Overview
Stage | Permitting |
Mine Type | Underground |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
- Drift & Fill
- Transverse stoping
- Longitudinal retreat
- Cemented backfill
|
Mine Life | 6.5 years (as of Jan 1, 2019) |
The UG PFS is based on using underground mining methods, and processing of 1,000 tonnes per day (tpd) via acid leaching, solvent extraction (SX), and precipitation. The Project has the potential to produce up to 15 million pounds (Mlb) of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) per year in the form of yellowcake. The UG PFS presents an alternative scenario to the combined open pit and underground plan presented in April 2019 (the Hybrid PFS). |
Source:
p. 11
Contractors
- Subscription is required.
Deposit Type
- Metamorphic hosted
- Vein / narrow vein
Summary:
The Triple R deposit is considered to be an example of a basement hosted vein-type or fracture-filled uranium deposit.
Mineralization is known to occur at five locations on the PLS Property, from west to east: 1) R1515W, 2) R840W, 3) R00E, 4) R780E, and 5) R1620E, the most significant of which is the R780E zone. Uranium mineralization discovered on the Property to date is hosted primarily in basement lithologies with subordinate amounts intersected in the overlying Devonian sedimentary rocks. Mineralized zones occur within or near to the MSZ over a 3.17 km strike length along the PLG-3B EM conductor.
Uranium mineralization at the PLS Property is hosted primarily within metamorphosed basement lithologies and, to a much lesser extent, within overlying Meadow Lake Formation sedimentary rocks.
Mineralization within the Meadow Lake Formation sedimentary rocks typically occurs as fine grained disseminations, sooty blebs, and rarely semi-massive uranium mineralization. Uranium concentrations within the Meadow Lake Formation are generally low to moderate, however, grades greater than 1.00 wt% U3O8 have been intersected. When mineralized, the Meadow Lake Formation is typically strongly clay and chlorite altered, though locally can be pervasively hematite stained a deep red. Relative to basement hosted mineralization, only a very small amount of mineralized Meadow Lake Formation has been intersected on the PLS Property to date.
Basement hoste ........

Mining Methods
- Drift & Fill
- Transverse stoping
- Longitudinal retreat
- Cemented backfill
Summary:
The mining method for the underground will be longhole retreat mining in both transverse and longitudinal methods, and some localized drift and fill mining based on current block model information. The mining will progress from the bottom levels to the top, and from the southwest to northeast. Mining is planned at nominally 1,000 tpd ore.
The mine will be accessed using a decline originating to the west of the R00E deposit. The decline will include a box cut into the overburden, and a portal face collared in the overburden. The first stage of the decline will be developed through overburden for approximately 405 m, using the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM – a method commonly used in soft ground), also known as Sequential Excavation Method (SEM), or Sprayed Concrete Liner (SCL). Following this, the decline will transition through weak bedrock for an additional 133 m, until reaching the competent bedrock.
A key component of the underground design is the concept of using artificial ground freezing to extract some of the crown pillar – the mineralized material that approaches the overburden layer. This will be done using horizontal directional drilling from the shore of Patterson Lake and then pumping a refrigerated brine solution through the drill holes to effectively freeze the ground in the areas of stopes.
The portal is situated within the Box Cut. The face of the portal is perpendicular to the gradient of the decline, while the si ........

Source:

- subscription is required.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:

- subscription is required.
Projected Production:
Commodity | Units | Avg. Annual | LOM |
U3O8
|
M lbs
| 15 | 75 |
All production numbers are expressed as yellow cake.
Operational Metrics:
Metrics | |
Daily ore mining rate
| 1,058 t * |
Daily processing rate
| 1,005 t * |
Annual processing rate
| 350,000 t * |
Waste tonnes, LOM
| 3,072 kt * |
Ore tonnes mined, LOM
| 2,299 kt * |
Total tonnes mined, LOM
| 5,372 kt * |
Tonnes processed, LOM
| 2,299 kt * |
* According to 2019 study.
Reserves at September 19, 2019:
Underground Mineral Reserves were estimated by creating stope shapes using a stope optimizing tool. The stope optimizer was run using a cut-off grade of 0.25% U3O8, with a minimum mining width of 3.0 m (including hanging wall and footwall dilution), on 20 m vertical stope heights.
Mineral Resources based on a $50/lb uranium price at a cut-off grade of 0.25% U3O8 and a potential underground scenario.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade | Contained Metal |
Probable
|
2,299 kt
|
U3O8
|
1.61 %
|
81.4 M lbs
|
Indicated
|
2,216 kt
|
U3O8
|
2.1 %
|
102.4 M lbs
|
Indicated
|
2,216 kt
|
Gold
|
0.61 g/t
|
43.1 koz
|
Inferred
|
1,221 kt
|
U3O8
|
1.22 %
|
32.8 M lbs
|
Inferred
|
1,221 kt
|
Gold
|
0.5 g/t
|
19.6 koz
|
Corporate Filings & Presentations:
- Subscription is required.
- Subscription is required.