Alligator Energy has completed commissioning of its Samphire pilot plant and is set to begin a four-month uranium field recovery trial, signalling a key step towards project development.
- Pilot plant commissioning completed on schedule and budget
- Operations team fully recruited and inducted
- Field recovery trial to start with test pattern pre-conditioning next week
- Four-month trial to validate uranium extraction performance
- Aggressive drilling programs to commence at Samphire and Big Lake
Pilot Plant Ready for Action
Alligator Energy Ltd (ASX – AGE) has reached a significant milestone with the completion of commissioning activities at its Samphire Uranium Project pilot plant. The company confirmed that both dry and wet commissioning were successfully completed within the planned schedule and budget, marking the plant as operationally ready. This achievement sets the stage for the next phase – energising the plant and initiating live operations.
Transition to Field Recovery Trial
The full operations team has now been recruited and inducted, ensuring the site is fully staffed and prepared. The company plans to commence test pattern pre-conditioning next week, a preparatory step ahead of uranium extraction. The upcoming field recovery trial (FRT) is scheduled to run for approximately four months, with initial results expected by late March 2026. This trial is critical for validating the recovery performance and refining operating parameters, which will inform future development decisions at Samphire.
Parallel Progress Across Portfolio
While the FRT is underway, Alligator Energy is advancing several complementary workstreams. These include upgrading the Samphire Mineral Resource Estimate to incorporate the Plumbush satellite prospect, potentially expanding the project's resource base. Additionally, the company is preparing to launch aggressive drilling programs at both Samphire and its Big Lake project, weather conditions permitting. These efforts aim to bolster resource confidence and support the forthcoming bankable feasibility study and mining lease permitting activities.
Strategic Momentum Building
CEO Andrea Marsland-Smith highlighted the significance of this phase, noting the team's dedication over several years to reach this point. She emphasised that completing commissioning on schedule reflects the strength of Alligator's internal capabilities and the quality of its team. The company is now poised for a busy period of operational activity and news flow as it transitions from construction to active uranium extraction trials and resource development.
Alligator Energy’s multi-jurisdictional uranium portfolio, combined with its experienced leadership team, positions it well to navigate the complex path toward project approval and development. The coming months will be closely watched by investors and industry observers eager to see how the FRT results and resource upgrades translate into tangible progress.
Bottom Line?
As Alligator Energy moves into live uranium extraction trials, the market awaits critical data that will shape the project's future trajectory.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the field recovery trial meet or exceed uranium extraction performance expectations?
- How will the updated Mineral Resource Estimate impact the overall project valuation?
- What timelines can be expected for the bankable feasibility study and mining lease approvals?