Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX:AGE) has wrapped up its inaugural drilling program at the Nabarlek North Project in the Alligator Rivers Uranium Province (ARUP) of the Northern Territory, marking the end of a successful 2022 field season.
The regional auger and rotary air blast (RAB) drilling program covered a substantial portion of the southern section of the Nabarlek North Project area this season and demobilisation is underway.
The company had set out to quantify the depth of surficial weathering and to sample the underlying basement geology through the program.
More than 1,000 samples have been collected and are now in transit to the laboratory to identify the geology and any uranium geochemical anomalies.
Alligator’s Alligator Rivers Uranium Province tenements showing the area covered by the 2022 auger and RAB drilling program.
Emerging picture
Alligator chief executive officer Greg Hall said: “These successful early data accumulation steps for the Nabarlek North project are important for future targeting and add to the emerging picture in this region.
“We will continue the geological and geochemical drilling work at the start of the dry season next year, and include an IP survey, adding to our existing Falcon airborne gravity.
“The company will be collating all current data and undertake further detailed planning through the NT wet season, ready for a significant exploration campaign next year.”
More drilling to come
Alligator will collate and analyse the 2022 geochemistry data and evaluate this against recently-acquired Falcon airborne gravity results for suitable structural and geological settings.
The company intends to use induced polarisation (IP) geophysics to complete the targeting exercise in the second quarter of 2023.
A deeper reverse circulation (RC) or diamond drilling program will be initiated for any newly-identified targets, including potential extensions of the high-grade U40 Prospect located on Nabarlek North’s southern tenement boundary, once approvals are secured for the 2023 field season.
Meanwhile, approvals for additional auger and RAB drilling as well as the IP geophysics are already in place.