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The South Newnham property (1 claim covering 2,884 hectares) was staked by Purepoint because of the presence of the significant N-S Newnham fault coincident with a magnetic low. The fault was considered a possible conduit for uraniferous fluids, while the magnetic low suggested metapelite rocks. The high-grade Athabasca uranium deposits typically occur at structurally favourable sites where Athabasca sandstones lie unconformably on basement rocks. The uranium deposits are located in basement faults and fracture zones associated with graphitic metapelites and well-developed alteration halos that are evidence of large-scale hydrothermal fluid flow.
The deeper sensing 2005 MEGATEM II airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey over South Newnham revealed extensive conductive zones coincident with the Newnham fault. Since the EM anomalies do not extend to depth, they are interpreted to reflect conductive clay alteration developed near the unconformity. The airborne magnetics were utilized to locate the Newnham fault and to interpret three crosscutting east-west faults. The intersections of the Newnham fault and east-west faults, if acting as structural traps for hydrothermal fluids, would have seen development of clay alteration and possibly uranium deposition.
Historic work north of the South Newnham claim has confirmed graphitic conductors and alteration minerals such as kaolinite and dickite exist within the area (SMDC, 1983; JNR, 1999). No drilling has ever been conducted on the claim. The depth to basement is estimated at 200 metres, based on a drillhole located to the southwest. |
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