CanAlaska Uranium Ltd. has announced that De Beers’ exploration team has collected over 100 samples for kimberlite indicator mineral processing from the Company’s West Athabasca project.

The 100 samples have been collected from a target area where striking anomalies were identified from processing data from the Saskatchewan Government Geological Survey/Geological Survey of Canada airborne magnetics programme carried out in 2010. The samples will now be analysed at the De Beers laboratories to establish further evidence for kimberlite intrusives associated with the magnetic anomalies staked by CanAlaska.

The Company also said that the second phase of exploration for detailed magnetic mapping of staked targets, as well as any further significant features will commence in the next few weeks. During this phase, a new high resolution airborne magnetic survey  to be carried out by a specialised aircraft from New Zealand will define the targets in preparation for drilling.

CanAlaska President Peter Dasler commented, "I am very pleased with the significant attention that De Beers is giving our project. The initial reconnaissance sampling has been completed, and known targets visited. The rapid deployment of this specialised aircraft and the attention to detail with this programme is very comforting. I look forward to the results of the programmes, and the next steps in the exploration process."

It may be recalled that CanAlaska and De Beers recently entered into a staged $ 20.4 million Option-Participation Agreement to explore the West Athabasca project for diamonds. The project area covers 75 kimberlite-style targets staked by CanAlaska in the northwestern Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

Pic caption: A De Beers geologist collecting samples