Alligator Energy (ASX: AGE) has completed wet and dry commissioning of the pilot plant at its Samphire uranium project in South Australia within schedule and budget.
The company will now proceed to energise the plant and conduct final preparations ahead of field recovery trials over the next four months to validate recovery performance and operating parameters and support future development decisions.
An operations team is on standby to ensure the site is fully resourced and ready to transition to live status, with first test pattern pre-conditioning targeted to commence next week prior to the start of uranium extraction.
Value-Accretive Workstreams
Alligator will advance several value-accretive workstreams across its uranium portfolio in parallel with the field recovery trials.
These will include an upgrade of the Samphire mineral resource estimate to incorporate the Plumbush satellite prospect, as well as the commencement of an aggressive drilling program at Samphire and the nearby Big Lake project.
The company expects these activities to position it for a period of sustained operational progress as it moves from construction and commissioning into active trial operations, resource growth, completion of a bankable feasibility study, and mining lease permitting activities.
Chief executive officer Andrea Marsland-Smith said the company was pleased to have finally achieved the commissioning milestone after working towards it for a number of years.
“Completing commissioning in line with our schedule bodes very well for the next phase of this project and highlights the strength of our internal capabilities and the quality of our team,” she said.
Bankable Feasibility Study
Alligator has appointed Ammjohn Solutions to provide project management and key engineering support services for a Samphire bankable feasibility study.
The study will integrate data and learnings from the field recovery trials including validated operating parameters, recovery performance and cost inputs, ensuring the outcomes are grounded in site-specific operational data and reflect a high level of technical and commercial confidence.
Ms Marsland-Smith expects the study to be completed early next year, forming a “critical foundation” for future development decisions at Samphire including project execution and financing.
“With the plant ready to operate and a fully-staffed site, we are now transitioning into operations and field recovery—the coming months will be busy and highly active as we continue to build momentum across the business,” she added.
