Alligator Approved for Field Recovery Trial at Samphire Uranium Project

Alligator Energy Advances Samphire Uranium Project with Field Recovery Trial

Alligator Energy has received final approval to begin the in-situ Field Recovery Trial (FRT) at the Samphire Uranium Project, located near Whyalla in South Australia. This marks a significant step forward for the company as it moves toward the next phase of development for the project.

The FRT will involve setting up three well-field patterns and installing a containerised pilot processing plant. Equipment necessary for the trial is already on-site at Alligator’s Whyalla yard. The construction of this infrastructure will be handled by the local Whyalla-based Ahrens Group, which has been awarded the contract for civil works and the installation of the pilot plant, reverse osmosis (RO) plant, operations and laboratory units, along with associated tanks and pipework.

Watsons Drilling, the company's drilling contractor, is also preparing to start production well drilling. Ahrens Group plans to use local sub-contractors for specialized tasks, with a mobilization period expected to last between two to six weeks for key staff and contractors. The construction schedule anticipates completion of all work packages within an eight-week timeframe, excluding potential delays due to factors like weather or unforeseen conditions. Following this, there will be a three to four-week commissioning phase.

Once the FRT begins, it will run for three to four months, involving sequential testing of well rings. Inline analysis and on-site lab testing will be conducted to evaluate results quickly. After the trial and any additional testwork, the pilot plant and wellfields will be dismantled, and the area will undergo rehabilitation.

CEO Andrea Marsland-Smith of Alligator Energy commented, “This approval is a pivotal milestone in advancing the Samphire Project toward its next stage of development. The start of the trial represents the culmination of three years of collaboration with DEM and co-agencies, rigorous technical design, and partnerships with technology and engineering firms. It will allow us to validate in-situ recovery (ISR) performance under real-world conditions, gather critical data that will serve as the backbone for a Definitive Feasibility Study, and support future mining lease approvals.”

The FRT will focus on areas within the Blackbush deposit mineral resource estimate (MRE), which was announced in May 2025. This MRE includes a total of 18.0 million pounds of uranium (U3O8), with 14.2 million pounds indicated and 3.8 million pounds inferred. The average grade of the deposit is 676ppm U3O8. Of this, 78% is classified as an indicated resource, making it ready for wellfield design work during the feasibility study.

The trial will provide essential data to support further development of the Samphire Uranium Project. Alligator Energy remains committed to responsible and sustainable practices throughout the process, ensuring that environmental and community considerations are addressed at every stage.

As the project progresses, the company will continue to engage with stakeholders, including local communities, regulatory bodies, and industry partners, to ensure transparency and alignment with best practices. The success of the FRT could pave the way for future exploration and potential mining activities at the site, contributing to the broader uranium market and supporting energy needs both locally and nationally.