Boss Energy ramps up construction at Honeymoon uranium project
Boss Energy plans on becoming one of the lowest cost uranium producers globally.
Advanced explorer Boss Energy (ASX: BOE) has started to ramp-up key construction and development work at its Honeymoon uranium project in South Australia.
Since arriving at a final investment decision on the project last month, the company has taken significant steps towards re-starting the project.
It is targeting first production in late 2023 to maximise the opportunity presented by a forecast supply-demand imbalance in the global uranium market.
Development work includes the ordering of key equipment; advancing detailed engineering; setting up three initial wellfields; and refurbishing the existing campsite.
It is being carried out in line with a front end engineering design study completed in March.
Mobilising contractors
Specialist contractors have mobilised to the Honeymoon site for piping and electrical works, with wellfield drilling set to commence in August.
A building contractor has also been mobilised to start on the refurbishment and upgrade of the mine camp and administration areas.
High speed data services have been connected and site access road upgrades are scheduled to start next month.
Detailed engineering is due for completion later this year, as supported by EPCM (engineering, procurement and construction management) and other specialist consultants.
All major long-lead tenders have been issued and are under evaluation.
Critical equipment orders
In an effort to mitigate potential freight and logistic delays, Boss has focused on placing orders for long-lead critical equipment including NIMCIX fibreglass columns; the water treatment plant including reverse osmosis and thickener upgrades; wellfield downhole fibreglass piping (totalling 5 kilometres in length); and 48 borehole pumps for wellfield extraction.
Mobilisation of construction teams for each aspect of the project will commence as soon as these materials are delivered to site.
Speed of activity
Boss managing director Duncan Craib has been pleased with the speed of development activity.
“We are pushing ahead rapidly with our construction and development plan on multiple fronts,” he said.
“We are taking extensive measures aimed at mitigating any delays we may encounter due to the equipment availability and freight challenges around the world in order to meet our goal of being Australia’s next uranium producer by December next year”.