Will Powertech be undertaking open pit mining at the Centennial Project?
As of August 2009, Powertech continues to evaluate the feasibility of mining all of the deposits with the ISR method. However, open pit mining for a couple of the deposits is a last-resort possibility. Also, we are considering the possibility of a commercial gravel quarry on a portion of the southern properties where the ore bodies are much shallower. Where the ore is shallow, there may not be any water present surrounding the ore. We are looking at several methods of recovery for this shallow ore and we are considering removing the valuable gravel deposits over the ore and then removing the natural uranium ore to transport it to a mill facility. We have also identified another method wherein we can use slurry walls surrounding the ore to isolate the uranium, and through purchase of water rights, increase the water level for In-Situ Recovery (ISR) production. It will take more extensive testing before we make an application for either of these methods. Economics and regulatory approval
Powertech continues to evaluate the feasibility of mining all of the deposits with the ISR method. However, open pit mining for a couple of the deposits is a last-resort possibility. Also, we are considering the possibility of a commercial gravel quarry on a portion of the southern properties where the ore bodies are much shallower. Where the ore is shallow, there may not be any water present surrounding the ore. We are looking at several methods of recovery for this shallow ore and we are considering removing the valuable gravel deposits over the ore and then removing the natural uranium ore to transport it to a mill facility. We have also identified another method wherein we can use slurry walls surrounding the ore to isolate the uranium, and through purchase of water rights, increase the water level for In-Situ Recovery (ISR) production. It will take more extensive testing before we make an application for either of these methods. Economics and regulatory approval will dictate the m
