Pioneer Lithium Uncovers High-Grade Uranium Beneath Colorado Soils

• 1,240 ppm U3O8 detected in Sego Sandstone beneath soil at Blue Mountain Prospect
• Significant uranium mineralisation also found in Carbonaceous Shale at Railroad and Blue Mountain prospects
• All rock chip samples along strike returned anomalous uranium values indicating large-scale mineralisation
• Soil sampling program planned to detect mineralised zones obscured by soil cover
• Project covers 15.5 sq km adjacent to Homeland Uranium Corp’s contiguous claims

Exploration Breakthrough at Skull Creek

Pioneer Lithium Limited (ASX: PLN) has announced compelling new assay results from its Skull Creek Uranium Project in north-western Colorado. Rock chip sampling has revealed uranium grades reaching 1,240 ppm U3O8 within the Sego Sandstone at the Blue Mountain Prospect, notably beneath a soil cover that had previously masked radiometric detection. This undercover mineralisation signals promising depth potential for economic uranium deposits.

The project’s geological setting is complex, with uranium mineralisation identified not only in the Sego Sandstone but also in Carbonaceous Shale units at both the Blue Mountain and Railroad prospects. Samples from these shales returned significant grades of 450 ppm and 290 ppm U3O8 respectively, supporting Pioneer’s hypothesis of multiple uranium mineralisation styles within the project area.

Broad-Scale Prospectivity Confirmed

All rock chip samples collected along strike at Skull Creek returned anomalous uranium values, underscoring the large-scale prospectivity of the 15.5 square kilometre tenement. The project’s adjacency to Homeland Uranium Corp’s Red Wash and Coyote Basin properties, which share similar geological targets, further enhances the strategic value of Pioneer’s landholding.

CEO Michael Beven highlighted the significance of the undercover mineralisation: "The peak result of 1,240 ppm U3O8 was located beneath soils where the radiometric expression at surface was significantly subdued. This suggests that substantial uranium mineralisation may be concealed beneath shallow soil cover, warranting detailed follow-up." The company is designing a comprehensive soil sampling program aimed at detecting mineralised horizons obscured by non-radiometric soils, with the goal of refining drill targets and delineating mineralised lithologies.

Historical Context and Next Steps

Historical exploration dating back to the mid-20th century identified uranium occurrences within lignite and sandstone units in the region, but data gaps and incomplete drilling records have left much of the project’s potential untested. Pioneer’s current work builds on this legacy with modern geochemical assays and radiometric surveys.

The upcoming soil sampling program, expected to commence in May with results anticipated in June, will be critical in mapping the extent of mineralisation beneath soil cover. This will inform subsequent drilling campaigns designed to test the depth and continuity of uranium mineralisation, particularly within the Sego Sandstone.

Meanwhile, tenure security remains a consideration, with a minor overlap of claims by Hightest Resources LLC partially superseding some Pioneer claims. However, the majority of Pioneer’s claims predate these conflicting claims, providing a strong foundation for ongoing exploration.

Bottom Line?

As Pioneer Lithium prepares for soil sampling and drilling, the Skull Creek Project’s concealed uranium potential could soon come into sharper focus.

Questions in the middle?

• What will the soil sampling program reveal about the extent of undercover uranium mineralisation?
• How will Pioneer Lithium address the partial claim conflicts with Hightest Resources LLC?
• What are the economic implications if multiple uranium mineralisation styles are confirmed at depth?