Ark recently submitted for 2 uranium group 11 tenders - one for EL 6726 Nangerybone project, which is has the Blackfellows Dam Mine near Cobar, with historic grades of 0.36 per cent uranium. Could be worth watching once they start exploration.
EXPLORATION for uranium ore around Carcoar is likely to start next year as Australian and overseas companies queue to prospect for the controversial mineral across the state.
The New South Wales Government last week invited expressions of interest to explore for Group 11 minerals, which include uranium and thorium.
The initiative comes after a 26-year state ban on uranium exploration was lifted in March, although mining is still not allowed.
Carcoar is the site of Australia’s first documented uranium oxide deposit, in 1954, after cobalt was mined for the dying industry for years beforehand.
The extent of uranium deposits in NSW is relatively unknown, however, the State Government conducts routine aerial geophysical surveys of the state.
As part of these surveys, areas of low concentrations of uranium have been identified in the Carcoar area, the Broken Hill and New England districts and other localities in central and southern NSW.
A Uranium Exploration document released by the NSW Government states that “further on-ground exploration will be required to determine the true concentration of uranium in these areas”, according to reports.
Landholders’ rights applicable to exploration will be similar to CSG mining.
Companies will be required to make an access arrangement with landholders before they can begin exploration, the reports say.
“Already there’s been quite a number of companies express an interest (in exploration), including the NSW Aboriginal Lands Council,” says State Energy Minister, Chris Hartcher, has told Sydney media.
“The mere fact that you express an interest doesn’t mean you’re going to get an exploration licence.
“But there’s been a considerable expression of interest and we’re extremely encouraged by that.”
The application deadline closes on November 13 and licences will be granted some time after that, says Mr Hartcher.
The Minister says interest has come from Australian companies and he’s held talks with Chinese and Indian entities.
“There’s a huge range of interest for two reasons – one because NSW is one of only seven places in the world now which has a triple-A credit rating and therefore is seen as a very secure place for investment,” he says.
“Secondly, because it’s believed there are substantial quantities of uranium close to the South Australian border.”
The NSW decision to lift its ban on uranium exploration comes after the Australian Labor Party national conference in December voted to resume uranium exports to India after a long moratorium.
But uranium remains a controversial subject in Australia, mainly because the substance can be hazardous to move and is used in nuclear weapons.
Mr Hartcher insists that uranium mining will not be allowed in NSW.
A spokesman for Mr Hartcher says the government has not taken a view on whether or not mining will be allowed in the future and new laws will be needed for mining to begin.
A spokesman for the NSW Aboriginal Land Council has confirmed that it has held talks with Mr Hartcher regarding uranium, Sydney media report.
But the spokesman says there has been no formal decision to apply for a licence.
“We are looking at other sectors of mining and mineral extraction, and uranium wouldn’t be ruled out entirely,” the spokesman says.
Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Mr Hartcher says exploration will “help us gain an understanding of the uranium resources that exist in NSW”.
“All expressions of interest submitted will be evaluated against the selection criteria using a consistent process approved by an independent probity auditor,” she says.
“Successful applicants in the EOI (expression of interest) process will be invited to apply for exploration licences for group 11 minerals for a period of up to three years.”
These licences, according to the Uranium Exploration document, are allocated in units, each unit comprising three square kilometres.
Licences are granted for up to 100 units, or up to 300sq/km.
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