In a significant development for uranium exploration, Denison Mines Corp. has announced the discovery of several new high-grade uranium mineralization sites at the McClean South zone. This area is part of the McClean Lake Joint Venture (MLJV), where Denison holds a 22.5% interest alongside operator Orano Canada, which possesses the remaining 77.5% stake. The discovery was made during a drilling program that was carried out over the first half of 2025, which involved 6,400 meters of exploration. This drill program returned multiple notable high-grade intersections, signaling a promising expansion of the mineralized footprint in the region.
Key highlights include drill results such as:
- - MCS-77, which intersected an impressive 7.51% eU3O8 over a 5.4-meter length
- - MCS-80, reporting 3.5% eU3O8 across 11.2 meters, including 5.81% over 6.5 meters
- - MCS-84, which logged 1.72% eU3O8 over a substantial 20.6 meters with a peak of 4.43% over 4.0 meters within that interval.
Overall, 14 of the 24 holes drilled encountered significant uranium mineralization, and these results are interpreted to confirm and broaden the mineralized footprint of the 8C and 8W pods. Such findings not only enhance the potential for future economic development but also support Denison's strategy as it aims to optimize mining operations within this prolific region.
Located approximately 600 meters south of the McClean North deposit, the McClean South site is pivotal in the ongoing progression of uranium mining activities at the MLJV. Commercial mining commenced at McClean North utilizing a patented SABRE mining method, which reflects a progressive approach to uranium recovery in the area. As Denison continues its exploration and evaluation efforts, the feedback from these new drilling results suggests a promising opportunity to further develop McClean South as a supplementary resource for the McClean Lake mill.
Denison's Vice President of Technical Services and Project Evaluation, Chad Sorba, expressed optimism regarding the outcomes of this exploration initiative, viewing the high-grade intercepts as transformative in defining the mineralized footprint further, particularly of the 8C and 8W pods. Furthermore, Denison’s President and CEO, David Cates, acknowledged the diligent work from Orano Canada, emphasizing the advancements made in the mineralization delineation, which could reinforce future production strategies.
In recent years, Denison has made considerable strides in mitigating risks associated with various mining methods, including In-Situ Recovery (ISR), making it well-positioned to tap into this promising discovery at McClean South. The aspiration is for this newly-accessed area to emerge as an economically viable source of uranium, contributing significantly to the feed processed at the McClean Lake mill moving forward.
The 2025 exploration efforts primarily aimed to expand existing mineralized areas focusing on the 8C and 8W pods, yielding results that confirmed continuity of mineralization across numerous drill holes. Notably, shallow mineralization at the sandstone near the western edge of the 8W pod has been validated, ensuring that the targets remain robust as exploration continues.
As the McClean Lake facility is one of the most significant uranium processing operations globally, ongoing developments are particularly noteworthy, given its capacity to handle extensive uranium ore. Denison remains committed to pushing forward its strategic exploration initiatives while fostering partnerships to advance its footprint within the Athabasca Basin, a region well-known for its rich uranium deposits.
The current findings at McClean South represent a vital chapter in Denison’s narrative within the mining sector, potentially positioning the company to leverage its enhanced resource base and contribute to the future of uranium energy production in Canada. This serves not only as an achievement for Denison Mines but also reflects strengths in regional mining capabilities and uranium's ongoing significance in global energy discussions.