Greenridge Exploration and Denison Mines Launch Winter 2026 Uranium Drilling Program
Greenridge Exploration Inc. has officially announced the commencement of its 2026 winter drilling program at the Hook-Carter Uranium Project, located in the southwestern region of Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. This significant exploration initiative is a joint venture, with Denison Mines Corp. holding an 80% ownership stake and serving as the project operator, while Greenridge retains a 20% interest.
Strategic Drilling Targets and Program Details
The 2026 drilling program is designed to include up to eight diamond drill holes, totaling approximately 4,600 meters. These targets have been meticulously defined through the integration of detailed ground geophysical surveys conducted in 2025, combined with historical exploration data that has identified critical geological indicators of a potential mineralizing system.
The program has initiated operations on the Derkson Trend, a northeast-southwest trending conductive corridor situated east of the prolific Patterson Lake Corridor. This area remains largely underexplored within the Hook-Carter project boundaries. Historical data from 1978 reveals that drill hole DER-04, located approximately 4.25 kilometers south of the current project area, intersected uranium mineralization grading 0.24% U3O8 over 2.5 meters, highlighting the region's potential.
Executive Commentary and Project Significance
Russell Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Greenridge Exploration, emphasized the importance of this drilling campaign, stating, "The 2026 drilling Program at Hook-Carter represents the culmination of years of exploration efforts leading to the target areas developed by the joint venture's work in 2025. The Company is pleased to be working with Denison on one of the most exciting uranium trends in the history of Athabasca Basin exploration."
The Hook-Carter project is strategically positioned, as it is interpreted to host the northeastern strike extensions of parallel structural trends, including the Derkson Trend and the Patterson Lake Corridor. The latter is renowned for hosting multiple uranium deposits and showings, such as:
- NexGen Energy's Arrow uranium deposit
- Paladin Energy Limited's Triple R uranium deposit
- Purepoint Uranium Group's Spitfire, Hornet, and Dragon zones in partnership with Cameco Corporation and Orano Canada
Operational Timeline and Community Engagement
The drilling program is being conducted from a temporary work camp established on the project site and is scheduled for completion by the end of March 2026. Denison Mines, as the project operator, has committed to fostering collaborative relationships with Indigenous peoples and communities, adhering to its Indigenous Peoples Policy to build long-term, respectful, and mutually beneficial partnerships while aiming to minimize adverse impacts from its activities.
Project Overview and Location
The Hook-Carter Uranium Project encompasses eleven claims covering 25,115 hectares, situated in the southwest corner of the Athabasca Basin, approximately 147 kilometers northeast of La Loche, Saskatchewan. This location places it within one of the world's most significant uranium-producing regions, offering substantial exploration potential for new discoveries.
