Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX:AGE) is back on the ground conducting extensional, resource upgrade and groundwater monitoring well drilling at the Samphire Uranium Project’s Blackbush deposit, south of Whyalla in South Australia.
Drilling will round out the second phase of the 100-hole program approved in 2022.
Groundwater monitoring
Three groundwater monitoring wells will be initially installed as part of this program to support Alligator’s field recovery trial (FRT) approvals and operational monitoring requirements, with more to follow.
A drilling contractor is on-site at Blackbush to kick off sustained operations throughout the year, including:
- targeting extension of high-grade zones where mineralisation remains open to the north, south and west and where historical data flags potential for additional accumulations of uranium mineralisation;
- further upgrading the inferred mineral resource estimate to the indicated category and starting the conversion to the measured category in areas selected for FRT; and
- starting the installation of groundwater monitoring wells ahead of the planned FRT later this year.
Further resource upgrade
Alligator Energy is completing a further resource upgrade for Blackbush based on rotary mud drilling wrapped up in the last quarter of 2022, which will be announced this quarter.
Following this, the company will complete the compilation and analysis of its scoping study for an initial in-situ recovery project based on the updated Blackbush resource.
“Excellent forward planning and on-ground work by our project team late last year and through January has allowed rapid preparation and access to continue for our resource infill and extensional drilling into 2023,” Alligator CEO Greg Hall said.
“The drilling of groundwater monitoring wells is important as we compile information for our planned FRT later this year and will also be used during that operation for performance and environmental monitoring during operations.
“Our technical team has been working diligently to complete the current resource upgrade, to be finalised this quarter.
Community and regional engagement
"Alligator has continued its community and regional engagement with a further public presentation meeting and drop-in session held in Whyalla, along with ongoing discussions with pastoralists and key community groups regarding our drilling and planned pilot field recovery trial.
“We very much appreciate and thank all parties for the feedback, questions and comments we have been receiving around our project and are incorporating these into our future planning.”