Fission Uranium Corp (TSE: FCU) has commenced a two-stage drill programme as part of the Front End Engineering Design (FEED) at its PLS high-grade uranium project in Saskatchewan, Canada.
A total of 12 holes are planned. Two holes will gather geotechnical data for underground mine infrastructure, and 10 holes will gather hydrogeological data to further optimize the design of the proposed tailings management facility.
The company has said that the programme encompasses all remaining drilling required to complete the FEED. Fission is in the process of selecting a lead engineering consultant to head up this important engineering design stage.
Ross McElroy, president and CEO for Fission, commented, “Development work at Fission Uranium’s PLS project continues to gain pace. With this programme, we will have all the necessary drilling data to complete the important Front End Engineering Design for the proposed mine infrastructure and facilities. The results will also potentially enable us to further optimize the mine plan and reduce long term costs.”
The geotechnical drilling of two holes for a total of 440m will confirm parameters of the rock mass and discontinuities, specifically in the pillar between the Fresh Air Shaft and the R840W access drifts, and in the area of the return drift near the Exhaust Air Shaft. The data will enable mine planning of the UG mine infrastructure per the feasibility study geotechnical recommendations.
Hydrogeological drilling will assess the potential for extending the tailings management facility (TMF) northward into the aggregate borrow pit. If the results support the goal, this will allow the TMF to accommodate a greater tailings volume than the feasibility study design considered, or to reduce the ultimate berm height of the TMF if the feasibility study design volume is maintained. Either option will reduce long term rehabilitation costs and provide operational flexibility and cost efficiency.
Following the drill programme, routine laboratory test work will be conducted by mine engineering specialists, Clifton Group.
To find out more, please visit www.fissionuranium.com
