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Noble Plains Uranium Corp. (TSXV:NOBL) has initiated a confirmation drilling campaign at its Shirley Central Project located in Wyoming's Shirley Basin, utilizing digitized uranium exploration data from the 1950s to 1970s. Through artificial intelligence-driven analysis of 1,211 historical gamma-ray logs, the company identified 341 qualifying uranium intercepts and plans to drill seven confirmation holes to expedite the creation of a National Instrument 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate. Situated adjacent to Ur-Energy's active Shirley Basin In Situ Recovery (ISR) facility, Noble Plains aims to leverage proven uranium mineralization and existing infrastructure.
Key Points
- Noble Plains Uranium Corp. (TSXV: NOBL; OTCQB: NBLXF; FSE: INE0) has deployed a drill rig for a confirmation program at the Shirley Central Project in Wyoming
- The company digitized 1,211 historical gamma-ray logs using AI-based computer vision, identifying 341 qualifying uranium intercepts
- Seven confirmation drill holes are planned to twin historical intercepts with modern QA/QC-compliant data to support a future NI 43-101 resource estimate
- Shirley Central includes 30 unpatented mineral claims spanning 665 acres, adjacent to Ur-Energy's permitted and operating Shirley Basin ISR project
Digitizing Legacy Uranium Data Unlocks Valuable Historical Drilling Insights
Noble Plains successfully converted a database of 1,211 historical gamma-ray logs—originally scanned images from uranium exploration conducted between the 1950s and 1970s—into a digital format compatible with modern resource estimation workflows. This was achieved through collaboration with Geomorphic AI, which utilized a specialized computer vision pipeline tailored for legacy uranium logs.
The digitization process revealed 341 qualifying uranium intercepts that delineate coherent roll-front trends across the Shirley Central Project. This enabled Noble Plains to strategically select seven confirmation drill locations without initiating greenfield exploration, exemplifying a disciplined, data-driven approach that builds upon verified historical drilling data rather than starting resource estimation from the ground up.
Seven-Hole Confirmation Drill Program to Validate Historical Intercepts
The drill program aims to twin historical intercepts with contemporary drilling data meeting current QA/QC standards required for National Instrument 43-101 compliance. Paul Cowley, COO of Noble Plains, emphasized that successful confirmation drilling would allow the company to advance directly toward an initial mineralization estimate and ultimately a NI 43-101 resource estimate. Details regarding the program’s duration and cost were not disclosed.
Previously, Noble Plains applied this methodology at its Duck Creek project, where it converted historical drilling data into a compliant, scalable resource more efficiently and cost-effectively than greenfield exploration. The company plans to replicate this proven strategy across its expanding Wyoming portfolio.
Strategic Proximity to Ur-Energy’s Operating Shirley Basin ISR Facility
Shirley Central comprises 30 unpatented mineral claims covering 665 acres and lies immediately adjacent to Ur-Energy's Shirley Basin In Situ Recovery (ISR) Project. Ur-Energy operates full-scale ISR mining with a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Measured & Indicated resource totaling 8.816 million pounds of U3O8 at an average grade of 0.23%. The company currently transports uranium-loaded resin from Shirley Basin to Lost Creek for processing, demonstrating active, permitted production infrastructure near Noble Plains’ claims.
Additionally, Shirley Central borders properties held by Uranium Energy Corp. (UEC), positioning Noble Plains between two of the most active uranium developers in the U.S. This advantageous location may facilitate future development, permitting, and operational synergies if economic mineralization is confirmed.
Geomorphic AI’s Computer Vision Pipeline Enables Integration of Legacy Data
The digitization of historical gamma-ray logs marks a significant technical advancement by converting legacy exploration datasets into formats compatible with modern resource estimation software. The AI-driven computer vision system, calibrated for mid-20th century uranium logs, identified subsurface uranium intercepts previously only available as scanned images.
Extracting data from 1,211 historical logs generated 341 qualifying intercepts, providing "an unusually clear picture of the mineralized system at Shirley Central before we ever turn a bit," according to the company. This rich dataset offers substantial guidance for the upcoming confirmation drilling program.
Duck Creek Project Validates Historical Data Conversion Approach
Noble Plains’ strategy at Shirley Central builds on successful implementation at its Duck Creek project, where historical drilling data was efficiently converted into a compliant resource. CEO Drew Zimmerman remarked, "six million dollars of historical drilling data doesn't sit on a shelf at Noble," underscoring the company’s commitment to leveraging archival exploration records as actionable assets.
This proven approach serves as a model for the Shirley Central program and is intended for broader application across Noble Plains’ Wyoming assets. Specific details regarding the Duck Creek resource estimate timeline or regulatory status were not provided.
In Situ Recovery Technology Aligns with Noble Plains’ Development Focus
Noble Plains is a U.S.-focused uranium exploration and development company advancing projects suitable for In Situ Recovery (ISR), which it describes as "the most capital-efficient and environmentally responsible method of uranium extraction." The Shirley Central Project’s adjacency to Ur-Energy’s operating ISR facility underscores this strategic focus.
ISR typically requires lower capital investment than conventional mining and has a smaller environmental footprint. Proximity to an existing permitted ISR operation may offer Noble Plains potential benefits such as access to surface infrastructure, permitting precedents, and operational expertise if economic mineralization is confirmed.
Qualified Person and Technical Oversight
Bradley Parkes, P.Geo., Vice President Exploration at Noble Plains Uranium Corp., is the Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this announcement, ensuring compliance with regulatory disclosure standards.
Details regarding drill hole depths, spacing, and precise collar locations were not disclosed but may be provided in future technical reports or filings as the program advances.
Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks
The announcement contains forward-looking statements about the drill program, timing, potential resource estimation, and exploration strategy advancement. Such statements are identified by terms like "may," "will," "plan," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," and "intend."
The company cautions that these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties including drill program completion, historic data interpretation, geological modeling accuracy, drilling results, operational challenges, regulatory approvals, equipment and personnel availability, mineral exploration risks, and commodity price fluctuations. Actual outcomes may differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Next Steps and Timeline
The drill rig has been mobilized, and the confirmation program is underway at Shirley Central. However, Noble Plains has not disclosed the expected duration of drilling, assay turnaround times, or timing for filing a mineral resource estimate or technical report.
Investors should monitor future updates on drilling progress, assay results, and technical interpretations. The timeline for resource estimation will depend on drilling completion, sample analysis, and geological modeling, which may be affected by operational and environmental factors typical of uranium exploration in Wyoming.
