Junior Defense Metals has started an updated internal technical review of its Athabasca basin uranium project holdings, in light of the renewed interest in uranium that has driven the yellow metal spot prices to multi-year highs.

During 2018, Defense Metals acquired the Geiger North and Klaproth projects for a combination of cash and share payments; with Geiger North being subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty.

The projects comprise a total of five mineral claims totalling 9 363 ha located in the northeast Athabasca basin, with the Geiger North claims ( ,233 ha) being in good standing until summer-fall 2022, and Klaproth (8 130 ha) in good standing until early 2023. 

The Geiger North and Klaproth projects are located about 35 km northwest of the McClean Lake mine and mill, in a relatively under-explored area of the Athabasca Basin adjacent to the Wollaston-Mudjatik transition zone – a major crustal suture related to most of the major uranium deposits in the eastern Athabasca basin.

Defense Metals says uranium mineralisation in the northeast Athabasca basin and vicinity of the Geiger and Klaproth projects is typically associated sheared graphitic-gneiss basement rocks that present as prominent conductive anomalies. The company has initiated an updated review of historical exploration (diamond drilling, ground, and airborne magnetic and electromagnetic geophysical, and geochemical surveys) completed within the projects.

The expectation is that results of the data review will form the basis for go-forward justification for renewed exploration up to and including commissioning of project wide airborne electromagnetic geophysical surveys to identify prospective basement conductive anomalies.

While the company's focus remains on advancing it flagship Wicheeda rare-earth element deposit near Prince George, British Columbia, we look forward to further capitalising on the shareholder value brought by the Geiger North and Klaproth projects,” states CEO Craig Taylor.