NexGen Announces Expansion of High-Grade Subdomain at Patterson Corridor East (PCE) and Commencement of 2026 Exploration Program Totalling 45,500 Meters PCE Expansion: Vertical extent of high-grade subdomain has increased by 23% from 335 m to 412 m with
NexGen Announces Expansion of High-Grade Subdomain at Patterson Corridor East (PCE)
and Commencement of 2026 Exploration Program Totalling 45,500 Meters
PCE Expansion:
Vertical extent of high-grade subdomain has increased by 23% from 335 m to 412 m with
210 m of strike length.
Additional expansion of the mineralized footprint to 700 m vertical extent (from 600 m) and
to 620 m strike length (from 600 m).
Additional high-grade subdomain building at 850 m below surface, extending high-grade in
this portion of the mineralization and opening it to further growth.
2026 Drilling Program Commencement:
42,000 meters (“m”) of diamond drilling at PCE in 2026 to be largest program conducted at
the discovery to date building on the highly successful 2025 growth and results
Inaugural drilling at NexGen’s 100% owned SW3 property with 3,500 m to advance high-
priority targets.
Vancouver, BC, January 15, 2026 - NexGen Energy Ltd. ("NexGen" or the "Company") (TSX: NXE)
(NYSE: NXE) (ASX: NXG) is pleased to announce the concluding holes of the 2025 PCE program and the
commencement of the 2026 Exploration Program.
2025 PCE
Final drill holes of the 2025 PCE program delivered continued expansion of mineralization with high-grade
growth and assessment of extents advancing significantly since the Company’s last scintillometer report
(see news release dated August 28, 2025). The primary high-grade subdomain grew to 412 m in vertical
extent (increase of 77 m) and a strike length of 210 m. An additional high-grade subdomain is developing
with hole RK-25-257 intersecting local off-scale (>61,000 cps) at the base of the currently outlined
mineralized footprint, indicating significant expansion potential at depth (Figures 1-4, Table 1).
The overall mineralized footprint expanded to 620 m (increase of 20 m) of strike length and 700 m (increase
of 100 m) of vertical extent, remaining open in most directions. Step out testing has provided critical
information regarding extents of the system and opportunities for continued growth.
Internal continuity within the subdomain was most recently highlighted by RK-25-271 with 5.8 m of
cumulative high-grade (>10,000 cps) and 0.8 m of off-scale (>61,000 cps) that increases the mineralized
zone in the lower half of this subdomain (Figure 3, Table 1). Hole RK-25-271 is located 65 m down-dip from
hole RK-25-256 (see news release dated December 1, 2025) which returned 5.5 m at 21.4% U 3O8,
including 2.5 m at 46.1% U 3O8 and 0.5 m at 74.8% U 3O8.
The 2025 drilling program successfully completed 35,366.2 m, the largest reported in the Athabasca Basin
in 2025. Since discovery (see news release date March 11, 2024), 102 drillholes totalling 69,042.2 m have
been completed (Figure 1). A dual focused approach was taken in 2025 to both grow and define multiple
high-grade subdomains as well as expand the overall mineralized footprint. To date, 67 of the 102 drill
holes are mineralized, including 45 intersecting high-grade (>10,000 cps) and 17 intersecting off-
scale (>61,000 cps).
Figure 1: Interpreted model of mineralization at PCE (as of this release); new holes emphasized by larger diameter pierce points and
bold labels; view is a long section that looks perpendicular to the primary mineralized plane; total mineralized footprint in orange and
the high-grade subdomains in red; drillholes with pending assays are underlined, 32% of 2025 drillholes have fully received results
(as of this release)
Figure 2: Comparison of mineralization at PCE over time with the model evolving based on new geological data; dimensions are
measured from confirmed mineralized intercepts along strike and vertical extent; view is a long section that looks perpendicular to
the primary mineralized plane; total mineralized footprint in orange and the high-grade subdomains in red
Figure 3: Core photo from RK-25-271 displays mineralization from 624.7 to 640.6 m down hole with abundant high-grade and
several instances of off-scale in competent basement rock; yellow outlines >1,000 cps, red outlines >10,000 cps, >61,000 cps
outlined in purple
Figure 4: Representative geological cross-section through high-grade subdomain looking northeast with confirmed dip extent of 450
m and width up to 135 m; uranium mineralization shown as red overlay; interpretation of features extending beyond drillholes aided
by drilling information outside of cross-section width (25 m).
2026 Exploration Program Commencement
Advancement of PCE mineralization with 42,000 m of drilling (Figure 5):
Drilling activity will primarily focus on high-grade growth and the continued expansion of the mineralized
footprint. At least eight (8), 200 m spaced tests will also investigate for repetition of basement-hosted
mineralization within the same hydrothermal system approximately 600 m southeast of the PCE discovery.
Figure 5: Map of PCE with ground gravity in background, target areas are hosted within gravity low denoted by blue colours,
interpreted faults are shown as black dashed lines; primary focus in the immediate vicinity of PCE mineralization with additional
secondary investigation of local system
Regional drilling of 3,500 m at SW3 (Figure 6):
An inaugural, drill program will take place on the SW3 land package with regional greenfield testing of highly
prospective target areas. This marks the first drilling on any SW3 mineral claims by NexGen and an exciting
step in the direct investigation of geophysical anomalies identified. The SW3 package is one of the three
core packages NexGen owns 100% of in the southwest Athabasca Basin and is situated 20 km southeast
of the SW2 package which hosts the Rook I Project.
Figure 6: Map of SW3 with inset of overall NexGen land packages; 3,500 m will investigate highest priority target areas, outlined in
red, in this greenfield setting
Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the 2025 outcomes
from the 2025 drill program at PCE that delivered on our dual-purpose objectives of expanding the overall
mineralized footprint and expand the high-grade subdomain within it. These results systematically outline
mineralization that continues to deliver growth and strong continuity, characteristics synonymous with
Arrow deposit 3.5 km west. The 2025 drill program has rapidly advanced this new discovery, while
underscoring the tremendous prospectivity of NexGen’s 100% owned dominant land holdings which is
driving the expanded activity in 2026. The 2026 program is designed to continue the dual track focus at
PCE and in parallel, test for a repetition of PCE within the same system. In addition, drilling for the first time
at our SW3 property is a reflection of the south western section of the Athabasca Basin world class
prospectivity.
At a pivotal moment for global energy security, nuclear power is being recognized as an indispensable pillar
for reliable, clean, cost efficient energy. The NexGen team is laser focused on concluding the final Federal
permitting and licensing for the Rook I Project and immediately advancing through construction into
production whilst simultaneously advancing the exciting PCE discovery and other high priority targets.
Jason Craven, Vice President, Exploration, commented : “Last year’s highly transitional and successful
program positions NexGen to enter 2026 with an even deeper understanding of this broad and growing
high-grade system. A multitude of targets remain to be tested as we continue to systematically advance
PCE with a dual priority track of expanding both the high-grade subdomains as well as the overall
mineralized system. The comprehensive 2026 program strategically positions all three land packages on
an exciting path toward expansion of PCE as well as additional discoveries as NexGen works to sustainably
supply the world with uranium in the face of mounting and persistent deficits.”
Table 1: Spectrometer results since August 28, 2025 release
Drillhole
Unconformity
Depth (m)
Handheld Spectrometer Results (RS-125)
Hole ID Azimuth Dip Total
Depth (m)
From
(m) To (m) Width
(m) CPS Range
RK-25-254c2 275 -65 553.5 - 394.0 394.5 0.5 <500 - 530
394.5 395.0 0.5 <500 - 510
396.5 397.0 0.5 <500
409.5 411.5 2.0 <500
412.0 413.5 1.5 <500
420.5 421.0 0.5 <500
421.0 421.5 0.5 <500 - 900
421.5 422.0 0.5 <500
429.5 430.0 0.5 <500
437.5 438.0 0.5 <500 - 710
438.0 438.5 0.5 <500 - 530
438.5 439.0 0.5 <500 - 6500
439.0 439.5 0.5 <500 - 520
439.5 440.0 0.5 1000 - 4900
440.0 440.5 0.5 1000 - 12000
440.5 441.0 0.5 <500 - 9000
441.0 441.5 0.5 <500 - 1000
441.5 442.0 0.5 <500
442.0 442.5 0.5 <500
442.5 443.0 0.5 <500
446.0 446.5 0.5 <500 - 2000
446.5 447.0 0.5 <500 - 800
447.0 447.5 0.5 <500
447.5 448.0 0.5 <500 - 1000
448.0 448.5 0.5 <500
448.5 449.0 0.5 <500 - 700
449.0 449.5 0.5 <500 - 600
449.5 450.0 0.5 <500 - 700
450.5 451.0 0.5 <500
451.0 451.5 0.5 <500 - 700
451.5 452.0 0.5 <500 - 550
452.0 452.5 0.5 <500
452.5 453.0 0.5 <500 - 540
453.0 453.5 0.5 <500
453.5 454.0 0.5 <500 - 700
454.0 454.5 0.5 <500
457.0 457.5 0.5 <500
481.5 482.0 0.5 <500 - 600
482.0 482.5 0.5 <500 - 1300
482.5 483.0 0.5 <500 - 510
483.0 483.5 0.5 <500
483.5 484.0 0.5 <500
490.5 491.0 0.5 <500 - 1350
491.0 491.5 0.5 <500
491.5 492.0 0.5 <500
492.0 492.5 0.5 <500
492.5 493.0 0.5 <500
493.0 493.5 0.5 <500 - 700
493.5 494.0 0.5 <500
495.5 496.0 0.5 <500
496.0 496.5 0.5 <500 - 3600
496.5 497.0 0.5 <500 - 2000
RK-25-255 4 -70 950.4 112.7 674.5 675.0 0.5 <500
676.5 677.0 0.5 <500
779.5 780.0 0.5 <500 - 770
780.0 780.5 0.5 <500 - 1000
780.5 781.0 0.5 <500 - 2900
781.0 781.5 0.5 <500 - 4400
781.5 782.0 0.5 <500 - 2400
782.0 782.5 0.5 <500 - 550
782.5 783.0 0.5 <500 - 1200
785.5 786.0 0.5 <500 - 1000
786.0 786.5 0.5 <500
787.0 787.5 0.5 <500
789.5 790.0 0.5 <500
790.0 790.5 0.5 <500 - 1200
790.5 792.5 2.0 <500
792.5 793.0 0.5 <500 - 1000
793.0 798.0 5.0 <500
798.0 798.5 0.5 <500 - 1100
799.5 800.0 0.5 <500 - 620
800.5 801.0 0.5 <500
804.0 804.5 0.5 <500
805.0 805.5 0.5 1200 - 6700
807.0 807.5 0.5 <500 - 5000
807.5 807.7 0.2 10000 - 12000
807.7 807.8 0.1 >61000
807.8 808.0 0.2 <500 - 520
808.0 808.5 0.5 <500 - 3900
829.5 830.0 0.5 <500 - 520
830.0 830.5 0.5 <500 - 590
832.0 833.0 1.0 <500
833.0 833.5 0.5 <500 - 560
833.5 835.0 1.5 <500
835.5 836.5 1.0 <500
838.5 839.5 1.0 <500
840.5 841.0 0.5 <500
842.0 842.5 0.5 <500
842.5 843.0 0.5 <500 - 990
844.0 844.5 0.5 <500 - 940
844.5 845.0 0.5 <500 - 1700
845.0 845.5 0.5 <500 - 620
845.5 846.5 1.0 <500
847.5 848.0 0.5 <500 - 870
848.0 848.5 0.5 <500
851.5 852.0 0.5 <500 - 5300
852.0 852.5 0.5 <500 - 18400
885.5 886.0 0.5 <500
886.0 886.5 0.5 <500 - 800
886.5 887.0 0.5 <500 - 600
889.0 889.5 0.5 <500 - 550
889.8 890.1 0.3 6600 - 31000
890.1 890.5 0.4 <500
RK-25-257 337 -68 1085.0 108.0 925.0 925.5 0.5 <500 - 4800
925.5 926.0 0.5 <500 - 1180
929.5 930.0 0.5 <500 - 840
930.5 931.0 0.5 <500
931.0 931.5 0.5 <500 - 510