Alligator Energy (ASX:AGE) has received its works approval licence from the Environment Protection Agency to begin construction of the in-situ field recovery trial (FRT) at the Samphire Uranium Project in South Australia.
The company first lodged its Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation (PEPR) in conjunction with its recovery trial in March this year, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Alligator has conducted several meetings with specialists including South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining, and the Department of Environment and Water, as well as the Environment Protection Agency for the progression of this program.
Co-regulators have questioned the hydrogeology, groundwater monitoring, and rehabilitation matters in a Request for Information, which Alligator believes will be addressed in proposed operating procedures.
CEO Greg Hall says Alligator will continue to work with the mentioned parties to ensure the company has all of the necessary information to advance its PEPR.
“We look forward to receiving this outcome to initiate employment of our contractors and our own extra personnel in the Whyalla region,” Hall says.
Following approval of the program, Alligator has estimated to begin the PEPR in late Q3 2025 over three to four months to confirm the key parameters of future production operation before development of the FRT.
Alligator will assess the in-situ chemistry, hydrogeology, uranium recovery, reagent usage, as well as other environmental and economical factors that may affect the progress of this trial.
The company will continue to implement data and learnings into a Definitive Feasibility Study and the mining lease application, which will begin during the second half of this year.
Alligator recently employed a construction contractor and local sub-contractors to the site to refine the contract sum, advance induction, and start-up procedures. The company says contract negotiations are close to finalisation.
Just 20km south of Whyalla in South Australia, the Samphire Uranium Project has an estimate of 17.5 million pound uranium resources, as well as a scoping study to determine the production of 1.2 million pounds a year.
Alligator Energy is a uranium and energy metals project developer, focused on creating clear pathways for approval and development across its Australian and Italian projects.
Alligator Energy will be attending the Noosa Mining Investor Conference, held between 23-25 July, at the Peppers Noosa Resort.
Mining.com.au is an official media partner of this year’s conference.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Alligator Energy
