Core Lithium shares push higher on uranium update

This miner is looking beyond lithium.

| More on:
Two colleagues at work looking at a tablet and smiling at a rising share price.

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Core Lithium Ltd (ASX: CXO) shares are starting the week positively.

In morning trade, the lithium miner's shares are up 2% to 9.6 cents.

Why are Core Lithium shares rising?

Investors have been bidding the company's shares higher this morning after it released an update on exploration activities at its 100%-owned Napperby uranium project in the Northern Territory.

According to the release, the approvals process is now underway for resource extension drilling at the project.

Management notes that the project has a current JORC (2012) Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 9.54Mt @ 382ppm U3O8, containing 8.03Mlb U3O8 at a 200ppm U3O8 cut-off with a top cut of 2,500ppm U3O8 applied.

It also highlights that the calcrete-associated uranium mineralisation occurs within 3 metres to 8 metres of the surface in semi and unconsolidated sediments along a tertiary palaeochannel system.

However, this is only really scratching the surface at Napperby.

The release notes that the area covered by the mineral resource estimate represents a fraction of the extensive zone of anomalous mineralisation identified along the ~20km palaeochannel system outlined by historic drilling activities.

Core has now submitted the requisite approval applications over the areas of interest and expects drilling to commence later this year.

Uranium potential

Management points out that the Napperby project is one of the few undeveloped uranium deposits in Australia within a favourable jurisdiction.

It consists of 713.6km2 of exploration tenure and is strategically located approximately 120km northwest of Alice Springs with access to rail, gas, and bitumen highways.

But Core Lithium isn't just looking for uranium at Napperby. It is also reassessing its 100% owned Entia and Fitton uranium projects.

Entia is located approximately 200km from Napperby, whereas the Fitton project is located in South Australia, approximately 500km north of Adelaide. The latter project area is considered highly prospective for uranium mineralisation given that it is located in close proximity to a number of existing mines and deposits including Beverly, Four Mile, and Mount Gee.

'Important part of the global energy transition'

Core Lithium's CEO, Paul Brown, sees Napperby as an important part of the global energy transition. He said:

Napperby is one of the few uranium projects with an existing Mineral Resource located in a jurisdiction favourable to uranium mining in Australia. When combined with the significant exploration potential within the known paleochannel system, there is potential to grow and ultimately realise value from Napperby as uranium becomes an increasingly important part of the global energy transition.

We plan to extend the current uranium Mineral Resource at Napperby through targeted drilling when we receive the necessary approvals. This will proceed in parallel with field investigations into potential for other minerals within the tenement which have seen minimal previous exploration.

As drilling continues at our Finniss lithium project in support of our restart studies, we will continue to progress opportunities like Napperby where we believe we can create value for Core shareholders through low cost, targeted exploration in prospective areas.

Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia's parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

More on Materials Shares

A woman jumps for joy with a rocket drawn on the wall behind her.
Materials Shares

Bell Potter says this ASX lithium stock could rocket 90%+ in 2025

Let's see why the broker is bullish on this lithium developer.

Read more »

A female employee in a hard hat and overalls with high visibility stripes sits at the wheel of a large mining vehicle with mining equipment in the background.
Materials Shares

Forget Fortescue shares and buy this ASX iron ore stock

Bell Potter thinks this iron ore miner could deliver big returns over the next 12 months.

Read more »

Miner looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

Are ASX lithium shares prime real estate for value hunters?

Can these stocks recharge returns for investors?

Read more »

Image of young successful engineer, with blueprints, notepad and digital tablet, observing the project implementation on construction site and in mine.
Materials Shares

Are Rio Tinto shares a buy for its lithium plans?

Let's see what one leading broker is saying about the mining giant.

Read more »

Man with rocket wings which have flames coming out of them.
Materials Shares

Guess which ASX 300 lithium stock is rocketing 20% on huge Volkswagen news

Not all shares are being dragged lower by the market today.

Read more »

Dollar sign in yellow with a red falling arrow in front of a graph, symbolising a falling share price.
Materials Shares

Ouch: The Pilbara Minerals share price just hit a multi-year low

It's been a tough day for lithium investors.

Read more »

Modern accountant woman in a light business suit in modern green office with documents and laptop.
Materials Shares

Big ASX news: CEO buys 2.5 million Sayona Mining shares

This CEO has finally made a big share purchase.

Read more »

Three miners looking at a tablet.
Materials Shares

Own BHP, BlueScope, Rio Tinto, and Woodside shares? Here's why they are teaming up

These companies are teaming up on an important project. What is it?

Read more »