Name of the Project
Roughrider uranium project.

Location
Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

Project Owner/s
Uranium Energy Corp (UEC).

Project Description
A preliminary economic assessment has validated Roughrider as a top-tier, high-margin operation with a clear path to development into a world-class mine and mill.

Production is estimated at 61.2-million pounds of triuranium octoxide (U₃O₈) over a nine-year life-of-mine (LoM). LoM average production of yellowcake product is expected to be about 6.80-million pounds a year at 95% U₃O₈.

The initial economic assessment envisages that the Roughrider deposit will be mined using longhole stoping methods, with retreat mining in a transverse stope orientation, and various orientations between the three main mineralised zones.

Several underground mining methods were considered; however, longhole stoping was ultimately selected to reduce cost.

Development will be located to the south of the deposits and will be accessed using a ramp decline, which will also be the primary source of fresh air ventilation. Exhaust shafts will be used to ventilate the mine.

Ground freezing will be used to control water inflows into the main decline to a depth below the unconformity and into the three mining zones. Freeze wells will be installed from surface around the perimeter of each zone, with active freezing starting at least 12 months before mining. 

The processing plant will operate at a nominal throughput of 400 t/d, with an LoM average mill feed grade of 2.36% U₃O₈ and a recovery rate of 97.5%. 

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an estimated pretax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $1.63-billion, and an internal rate of return of 53%, with an after-tax payback period of 1.2 years, based on a long-term U₃O₈ price of $85/lb U₃O₈.

Capital Expenditure
Initial capital expenditure is estimated at $545-million, including the mill and underground mine.

Planned Start/End Date
Not stated.

Latest Developments
None stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
No details provided.

Contact Details for Project Information
UEC, email info@uraniumenergy.com.