They had a May 31st deadline for exclusive rights to due diligence on the Swedish U project.
Wonder if they'll go for it - or have something better in mind?
A lot of options have been exercised lately, meaning hte HDGO's are going to be very tightly held now.
Looking forward to news.
ACN 115 819 479 30 April 2007 QUARTERLY ACTIVITIES REPORT FOR QUARTER ENDED 31 MARCH 2007 SWEDISH URANIUM PROJECTS During the quarter Hodges entered an Option and Farm-in Agreement to earn an interest in four uranium projects in Sweden (see map attached). Asnebogruvan Project (1 permit) The area is prospective for iron oxide hosted uranium–gold mineralization as evidenced by the presence of hematite breccia and highly anomalous uranium, gold and rare earths in association with granites. Sampling by the Swedish Geological Survey (“SGU”) in 1980 within two pits assayed 4.7% uranium oxide (U3O8), 28 g/t gold, 0.32% wolfram, 2.7% tellurium, 0.15% yttrium, 10g/t silver and 25% iron oxide whilst a grab sample from a second pit assayed 12.6 g/t gold, 0.11% wolfram, 1.0% tellurium, 10g/t silver and 30% iron oxide (uranium was not analysed in this case). Pitchblende-bearing mineralisation was noted to occur within fractures and faults within a hematite brecciated sandstone. Within the local area seven more uranium bearing fractures were noted. The area was also explored for stratabound uranium mineralisation in 1970 by the SGU. One and a half kilometres east of sampled pits, still within the claim area, drilling discovered an irregular uranium horizon averaging 0.054% U3O8. Norr Dottern (4 permits) Norr Dottern hosts an extensive uranium mineralised boulder field extending for over 3.5 km. Historic sampling of only a small set of boulders averaged 0.32% U3O8 and ranged up to 1.0% U3O8. Follow up trenching was completed in 1974 which exposed a high grade uranium–bearing zone that assayed up to 28.2% U3O8 over 0.2 metres with an average grade of 3.5% U3O8 over 3 metres width along the 5 metre long excavation. A magnetic survey showed that the mineralised area was characterised by a pronounced magnetic low anomaly and additional magnetic lows were identified that were recommended for drill testing but never undertaken. Harrejokk Project (2 permits) Uranium mineralization was discovered at Harrejokk by the Swedish Geological Survey in 1970. Uranium mineralisation occurs within a granitic syenite and high uranium grades are common. Sixty five boulders averaged 0.25% U3O8 with values ranging from 0.1% to 4.2% U3O8. The Swedish Geological Survey drilled nineteen drillholes in the area to test for the ACN 115 819 479 primary source of the high grade uranium mineralisation. This drilling did not locate bedrock uranium mineralisation, which the Company will aim to locate. Two kilometres away at Harrejokk East three boulder trains have been defined. The Swedish Geological Survey drilled twenty five drillholes in 1974 to test the boulder trains, eleven of which intersected uranium mineralisation. Two moderately south-east dipping uranium mineralised structures were discovered. Best drill results included 4.5m @ 0.14% U3O8 from 85m and 5.3m @ 0.11% U3O8 from 34m. Sjaule Project (1 permit) Uranium mineralisation at Sjaune is hosted within north east trending, steeply dipping fractures zones over an area of 700m by 950m. Twenty-eight surface samples across the project area were measured with a gamma radiation detector. Five samples assayed by the Swedish Geological Survey in 1976, ranged up to 0.57% U3O8 and averaged 0.22% U3O8 over the main mineralised structure which is 20 metres wide and 300 metres long zone. Uranium mineralisation is characterised by pitchblende and brannerite. Pitchblende is a naturally occurring uranium oxide (UO2) and brannerite is a complex oxide of uranium, calcium, titanium and iron. The project is located in a remote location in a nature reserve where exploration is permitted subject to particular environmental procedures. The project was considered by Swedish governmental geologists in the 1970s to be the most prospective project within the Hotagen inlier and has yet to be drill tested. TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT Under the terms of the agreement, Hodges can initially earn 47.5% by completing the following: payment of US$60,000 cash on execution of the agreement issuing of 1,500,000 fully paid ordinary shares Issuing 1.5M Tranche A options exercisable at $0.50, 1.5M Tranche B options exercisable at $0.75, (the Tranche A options must be exercised before the B tranche is allotted), Issuing 1.5M Tranche C options exercisable at $1.00 (the Tranche B options must be exercised before the Tranche C is allotted), Spending US$1,000,000 over four years This agreement is conditional upon various regulatory approvals as well as shareholder approval. Hodges has the right to increase its equity to 70% by fully funding a successful feasibility study. The vendors’ free-carried interest will remain until completion of a bankable feasibility study. Hodges has the exclusive right, until 31 May 2007, to conduct due diligence prior to entering into the binding arrangement outlined above. The exploration results have been reported in a range of technical reports sourced from the Swedish Geological Survey dating from 1969 to ACN 115 819 479 1991. It is the Company’s intention to commence a more systematic evaluation of the projects following final due diligence once the field season commences. The Company is in the process of completing its due diligence over the projects. Sweden has an estimated 15% of the world's uranium deposits and ten nuclear power reactors which provide approximately 50% of the countries electricity. The Company considers this to be a particularly exciting opportunity to earn a majority interest in four very promising uranium projects in a country which has a very advanced nuclear industry as well as a well developed mining culture and regulatory system. NEW PROJECTS The Hodges continues to review potential investments within the minerals sector with a hope of adding further value to the Company. CORPORATE Hodges appointed Mr Peter Mullens to the position of non executive Chairman. Mr Mullens has a B.Sc majoring in Geology from Monash University in Australia. He has worked in the industry for 23 years in a number of different roles including mine geology, exploration geology and in a corporate role with Laramide Resources and Aquiline Resources both listed in Canada. His work has included 6 years as a mine geologist for Rio Tinto and Mt Isa Mines at Broken Hill and Mt Isa in Australia, and has included extensive experience in exploration in Australia, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, China and Canada. Mr Mullens was District Manager Argentina then Central America for Mt Isa Mines from 1994 to 1997 Following this Mullens worked as an independent consultant geologist based out of Lima, Peru. In 2002 Mr Mullens joined the Board of Laramide Resources as VP Exploration and Corporate Development. During his time at Laramide Mullens has been responsible for identifying and acquiring the Westmoreland Uranium Project located in Queensland Australia. He has helped with financing and corporate development of the company and has seen the market capitalisation of Laramide rise from CAD $5.0 million to approximately CAD $650 million. Mullens was also instrumental in identifying and acquiring Aquiline Resources main asset in Argentina, The Calcatreu Gold project. Aquiline is also listed on The Toronto Stock exchange, and its market capitalisation has increased from CAD $4 million to currently around CAD$400 million. Mr Mullens is a member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and brings considerable exploration and mining experience to the Company. He currently serves as a director of Laramide Resources and is VP Exloration. . Mr Barry Woodhouse resigned as Company Secretary, during the quarter to concentrate on other business commitments. Mr Bryan Dixon has been appointed as the new Company Secretary. ACN 115 819 479 Cash on hand at the end of the quarter was $3.07 million. On 21 February 2007, Hodges completed its placement of 1.5 million shares at 24 cents to raise $360,000 before costs. For further information, please call Adrian Griffin on +61 418 927 658. Yours faithfully HODGES RESOURCES LIMITED Adrian Griffin Managing Director DISCLAIMER Information in this report pertaining to mineral resources and exploration results has been prepared relying on publicly available information provided by the vendor. The information has been compiled by Mr Don Horn who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The information reported is contained in a range of open file reports which are publicly available from the Swedish Geological Survey. Mr Horn has sufficient experience with respect to mineral exploration and to the activities being undertaken and qualifies as a competent person as defined in the 2004 edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore reserves’. Hodges has no reason to believe the information is not accurate and intends to verify the information whilst conducting due diligence on the projects. Mr Horn consents to the inclusion in the report of the matters on his information in the form and context in which it appears.
HDG Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Not Held