In-situ recovery (ISR) is the world’s leading uranium extraction method, accounting for more than half of all uranium produced globally. Powerhaus is exploring for sandstone-hosted uranium systems in Argentina with the objective of assessing their potential suitability for ISR extraction.
Unlike conventional mining, ISR recovers uranium through a network of injection and production wells, resulting in minimal surface disturbance.
Conceptual model of an in situ recovery mining process. Image Credit: Government of South Australia
Aerial image of Beverley uranium mine, South Australia. Image Credit: Heathgate Resources
Compared with conventional mining, ISR generally requires lower capital investment and is economically applied to suitable sandstone-hosted uranium deposits. Potential benefits include lower capital and operating costs, a smaller surface footprint, and improved health and safety performance.
ISR does not require open pits, waste rock dumps, or conventional tailings storage facilities. Once extraction and groundwater restoration are complete, the land is restored to its original state and purpose.
ISR accounts for more than half of global uranium production. The technology is most extensively deployed in Kazakhstan, where all uranium production is recovered using ISR, making the country the world’s largest uranium producer.
Compared with conventional mining, ISR generally results in lower greenhouse gas emissions, involves less carbon-intensive operations, and does not require conventional tailings storage facilities, keeping uranium production competitive with global peers. Groundwater conditions are continuously monitored through dedicated monitoring wells throughout the recovery process.
Powerhaus is exploring for sandstone-hosted uranium systems in Argentina’s Golfo San Jorge Basin that are interpreted to be geologically analogous to Kazakhstan’s sandstone-hosted uranium deposits.
ISR is most effective where uranium mineralisation occurs within permeable sandstone aquifers confined by low-permeability layers. This geological setting is characteristic of Kazakhstan’s major roll-front uranium provinces and is interpreted to occur within the Salamanca Formation at the Malbec Project. In Kazakhstan, regional uplift associated with the Himalayan orogeny drove the circulation of oxidising groundwater through these permeable sediments, leading to the formation of extensive roll-front uranium systems. Malbec is interpreted to share key elements of this geological setting, with Andean uplift potentially playing an analogous role.
ISR amenability at Malbec and Polo remains subject to further exploration, technical assessments, feasibility studies, and the relevant regulatory and environmental approvals. The principal objective of Powerhaus’ planned drilling programme is to determine the geological and hydrogeological conditions required to evaluate the potential suitability of ISR.
The Malbec and Polo projects are being explored for sandstone-hosted roll-front uranium systems potentially suitable for ISR extraction. ISR amenability will be assessed through the planned drilling programme, technical studies, and feasibility studies.
