RE: Gold values Hubber;
Gold values were phenomenal to say the least at Cluff Lake. As they neared the center core of the ore body, gold values in some samples were over 600 ounces per ton and 50- 100 opt were common, Uranium values went over 75% U3O8, and silver values were over 1500 ounces per ton. Note: that is ounces and not grams. Multiply by 31.1 to get grams if you desire. Gold values varied of course and as the ultra high grade was depleted, gold values went down in tandem with U concentrations. I believe that they have re-treated the early tailings, as gold values were quite high in the early tailings until they established the proper metallurgy, but I do not know what they were....only that they were worth re-processing.
All the Uranium projects (from northern Saskatchewan), I worked on, had anomolous gold in some proportion to U concentrations. After all it is thought that gold is one of the stable residues from decaying Uranium, so that makes sense that at least some gold will be found.
Special protective gear was worn when they mined that high grade area with special air filters for the loaders. The samples we received at the lab had to be diluted with sand for shipping and to bring the radiation levels down to safe working concentrations.
Ideally a concentration of 1-5% U3O8 and 1-10 grams/ton Au is ideal for the modern mill, and special adaptations in milling are made for the Ultra high values. The last U3O8 analysis of just under 3% and over 1% for PLS are probably the most ideal for U mining and milling.......another plus! It is the size (total tons) of the ore body that is of the utmost importance and it would appear at this early stage that those prospects are good if not exceptional.
I must make it clear that I do not necessarily expect gold values to be of the caliber of Cluff Lake, but the potential for bonanza grade gold is not unrealistic , in those ore bodies, in that area. Hence you can understand why I do not like to see the gold analysis delayed or put into the background! I of course do not have X-ray vision so must wait with the rest of the pack to see what values we really might have.
But for what it's worth that was some of my experience with Uranium mining/exploration and analysis.
As always I encourage each to conscientiously do their own due diligence and research!!
Solver