EnviroCopper will undertake a site environmental lixiviant trial (SELT) at its flagship Kapunda Project in South Australia to test copper extraction using the in-situ recovery technique.
Following the approval for its environment protection and rehabilitation (ePEPR) from the Department for Energy and Mining, the aim of this 90-day trial is to prove the validity of the technique’s oxide copper extraction in a shallow fractured rock aquifer setting and confirm economic modelling.
The trial is expected to run from Q4 2025 until Q1 2026, funded by BHP (ASX:BHP), as per its research agreement that was executed by its wholly owned subsidiary OZ Minerals in August 2022.
EnviroCopper Managing Director Leon Faulkner says the company is currently working towards implementing the In-Situ Recovery technique in its Kapunda and Alford West projects.
“This is another strategic win for EnviroCopper in the regulatory space, enabling junior companies to explore for potential In-Situ Recovery projects for energy metals, within an exploration licence, thereby minimising time and costs,” Faulkner says.
Alligator Energy (ASX:AGE), which holds a 15.6% stake in EnviroCopper, has potential to acquire up to 50.1% in January 2024, as reported by Mining.com.au.
Alligator Energy CEO Greg Hall says the company looks forward to observing trials and EnviroCopper’s expansion within its in-situ recovery tool kit.
“The well pattern, wellhouse and associated earthworks for the Kapunda trial are all complete, and further preparation works are underway,” Hall says.
“We look forward to observing the trials and ECL receiving results which informs and builds upon the in-situ recovery tool kit they have been developing. There is substantial expansion opportunity in the right settings for this technology in ISR copper when proven.”
EnviroCopper is dedicated to developing invisible mines through its in-situ recovery technique for metals including copper and gold.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: EnviroCopper
