VAL-D'OR, QC, Jan. 22 /CNW Telbec/ - Abitex Resources Inc. (TSX-V: ABE) ("Abitex") and Azimut Exploration Inc. ("Azimut") report encouraging results from their 2008 exploration program at the Central Minto property in Nunavik, Quebec. The property consists of two claim blocks totalling 1,146 claims and a surface area of 535 km2. Abitex has the option to earn a 50% interest on the Central Minto property and an additional 15% interest upon the delivery of a bankable feasibility study. Azimut has been the project operator for the last two years during which the entire property was covered by airborne geophysical surveys and lake-bottom geochemical sampling surveys.
Last summer's one-week initial prospecting work involved the preliminary assessment of two strong targets with a cumulative length of 30 km, which were recognized during the 2007 program (press release of April 3, 2008).
A total of 15 samples were collected: 8 from outcrops and 7 from boulders. Outcrop samples returned assays up to 0.65% U3O8 and boulder samples yielded assays up to 0.17% U3O8. A significant portion of the target areas remain unprospected.
Uranium results for the 15 grab rock samples are as follows: - 4 samples with values above 0.05% U3O8, including: 0.65% U3O8, 0.17% U3O8, 0.11% U3O8 and 0.059% U3O8; - 6 samples with values between 0.01% and 0.05% U3O8; - 5 samples with values less than 0.01% U3O8.
The U/Th ratios for the 4 samples with more than 0.05% U3O8 range from 9 to 154. Scintillometer readings from mineralized outcrops with values above 0.05% U3O8 range from 5,000 to 16,300 cps. Mineralization is hosted mainly in pegmatite and granite. In the northwestern part of the property, mineralization appears to be associated with major northeast-trending lineaments, whereas mineralization in the southwestern part of the property occurs along an important northwest-trending structure. The showing with the value of 0.65% U3O8 (U/Th ratio of 154) contains abundant hematite and appears related to a structure. This prospect is considered to be a very attractive target. Data interpretation is nearly complete and a follow-up program will be defined. Abitex is encouraged by the initial ground proofing program which confirms the uranium potential of this area.
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. This press release was reviewed and approved by Yves Rougerie, P. Geo., acting as Abitex's Qualified Person under NI 43-101. 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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