VAL-D'OR, QC, Jan. 28 /CNW Telbec/ - Abitex Resources Inc. (TSX-V: ABE) ("Abitex") and its partner Azimut Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: AZM) ("Azimut") report encouraging results from their summer 2008 exploration program at the South Bienville property in Nunavik, Quebec. A prospecting program assessed target areas that were previously defined using the positive results obtained from the 2007 exploration work, which included anomalous uranium values (up to 841 ppm U) in lake-bottom sediments, helicopter-borne geophysics, and ground-based prospecting (Azimut press release of October 30, 2007).
In 2007 and 2008, a total of 138 rock grab samples were collected from outcrops (51) and boulders (87). A showing of chalcocite (a copper-bearing mineral), discovered in a granite outcrop, yielded an assay value greater than 40% Cu and 12 g/t Ag. Abundant hematite veinlets and lesser amounts of disseminated pyrite and pyrrhotite were also observed, as well as silicification. The showing is located in an area underlain by a major structure that correlates with a multi-kilometre copper anomaly in lake-bottom sediments, with values up to 316 ppm. This target is considered highly attractive.
Other outcrop samples returned assays up to 0.67% U3O8, and boulder samples yielded assays up to 0.77% U3O8. Uranium-bearing rock samples are spatially related to multi-kilometre helicopter-borne radiometric anomalies and lake-bottom sediment anomalies. Uranium results are as follows:
- 8 samples with values above 0.05% U3O8, including: 0.67% U3O8 and 0.065% U3O8 from outcrops, and 0.77% U3O8, 0.097% U3O8 and 0.087% U3O8 from boulders; - 39 samples with values between 0.01% and 0.05% U3O8; - 91 samples with values less than 0.01% U3O8.
The U/Th ratios for 8 samples above 0.05% U3O8 range from 1 to 50. Scintillometer readings from mineralized outcrops with values above 0.05% U3O8 range from 4,200 to 15,000 cps. Mineralization is hosted mainly in pegmatite and granite. Uranophane (a secondary uranium mineral) was observed at several mineralized outcrops.
Data interpretation is nearly complete and will be used to define the 2009 follow-up program. Azimut has been the project operator for the last two years. The property consists of 10 claim blocks totalling 1,929 claims and a surface area of 935 km2.
This press release was reviewed and approved by Yves Rougerie, P.Geo., Abitex's Qualified Person under NI 43-101. Fieldwork was conducted by IOS Services Geoscientifiques Inc. of Saguenay, Quebec. All rock samples were assayed at the Saskatchewan Research Council laboratory in Saskatoon, an ISO-IEC 17025 accredited facility.
Abitex is an exploration and development company based in Val d'Or, Quebec, which is currently focused on the definition drilling of the "L" deposit in Quebec's Otish Mountains region and the ongoing acquisition of advanced exploration or near-term production uranium assets.
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