Norfolk Metals' maiden drill run paves the way for future uranium discoveries

Uranium explorer Norfolk Metals (ASX: NFL) has completed a two phase maiden drilling program at the Orroroo Project in South Australia, successfully delineating uranium in 10 of the 17 holes it drilled.

Orroroo is comprised of two granted exploration licences – EL6552 and EL6814 – which covers 659km² within the Walloway Basin and contains similar aged sediments as those from the Frome Embayment, which hosts major uranium deposits such as Boss Energy's Honeymoon Project.

Phase 2 Intersections

The latest drilling phase completed a further 5 holes across EL6552 to test the palaeochannel model (ancient river channels) at the Wongway Creek Target.

The drilling results indicate the presence of ancient river channels that often contain concentrated deposits of uranium. Some of the key findings from the drill results include:

• One of the holes, ORMR015A, showed a floodplain with uranium indicators below a specific clay layer

• Another hole, ORMR017, did not reach the targeted incising part of the palaeochannel due to heavy rain, but it showed elevated gamma responses, suggesting the palaeochannel might be nearby

• Observed a mustard coloured limonite-rich fluid in some drilling areas, indicating potential uranium sources

• Drilling suggests the highest grades of uranium are expected to be located at the base of the incising part of the palaeochannel with lower uranium grades seen in the floodplains

Source: Norfolk Metals

Identifying palaeochannels provides geologists with specific targets for uranium exploration. By mapping the geological features and understanding the historical river systems, exploration efforts can be focused on areas with a higher likelihood of containing uranium deposits.

"There is a clear path for exploration upside in this well-funded and well-structured uranium explorer with an abundance of permitted ground hosting drill targets," said Norfolk Executive Chairman, Ben Phillips.

"There is no better place in the world to be a junior uranium explorer in the current market and Norfolk has the support and capital to see the job through."

Next steps

Norfolk plans to continue exploration efforts around the Wongway Creek Target. If high-grade uranium is confirmed in the area, the company believes similar geology and uranium grades may be found in other targets like No Name Creek and Rankin Road.

"The recent results further confirm the east west creeks as sound targets opening the door for north south orientated passive seismic and/or detailed ground magnetics as possibilities or we could elect to go straight into subsequent drilling."

Palaeochannels often exhibit distinct geophysical signatures that can be detected using various exploration techniques such as ground-penetrating radar, seismic surveys or electromagnetic surveys.