Surging uranium demand is driving investors to Saskatchewan's red
hot Athabasca Basin which already supplies 20% of the world's
uranium.
Hathor Exploration discovered Athabasca's Roughrider deposit in
2008 and was later sold for $654 million. In Q4, 2013 Fission
Uranium and Alpha Minerals merged their interests in Athabasca's
Patterson Lake South property. Fission and Alpha experienced
massive stock price appreciation after the discovery of high-grade
uranium mineralization.
"The chances that Fission and Alpha are the only ones that have
uranium on their property is probably relatively low," states David
Talbot, a senior uranium analyst with Dundee Capital Markets, in a
recent interview with Resource Clips.
One nimble exploration company has recently made a series of
strategic acquisitions in the Athabasca Basin. In 2013 Zadar
Ventures (ZAD-TSX.V) acquired a 100% interest in three uranium
projects comprising 28,376 hectares in the Patterson Lake South
district, including PNE (Patterson Lake North East).
"We are extremely excited about the current position of our
company in the world's most prolific uranium basin," states Paul
Gray, President and CEO of Zadar, "and our focus in 2014 is on
resource growth and discovery".
Zadar conducted on-the-ground geophysical, geochemical and
geological programs on the PNE uranium project this past
season.
The PNE project lies within a structural corridor that
encompasses the former Cluff Lake uranium mine, the Shea Creek
uranium deposits, and the high-grade uranium discovery at Patterson
Lake South.
The PNE project shares a common boundary with the Patterson Lake
North project, joint ventured by Fission Uranium and Azincourt
Uranium where an 8 kilometer conductor trend was recently
announced.
Fission Uranium, the operator of the Patterson Lake North
project, announced an exploration budget of $1.5 million that
includes 2,500 metres of diamond drilling in the winter of
2014. Fission's exploration program for PLN supports Zadar's
belief that the PNE project has a high discovery potential for a
basement hosted uranium deposit at shallow depths.
Although the PNE asset shines brightly in the current investment
environment due to its proximity to Patterson Lake South, Zadar has
made a second package-acquisition which could deliver even bigger
returns to ZAD shareholder.
In 2013, Zadar acquired a 100% interest in five advanced
uranium exploration projects covering 67,561 hectares in the
prospective Athabasca Basin. Pasfield Lake, West Carswell,
Stony Road, Riverlake and Highrock were advanced by Triex Minerals
under the guidance of Dr. Michael Gunning during the 2000's.
As the former CEO of Hathor and Chairman of Alpha, Dr. Gunning
is a guru and talisman of Canadian uranium discoveries.
"Dr. Gunning has a proven track record of uranium discovery in
the Athabasca Basin," states Gray, "this package of projects
represents high priority, advanced exploration targets Doctor
Gunning personally developed during his time at Triex".
The value of the historical data compiled by Dr. Gunning is
estimated at $17 million. Although Triex had partial ownership
of the five properties; Zadar now holds 100% interest.
Zadar has begun a detailed data analysis of the Triex package
and is developing prioritized drill targets, with a particular
focus on the Pasfield Lake Uranium Project.
"So much money was been spent in the 2,000s exploring Pasfield
and the other Triex properties that we believe the data deserves a
fresh set of eyes," explains Gray in an exclusive interview with
Financial Press, "Our geological team is compiling and reviewing
the $17 million of data to ensure that Zadar shareholders get
maximum benefit from the exploratory work that has been
done. This puts us in a position to make clear informed
decisions about future drill targets."
All five projects contain uranium targets that are partially
tested, or untested. Ongoing analysis and integration of the
technical data will further refine drill targets.
"The Pasfield Lake project is one hundred percent drill ready,"
explains Gray, "Phase One exploration drilling has proven the
uranium geological model. In Phase Two we get on the ground
and do some diamond drilling. Our intention is to execute a
substantial drill program on Pasfield."
"Exploration in the Athabasca Basin can be conducted year
round. In many respects it is advantageous to operate in the
winter. Like Patterson, the main target is under a lake where
the frozen surfaces provide easy access. But there is also
meaningful work we can do in the summer."
Unlike many other uranium juniors, Zadar is not required to
spend massive amounts of money to retain the rights to the assets
they currently control. Zadar's total mandatory spend on its
entire uranium portfolio is only about $250,000 a year.
"In a worst case scenario if this market flat-lines, we are good
for the next two years," confirms Gray, "Companies that went in and
did wholesale land grabs will likely be shrinking. Our land
package is secure."
"The Athabasca Basin represents the best region in the world to
discover and mine uranium," states a November 2013 independent
report by Rockstone Research, "It is the only region in the world
capable of making a lot of money for western capitalists without
much hassle."
"Other large deposits are situated in countries with
considerable geopolitical risks/uncertainties, especially in
Africa, Russia, and Kazakhstan. There are also cultural and
language barriers that create difficulties for foreign/western
investors to negotiate; thus, limiting capital appreciation
potentials."
As well as uranium development veteran CEO Paul Gray, Zadar has
assembled a veteran uranium management team, including Jeremy S.
Brett M.Sc., P.Geo, who is leading the ongoing data compilation
program and Kieran Downes Ph.D.,P.Geo who has over 40 years
diversified international experience in, base metals, gold,
diamonds and uranium.
In January 2014, Zadar completed a $933,000 equity
financing and anticipates finalizing another $1.248 million
placement by GRIT. This placement will allow the Company to
concentrate on developing and testing the drill targets identified
within the 100% owned stable of quality Athabasca Basin Uranium
projects.
"The Pasfield Lake Project was previously under fractional
ownership," states Gray, "and the company raised $35 million to
explore. With 100% interest Zadar can entertain joint
ventures, which gives us the opportunity to execute drill programs
with innovative non-dilutive financing. With fractional
ownership that is more difficult to do, even when a major is
involved."
The Athabasca Basin contains known uranium reserves with the
energy equivalent of 19 billion barrels of oil.
China currently has 28 nuclear reactors under construction, with
another 49 planned and 120 proposed. According to China's Nuclear
Power Development Plan, domestic nuclear power production will
increase 400% by 2020. Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia, Egypt and
Kazakhstan are all building their first reactors.
Zadar is currently trading at .27 with a market cap of $6.5
million.
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CONTACT: Zadar Ventures Ltd.
Paul D. Gray
President
604-682-1643
www.zadarventures.com
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