Uranio AG Hirschgässlein 30 Frankfurt: UAIWKN: A0MKD4
www.uranio.ch CH-4051 Basel Telefon: +41(61)271 27 70
Switzerland Telefax: +41(610271 27 71
News Release 5-2008 Basel, 25th September 2008
URANIO STARTS DETAILED FOLLOW-UP
ON SPECIFIC PROPERTIES IN ARGENTINA WITH RADON SOIL GAS DETECTION SYSTEM
INTRODUCTION
Uranio AG, under its wholly owned subsidiary Uranio del Sur S.A., has
started detailed follow-up exploration on selected properties in Argentina.
This follow-up, expected to define drill targets, will measure the isotopes
radon (Rn222 isotope) and thoron (Rn220 isotope) using a Radon Soil Gas
Detection System. This System, and several of the properties on which it
will be used, is described below.
RADON SOIL GAS DETECTION SYSTEM
Uranium releases radon gas (Rn) consisting mainly of the radon isotope
(Rn222). Thorium releases radon gas consisting of the thoron isotope
(Rn220). Because radon is a noble gas it is very mobile and diffuses for
considerable distances through fractured rock and soil. Field observations
indicate that radon haloes occur 100 meters, or more, above parent uranium
deposits.
The two main isotopes of radon can be measured at the surface in soil gas.
High soil gas values of radon(Rn222) and high radon(Rn222)/thoron(Rn220)
ratios indicate uranium mineralization at depth. The recently obtained
modern, field-portable and ruggedized instrumentation shown in Figure 1
allows the measurement of alpha radiation indicating even trace amounts of
radon isotopes in soil gas.
Consequently, radon in soil gas is used as a follow-up exploration
technique and for detailed levels of exploration. Under favorable
conditions the Radon Gas Detection System can sense uranium to a much
greater depth than a scintillometer. The technique allows definition of
anomalous areas that can be prioritized for drilling.
Uranio has recently bought a field-portable and ruggedized Radon Gas
Detection System (AB-5) from Pylon Electronics Inc., Ottawa, Ontario,
Canada. It cost about US$15,000. Figure 1 is a picture showing the main
features of this System. The soil gas is extracted by vacuum hand-pump
through a probe that draws soil gas from the bottom of hole in soil that is
about five centimeters in diameter and a third of a meter deep. This gas is
filtered and then passed through a chamber coated with a phosphor. Alpha
particles emitted from radon in the soil gas strike the phosphor and cause
flashes of light that are photomultiplied; the resultant signal is read on
a counter or scaler. Measurements at a given site can be taken in five to
ten minutes. Anomalous areas can be detailed immediately as required.
Operator Lic Pina Alvarez, dedicated to running this System, has been
trained in its field use. Ing Juan Orozco, Uranio's Resident Geologist at
Chepes in the Province of La Rioja, Argentina, will target promising areas
to be surveyed. Overall supervision will be provided by Dr Colin Godwin,
Uranio's Director of South America Exploration.
ARGENTINA PROPERTIES SELECTED FOR INITIAL RADON SURVEYS
The first priority for application of the Radon Gas Detection System will
be on Uranio's Olta-Malanzan uranium property (58,665 hectares) in the
Province of La Rioja. This property has significant showings of
unconformity-type uranium mineralization in basal rocks to a channel of
Carboniferous-Permian sedimentary rocks that sits on underlying metamorphic
and granitic rocks of the Sierra de Chepes Uplift. Known unconformity type
showings on the side of the channel are partially leached of uranium.
Consequently, the Radon Gas Detection System will search for richer uranium
zones in the centre of the channel that apparently are covered by sandstone
and soil, and which are blind to conventional scintillometer prospecting.
Other Uranio properties that will be explored with the Radon Gas Detection
System include:
1. The Chepes concessions (35,209 hectares) in the Province of La Rioja
that is analogous to the Olta-Malanzan property, above, but more
heavily covered with outwash sediments and soil.
2. The Color concession (10,000 hectares) in the Province of La Rioja that
has one known unconformity type occurrence and might have roll-front
deposits at depth (given that this property is close to the Los Mogotes
Los Colorados Roll-Front Uranium Mine).
3. The Santa Rosa concession (9,800 hectares) in the Province of San Luis
that has concentrations of uranium in caliche that is largely covered
by soil.
The above properties will be examined with the Radon Gas Detection System
early in our continuing exploration. Definition of drill targets is
anticipated. Other areas will be explored in due course.
CONCLUSIONS
Uranium exploration in Argentina offers exciting opportunities for major
discoveries of new uranium mines. The Radon Gas Detection System surveys
are expected to define drill targets on a number of properties. Four
properties have been selected for the first surveys. These four properties
target three distinctly different geological models. Results from the Radon
Gas Detection System survey will be reported as appropriate.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
'Dr. Peter Goeggel'
President and Director
Disclaimer:
This document was prepared by
Uranio AG. The opinions stated herein are
those of
Uranio AG at the time of publication and are subject to change at
any time. The document is only for the purpose of information and use by
its recipient. It is neither an offer nor an invitation to purchase or sell
Uranio AG shares. A reference to the performance of the past shall not be
understood as an indication of future developments. The information and
analysis contained in this publication have been compiled from sources that
are deemed to be reliable. However,
Uranio AG gives no guarantee with
regard to their reliability and completeness and rejects any claim for
damages that may be the result of use of this information.
25.09.2008
Financial News transmitted by DGAP Unternehmen:
Uranio AG - ISIN: CH0028827852
