Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX:AGE) is preparing for the next step at its Samphire Uranium Project in South Australia by applying to the SA Department for Energy and Mining (DEM) for a Retention Lease to conduct a pilot Field Recovery Trial.
The company is proposing to undertake a short-term small-scale Field Recovery Trial in early 2024 for around three months to test the use of the In-Situ Recovery (ISR) method for the project.
ISR is a method used in about 55% of the world’s uranium production and has been used safely at other uranium mines in northeast South Australia since 1998.
Input for planned study
Alligator Energy CEO Greg Hall said, “The pilot Field Recovery Trial will look at many of the previously bench-scale tested and modelled technical, hydrogeological, environmental and economic aspects of the project, and provide important input into our planned feasibility study.”
About ISR
ISR involves extracting uranium by circulating the hypersaline groundwater from 65 to 80 metres depth (location of uranium-bearing sands) in a closed loop to surface while testing the ability to extract the uranium in-situ.
A dilute acid and oxidant are introduced to dissolve the uranium into the hypersaline groundwater, which is then pumped to the surface and the uranium is removed in a processing plant.
Monitoring wells surround the injection/recovery wells to demonstrate the return of groundwater to neutral conditions.
ISR is known for its low visual impact – there is no digging or moving tonnes of rock or dirt that can occur in open cut or underground mining.
About the trial
The trial is proposed to take place on about two hectares of land and would consist of three rings of injection and recovery wells.
While this pilot test work does not guarantee the project will proceed, it is a step in determining future outcomes.
Consultation period
In conjunction with this application for the project around 20 kilometres south of Whyalla on the Eyre Peninsula, the company has initiated a public review and consultation period.
This period began on August 23 and Alligator Energy has provided a link directly to the DEM website page which hosts the Retention Lease and Field Recovery Trial submission documents - Samphire Uranium Project - Energy & Mining.
The company is committed to developing and maintaining genuine relationships with the local community and has been undertaking engagement activities since 2020.
“We greatly appreciate the questions and feedback from stakeholders during our meetings with community during presentations, drop-in sessions and individual meetings," Hall said.
"We will continue to listen and provide many opportunities to meet with the team and talk about the project and our environmental management practices.”
Subsequent steps
If the proposed trial is successful, Alligator intends to undertake a feasibility study in 2024, with all activity requiring further State and Federal government approvals, and the securing of project financing amongst other key matters, before a mine could be developed.
Alligator Energy is an Australian development and exploration company focused on uranium and energy-related minerals.
The company’s leadership team has significant uranium operations experience, and its projects include two uranium projects in South Australia (the Samphire Project and Big Lake in northern SA), the Alligator Rivers Uranium Project (Northern Territory) and a cobalt-nickel focused project in Piedmont, Italy.