The uranium deposits at Elliot Lake are contained in the sediments of the westward plunging (~15°) Quirke syncline. The mineralization is surrounded to the north and east by Archean granites and to the south by Archean mafic metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks. Depth from surface to the centre of the Quirke syncline is estimated at approximately 1,500 metres.

Mineralization at Eco Ridge is contained in the conglomerate beds of the Ryan Member, which is roughly 100 metres thick and consists of quartzite of a distinctly green colour (sericite alteration) and quartzite with intercalated quartz-pebble conglomerates. The quartz-pebble conglomerate beds containing uranium and REOs are located in the west-northwest channels of the Matinenda Formation. The Ryan Member represents the lower Matinenda and is characterized by an increase in the amount of pyrite. Low-grade mineralization is generally contained within the coarser-grained quartzite beds while higher grades are contained in quartz-pebble conglomerates with disseminated pyrite. A 30-metre thick Nipissing diabase dyke strikes east-west across the entire property and cross cuts mineralization.

The reefs inside the Pardee Channel on the south limb of the Quirke syncline hold the Eco Ridge deposit. It is believed the stratigraphy of the mineralized reef in the Pardee Channel can be correlated to those of the Nordic Channel, where much of the region’s historic mining was conducted. The mineralized zones of ........

A number of mining methods have been assessed by RPA and others for extraction of the MCB mineralization. The selected mining method was room and pillar, with both development and production contained within the mineralized zone. The development and production tonnage will be loaded into trucks and transported to surface for processing.

Although the MCB average mining thickness is 2.7 m, in RPA’s opinion, the deposit will support a high production rate. The lateral extents are such that multiple accesses from surface are feasible, providing many independent workplaces.

The use of conveyors instead of haul trucks for material handling, while not included in the base case, may provide economic advantages, and is worth consideration in future studies. Particular attention should be paid to impacts on grade distribution in production schedules for each option, as there may be less flexibility with conveyors, offsetting the cost advantage that they provide.

- subscription is required.