Antinuclear

ERA’s low uranium production over 2014, as it mulls viability of new underground pit

Energy Resources of Australia lifts quarterly uranium production http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/mining-energy/energy-resources-of-australia-lifts-quarterly-uranium-production/story-e6frg9df-1227182993463?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A%20TheAustralianBusinessMiningEnergy%20%28The%20Australian%20%7C%20Business%20%7C%20Mining%20and%20energy%29&utm_content=IceRocket%20Blog%20Search&nk=586f17321ea76df33e11a222095b3c3a  DOW JONES JANUARY 13, 2015  ENERGY Resources of Australia said uranium oxide output rose in the final quarter of 2014, although annual production was still sharply lower after a radioactive leak disrupted activities at its Ranger operation in the Northern Territory earlier in the year.

ERA (ERA), which is majority owned by Rio Tinto, said it produced 599 tonnes uranium oxide in the three months through to December, up 19 per cent. But it produced just 1,165 tonnes over the course of the year, down 61 per cent on 2013 levels.

Processing of uranium oxide was suspended in December 2013 following a leak of about one million litres of contaminated slurry, which was caused by toxic material eating through a steel tank. The processing plant only restarted in June.

The company had already stopped mining uranium at Ranger in late 2012 after its ore was depleted. But it continued to process stockpiled ore while it studied the viability of digging a new underground pit called Ranger 3 Deeps.

ERA said a prefeasibility study is being finalised and would be reviewed by the board in the first quarter of this year.

January 14, 2015 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News