{"id":7746,"date":"2023-09-05T11:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T11:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/encoreuranium.com\/news\/encore-energy-provides-update-on-the-south-texas-alta-mesa-isr-uranium-central-processing-plant-and-wellfield\/"},"modified":"2023-09-05T11:00:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T11:00:00","slug":"encore-energy-provides-update-on-the-south-texas-alta-mesa-isr-uranium-central-processing-plant-and-wellfield","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/encoreuranium.com\/news\/encore-energy-provides-update-on-the-south-texas-alta-mesa-isr-uranium-central-processing-plant-and-wellfield\/","title":{"rendered":"enCore Energy Provides Update on the South Texas Alta Mesa ISR Uranium Central Processing Plant and Wellfield"},"content":{"rendered":"

NYSE American:EU
<\/b>TSXV:EU
<\/b>www.encoreuranium.com<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

DALLAS<\/span><\/span>, Sept. 5, 2023<\/span><\/span> \/CNW\/ – enCore Energy Corp. <\/b>(NYSE American: EU) (TSXV: EU) (the "Company<\/b>" or "enCore"<\/b>) today provides an update from the South Texas Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Uranium Central Processing Plant and Wellfield. Upgrades and refurbishments continue to advance as planned and on schedule for the 2024 resumption of uranium production1<\/sup>. The Company also announces further positive results from the wellfield delineation drill program and a continuing advancement of the newly discovered mineralized zone at the Alta Mesa wellfield. Site and production resumption work at the Rosita ISR Uranium Central Processing Plant and Wellfield (Rosita CPP) also remains on schedule for 2023 production.<\/p>\n

\n

\n
\n \"enCore
\n <\/a>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The Alta Mesa ISR Uranium Central Processing Plant (Alta Mesa CPP) is advancing towards a restart of production and presently completing minor scheduled renovations with equipment upgrades and refurbishments underway. A thorough equipment evaluation determined 90% of the piping and valves are operational with limited maintenance requirements. enCore is managing all refurbishments on site where feasible to proactively manage supply chain risks and costs. Longer lead time for non-critical supplies are ordered as part of supply chain management to ensure plant production start-up timelines are well managed. Staffing of key management positions at Alta Mesa started in earnest in Q1\/2023 followed by the recruitment of an operations team experienced in South Texas ISR operations.<\/p>\n

Paul Goranson<\/span>, enCore’s Chief Executive Officer added "The enCore operations team has made steady progress in restoring the Alta Mesa CPP towards a 2024 restart of production while also installing the Production Authorization Area (PAA-7) wellfield. enCore’s management team has dealt with similar start-up challenges in the past, and we have been very realistic about anticipated cost increases and challenging workforce recruitment. We have been strategic in our efforts to recruit skilled management and operators with previous experience at the Alta Mesa CPP and Wellfield. Our strategy also included building a skilled team to successfully expand our activities across our portfolio of ISR uranium projects."<\/p>\n

There are currently eight (8) drill rigs in full operation at the Alta Mesa Wellfield, increased from six (6) rigs as wellfield delineation and completion has progressed. The wellfield drilling operations, delineating the roll front mineralization within Production Authorization Area 7 (PAA-7), which commenced in March 2023<\/span>, are advancing rapidly with 192 holes drilled since our previous update. In total, 272 drill holes have been completed through August 21<\/span>, 2023.\u00a0A previously producing mineralized Middle C sand, extracted through PAA-3, was discovered within PAA-7. Continued drilling within PAA-7 has returned positive results of Middle C sand mineralization in seventeen (17) holes, within PAA-7, with Grade Thickness (GT) values ranging from 0.2 to 0.792 in seven (7) of the holes announced in this release. Continued drilling along trend is expected to expand and delineate this new mineralized sand and is anticipated to increase the overall mineralization within PAA-7.<\/p>\n

Further refined delineation drilling within the PAA-7 continues to establish the exact pattern of injection and recovery wells from which to maximize production efficiency. To date, thirty-three (33) holes have been cased with five (5) holes completed. Two (2) drill rigs are currently casing with one (1) drill rig focused on completion activities. An additional drill rig will be moving to completion activities in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n

To view the Alta Mesa project maps and enCore Energy’s South Texas<\/span> projects please visit: bit.ly\/3fV9fTg<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Significant Alta Mesa wellfield drilling program highlights include:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Drill Hole<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Goliad Sandstone Horizon<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Depth
(ft)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Grade %
U3<\/sub>O8<\/sub><\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Thickness
(feet)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Grade
Thickness
(GT)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Total
Hole GT<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

164-12<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

491.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.163<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.326<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

500.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.231<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.619<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.945<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

170-10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

502.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.250<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.124<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.124<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

164-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

503.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.239<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.193<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.193<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

167-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

490.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.158<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.738<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.738<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

169-10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

503.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.092<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

11.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.062<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.062<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

166-11<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

495.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.259<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.167<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

501.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.140<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

7.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.983<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.150<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

169-104<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

498.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.196<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.569<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.569<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

165-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

507.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.158<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.026<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

166-11<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

494.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.128<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.213<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

504.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.150<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.601<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.814<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

170-10<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

198.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.161<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.365<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.365<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

170-10<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

491.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.112<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.450<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

506.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.261<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.044<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

513.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.229<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

6.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.373<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.867<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

166-11<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

490.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.225<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

8.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.913<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.913<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

181-95<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C -upper1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

512.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.346<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.903<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.903<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

172-95<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

508.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.110<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.331<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

515.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.313<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.938<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.269<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

172-97<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Middle C-lower<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

479.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.073<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.290<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-upper 1<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

491.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.177<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

9.5<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.683<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

505.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.075<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.187<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.160<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

172-96<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Middle C-upper<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

423.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.058<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.172<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

503.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.280<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.841<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

509.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.108<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.379<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.392<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

168-11<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Lower C-upper 2<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

495.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.228<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

13.0<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.969<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Middle C- upper<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

417.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.111<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.222<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Middle C- middle<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

422.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.179<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.269<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.460<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

156-12<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Middle C- upper<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

455.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.272<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.5<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.496<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
<\/td>\n\n

Lower C-lower 1<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

515.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.131<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.392<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.888<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

\n\n\n
\n

–<\/sup>All intercepts are located in the PAA-7 which hosts mineralization within the Goliad Formation. The Company has identified five saturated (required for\u00a0ISR), mineralized sandstone horizons within the Goliad Formation lying approximately 400 to 520 feet below the surface. The water level is located approximately 120 feet below the surface. Grade Thickness is Grade % U3<\/sub>O8<\/sub> multiplied by the thickness of the mineralization.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n

Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery (ISR) Uranium Central Processing Plant ("Alta Mesa CPP") & Wellfield<\/b><\/div>\n

The Alta Mesa CPP and Wellfield hosts a fully licensed and constructed ISR uranium plant, located on 200,000+ acres of private land in the state of Texas<\/span>. Alta Mesa will be enCore’s second producing location following resumption of uranium production at the South Texas Rosita ISR Uranium Central Processing Plant ("Rosita CPP") scheduled for 2023.<\/p>\n

Total operating capacity is 1.5 million lbs. U3<\/sub>O8<\/sub> (uranium) per year. The Alta Mesa CPP historically produced nearly 5 million lbs. U3<\/sub>O8<\/sub> between 2005 and 2013, when full production was curtailed as a result of low uranium prices.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Alta Mesa CPP and Wellfield highlights include:<\/p>\n