- Recovered roughly 14,400 lbs U 3 O 8 over ten days of energetic leaching following completion of preliminary acidification of the Leaching Space (outlined under).
- Returned most uranium head grade of recovered resolution of 43 grams per litre (“g/l”) when the leaching section of the FFT was accomplished, with grades nonetheless rising (indicative of the ramp-up phase of a properly manufacturing profile).
- Achieved appropriate acidification for ISR mining inside 7 days submit preliminary injection at 5 metre properly spacing (GWR-41) and inside 17 days for 10 metre properly spacing (GWR-38).
- Demonstrated skill to realize and keep uranium mass circulate price according to the assumptions within the Pre-Feasibility Research (“PFS”) ready for the Challenge in 2018.
- Additional demonstrated hydraulic management of injected resolution in the course of the FFT, reporting no responses within the monitoring wells outdoors of the designed FFT check space.
- Confirmed breakthrough instances between injection and restoration wells, according to the Challenge’s hydrogeological mannequin and the beforehand accomplished tracer check.
David Cates , Denison’s President & CEO, commented, ” The detailed outcomes from the leaching section of the Phoenix ISR FFT are very encouraging. Utilizing just one injection properly and two restoration wells for a interval of energetic leaching of solely ten days, we recovered an estimated 14, 4 00 lbs U 3 O 8 – representing roughly 1% of the mineral reserves estimated to be inside the perimeter of the FFT check space . These outcomes present additional tangible proof of the viability of the ISR mining methodology on the Firm’s high-grade Phoenix uranium deposit. ”
Kevin Himbeault , Denison’s Vice President of Plant Operations & Regulatory Affairs, added, ” Uranium head grade s have been growing on the time the leaching section of the FFT was accomplished – returning a most uranium head grade of 43 g/l. This is over 300% increased than the pinnacle grade assumed within the 2018 PFS, and additional helps the C ompany’s choice to extend the assumed ISR mining head grade by 50% for the feasibility examine . General, the leaching section of the FFT has been extremely profitable – conducting our goal s for uranium head grade restoration , uranium mass circulate charges , and hydraulic conductivity inside the ore zone . These outcomes additional assist the hydrogeological and metallurgical modelling anticipated to be included into the feasibility examine . ”
This press launch constitutes a ” designated information launch ” for the needs of the Firm ‘ s prospectus complement dated September 28, 2021 , to its quick type base shelf prospectus dated September 16, 2021 .
In 2021, following the completion of varied metallurgical assessments, Denison introduced a choice to adapt its plans for additional metallurgical check work and undertaking designs to mirror a 50% enhance within the assumed head grade of uranium bearing resolution to be recovered from the Phoenix well-field – from 10 g/L (as outlined within the PFS) to fifteen g/L (see information launch dated August 4, 2021 for particulars). A rise in head grade is predicted to permit for optimization of working parameters and processing plant designs within the feasibility examine for the Challenge (see information launch dated September 22 , 2021).
The growing uranium head grade noticed in the course of the leaching section of the FFT, together with outcomes that exceeded 15 g/L, present extra assist for the choice to enhance the assumed head grade within the feasibility examine. In a manufacturing setting, the uranium bearing resolution recovered from ‘new’ manufacturing wells, yielding increased than common head grades in the course of the ramp-up phase of a properly manufacturing profile, is predicted to be mixed with recovered resolution from ‘current’ manufacturing wells producing steadily lowering head grades over the lifetime of properly manufacturing profile.
FFT Leaching Part
The leaching section of the FFT commenced in September 2022 (see information launch dated September 26, 2022 ), designed to evaluate the effectiveness and effectivity of the leaching course of within the ore zone situated roughly 400m under the floor, is now full. The leaching section consisted of the managed injection of an acidic mining resolution right into a portion of the prevailing Check Sample (outlined under) inside the ore zone (the “Leaching Zone”) and the restoration of the answer again to the floor utilizing current check wells. Industrial-scale check properly GWR-40 was used because the injection properly, whereas uranium bearing resolution was recovered from commercial-scale check wells GWR-41 and GWR-38. These wells are situated inside Part 1 of the deliberate mining areas for Phoenix (See Determine 1 and a couple of for images from the FFT web site). Further particulars about Part 1 and the estimated Possible mineral reserves contained therein are offered under.
All through the check program, each vertical and horizontal containment of the mining resolution was maintained, with no migration of the mining resolution noticed above, under or outdoors of the designed FFT check space alongside the leaching zone. These outcomes have been according to the findings from the 2021 tracer check (see information launch dated October 28, 2021 ) and additional confirmed that each focused mining head grades and circulate charges are achievable whereas sustaining containment of ISR mining actions to outlined areas within the ore zone.
Following the completion of the leaching section of the FFT in mid-October, area actions transitioned to the neutralization section of the FFT. The ultimate section of the FFT, which includes the administration of the recovered resolution, is predicted to start within the spring of 2023.
Feasibility Area Check Background
The FFT is designed to make use of the prevailing commercial-scale ISR check sample (“Check Sample”), put in at Phoenix in 2021 (see information releases dated July 29, 2021 , and October 28, 2021 ), to facilitate a mixed evaluation of the Phoenix deposit’s hydraulic circulate properties with the leaching traits which were assessed by way of the metallurgical core-leach testing program.
The FFT is absolutely permitted, having been licensed by each the Saskatchewan Minister of Setting (see information launch dated July 12, 2022 ) and the Canadian Nuclear Security Fee (see information launch dated August 8, 2022 ).
General, the FFT is meant to supply additional verification of the permeability, leachability, and containment parameters wanted for the profitable utility of the ISR mining methodology at Phoenix and is predicted to validate and inform numerous feasibility examine design components – together with the anticipated manufacturing and remediation profiles.
The operation of the FFT is deliberate to happen in three phases: (1) the leaching section, (2) the neutralization section, and (3) the recovered resolution administration section.
As described above, the leaching section is now full. The neutralization section was initiated in mid-October 2022 , and is meant to confirm the effectivity and effectiveness of the method for returning the Leaching Zone to environmentally acceptable circumstances. Throughout this section, a light alkaline (primary) resolution is injected into the Leaching Zone to neutralize the world and reverse the residual results of the acidic resolution injected in the course of the leaching section.
The recovered resolution administration section includes separating the answer recovered from each the leaching section and the neutralization section into (i) mineralized precipitates and (ii) a neutralized handled resolution.
About Phoenix Part 1
As outlined within the Firm ‘ s information launch dated December 1, 2020 , Denison has determined to adapt its plans for the Challenge to make use of a phased mining strategy, which is predicted to permit for the focused extraction of the least capital-intensive reserves first, based mostly on the grade and distribution of ore in numerous areas of the deposit. The supporting trade-off examine offers for mining to happen over 5 phases.
Part 1 of the deposit is estimated to comprise roughly 22.2 million kilos U 3 O 8 (37,242 tonnes at 27.1% U 3 O 8 , above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U 3 O 8 ) in Possible mineral reserves. Based mostly on present designs, the Firm estimates roughly 6.6 million kilos U 3 O 8 (7,717 tonnes at 39.2% U 3 O 8 , above a cut-off grade of 0.8% U 3 O 8 ) in Possible mineral reserves are contained inside the anticipated working perimeter of the industrial scale wells within the 5-spot Check Sample. Of those estimated Possible mineral reserves, the Firm additional estima t es that 1. 4 million kilos U 3 O 8 ( 2 , 326 tonnes at 26.2 % U 3 O 8 , above a minimize – o f f grade of 0.8 % U 3 O 8 ) are contained inside the working perimeter of GWR-38, GWR-40, and GWR-4 1 . These estimates are derived as a direct subset of these reported within the Technical Report titled “Pre-feasibility Research for the Wheeler River Uranium Challenge, Saskatchewan, Canada ” dated October 30, 2018 with an efficient date of September 24, 2018 (the “PFS Report”) . The important thing assumptions, parameters and strategies used to estimate the mineral reserves herein stay unchanged.
About Wheeler River
Wheeler River is the biggest undeveloped uranium undertaking within the infrastructure wealthy jap portion of the Athabasca Basin area, in northern Saskatchewan – together with mixed Indicated Mineral Assets of 132.1 million kilos U 3 O 8 (1,809,000 tonnes at a mean grade of three.3% U 3 O 8 ), plus mixed Inferred Mineral Assets of three.0 million kilos U 3 O 8 (82,000 tonnes at a mean grade of 1.7% U 3 O 8 ). The P roject is host to the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon uranium deposits, found by Denison in 2008 and 2014, respectively, and is a three way partnership between Denison (operator) and JCU ( Canada ) Exploration Firm Restricted ( ” JCU ” ). Denison has an efficient 95% possession curiosity in Wheeler River (90% straight, and 5% not directly by way of a 50% possession in JCU).
The PFS was accomplished for Wheeler River in 2018, contemplating the potential financial advantage of growing the Phoenix deposit as an ISR operation and the Gryphon deposit as a traditional underground mining operation. Taken collectively, the Challenge is estimated to have mine manufacturing of 109.4 million kilos U 3 O 8 over a 14-year mine life, with a base case pre-tax NPV of $1.31 billion (8% low cost price), Inside Price of Return ( ” IRR ” ) of 38.7%, and preliminary pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million . The Phoenix ISR operation is estimated to have a stand-alone base case pre-tax NPV of $930.4 million (8% low cost price), IRR of 43.3%, preliminary pre-production capital expenditures of $322.5 million , and industry-leading common working prices of US$3.33 /lb U 3 O 8 . The PFS is ready on a undertaking (100% possession) and pre-tax foundation, as every of the companions to the Wheeler River Joint Enterprise are topic to totally different tax and different obligations.
Additional particulars relating to the PFS, together with extra scientific and technical data, in addition to after-tax outcomes attributable to Denison ‘ s possession curiosity, are described in better element within the PFS Report, a replica of which is obtainable on Denison ‘ s web site and below its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml .
Denison suspended sure actions at Wheeler River throughout 2020, together with the EA course of, which is on the important path to reaching the undertaking growth schedule outlined within the PFS. Whereas the EA course of has resumed, the Firm isn’t at present capable of estimate the impression to the undertaking growth schedule outlined within the PFS, and customers are cautioned in opposition to counting on the estimates offered therein relating to the beginning of pre-production actions in 2021 and first manufacturing in 2024.
About Denison
Denison is a uranium exploration and growth firm with pursuits centered within the Athabasca Basin area of northern Saskatchewan, Canada . Along with its efficient 95% curiosity within the Wheeler River undertaking, Denison’s pursuits within the Athabasca Basin embrace a 22.5% possession curiosity within the McClean Lake three way partnership, which incorporates a number of uranium deposits and the McClean Lake uranium mill that’s contracted to course of the ore from the Cigar Lake mine below a toll milling settlement, plus a 25.17% curiosity within the Midwest Primary and Midwest A deposits, and a 67.01% curiosity within the Tthe Heldeth Túé (“THT,” previously J Zone) and Huskie deposits on the Waterbury Lake property. The Midwest Primary, Midwest A, THT and Huskie deposits are every situated inside 20 kilometres of the McClean Lake mill.
By means of its 50% possession of JCU, Denison holds extra pursuits in numerous uranium undertaking joint ventures in Canada , together with the Millennium undertaking (JCU 30.099%), the Kiggavik undertaking (JCU 33.8118%) and Christie Lake (JCU 34.4508%). Denison’s exploration portfolio contains additional pursuits in properties masking ~300,000 hectares within the Athabasca Basin area.
Denison can also be engaged in post-closure mine care and upkeep companies by way of its Closed Mines group, which manages Denison’s reclaimed mine websites within the Elliot Lake area and offers associated companies to sure third-party tasks.
Observe Denison on Twitter @DenisonMinesCo
Certified Individuals
The disclosure of scientific or technical data associated to the FFT or Wheeler River undertaking contained on this launch has been reviewed and accepted, as relevant, by Mr. David Bronkhorst , P.Eng, Denison’s Vice President, Operations or Mr. Andrew Yackulic , P. Geo., Denison’s Director, Exploration, who’re Certified Individuals in accordance with the necessities of NI 43-101.
Cautionary Assertion Concerning Ahead-Trying Statements
Sure data contained on this information launch constitutes ‘forward-looking data’, inside the which means of the relevant United States and Canadian laws, regarding the enterprise, operations and monetary efficiency and situation of Denison. Usually, these forward-looking statements could be recognized by way of forward-looking terminology reminiscent of ‘potential’, ‘plans’, ‘expects’, ‘finances’, ‘scheduled’, ‘estimates’, ‘forecasts’, ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’, or ‘believes’, or the negatives and/or variations of such phrases and phrases, or state that sure actions, occasions or outcomes ‘could’, ‘may’, ‘would’, ‘may’ or ‘will ‘ ‘ be taken’, ‘happen’ or ‘be achieved’.
Particularly, this information launch accommodates forward-looking data pertaining to the next: expectations with respect to the FFT program, scope, timing and the anticipated outcomes thereof; the interpretation of the outcomes of the FFT obtained to-date; scope, goals and interpretations of the feasibility examine course of for the proposed ISR operation for the Phoenix deposit, together with metallurgical testing packages described herein and the interpretation of the outcomes therefrom; the interpretations of the PFS as mirrored within the PFS Report; and expectations relating to its three way partnership possession pursuits and the continuity of its agreements with its companions and third events.
Ahead trying statements are based mostly on the opinions and estimates of administration as of the date such statements are made, and they’re topic to identified and unknown dangers, uncertainties and different components that will trigger the precise outcomes, stage of exercise, efficiency or achievements of Denison to be materially totally different from these expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. For instance, the modelling and assumptions upon which the work plans for exploration and/or the Wheeler River Challenge are based mostly might not be maintained after additional work is accomplished. As well as, Denison could determine or in any other case be required to discontinue exploration, testing, analysis and growth work whether it is unable to take care of or in any other case safe the required sources (reminiscent of testing amenities, capital funding, regulatory approvals, and many others.). Denison believes that the expectations mirrored on this forward-looking data are affordable however no assurance could be on condition that these expectations will show to be correct and outcomes could differ materially from these anticipated on this forward-looking data. For a dialogue in respect of dangers and different components that might affect forward-looking occasions, please check with the components mentioned in Denison’s Annual Info Kind dated March 25, 2022 or subsequent quarterly monetary studies below the heading ‘Threat Elements’. These components usually are not, and shouldn’t be construed as being exhaustive.
Accordingly, readers mustn’t place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking data contained on this information launch is expressly certified by this cautionary assertion. Any forward-looking data and the assumptions made with respect thereto speaks solely as of the date of this information launch. Denison doesn’t undertake any obligation to publicly replace or revise any forward-looking data after the date of this information launch to evolve such data to precise outcomes or to modifications in Denison’s expectations besides as in any other case required by relevant laws.
Cautionary Observe to United States Traders Regarding Estimates of Mineral Assets and Mineral Reserves: This press launch could use phrases reminiscent of ” measured ” , ” indicated ” and/or ” inferred ” mineral sources and ” confirmed ” or ” possible ” mineral reserves, that are phrases outlined just about the rules set out within the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ( ” CIM ” ) Definition Requirements on Mineral Assets and Mineral Reserves ( ” CIM Requirements ” ). The Firm ‘ s descriptions of its tasks utilizing CIM Requirements might not be akin to related data made public by U.S. firms topic to the reporting and disclosure necessities below america federal securities legal guidelines and the principles and rules thereunder. United States buyers are cautioned to not assume that every one or any a part of measured or indicated mineral sources will ever be transformed into mineral reserves. United States buyers are additionally cautioned to not assume that every one or any a part of an inferred mineral useful resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
View unique content material to obtain multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/denison-announces-additional-highlights-from-highly-successful-leaching-phase-of-phoenix-isr-feasibility-field-test-301684907.html
SOURCE Denison Mines Corp.
View unique content material to obtain multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/November2022/22/c9601.html
