Eagle Plains Reports Additional Results from Drilling at the Don Lake Uranium Project, Saskatchewan
New Don Lake drilling intersected multiple shallow radioactive intervals as Xcite advances a large earn-in across six Uranium City uranium projects.
Rhea-AI Summary
Eagle Plains Resources (EGPLF) and partner Xcite Uranium reported additional 2026 drill results from the Don Lake uranium project near Uranium City, Saskatchewan, where several holes intersected shallow zones of anomalous radioactivity.
The 1,106 m, 10‑hole program at the A, B and C Zones targeted structurally controlled uranium mineralization. New results include intervals such as 1.3 m averaging 2,898 cps in hole DN26005, 5.5 m averaging 2,656 cps in DN26006, 0.7 m averaging 10,403 cps in DN26008 and 0.6 m averaging 12,473 cps in DN26009, with earlier A Zone holes returning up to 1.9 m averaging 11,571 cps. True thicknesses are not yet known and geochemical assays are pending. The approved 2026 Don Lake budget is about C$1.1 million. Under existing option agreements, Xcite may earn up to an 80% interest in six Uranium City projects by funding C$19.2 million in exploration, issuing 4.5 million shares and paying C$330,000 in cash over four years.
Positive
- Multiple radioactive intervals up to 0.7 m averaging 10,403 cps and 0.6 m averaging 12,473 cps in 2026 drilling
- Prior 2026 A Zone holes returned intervals up to 1.9 m averaging 11,571 cps
- 2026 Don Lake budget approximately C$1.1 million, with C$900,000 allocated to drilling
- Xcite earn-in up to C$19.2 million exploration, 4.5 million shares and C$330,000 cash across six projects for 80% interests
- Historical Don Lake results include drill intercepts up to 10.7% U3O8 over 0.3 m and trench samples up to 3.02% U3O8 over 0.61 m
Negative
- Two 2026 holes (DN26004, DN26007) reported no significant anomalous radioactivity
- Assay data for 2026 drill core is still pending, leaving uranium grades unconfirmed
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
CRANBROOK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / September 17, 2026 / Eagle Plains Resources Ltd. (TSXV:EPL)(OTCQB:EGPLF) ("EPL" or "Eagle Plains") and partner Xcite Uranium Inc. (CSE:XRI) ("XRI or Xcite"), are pleased to report results from drilling completed at Eagle Plains' Don Lake Project ("Don Lake" or the "Project") where drilling at the B Zone and C Zone targets has intersected multiple zones of anomalous radioactivity.
The Don Lake uranium project is located near Uranium City, Saskatchewan, and hosts near surface uranium mineralization as well as a past producing uranium mine. In December 2023 Eagle Plains granted Xcite the exclusive right to earn up to an
The 1106m, 10-hole program is testing for structurally-controlled uranium mineralization defined by both historical work and results from the 2025-2026 field programs. The 2026 drilling was contracted to Apex Drilling with crews based out of Uranium City.
Select drill core photos are provided in Figure 5, 6 and 7.
Highlights
- Multiple intervals of anomalous radioactivity1 were intersected including:
- DN26005 1.3m averaging 2898 cps
- DN26006 5.5m averaging 2656cps
- DN26008 0.7m averaging 10403 cps
- DN26009 0.6m averaging 12473 cps
- Anomalous radioactivity is generally associated with strongly silica-feldspar, hematite and chlorite altered gabbroic gneiss
The first three holes at Don Lake in 2026 completed in the A Zone area, also intersected anomalous radioactivity in multiple zones including:
- DN26001 1.9m averaging 11571 cps
- DN26002 1.1m averaging 11753 cps
- DN26003 1.2m averaging 2700 cps
Historical exploration, including trenching and 37 shallow drill holes, have outlined anomalous uranium mineralization over approximately 525m of strike length in the A-B-C Zone area.
Table 1 Drill Information
| Hole ID | Zone | Azimuth | Dip | Total Depth (m) |
| DN26004 | Don Main B Zone | 213 | -45 | 111 |
| DN26005 | Don Main B Zone | 256 | -45 | 116 |
| DN26006 | Don Main B Zone | 256 | -60 | 120 |
| DN26007 | Don Main C Zone | 350 | -45 | 108 |
| DN26008 | Don Main C Zone | 315 | -45 | 75 |
| DN26009 | Don Main C Zone | 280 | -45 | 114 |
Figure 1 Zone A, B, C Update Map
Table 2 2026 Drill Results
| Downhole Gamma Probe 1,2,3 | Hand Held Scintillometer 1,2 | |||||||
| Hole Number | From | To | Width (m) | Max (CPS) | Average (CPS) | Depth (m) | (CPS) | |
| DN26004 | no significant anomalous radioactivity | |||||||
| DN26005 | 68.03 | 69.33 | 1.3 | 15180 | 2898 | 69.25 | 7000 | |
| DN26006 | 13.5 | 19 | 5.5 | 8043 | 2656 | 15.75 | 5000 | |
| incl | 13.8 | 14.4 | 0.6 | 8043 | 6252 | |||
| and incl | 16.3 | 17.2 | 0.9 | 6591 | 4090 | |||
| and | 91.1 | 91.3 | 0.2 | 5733 | 3519 | |||
| DN26007 | no significant anomalous radioactivity | |||||||
| DN26008 | 16.43 | 18.03 | 1.6 | 11802 | 3518 | |||
| incl | 17.63 | 17.93 | 0.3 | 11802 | 7854 | |||
| and | 22.03 | 22.73 | 0.7 | 29586 | 10403 | |||
| incl | 22.33 | 22.53 | 0.2 | 29586 | 21907 | |||
| DN26009 | 25.83 | 28.03 | 2.2 | 21485 | 4517 | 26 | 18000 | |
| incl | 27.03 | 27.63 | 0.6 | 21485 | 12473 | |||
All depths and intervals are meters downhole, true thicknesses cannot yet be determined. Geochemical assays of drill core samples are pending.
1 Radioactive anomaly intervals are defined statistically at greater than 3 times average background counts: (i) at >800 counts per second (cps) measured with a Radiation Solutions BGO Super Spec ("RS-230") hand held Gamma Ray Spectrometer, or >900 cps measured with the Mount Sopris ("2SNA-1000") down hole spectral gamma probe, (ii) is accompanied by structure, hydrothermal alteration, or uranium mineralization typical of Beaverlodge type, or basement-hosted Athabasca unconformity type related uranium deposits, and (iii) spectrometric analyses by RS-230 or 2SNA-1000 probe indicates uranium to be the dominant source.
2 Radioactivity is total gamma in counts per second (cps) measured downhole via the Mount Sopris 2SNA-1000 spectral gamma probe with data collected at 10cm intervals
3 Peak radioactivity is total gamma in counts per second (cps) from surface drill core measured with a RS-230 hand-held spectrometer
All of the drillholes intersected mainly gabbroic gneiss with moderate to strongly developed quartz veining, silicification +/-potassic alteration, and hematization. Other rock types include semi-pelite gneiss, and rare mafic dykes. Anomalous radioactivity is generally associated with the gabbroic gneiss.
The 2026 drilling program is testing for shallow, structurally-controlled uranium mineralization west of the Black Bay Fault, and north of the Townsend Fault, within the Don and Midas Targets. The holes are aligned to target the intersection between NE-trending and NW-trending structures. In the Don Target area, the drilling will test for extensions of high-grade uranium mineralization beneath the A, B, C Zone trenches. At the Midas zone, drilling will target the source of the coincident 2026 uranium geochemical anomalies, and the strong anomaly defined by the 2026 radiometric survey.
Figure 2 DN26005, DN26006 Section
Figure 3 DN26008 Section
Figure 4 DN26009 Section
Figure 5 DDH DN26005 69.25m
Figure 6 DDH DN26006 15.75m
Figure 7 DDH DN26009 26m
See Don Lake Compilation Map
Don Lake Project Highlights
- Twelve SMDI uranium occurrences
- Tenures cover past producing Beta Gamma Mine (SMDI 1394) and the Don Lake Uranium Deposit (SMDI 1393)
- Historical drilling at A Zone returned values of
10.7% U3O8 over 0.3m and2.14% U3O8 over 0.67m (AF 74N10-0422). - Trench samples up to
1.17% U3O8 over 1.98m (AF 74N10-0422).
The approved 2026 budget for Don Lake is approximately
See Don Lake Project Information and Map here
About the Don Lake Project
The road accessible 1671ha project overlies 12 Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index ("SMDI") occurrences associated with Beaverlodge-type basement hosted uranium mineralization.
The property is transversed by the parallel, northeasterly-striking Boom Lake and Black Bay Fault, the latter of which is a regional structure that is inferred to control uranium mineralization in the Beaverlodge camp. In the southeast corner of the property Martin Group sediments form an unconformable contact with older Tazin Group gneisses, along the hanging wall of the Black Bay Fault.
Uranium mineralization at Don Lake is structurally controlled, occurring as pitchblende hosted in fractures and veins associated with faults and shear zones, and often associated with graphite and sulphides.
Three zones of radioactivity and U mineralization have been identified at the Don Lake A, B and C Zones (SMDI 1393), which has been traced by historical drilling and trenching over approximately 525m.
Zone A is a vein system with a length of 213.4 m, that crosses the trend of a northeast-striking lineament. Fourteen trenches and 20 shallow drill holes have been completed over the zone. Analytical results range from trace values up to
Zone B, positioned to the northwest and interpreted to be a continuation of the mineralized trend observed at Zone A, has seen 12 shallow diamond drill holes and 20 trenches completed. Trench sampling reported grades as high as1.
Zone C is positioned to the southeast of Zones A and B and further defines the NW-SE mineralized trend. 6 shallow drillholes and 9 trenches have been completed at Zone C, where trench samples returned from trace amounts up to
At Radioactive Occurrence 50-CC3-10 and -44 (SMDI 1383), and the Midas Cu-U Showing (SMDI 1384) pitchblende occurs as in shears associated with the Crackingstone Fault. Showings associated with the Townsend Fault Uranium Showings (SMDI 1385) host pitchblende in fracture splays and breccia zones. A 10 ft (3.1 m) channel sample taken across a width of 1.0 ft (0.30 m) assayed
At the A.R. Hawker Trench ARH-2 (SMDI 2116) structurally controlled uranium and sulphide mineralization is associated with net textured quartz veins. Grab samples from trenches and surface showings returned from trace values up to
Don Lake History
Anomalous radioactivity at Don Lake was first noted by the Geological Survey of Canada in 1948, with the first claims recorded later that year by the Eldorado Mining and Refining Company. In 1950, Aurora Yellowknife Mines identified 28 radioactive occurrences on the property, including the 50-CC3-10 and 50-CC3-44 (SMDI 1383), Midas Cu-U Showing (1384) and Townsend Fault Uranium Showings (SMDI 1385). The same year Eldorado completed three short diamond drill holes at the Don Lake Zone A showing (SMDI 1393), with hole D-1 returning
Between 1948-1968, various operators conducted work within the current Don Lake tenure, including prospecting, scintillometer surveying, trenching and limited diamond drilling. Most of this work is poorly documented. The next significant work was by Matrix Exploration in 1969, who carried out prospecting, scintillometer surveying, trenching and the 1200m of diamond drilling in 37 holes at the Don Lake A, B, and C Zones. Trenching in the A Zone returned from trace values up to
Between 1971-78 August Hawker, Matrix Exploration and Kodiak Developments carried out prospecting, scintillometer surveys, trenching, and ground geophysics on various areas of the current Don Lake tenure. Parts of the property were covered by airborne geophysics flown by Greater Lenora Resources Corp in 1997 (EM) and by the Geological Survey of Canada and Saskatchewan Energy and Mines who contracted Sander Geophysics to obtain gamma-ray spectrometric, aeromagnetic and VLF-EM data in 2000, the last significant work on the property.
See Uranium City Projects map here
The Uranium City projects are included in a formal Exploration Agreement between Eagle Plains and the Ya'thi Néné Lands and Resource Office ("YNLR"), representing the Athabasca Denesułiné First Nations of Hatchet Lake, Black Lake, and Fond du Lac, the Northern Hamlet of Stony Rapids, and the Northern Settlements of Uranium City, Wollaston Lake and Camsell Portage.
Rock grab samples are selective samples by nature and as such are not necessarily representative of the mineralization hosted across the property. Some of the above results were taken directly from the SMDI descriptions and assessment reports (AF) filed with the Saskatchewan government. Management cautions that historical results were collected and reported by past operators and have not been verified nor confirmed by a Qualified Person, but form a basis for ongoing work on the subject properties. Management cautions that past results or discoveries on proximate land are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved on the subject properties.
Natural gamma radiation from rocks reported in this news release was measured in counts per second ("cps") using a handheld RS-230 spectrometer or 2SNA-1000 down hole spectral gamma probe. Readers are cautioned that measurements of total gamma on drill core are an indication of uranium content, but may not correlate with chemical assays.
About the Beaverlodge Uranium District
The Beaver River, Black Bay, Don Lake, Gulch, Lorado, and Smitty projects are located in the Beaverlodge District near Uranium City in the Lake Athabasca region of Saskatchewan. Occurrences of uranium mineralization are abundant in the Uranium City area and have been explored and documented since the 1940s. The Beaverlodge camp was the first uranium producer in Canada, with historic production of approximately 70.25 million pounds of U3O8 between 1950-1982, from ore grades averaging
The Uranium City area projects have potential for both Beaverlodge-style and basement-hosted uranium mineralization. Key features about the projects include:
- Outcropping, largely northeast-southwest-trending tectonic fabric;
- Electromagnetic conductors that have been confirmed as graphite-rich pelites within or near major faults;
- Anomalous uranium geochemistry and radioactivity associated with graphitic faults;
- Compelling property-wide evidence for hydrothermal alteration;
- Uranium mineralization with corresponding elevations in pathfinder elements.
These factors, along with the presence of a substantial uranium endowment in both basement rocks and Athabasca basin cover rocks, indicate excellent potential for economic uranium mineralization within the project. The mineralization, structures and alteration identified on the claims to date are strong indicators of the possibility of a nearby source for the uranium mineralization.
Uranium City Option Agreement
Under the terms of the agreements, Xcite may earn an
Qualified Person
Technical information in this News Release has been reviewed and approved by C.C. Downie, P.Geo., a director and officer of Eagle Plains, hereby identified as the "Qualified Person" under N.I. 43-101.
About Eagle Plains Resources
Based in Cranbrook, B.C., Eagle Plains is a well-funded, prolific project generator that continues to conduct research, acquire and explore mineral projects throughout western Canada, with a focus on critical metals integral to an increasingly electrified, decarbonized economy.
The Company was formed in 1992 and is the fourth-oldest listed issuer on the TSX-V (and the only one of these four that has not seen a roll-back or restructuring of its shares). Eagle Plains has continued to deliver shareholder value over the years and through numerous spin outs has transferred over
On October 2, 2024, Eagle Plains announced the formation of a separate division within the Company that will give Eagle Plains' shareholders direct exposure to strategic opportunities in Canadian green energy transition. As a wholly owned subsidiary of Eagle Plains, Osprey Power Inc. ("OP") will focus on identifying and advancing innovative and diverse clean energy project portfolios in target markets throughout Canada, with an initial focus on Western Canada.
Eagle Plains' core business is acquiring grassroots critical- and precious-metal exploration properties. The Company is committed to steadily enhancing shareholder value by advancing our diverse portfolio of projects toward discovery through collaborative partnerships and development of a highly experienced technical team.
Expenditures from 2010-2025 on Eagle Plains-related projects exceed
Throughout the exploration process, our mission is to help maintain prosperous communities by exploring for and discovering resource opportunities while building lasting relationships through honest and respectful business practices.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Eagle Plains
"C.C. (Chuck) Downie, P.Geo"
President and CEO
For further information on EPL, please contact Andrew Wilson at 1 866 HUNT ORE (486 8673)
Email: abw@eagleplains.com or visit our website at https://www.eagleplains.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
SOURCE: Eagle Plains Resources Ltd.
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What is the scope and target of the 2026 drill program at Don Lake?
The 2026 program totals 1,106 m in 10 holes and is testing for shallow, structurally controlled uranium mineralization within the Don and Midas targets, west of the Black Bay Fault and north of the Townsend Fault. At Don, holes target extensions of high‑grade uranium beneath the A, B and C Zone trenches, while at Midas they test the source of 2026 uranium geochemical anomalies and a strong 2026 radiometric anomaly.
How does Eagle Plains define anomalous radioactivity in this drilling?
Anomalous intervals are defined statistically at greater than three times background: more than 800 cps on a handheld RS‑230 spectrometer or more than 900 cps on a 2SNA‑1000 downhole gamma probe, accompanied by structures, hydrothermal alteration or uranium mineralization typical of Beaverlodge or basement‑hosted Athabasca‑style deposits, and with spectrometric analyses indicating uranium as the dominant source.
What are the key terms of Xcite Uranium's option agreements on the Uranium City projects?
For each of the Beaver River, Black Bay, Don Lake, Gulch, Lorado and Smitty projects, Xcite may earn an 80% interest by completing C$3.2 million in exploration expenditures, issuing 750,000 Xcite shares and paying C$55,000 in cash to Eagle Plains over four years. In aggregate this totals C$19.2 million in exploration, 4.5 million shares and C$330,000 cash.
What happens after Xcite completes the earn-in on a project?
Upon fulfilling the option terms on any project, an 80/20 joint venture will be formed with Xcite at 80% and Eagle Plains at 20%. Eagle Plains retains a carried interest in all expenditures until delivery of a bankable feasibility study by Xcite or its assigns, and also retains an underlying 2% NSR royalty on each property.
Who operates and manages exploration work during the option earn-in period?
During the earn‑in period, Xcite (XRI) is appointed as operator, while Eagle Plains manages the exploration programs under the direction of a joint technical committee. At Don Lake, work is managed on the ground by TerraLogic Exploration.
How reliable are gamma counts per second (cps) as an indicator of uranium grade?
Natural gamma radiation was measured in cps using handheld RS‑230 spectrometers and 2SNA‑1000 downhole probes. Management cautions that total gamma measurements are an indication of uranium content but may not correlate with chemical assays, and that geochemical assay results for the 2026 drilling are still pending.