Standard Uranium Reaches Terms to Option Atlantic Project in Athabasca Basin

Rhea-AI Summary

Standard Uranium Ltd. signs a term sheet with ATCO Mining Inc. granting the option to acquire a seventy-five percent interest in the Atlantic Project, located in the eastern Athabasca Basin. The project covers 6.5 km of an 18 km long exploration trend with high-grade uranium mineralization targets.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Feb. 12, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Standard Uranium Ltd. (“Standard Uranium” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: STND) (OTCQB: STTDF) (Frankfurt: FWB:9SU) is pleased to announce that it has signed a term sheet (the “Term Sheet”), dated February 9, 2024, with ATCO Mining Inc. (CSE: ATCM) (the “Optionee”), an arms-length party. Pursuant to the Term Sheet, the Optionee will be granted the option (the “Option”) to acquire a seventy-five percent interest in the 3,061-hectare Atlantic Project (the “Project”) located in the eastern Athabasca Basin (Figure 1).

The Option is exercisable by the Optionee completing cash payments and share issuances, and incurring the following exploration expenditures on the Project:

	Consideration Payments		Consideration Shares*		Exploration Expenditures		Operator Fees
Year 1	$110,000		$150,000		$1,300,000		$130,000
Year 2	$120,000		$300,000		$2,000,000		$240,000
Year 3	$200,000		$300,000		$3,000,000		$360,000
Total	$430,000		$750,000		$6,300,000		$730,000

*Issuable at a deemed price equivalent to the last closing price of the common shares of the Optionee on the Canadian Securities Exchange immediately prior to announcement of this term sheet.

Jon Bey, CEO and Chairman, commented, “We are pleased to announce our fourth option agreement since transitioning to a project generator in July 2023. The Company now has over thirty million dollars committed to our exploration programs over the next three years and nine million dollars committed to exploration in 2024. Heading into the 2024 exploration season, we now have 11 projects across the prolific Athabasca Basin, with a minimum of seven exploration programs planned with five of those being drill programs at the Atlantic, Sun Dog, Canary, Ascent, and Davidson River projects.”

The Atlantic Project covers 6.5 km of an 18 km long, east-west trending conductive exploration trend which hosts numerous uranium occurrences. In June 2022, the Company completed a high-resolution ground gravity survey on the western claim block identifying multiple subsurface density anomalies, potentially representing substantial alteration zones. Exploration efforts are focused on several high-priority target areas along several kilometres of under-tested conductors, targeting high-grade unconformity-related uranium mineralization.

Figure 1. Summary of the Atlantic Project, highlighting geophysical target areas and historical uranium showings.

Following exercise of the Option, the parties intend to form a joint venture for the further development of the Project. Prior to exercise of the Option, the Company will act as the operator of the Project and will be entitled to charge a 10% fee on expenditures in Year 1, increasing to 12% in Year 2 and Year 3.   Following exercise of the Option, the Company will retain a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty on the Project, of which 1.0% may be purchased back at any time for a one-time cash payment of $1,000,000.

The Term Sheet is non-binding at this time and the grant of the Option remains subject to the negotiation of definitive documentation. No finders’ fee is payable by the Company in connection with the Option.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified and approved by Sean Hillacre, P.Geo., President and Vice-President of Exploration of the Company, and a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Standard Uranium (TSX-V: STND)

We find the fuel to power a clean energy future

Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company and emerging project generator poised for discovery in the world’s richest uranium district. The Company holds interest in over 209,867 acres (84,930 hectares) in the world-class Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.

Standard Uranium’s Davidson River Project, in the southwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises ten mineral claims over 30,737 hectares. Davidson River is highly prospective for basement-hosted uranium deposits due to its location along trend from recent high-grade uranium discoveries. However, owing to the large project size with multiple targets, it remains broadly under-tested by drilling. Recent intersections of wide, structurally deformed and strongly altered shear zones provide significant confidence in the exploration model and future success is expected.

Standard Uranium’s eight eastern Athabasca projects comprise thirty mineral claims over 32,838 hectares. The eastern basin projects are highly prospective for unconformity related and/or basement hosted uranium deposits based on historical uranium occurrences, recently identified geophysical anomalies, and location along trend from several high-grade uranium discoveries.

Standard Uranium's Sun Dog project, in the northwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is comprised of nine mineral claims over 19,603 hectares. The Sun Dog project is highly prospective for basement and unconformity hosted uranium deposits yet remains largely untested by sufficient drilling despite its location proximal to uranium discoveries in the area.

For further information contact:

Jon Bey, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
Suite 918, 1030 West Georgia Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V6E 2Y3
Tel: 1 (306) 850-6699
E-mail: info@standarduranium.ca

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: execution of the definitive agreement; conditions to the exercise the Option; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations; timing of the Company’s exploration programs; and estimates of market conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the “Risks and Uncertainties” in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2023.

Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: that the transaction with the Optionee will proceed as planned; the future price of uranium; anticipated costs and the Company’s ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company’s securities; future sales of the Company’s securities; the Company’s ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company’s mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88290886-eb5d-4321-a477-27d30104df53

FAQ

What is the latest announcement from Standard Uranium Ltd. regarding the Atlantic Project?

Standard Uranium Ltd. has signed a term sheet with ATCO Mining Inc., granting the option to acquire a seventy-five percent interest in the 3,061-hectare Atlantic Project.

What are the exploration expenditures required by the Optionee on the Atlantic Project?

The Optionee needs to complete cash payments, share issuances, and incur exploration expenditures totaling $6,300,000 over three years on the Project.

Who is the CEO and Chairman of Standard Uranium Ltd.?

Jon Bey is the CEO and Chairman of Standard Uranium Ltd.

What is the focus of the exploration efforts on the Atlantic Project?

Exploration efforts are focused on high-grade unconformity-related uranium mineralization along under-tested conductors in target areas.

What happens after the exercise of the Option on the Atlantic Project?

Parties intend to form a joint venture for further development, with the Company retaining a 2.5% net smelter returns royalty on the Project.