Alligator Energy has reached a key development milestone at its Samphire uranium project, with the commencement of uranium extraction marking a significant step in advancing the project toward feasibility.
The transition from pre-conditioning to active recovery under the Field Recovery Trial (FRT) is critical, as it will generate the operational and technical data required to assess uranium recovery performance, wellfield behaviour and key operating parameters.
The FRT, expected to run for approximately four months, is designed to deliver a consistent stream of data, with initial uranium already observed in solution flowing into the plant. While extraction has not yet reached target levels, the early response confirms the system is functioning and progressing as planned.
In parallel, the company is advancing additional work streams across its uranium portfolio, including an upgrade to the Samphire mineral resource estimate incorporating the Plumbush satellite prospect, and drilling programmes at both Samphire and the Big Lake project, subject to weather conditions.
Chief executive officer Andrea Marsland-Smith said the start of uranium extractionrepresents another milestone in systematically advancing and de-risking the project.
“This is another milestone for the Samphire project and reflects the consistent progress the team has made in systematically advancing and de-risking the project,” she said.
“The start of uranium extraction is an exciting step towards further confidence in the project’s development pathway, particularly when the deposit is responding well to the in-situ recovery process in these early stages of the trial.”
The company said ongoing field recovery trials, resource growth, feasibility work and permitting activities are expected to support continued operational progress and news flow as Samphire advances.