NexGen Announces Record Uranium Discovery at Patterson Corridor East

NexGen Energy unveils exceptional assay results at the Patterson Corridor East site, with uranium intercepts among the highest concentrations globally, highlighting the growing economic relevance of this strategic area for the nuclear industry.

Partagez:

NexGen Energy Ltd., a company specializing in uranium exploration, has released results from its latest drilling program at Patterson Corridor East (PCE), revealing intercepts among the richest ever recorded. Drill hole RK-25-232 highlighted a concentration of 15.9% U3O8 (uranium oxide) over 15 meters, including an outstanding peak of 68.8% over 0.5 meters. These results clearly position this deposit among the exceptionally high-grade uranium zones compared to current global standards. The announcement comes as the global nuclear industry seeks to secure its uranium supplies.

Continuity and Promising Prospects

Additionally, drill hole RK-24-222, located approximately 200 meters from the former, confirmed the geological continuity of the site with significant uranium concentrations, reporting 3.85% U3O8 over 17 meters. This discovery enhances geological understanding of the mineralized system at Patterson Corridor East, thus confirming the extent of its economic potential. To date, NexGen has conducted 64 drill holes totaling over 47,400 meters, of which 35 encountered mineralizations open in multiple directions, suggesting a potential not yet fully quantified.

A Favorable Strategic Context

These results come amid a global context marked by renewed nuclear projects, especially in the United States, where the federal government recently confirmed accelerated nuclear ambitions aiming to quadruple nuclear energy production by 2050. This dynamic underscores the strategic importance of deposits such as Patterson Corridor East, located only 3.5 km from NexGen’s flagship Rook I project, currently in the final stage of federal approval. Results obtained at PCE could notably influence future exploitation strategies in the Athabasca region.

Impact of Results on Future Exploration

Jason Craven, Vice President of Exploration at NexGen, emphasized that these results would significantly refine the site’s 3D geological models, thereby facilitating future drilling campaigns. He also noted that the mineralization observed at Patterson Corridor East shares technical similarities with the Arrow deposit, enhancing overall prospects of NexGen’s asset portfolio in this part of Athabasca. Consequently, NexGen plans to actively resume its drilling operations at the beginning of June 2025, with ongoing sample analysis campaigns throughout the year.

Confirmation of these exceptionally high uranium grades now places Patterson Corridor East at the center of attention for investors and industry players in the global nuclear sector, confronted with increasing raw material demand.

After several decades without funding nuclear projects, the World Bank has formed a strategic partnership with the IAEA to provide technical and financial support to countries integrating nuclear energy into their energy strategies.
South Korea's Nuclear Safety and Security Commission officially validates the decommissioning of reactor number one at the Kori plant, initiating an unprecedented project for the national industry scheduled to last until 2037.
Uranium producer enCore Energy surpasses three thousand pounds per day at its Alta Mesa ISR complex and sees three new Texas laws as a strong signal for faster nuclear production permits.
The International Atomic Energy Agency expresses concerns over Iran’s enriched uranium stockpiles following the abrupt suspension of inspections at key sites disrupted by recent attacks whose consequences remain uncertain.
NPCIL has announced an extension until September 30 for industrial proposals concerning Bharat Small Reactors (BSR), following increased interest from the Indian private sector.
A regional court has upheld the award of two new reactors in the Czech Republic to Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power, dismissing Électricité de France’s challenge to the €16bn contract in a decisive step for the national energy programme.
Facing rising temperatures, EDF anticipates cuts in nuclear production starting early July, primarily due to thermal constraints on rivers used for cooling the power plants.
The preliminary agreement launches planning and site assessment for a tailored AP1000 reactor, following two years of feasibility study, and enlists Westinghouse and Hyundai to support Fortum’s regional nuclear expansion.
Donald Trump's unprecedented decision to dismiss Christopher Hanson, a member of the NRC, provokes outrage among former federal officials and raises concerns over the regulatory independence of the U.S. nuclear sector.
Uranium Energy Corp strengthens its position in Anfield Energy Inc., now holding approximately 32.4% of the company’s shares following an investment of CAD19.55mn ($14.82mn), significantly expanding its strategic influence in the uranium market.
New York State plans an advanced nuclear power plant with a 1-gigawatt capacity to meet long-term energy and economic goals, involving significant investment to enhance regional energy independence.
Niger announces its intention to nationalize SOMAÏR, a mining company jointly owned with Orano, provoking strong opposition from the French company and paving the way for further international legal tensions.
Russia strengthens its economic presence in Mali with new agreements, notably in nuclear energy and gold refining, consolidating strategic cooperation within a rapidly evolving geopolitical context.
The US government grants a fourth payment of $100.45 mn to Holtec International to restart the Palisades Nuclear Plant, pending regulatory approval, marking an unprecedented event in the United States.
EDF announces a major agreement with Apollo to raise up to £4.5 billion via bonds to finance the British nuclear project Hinkley Point C, whose costs continue to rise significantly.
The Élysée proposes Anne-Isabelle Étienvre, current Director of Fundamental Research at the CEA, as General Administrator to replace François Jacq, recently appointed President of CNES.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has announced his country's interest in small modular nuclear reactors to meet national energy challenges and decarbonize the maritime sector within the next fifteen years.
TerraPower, an American nuclear company, secures $650 million funding from investors, including NVIDIA, to develop its Natrium modular reactors in the United States and internationally.
EDF and the French state finalize a €70 billion financing plan for six EPR2 nuclear reactors, including a specific territorial coordination framework in Gravelines led by Michel Marbaix, awaiting European approval by 2026.
Maire S.p.A and Newcleo form strategic partnership to industrialise the development of 200 MW modular nuclear power plants, via a joint venture majority-owned by Nextchem.