Delays or Approvals? Alligator Energy’s Samphire Trial Faces Regulatory Hurdles
Alligator Energy advances regulatory approvals and construction preparations for its Samphire Uranium Project’s Field Recovery Trial, a critical step toward commercial production.
- Response submitted to regulator queries on hydrogeology and environmental monitoring
- Works Approval Licence received for Field Recovery Trial construction
- Construction contract negotiations nearing completion with local contractors
- Field Recovery Trial aims to validate parameters for future uranium production
- Trial data to support feasibility study and mining lease application in second half 2025
Regulatory Progress and Engagement
Alligator Energy (ASX, AGE) has provided a significant update on its journey toward commencing the in-situ Field Recovery Trial (FRT) at the Samphire Uranium Project near Whyalla, South Australia. Since lodging its operating plan in March 2025, the company has engaged extensively with key South Australian regulators, including the Department for Energy and Mining, the Environment Protection Agency, and the Department of Environment and Water. These discussions culminated in a Request for Information focused on hydrogeology, groundwater monitoring, and rehabilitation, to which Alligator has now formally responded.
Securing Construction Approvals and Contracts
In a notable milestone, Alligator has secured its Works Approval Licence from the EPA, authorizing the construction phase of the FRT. This approval is crucial as it allows the company to move forward with physical site preparations. Concurrently, Alligator’s construction contractor, Ahrens, has conducted site visits alongside local subcontractors to refine contract terms and advance induction and startup procedures. Contract negotiations are reported to be close to finalization, signaling imminent commencement of construction activities.
The Field Recovery Trial’s Strategic Importance
The FRT is designed to validate critical parameters such as in-situ chemistry, hydrogeology, uranium recovery efficiency, reagent usage, and environmental impacts. Running for approximately three to four months, the trial will establish three well-field patterns and deploy a pilot processing plant already fabricated and staged at the Whyalla yard. The insights gained will be instrumental in de-risking the project and informing a definitive feasibility study and mining lease application planned for the latter half of 2025.
Local Economic and Environmental Considerations
Beyond technical validation, the FRT represents a potential boost to the Whyalla region through employment opportunities for contractors and additional personnel. Alligator’s CEO Greg Hall emphasized the company’s commitment to working closely with regulators to ensure all environmental and operational concerns are addressed. Post-trial, the company plans to remove the pilot plant and wellfields and rehabilitate the site, underscoring its environmental stewardship.
Looking Ahead
While the timing of final PEPR approval remains uncertain, Alligator’s progress positions it well to initiate the trial in late Q3 2025, contingent on regulatory clearance. The outcomes of this trial will be pivotal in shaping the future of the Samphire Uranium Project and its pathway to commercial production.
Bottom Line?
Alligator Energy’s near-term regulatory and construction milestones set the stage for a decisive phase in uranium project development.
Questions in the middle?
- When exactly will the Department for Energy and Mining approve the PEPR to allow trial commencement?
- What specific data from the FRT could most influence the feasibility study and mining lease application?
- How might local community and environmental groups respond to the upcoming trial activities?
