Alliance unveils development blueprint

Alliance Resources has unveiled an initial blueprint for development of the Four...

  Alliance Resources has unveiled an initial blueprint for development of the Four Mile Uranium Project in South Australia. The company yesterday announced details of a Concept Evaluation Study provided by its joint venture partner, Quasar Resources, which outlines a staged mining development that could potentially increase up to a projected long-term production capacity of 4.5 million pounds per annum of uranium concentrate.The Melbourne-based uranium, gold and copper company announced the key findings from the Concept Study, which was designed to develop an optimum development pathway by identifying suitable mining development and processing options, project staging and the next evaluation stage(s) for the Project.According to Alliance, the Concept Study identified a staged development model, the initial three stages of which would utilise in-situ leach mining as the optimal development strategy. Under the staged development model, uranium concentrate production is proposed to commence in 2010, subject to resource confirmation and optimisation, at an initial capacity of 1.5 million pounds per annum.Alliance’s Chief Executive Officer, Steve Johnston said the Concept Evaluation Study provided an important framework for the ongoing development of the Four Mile Project.“The study has identified key project options which will form the basis of our strategy for future exploration and development activities,” Mr Johnston said. “It also provides a very good indication of the potential and scale of the project to deliver low-cost uranium production to world markets from the beginning of next decade,” he said.“At its ultimate proposed long-term production capacity of 4.5 million pounds of uranium concentrate per annum, Four Mile would be one of the more significant uranium mines anywhere in the world – reinforcing the significance of the discovery and its value to the Quasar/Alliance Joint Venture.“Subject to regulatory approvals, we plan to commence a Field Leach Trial at the Four Mile Project in the June Quarter of 2008,” he said