Wedoany.com Report-Jun 3, EnviroCopper (ECL) has received approval from South Australia’s Department for Energy and Mining for a 90-day site environmental lixiviant trial (SELT) at the Kapunda copper project. The trial, set to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025 and extend into the first quarter of 2026, will test the in-situ recovery (ISR) technique for copper extraction, a key step toward developing a new copper ISR mine.

ECL is currently engaged in ongoing investment discussions with international investors that have a keen interest in copper ISR.

Alligator Energy, an Australian Securities Exchange-listed exploration company with a 15.6% stake in EnviroCopper, supports the initiative. The trial’s infrastructure, including well patterns, wellhouses, and earthworks, is complete, with additional preparations underway. Alligator Energy CEO Greg Hall stated: “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.”

The SELT aims to confirm the economic feasibility of copper extraction using ISR at Kapunda. A successful trial could lead to feasibility studies and a mining lease application. Funding for this phase is provided by BHP through its subsidiary OZ Minerals under a research agreement signed in August 2022.

EnviroCopper is also engaging with international investors to secure funding for the Kapunda and Alford West projects, focusing on advancing copper ISR technology. The company’s managing director, Leon Faulkner, noted: “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.”

Alligator Energy’s involvement includes board representation and collaboration through a technical advisory committee, aligning with its strategic investment in EnviroCopper. The Kapunda trial represents a significant opportunity to validate ISR as a sustainable method for copper extraction, potentially expanding its application to other projects and supporting South Australia’s role in the global energy metals market.