EnviroCopper (ECL) has been granted approval for a site environmental lixiviant trial (SELT) at the Kapunda project in South Australia.
Australian Securities Exchange-listed exploration company Alligator Energy holds a 15.6% stake in EnviroCopper.
This trial aims to validate the in-situ recovery (ISR) technique for extracting copper, marking a significant step towards establishing a new copper ISR mine.
EnviroCopper recently received the green light from the Department for Energy and Mining for a 90-day in-ground SELT.
Alligator Energy CEO Greg Hall said: “This is exciting news for EnviroCopper and for Alligator. The well pattern, wellhouse and associated earthworks for the Kapunda trial are all complete, and further preparation works are under way.
“We look forward to observing the trials and ECL receiving results, which informs and builds upon the ISR tool kit they have been developing. There is substantial expansion opportunity in the right settings for this technology in ISR copper when proven.”
This work is crucial to confirm the economic viability of potential copper extraction using ISR at Kapunda.
If successful, the trial will pave the way for feasibility studies and a mining lease application.
The funding for this critical phase of test work is provided by BHP under a research agreement through its subsidiary OZ Minerals, which was executed in August 2022.
The SELT is scheduled to commence in the fourth quarter of 2025 (Q4 2025) and extend into Q1 2026.
Alligator Energy has highlighted the strategic complementarity of its investment in ECL, which includes board representation and collaboration through a technical advisory committee.
ECL is currently engaged in ongoing investment discussions with international investors that have a keen interest in copper ISR.
These discussions aim to secure a significant funding boost to support further work at both the Kapunda and Alford West projects.
EnviroCopper managing director Leon Faulkner said: “This is another strategic win for EnviroCopper in the regulatory space, enabling junior companies to explore for potential ISR projects for energy metals, within an exploration licence, thereby minimising time and costs. We look forward to taking this ISR template to our other project at Alford West and future projects.”
