Cauldron Energy (ASX:CXU) has appointed Sophy Townsend as environment and community manager to oversee environmental work and stakeholder engagement at its Yanrey Uranium Project in Western Australia.
Townsend has more than 25 years of experience in environmental impact assessment, planning approvals, and community engagement across Australia, the US, and Canada.
She previously helped secure state and federal environmental approvals for Tellus Holdings’ Sandy Ridge Radioactive Waste Facility in Western Australia. The work included engagement with local communities, Aboriginal groups, and Native Title holders.
At Yanrey, Townsend will manage the environmental aspects of Cauldron’s exploration drilling program, undertake baseline studies, and lead community and stakeholder engagement.
Cauldron says the appointment is intended to improve the project’s development readiness while the company advocates for a change to Western Australia’s uranium mining policy.
The Western Australian Government’s policy is that no new uranium mining proposals will be approved, although uranium exploration remains permitted.
CEO Jonathan Fisher says Townsend’s radiological and environmental approvals experience will support Cauldron’s preparations for a potential policy change.
“I had been wanting to poach Sophy for a while — her track record in WA radiological and environmental approvals really stands out — and I am so pleased we have managed to secure her now,” Fisher says.
“Having previously worked with Sophy at Tellus, where we had success in delivering policy and regulatory changes to facilitate the building of the radiological waste repository in the north of WA, I have every confidence that Sophy will add enormous value to Cauldron.”
Cauldron owns 100% of Yanrey, which covers about 1,493km² and lies around 100km south of Onslow. The company plans to continue drilling while progressing the project’s environmental, community, and technical work.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
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