A prospective WA uranium developer has called for a ban on mining to be overturned so the state can provide green energy for power-hungry tech giants in the US.
Thunderbird Resources has kicked off its maiden drilling campaign for uranium in Canada's world-renowned Athabasca Basin. The initial 2400m program will test five high-priority basement-hosted targets at the company's flagship Hidden Bay project. Hidden Bay sits within 40km of two of the Athabasca's – and consequently the world's – most successful uranium mines, Cigar Lake and Rabbit Lake.
North Perth-based GTI Energy has appointed uranium specialist Matt Hartmann to its board, weeks out from drilling beginning at its US-based Lo Herma project.
Thunderbird Resources has levelled its sole focus on its prospective portfolio of uranium projects in Canada's world-class Athabasca Basin after turning its back on a pair of lithium projects in Ontario. Following a strategic review of its operations, the company is adamant it will get “more bang for its buck” by using its available financial and human resources across fewer projects.
Thunderbird Resources has assembled a surprising array of interesting-looking uranium and lithium targets in some of the hottest mineral territories in the world, including Canada's Athabasca uranium basin. The Athabasca basin is remarkable for its average uranium grades of about 2 per cent and its massive-scale deposits – and Thunderbird appears to have picked the eyes out of it.
Valor Resources has completed its second anniversary payment as part of a farm-in agreement in Canada, where it is aiming to take an 80 per cent stake in the Hook Lake uranium project. Valor's expenditure has reached C$3.5 million (AU$3.9 million) over a three-year period as required by the deal and it is finalising cash and share commitments to complete its second earn-in milestone.
ASX-listed Valor Resources has outlined six high priority drill targets following an initial field visit, legacy data review and airborne gravity survey at its Hidden Bay uranium project in Canada. The project is strategically located about 20km south of Cameco's historical Rabbit Lake mine where over 200 million ounces of uranium concentrate was once produced.
Valor Resources has bumped up its uranium exploration acreage in the mighty Athabasca Basin region in central Canada to 986 square kilometres by acquiring five new projects, including one along strike from Rio Tinto's Janice Lake property. The Athabasca Basin has historically produced about 20 per cent of global primary uranium supply and hosts the world's highest-grade uranium mine at Cigar Lake.
The Western Australia Court of Appeal has dismissed an application seeking to overturn the environmental approval granted in 2017 to Cameco Australia's Yeelirrie uranium project.
Federal Labor is calling on Environment Minister Melissa Price to explain why she approved a controversial uranium mine in Western Australia the day before the national election was called.
The Conservation Council of Western Australia and traditional owners are continuing their fight against Cameco's planned Yeelirrie uranium mine, lodging an appeal against a Supreme Court decision to uphold the environmental approval.
Uranium explorer Vimy Resources has released a positive definitive feasibility study for its Mulga Rock project, located east of Kalgoorlie, but the report is based on the assumption of a near tripling in the current uranium spot price by 2021.
The Conservation Council of Western Australia and members of the Tjiwarl Native Title Group have taken the fight against Cameco's proposed Yeelirrie uranium project to the Supreme Court, after it was approved by the previous state government.
Woodside Petroleum executive Jeroen Buren has been named acting president of the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, filling the role left vacant by Brian Reilly, who has moved to Canada to take on a new role with Cameco.
The state government has approved Canadian miner Cameco's proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine in the Goldfields, despite its failure to meet one of nine Environmental Protection Authority recommendations.
Toro Energy has joined Vimy Resources in gaining state government approval for its uranium project expansion plans, however Environment Minister Albert Jacob is yet to make a decision on the more contentious Yeelirrie uranium mine proposal put forward by Cameco.
In a rare move for the pro-mining Barnett government, environment minister Albert Jacob has sided with the Environmental Protection Authority and rejected appeals by Canadian company Cameco over its proposed Yeelirrie uranium mine in the Goldfields.
Toro Energy has received the environmental watchdog's backing to mine two additional deposits at its Wiluna uranium project, subject to a number of strict conditions.
A new uranium mine in the eastern Goldfields region has been recommended for approval, with a number of strict conditions imposed by the Environmental Protection Authority.
The environmental watchdog has recommended rejection of a new uranium mine in the Goldfields after the proposal failed to meet one of nine strict factors.
Debt-laden uranium miner Paladin Energy has struck agreements to sell an interest in two of its projects, with total proceeds expected to be $US205 million ($A275 million).
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion has again touted Western Australia's credentials as a destination for uranium mining, this time at today's opening of the Australian Uranium Conference in Perth.
Western Australia is another step towards developing a uranium export industry, with Canadian giant Cameco receiving federal environmental approval at its Kintyre deposit in the East Pilbara.
Amid the gloom, WA has some positive resources stories to tell,with uranium developers buoyed by improving news, investment certainty guaranteed around royalties rates - for now - and nickel reappearing as a sturdy performer.
Mines and Petroleum Minister Bill Marmion says Queensland's looming ban on mining uranium is an opportunity for Western Australia to capitalise on mining the nuclear fuel ore.
FEATURE: Mining sector players are creating innovative solutions – particularly in the iron ore, uranium, and base metals areas, and the graduate labour market – to deal with the changing economic environment.
A coalition of state and national environmental groups have raised concerns about water contamination and other impacts on Western Australia's largest national park.
In November 2008, the newly installed state Liberal government officially dropped Western Australia's ban on uranium mining, paving the way for the development of a new sector.
Paladin Energy managing director John Borshoff says the company's $US190 million sale of a minority stake in its Langer Heinrich mine vindicates a decision to walk away from sale negotiations last year.
Western Australia's uranium explorers are in somewhat of a holding pattern as they wait for a significant lift in prices for the controversial commodity.
