 meters at 1.83 percent Ni from 147.1 meters downhole (TED55).
- DUSTY
- Yandal OneTarget Area: The Yandal One Target Area is located some 17 kilometers south of the Dusty discoveries and with limited drilling, Toro has proven the existence of another komatiite with the potential to host massive nickel sulphide.
Toro Yandal Gold Project
The Lake Maitland tenure is located only 20 kilometers northeast of the world-class Bronzewing and Mt McClure gold mines within the same Greenstone Belt, the Yandal, within one of the most famous gold provinces in the world, the Yilgarn Craton.
Early exploration by Toro at the Golden Ways target area in the north of the project has uncovered surface rock chip samples of up to 70 g/t gold and significant drilling results, including:
- 5 meters at 4.4 g/t from 22 meters (TERC24)
- Including 2 meters at 9.93 g/t from 22 meters
- 4 meters at 3.3 g/t from 28 meters (TERC25)
- Including 1 meter at 10.9 g/t from 28 meters
- 2 meters at 3.79 g/t from 10 meters (TERC38)
- Including 1 meters at 7.33 g/t from 10 meters
- 3 meters at 1.41 g/t from 9 meters (TERC36)
- Including 1 meters at 2.76 g/t from 10 meters
Management Team
Richard Homsany - Executive Chairman
Richard Homsany has extensive experience in the resources industry, having been the executive vice-president for Australia of TSX-listed Mega Uranium since April 2010. He has worked for North Ltd, an ASX top 50-listed internationally diversified resources company in operations, risk management and corporate, before its takeover by Rio Tinto.
Homsany is an experienced corporate lawyer and certified practicing accountant (CPA) advising numerous clients in the energy and resources sector, including publicly listed companies. He was corporate partner at international law firm DLA Phillips Fox (now DLA Piper), where he advised clients on a range of transactions and matters including capital raising, IPOs, stock exchange listing, mergers and acquisitions, finance, joint ventures, divestments and governance.
He is a fellow of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He has a commerce degree and honors degree in law from the University of Western Australia, and a graduate diploma in finance and investment from FINSIA (State Dux).
Homsany has significant board experience with publicly listed companies in Australia and Canada. He is the chairman of ASX-listed copper explorer Redstone Resources. and TSXV-listed iron ore and gold explorer Central Iron Ore Limited. Homsany is currently the chairman of the Health Insurance Fund of Australia Limited.
Michel Marier - Non-executive Director
Michel Marier joined Sentient in 2009 as an investment manager. Before joining Sentient, Marier worked eight years in the private equity division of la Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. Marier holds a master’s degree in finance from HEC Montreal and is a CFA charter holder.
Richard Patricio - Non-executive Director
Richard Patricio is the CEO and president of Mega Uranium, a uranium-focused investment and development company with assets in Canada and Australia.
In addition to his legal and corporate experience, Patricio has built a number of mining companies with global operations. He holds senior officer and director positions in several junior mining companies listed on the TSX, TSX Venture, AIM and NASDAQ exchanges. He is currently also a director of NexGen Energy (TSE:NXE, Mkt Cap. C$2.7 billion). He previously practiced law at a top-tier law firm in Toronto and worked as an in-house general counsel for a senior TSX-listed company. He received his law degree from Osgoode Hall and was called to the Ontario bar in 2000.
Dr. Greg Shirtliff – Geology Manager
Dr. Greg Shirtliff has over 20 years of experience in industry-related geology and geochemistry, including a PhD in mine-related geology and geochemistry from the Australian National University. Since his studies, Dr Shirtliff has spent some 20 years in various roles in the mining and exploration industry ranging from environmental, mine geology, resource development, exploration and management roles in exploration and technical projects inclusive of engineering and metallurgical. His roles have included a number of years at ERA-Rio Tinto’s Ranger Uranium Mine, as the senior geoscientist for Cameco Australasia and more recently as the lead geologist and technical manager for Toro Energy, where he is the exploration and technical lead responsible for increasing the viability of the company’s uranium and mineral resources, developing and directing the company’s uranium and non-uranium exploration strategy, aiding the company technically through EPA approval for a uranium mine, and guiding the engineering and metallurgical through to scoping level economic assessment.
Dr Shirtliff has had recent exploration success at Toro Energy, discovering multiple zones of massive nickel sulphide mineralization along the Dusty Komatiite, arguably the first massive nickel sulphide mineralization discovered in the Yandal Greenstone Belt in Western Australia.
Dr Shirtliff holds directorships on privately owned consultancy and prospecting companies and is a long-standing member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the internationally recognized Society of Economic Geologists.
Katherine Garvey - Legal Counsel and Company Secretary
Katherine Garvey is a corporate lawyer who has significant experience in the resources sector. Garvey advises public (both listed and unlisted) and proprietary companies on a variety of corporate and commercial matters including capital raising, finance, acquisitions and disposals, Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rule compliance, corporate governance and company secretarial issues. She has extensive experience drafting and negotiating various corporate and commercial agreements including farm-in agreements, joint ventures, shareholders’ agreements, and business and share sale and purchase agreements.
Garvey is a senior associate at Cardinals Lawyers and Consultants, a corporate and resources law firm in West Perth, and company secretary of the Health Insurance Fund of Australia Limited. Garvey is also legal counsel (Australia) to TSX-listed Mega Uranium, and company secretary to TSXV-listed Central Iron Ore.
Marc Boudames - Financial Controller
Marc Boudames is experienced in statutory financial reporting, taxation, ERP systems, business analytics, corporate transactions, due diligence, mergers & acquisitions, finance, joint ventures and divestments. He previously worked at RSM Bird Cameron, as general manager –finance & administration for ASX-listed Redport Ltd and Mega Uranium (Australia), a Canadian TSX-listed mining and equity investment company focused on global uranium properties and multi-mineral exploration. He has worked for multiple companies across various industries, including listed and public companies associated with the mining and oil and gas sectors, such as WesTrac, CB&I and Spotless Group.
Uranium development and exploration in Western Australia
Assays Results Confirm Overland Uranium Intersections in Near-Surface Mineralisation
Highlights:
- Assays confirm Uranium intersections in the first hole where a calcrete-hosted surficial uranium occurrence was detected, atOV047:
- 2m at 92ppm U3O8 from 26m, including:
- 1m at 103ppm U3O8 from 27m;
- 1m at 82ppm U3O8 from 26m; and
- 1m at 72ppm U3O8 from 31m
- 2m at 92ppm U3O8 from 26m, including:
- Significant mineralisation potential at Overland: The modern drainage setting indicates an anomalous mineralised zone up to 6m thick and over 1km wide, open in all directions.
- Dual Uranium potential: Assays now confirm Overland demonstrates potential for both near surface, calcrete-hosted uranium, and deeper, ISR-amenable deposits, highlighting the strategic significance of AR3’s 4,000km² exploration land package.
- Drilling and assays continue:
- Assays from the remainder of the infill holes following up OV047 are expected in the June quarter 2025.
- Our 2025 drilling program will continue through April, following up the surficial uranium discovery and deeper ISR-amenable deposits.
- Engage with this announcement at the AR3 investor hub.
AR3 Managing Director and CEO, Travis Beinke, said:
“These assay results from the first hole where the occurrence of shallow calcrete-hosted uranium was discovered underscore the significant potential of the Overland project. The search for both shallow calcrete-hosted uranium, and sedimentary hosted, ISR amenable targets, continues in this frontier uranium play.
“We look forward to providing further updates on our ongoing drill program and sharing assay results as AR3 pursues active uranium exploration activity at Overland.”
Figure 1: Section A- A’ displaying lithology interpretation, natural gamma responses (cps) and pXRF uranium responses (ppmU). In relation to the disclosure of pXRF results, the Company cautions that estimates of uranium elemental abundance from pXRF results should not be considered a proxy for quantitative analysis of a laboratory assay result. Assay results are required to determine the actual widths and grade of the mineralisation. The company uses an Olympus Vanta M Series portable X-ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer to screen Air Core drilling samples for mineralization prior to submitting samples to a commercial laboratory for assay. This provides an initial understanding of the mineralization distribution before sampling, ensuring submitted samples are representative of the targeted mineralization. While pXRF confirms the presence of mineralization, it does not accurately determine elemental concentrations due to limitations such as a small analysis window, uneven distribution, shallow penetration depth, and irregular surfaces. The pXRF results are indicative and the pXRF readings are subject to confirmation by chemical analysis from an independent laboratory.
Figure 2: Strip log displaying drill hole OV047 lithology, natural gamma responses (cps), pXRF uranium responses (ppm U) and chemical assay results (ppm U3O8)
The assay results conform with down hole gamma responses and in-field pXRF measurements for contained uranium in OV047. This provides continued confidence that these immediate field- based measurements can guide drill hole targeting at Overland.
Now supported by these recent assays and significant uranium intersections, follow-up drilling of OV047’s anomalous gamma and pXRF uranium readings in shallow carbonate-cemented sediments, point to the potential for a widespread continuation of calcrete hosted uranium mineralisation.
The follow-up drilling, consisting of nine drill holes targeting the shallow carbonate-cemented sediments, have consistently confirmed anomalous gamma and pXRF uranium responses1. The discovery remains open in all directions for calcrete-hosted uranium mineralisation. The mineralisation spans an extensive area, with a potential strike length stretching dozens of kilometres along the modern drainage profile and a width exceeding one kilometre.
The follow up drilling was conducted at 100 to 600 metre spacings to depths of up to 42 metres, with anomalous zones occurring between 20 and 32 metre depths (Figure 1: section A-A’ ).
Initial indications of a shallow uranium occurrence at Target 1 of EL6678 came in drill hole OV047, which intersected a 6 metre interval containing anomalous gamma and pXRF uranium responses. Gamma responses peaked at 741 counts per second (cps), with maximum pXRF uranium response of 105ppm uranium in OV047. Subsequent drilling has provided further evidence of this style of mineralisation, with gamma responses peaking at 1,010cps in hole OV050 and additional anomalous pXRF uranium values exceeding 50ppm occurring in holes OV050 and OV053. The identified anomalous zones range from two to six metres thick.
Mineralogical assessments of hole OV047 drill cuttings through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and micro XRF analysis indicate that uranium is hosted in the secondary calcite cementation of both the limestone and the sandy sediments in this setting. Indicative uranium levels of up to ~350ppm uranium have been detected in the calcite cement infilling these sediments. The uranium within the calcite cement was identified by analysing samples with a Bruker M4 Tornado Plus μXRF instrument operated by Adelaide Microscopy at the University of Adelaide2.
This shallow sedimentary uranium mineralisation in secondary carbonate cementation is similar to Namibia’s surficial uranium deposits, as found at Paladin Energy’s Langer Heinrich mine or Deep Yellow’s Tumas project. Similar calcrete-hosted deposits are also found in Western Australia at Cameco’s Yeelirrie deposit and Toro Energy’s Wiluna project.
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Terra Clean Energy Corp. Completes Winter Drill Program With Encouraging Results; Plans Significant Summer Drill Program
The Company conducted a helicopter supported drill program completing 1,927 meters in seven diamond drill holes at the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit. (Figure 3) The first three drill holes were previously reported in the Company news release dated March 10, 2025.
“With uranium present in six of seven holes drilled this winter, and the east and west of the property now tied together with mineralization, this was a very successful program, and we believe we have added significant value to the Property,” said Greg Cameron CEO of Terra Clean Energy. “We are seeing wider intervals of mineralization up to 75 meters and more consistent spikes of higher-grade uranium with 0.16% reported in Hole SF0065. The Fraser Lakes Uranium Deposit is shallow in nature making it ideal for an open pit scenario being only 150 meters below surface and not far from a powerline and Cameco’s Key Lake Uranium Mill, making it a unique opportunity, especially in a rising uranium price environment. As we continue to add pounds of uranium and higher grades, this deposit becomes more and more valuable.”
Hole SF0065 was drilled to follow up the results of SF0063, reported in the March 10 news release. It was targeted to intersect the same mineralized pegmatites 60 m to the northeast. The hole was completed to a depth of 282 m and intersected a 75 m wide zone of variably mineralized granitic pegmatites and zones within altered and graphitic pelitic gneiss. A summary of the major zones within this mineralization are shown in Table 1 with the main highlight being an equivalent grade of 0.02% eU 3 O 8 over 17.5 m from 204.9 to 222.4 m, including 0.16% eU 3 O 8 over 0.3 m . A zone of clay alteration and bleaching was intersected from 59 m to 68 m. The presence of this alteration is a good indication that hydrothermal fluids suitable for deposition of higher-grade uranium deposits moved through the rocks.
Hole SF0066 was drilled to a depth of 302 m, to follow the clay alteration and mineralized pegmatites to the northwest and assist in characterizing orientation of the clay alteration and associated structure. Drilling intersected a 50 m interval containing multiple mineralized granitic pegmatites and zones within altered and graphitic pelitic gneiss. The most notable zone returned an equivalent grade of 0.03% eU 3 O 8 over 3.4 m from 214.4 to 217.8 m, including 0.1% eU 3 O 8 over 0.1 m . The zone of strong clay alteration and bleaching was intersected from 57.5 m to 67.5 m. Based on oriented core data and intersections on three holes, this alteration package appears to be dipping to the north.
Hole SF0067 was drilled to a depth of 302 m, to extend the mineralized pegmatite package to the north and confirm the interpreted north dipping orientation of the clay alteration. Drilling intersected a 70 m interval containing multiple mineralized granitic pegmatites and zones within the altered and graphitic pelitic gneiss package. This interval is noted for the larger number of higher-grade spikes at or above 0.1% eU 3 O 8 intersected compared to the previous drilling in this program. Down-hole gamma logging returned equivalent grades of 0.03% eU 3 O 8 over 4.0 m from 219.8 to 223.8 m, including 0.13% eU 3 O 8 over 0.2 m and 0.01% eU 3 O 8 over 5.5 m from 233.7 to 239.2 m, including 0.06% eU 3 O 8 over 0.2 m in the two widest intervals. The zone of strong clay alteration and bleaching was intersected from 66.5 m to 73.5 m. Drilling has now extended the deposit to the north and northeast and is still open in this direction. It is interpreted that the clay altered structural zone identified in SF0063, SF0065, SF0066 and SF067 is dipping to the north and will intersect the mineralized and hematite altered graphitic pelitic gneiss and pegmatites approximately 120 to 150 m north of the current drilling. A follow-up drill program is currently being planned to test this upgraded target area for a higher-grade unconformity related basement hosted uranium deposit and additional mineralized pegmatites where these structures and alteration all intersect.
“I’m very excited to announce we will be conducting a summer drilling program to immediately follow up on the significant results received. We believe we have started to define a new structure on the northeast side of the Property and are hopeful a basement hosted unconformity uranium deposit, similar to Eagle Point and Rough Rider, is present. Our strategy moving forward is to both increase the size and grade of the Fraser Lakes B deposit and to add additional discovery to this historical resource,” said Mr. Cameron.
”The results from this drilling program are very encouraging. Drilling has shown that the deposit is still open down dip to the northwest, north and northeast,” commented Trevor Perkins, Vice President of Exploration for the Company. “The presence of clay alteration within a structure on the northeast side has upgraded this area. Where this clay alteration intersects the mineralized conductive package is an exciting target as this can bring together many of the key features associated with the known basement hosted unconformity deposits in the basin”, continued Mr. Perkins.
One hole, SF0064, was completed to 239 m in the T-Bone Lake area to examine the conductive package and alteration intersected in the area in historical drilling. An extensive package of graphitic metasediments was intersected in this area, characterizing the conductive package. Weak alteration was noted, however no elevated radioactivity was identified. The optimal target in the T-Bone Lake area was not intersected.
Samples of the mineralized intervals within the drill core have been collected and shipped for analysis at the Geoanalytical Laboratory at the Saskatchewan Research Council in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Results are expected in early May. The Company will provide more detailed results once geochemical analysis of the collected core samples is completed, reviewed and confirmed.
Table 1: Mineralized intersections in final three holes at South Falcon East Uranium Project
Figure 1: South Falcon East Uranium Project Location – Eastern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada
Figure 2: 2025 Drill Target areas at the South Falcon East Uranium Project
Figure 3: 2025 - Completed drill holes at South Falcon East Uranium Project
QA/QC, Radiometric Equivalent Grades and Spectrometer Readings:
All drill intervals above are downhole length and sampling procedures and QA/QC protocols for geochemical results as well as a description of downhole gamma probe grade calculations and protocols are below. All drill core samples are shipped to the Saskatchewan Research Council Geoanalytical Laboratories (“SRC”) in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan under the care of Terra personnel for preparation, processing, and multi-element analysis by ICP-MS and ICP-OES using total (HF:NHO3:HClO4) and partial digestion (HNO3:HCl), boron by fusion, and U3O8 wt% assay by ICP-OES using higher grade standards. Assay samples are chosen based on visual inspection, downhole probing radiometric equivalent uranium grades, and scintillometer (Radiation Solutions RS-125) peaks. Assay sample intervals comprise 0.5 to 1.0 m continuous half-core split samples over the mineralized interval. These samples may also be selected for density determination using the lost wax method. With all assay samples, one half of the split sample is retained and the other sent to the SRC for analysis. SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025/2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats are inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals by Terra and SRC in accordance with Terra’s quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures. Geochemical assay data are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by Terra prior to disclosure.
During active exploration programs, drillholes are radiometrically logged using calibrated downhole Mount Sopris 40TGU or 2GHF probes of varying sensitivities which collect continuous readings along the length of the drillhole. Preliminary radiometric equivalent uranium grades (“eU 3 O 8 ”) are then calculated from the downhole radiometric results. The probe is calibrated using an algorithm calculated from the calibration of the probe at the SRC facility in Saskatoon and from the comparison of probe results against geochemical analyses. In the case where core recovery within a mineralized intersection is poor or non-existent, radiometric grades are considered to be more representative of the mineralized intersection and may be reported in the place of assay grades. Radiometric equivalent probe results are subject to verification procedures by qualified persons employed by Terra prior to disclosure.
About Terra Clean Energy Corp.
Terra Clean Energy Corp. (formerly Tisdale Clean Energy Corp) is a Canadian-based uranium exploration and development company. The Company is currently developing the South Falcon East uranium project, which holds a historical 6.96M pound inferred uranium resource* within the Fraser Lakes B Uranium Deposit, located in the Athabasca Basin region, Saskatchewan, Canada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF TERRA CLEAN ENERGY CORP.
“Greg Cameron”
Greg Cameron, CEO
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, reviewed and approved on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., the Company’s Vice President, Exploration, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
*The historical resource is described in the Technical Report on the South Falcon East Property, filed on sedarplus.ca on February 9, 2023. The Company is not treating the resource as current and has not completed sufficient work to classify the resource as a current mineral resource. While the Company is not treating the historical resource as current, it does believe the work conducted is reliable and the information may be of assistance to readers.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information which is not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking information is characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may” or “will” occur. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including statements regarding the potential development of mineral resources and mineral reserves which may or may not occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, and general economic and political conditions. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on the opinions and assumptions of management considered reasonable as of the date hereof, including that all necessary approvals, including governmental and regulatory approvals will be received as and when expected. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by applicable laws. For more information on the risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our actual results to differ from current expectations, please refer to the Company’s public filings available under the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca .
Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
For further information please contact:
Greg Cameron, CEO
Terra Clean Energy Corp
Suite 303, 750 West Pender Street
Vancouver, BC V6C 2T7
Future Fuels Advances District-Scale Exploration Strategy For the Hornby Basin Uranium Project; Provides Marketing Update
Future Fuels Inc. (TSXV:FTUR)(FSE:S0J) ("Future Fuels" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of a fully integrated exploration strategy for its 100%-owned Hornby Basin Uranium Project (the "Project" or "Hornby Project"), located in Nunavut Territory, Canada. This multi-phased program is designed to significantly advance the understanding and potential of the Hornby Basin through comprehensive data digitization, advanced geological modeling, remote sensing, and artificial intelligence.
This initiative marks a critical step toward unlocking the full potential of one of Canada's most underexplored yet geologically promising uranium basins.
- Comprehensive Data Compilation is Underway: Including digitization of over 200 historical assessment reports, integration of geochemical data (rock, soil, lake samples), and modernizing the Mountain Lake drill hole database.
- Geological Model and Exploration Target Development: Industry-leading consultants are engaged to deliver a 3D geological model of the Mountain Lake Deposit contained in the Project, evaluate the potential for an exploration target and commence drill hole planning.
- Modern Geophysics and Remote Sensing: Reprocessing of historical geophysical datasets to produce a basin-wide harmonized geophysical database. Undertake satellite spectral analysis including helium emission mapping to identify areas of potential uranium occurrences under sediment cover.
- AI-Driven Target Generation: Instigation of VRIFY's advanced machine learning platform to be used for property-wide data integration, deposit-scale target learning, and increased-probability uranium discovery mapping.
- Field Season Preparation: Planning exploration activities including ground truthing, potential infill drilling, airborne/ground geophysical surveys, and permitting activities.
"This is a foundational program for Future Fuels," stated Rob Leckie, President & CEO. "We're digitizing decades of inherited exploration data, building advanced geological models, and leveraging AI to guide our next steps. With the Hornby Basin now under single ownership for the first time, we're positioned to apply the full suite of modern technologies to seek new uranium discoveries and build long-term value for shareholders."
Hornby Geologic Overview
The Hornby Project is located approximately 100km NE of the historic Port Radium Uranium Mine, a significant site in Canada's uranium mining history. Port Radium was one of the world's first uranium mines, responsible for a major source of uranium during the mid-20th century. Uranium produced from Port Radium contributed to the development of the worldwide nuclear energy industry. The geological similarities and regional proximity to this historic mine emphasize the potential for exploration upside within the Hornby Basin.
The Hornby Project has the potential to host both primary and secondary uranium deposits. Primary deposits in the region are typically associated with basement-hosted hydrothermal systems, where uranium is concentrated along structural features such as faults and shear zones and deposited at certain horizons such as unconformities. Secondary uranium deposits, on the other hand, form through the redistribution of uranium by groundwater, leading to the precipitation of uranium minerals within porous sedimentary units. These secondary deposits are commonly found in roll-front settings and paleochannel environments, the relatively large extent and predictability of deposits of this style makes them an attractive exploration target. Additionally, modern extraction techniques developed for this type of sedimentary-hosted uranium further adds to the exploration rational. Both primary and secondary uranium deposit styles are common in Canada and located in areas such as Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, Nunavut's Thelon Basin and Newfoundland and Labradors Central Mineral Belt.
Despite the Hornby Basin's strong geological potential, no current state-of-the-art exploration technology has been utilized to fully delineate its uranium potential. One reason for this is the fact that no single entity/corporation has ever controlled the entire basin until now. Modern geophysical techniques, high-resolution geochemical analysis, and advanced 3D modeling have yet to be applied, leaving significant opportunities for new discoveries. Additionally, there is considerable potential to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms (MLA) to enhance exploration targeting. AI can assist in analyzing complex geological datasets, identifying subtle patterns, and predicting high-probability uranium mineralization zones with greater accuracy and efficiency. Given the extensive historical data that has been collected across the district, and the presence of a historical deposit, Future Fuels believes the Project has excellent potential to be an effective use case for this modern tech.
The Hornby Project is geologically located within the Bear Structural Province of the Canadian Shield, an area historically known for hosting highly productive uranium deposits. The Project's geology is dominated by sedimentary units of the Helikian Hornby Bay Group and the overlying Dismal Lakes Group, both of which are known to host significant uranium mineralization. The Hornby Bay Group consists primarily of fluvial sandstones and minor marine carbonates, whereas the Dismal Lakes Group represents a sequence of continental clastics with fine-grained marine sediments, all conducive to uranium deposition.
Historical geological mapping and geophysical surveys have highlighted key structural features, such as fault intersections and basement highs, which are essential controls for uranium mineralization. The combination of structural complexity, favorable lithologies, and historical exploration success increases the Project's significant discovery potential.
Figure 1: Future Fuels Hornby Project with known uranium occurrences shown.Historical Significance and Uranium Occurrences
The Hornby Basin, Athabasca Basin, and Thelon Basin are believed to be remnants of a larger single Proterozoic basin (Smith, 2003). Historical exploration has identified over 140 anomalous uranium assay results in sandstone rock samples, multiple uranium showings, and many significant radioactive occurrences (Figure 1). Readers are encouraged to refer to the Company's technical report in respect of the Hornby Project, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca (the "Future Fuels Report"), for greater detail in respect of the occurrences.
Uranium exploration in the Hornby Basin dates back to the early 1970s when regional airborne radiometric surveys first identified significant radioactive anomalies. Subsequent detailed exploration campaigns by various operators confirmed extensive uranium mineralization associated with both sedimentary and basement-hosted settings. "The most notable discovery in the area is the Mountain Lake Uranium Deposit, which was first identified in 1976 through airborne geophysical surveys and follow-up drilling" (Future Fuels Report). There are over 200 annual assessment reports documenting the historical exploration completed on licences enclosed or intersected by the current Project mineral tenure. The vast amount of work completed by multiple different operators has an estimated replacement cost of over $30 million CAD in today's dollar terms. One company, Hornby Bay Exploration Ltd., alone conducted over $10 million CAD in exploration efforts, including several geophysical surveys that identified graphitic conductors and structural disturbances at the unconformity contact, further reinforcing the basin's uranium potential (Hornby Bay Exploration Ltd., 2004). Future Fuels has found no evidence that a complete, district wide compilation has been undertaken, and much of the reports have only been scanned with an abundance of data still left to digitize. The Company believes substantial insight can be gathered from compiling all the available data into a powerful database that can be used to narrow down on highly prospective areas in a cost-effective manner and drive further discoveries in the basin.
Marketing Update
The Company also wishes to announce that it has increased the maximum budget of its engagement with MCS Market Communication Service GmbH ("MCS") for the continued provision of a range of on-line marketing services, including campaign creation, production of marketing materials, as well as research and analytics, by up to an additional 250,000 EUR. The services are expected to run until July 7, 2025, or until budget exhaustion. No securities have been provided to MCS or its principals as compensation.
References
Future Fuels Inc. (2025). NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Hornby Basin Uranium Project. Future Fuels Inc. (the Future Fuels Report)
Hassard, F.R. (2005) - Triex Minerals Corporation, Mountain Lake Property, Nunavut (NTS 86N/7)", Technical Report for NI 43-101.
Hornby Bay Exploration Ltd. (2004). Technical Report on the Uranium Resources at Hornby Bay Basin, Nunavut. Hornby Bay Exploration Ltd.
Jefferson, C.W., & Delaney, G.D. (2006). Uranium Deposits of Canada. Geological Association of Canada, Mineral Deposits Division, Special Publication No. 5.
Smith, J.P. (2003). Geophysical Survey Data and Uranium Assay Analysis in the Hornby Basin. Canadian Geological Survey Bulletin No. 315.
Thomas, D.J. (2004). Comparative Geological Frameworks of the Hornby, Athabasca, and Thelon Basins. Canadian Journal of Earth Sciences, 41(4), 475-490.
National Instrument 43-101 Disclosure
Nicholas Rodway, P. Geo, (NAPEG Licence #L5576) is a consultant of the Company and is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Rodway has reviewed and approved the technical content in this press release.
About Future Fuels Inc.
Future Fuels' principal asset is the Hornby Uranium Project, covering the entire 3,407 km² Hornby Basin in north-western Nunavut, a geologically promising area with over 40 underexplored uranium showings, including the historic Mountain Lake Deposit. Additionally, Future Fuels holds the Covette Property in Quebec's James Bay region, comprising 65 mineral claims over 3,370 hectares.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
FUTURE FUELS INC.
Rob Leckie
CEO and Director
info@futurefuelsinc.com
604-681-1568
X: @FutureFuelsIn
www.futurefuelsinc.com
Forward Looking Statements
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service 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 news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to market conditions and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including the Future Fuels Report. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information, the prospects of the mineral claims forming the Project, which are not at an advanced stage of development, the Company's anticipated business and operational activities, and the Company's plans with respect to the exploration or advancement of the Project. Factors that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements or may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, among other things, the Company's ability to generate sufficient cash flow to meet its current and future obligations; that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and may be unsuccessful in achieving the desired results; that mineral exploration plans may change and be re-defined based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control; the Company's ability to access sources of debt and equity capital; competitive factors, pricing pressures and supply and demand in the Company's industry; and general economic and business conditions. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law.
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