EVIDENCE-LED
EXPLORATION
NovaCore Uranium Inc. operates as an environmentally conscious, disciplined and evidence-led company and aims to evaluate the Ane Project in Catron County, New Mexico.
Our mission is to evaluate prospective domestic uranium resources through disciplined science, transparent communication and responsible exploration. We understand that water protection, cultural-resource stewardship and meaningful local and tribal participation are integral to progress.
Our current proposal is a focused exploration only program designed to establish what is present - not a request to approve a future mine.
Our immediate responsibility is to establish what is present, communicate the findings transparently and allow any subsequent decisions to be informed by evidence.
EVERY CLAIM GROUNDED IN EVIDENCE. EVERY STAGE INFORMED
BY MEANINGFUL TRIBAL AND LOCAL PARTICIPATION.
THE ANE PROJECT
Ane is located on National Forest System land in the Red Basin area of the Datil Mountains - Pie Town Uranium District.
The current proposal includes up to 37 proposed boreholes, each with a drill pad, encompassing approximately 4.98 acres of total surface disturbance. Not every proposed pad is expected to be drilled, and the program is expected to last no more than approximately 12 months. The proposal is currently under review by the Cibola National Forest and the State of New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department. The number of proposed boreholes, pads and surface disturbance is subject to change during this review process.
This is exploration only. The current proposal involves no uranium production or mineral processing, and no mill, tailings facility, open-pit mining or permanent operating infrastructure.
WHY NOVACORE?
As the United States prepares for growing demand for reliable, low-emissions electricity, prospective uranium resources may become increasingly important. Strategic relevance, however, does not remove our obligation to utilize an evidence based scientific approach to protect the environment and earn local trust.
NovaCore’s ambition is to set a higher standard for modern uranium exploration, combining technical rigor with transparency from the outset and clear accountability to the communities, land users and landscapes within and surrounding the Ane Project area.
OUR CORE COMMITMENTS
WATER PROTECTION
Water protection is of paramount importance.
NovaCore plans to use air reverse-circulation drilling rather than a more water-intensive mud-rotary system, materially reducing the anticipated water requirements for the program. Current technical planning indicates approximately 50 - 100 gallons per borehole for drilling itself, subject to confirmation of any ancillary requirements and alignment with the final regulatory documentation.
Water would be brought from an off-site source; no on-site surface-water withdrawal, mine dewatering or intentional discharge is proposed. If groundwater is encountered, any authorized testing would be carefully controlled, with produced water contained on site and samples analyzed by an accredited laboratory. Wet boreholes would be plugged to prevent comingling of formation waters in accordance with state and federal regulation. All boreholes will be plugged post drilling.
NovaCore is coordinating with New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology on a study of the hydrogeological units associated with the Red Basin and San Agustin Basin. Proposed next steps include voluntary baseline sampling within the program area with independent technical oversight, community-observed sampling and assessment of a publicly accessible environmental-monitoring platform.
ACKNOWLEDGING THE LEGACY
New Mexico’s uranium history, including abandoned mines, contamination and incomplete remediation, has created legitimate and longstanding mistrust. We will not ask communities to disregard that experience or accept reassurance in place of evidence. Its lessons must inform stronger safeguards, cultural-resource protection and greater accountability.
Ane is currently an exploration proposal, not a mine. It includes no uranium production, processing, mill, tailings facility, open-pit mining or permanent operating infrastructure. Any future recovery proposal would require separate state and federal permit applications, requiring an additional, rigorous evidence based scientific approach to protect the environment in accordance with state and federal regulations.
NovaCore recognizes the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) responsibility to lead formal Tribal consultation under Section 106. We will support this process through a third-party cultural-resource survey conducted to USFS requirements, alongside direct engagement with relevant Tribal governments, Tribal Historic Preservation Office and local communities.
Our operational team is committed to developing a community and Tribal engagement framework covering advanced fieldwork notifications, and ongoing transparency through a public commitments register.
LOCAL VALUE
The exploration program is modest in scale, with approximately four to six people expected on site, however NovaCore is committed to seeking local opportunities and solutions involving accommodation, supplies, transport, site services, environmental monitoring and reclamation.
If Ane advances, its potential contribution through employment, procurement, taxes, royalties, infrastructure will be assessed using evidence available at that stage. We are committed to developing opportunities for participation alongside the potential growth of the project.
RESPONSIBLE EXPLORATION
The current application provides for up to 37 potential drill pads but states that not every location is expected to be drilled. Total proposed surface disturbance is approximately 4.98 acres, including drill pads, temporary staging areas and specified access work.
Activity would remain within authorized areas and use existing National Forest System roads wherever practicable. Contemporaneous reclamation of surface disturbance at each individual pad location would occur such as grading and recontouring the surface, site stabilization, erosion prevention and reseeding using a USFS-approved native mix. Pre- and post-site gamma surveys would occur to ensure gamma does not exceed natural background in order to support verification of reclamation outcomes.
Operational controls would address spill prevention, containment, dust, noise, traffic and waste. Given the area’s dark skies, NovaCore will limit nighttime activity and use low-intensity, fully shielded lighting should it become necessary. Environmental controls, monitoring results and public commitments would be reported transparently.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
CONTACT NOVACORE
© Copyright 2026