enCore Energy Expands Uranium Extraction Capacity at Alta Mesa; Accelerated Wellfield Development Underway
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU) has successfully launched its second Ion Exchange (IX) Circuit at the Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery Uranium Central Processing Plant, doubling the total flow capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 gallons per minute (GPM). The expansion enhances uranium capture capabilities, with the facility now utilizing approximately 75% of current processing capacity.
Key operational highlights include:
- Alta Mesa's wellfield achieves 80% uranium capture in just over 4 months, significantly faster than typical 12-15 month recovery periods
- 17 drill rigs currently operating at Alta Mesa, with 43 injection wells and 36 recovery wells added to Wellfield 7
- Plans to reactivate Wellfield 6 within 6 months, which contains 370,000 lbs of remaining Measured uranium resource
- A third IX Circuit planned for 2026 will increase processing capacity to 7,500 GPM
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU) ha lanciato con successo il suo secondo Circuito di Scambio Ionico (IX) presso l'Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery Uranium Central Processing Plant, raddoppiando la capacità totale di flusso da 2.500 a 5.000 galloni al minuto (GPM). L'espansione migliora le capacità di cattura dell'uranio, con l'impianto che ora utilizza circa il 75% della capacità di lavorazione attuale.
Le principali informazioni operative includono:
- Il campo pozzi di Alta Mesa raggiunge l'80% di cattura dell'uranio in poco più di 4 mesi, significativamente più veloce rispetto ai periodi di recupero tipici di 12-15 mesi
- Attualmente sono in funzione 17 trivelle ad Alta Mesa, con 43 pozzi di iniezione e 36 pozzi di recupero aggiunti al Campo Pozzi 7
- Piani per riattivare il Campo Pozzi 6 entro 6 mesi, che contiene 370.000 libbre di risorse di uranio misurate rimanenti
- Un terzo Circuito IX previsto per il 2026 aumenterà la capacità di lavorazione a 7.500 GPM
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU) ha lanzado con éxito su segundo Circuito de Intercambio Iónico (IX) en la Planta de Procesamiento Central de Uranio Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery, duplicando la capacidad total de flujo de 2,500 a 5,000 galones por minuto (GPM). La expansión mejora las capacidades de captura de uranio, con la instalación utilizando ahora aproximadamente el 75% de la capacidad de procesamiento actual.
Los aspectos operativos clave incluyen:
- El campo de pozos de Alta Mesa logra un 80% de captura de uranio en poco más de 4 meses, significativamente más rápido que los períodos típicos de recuperación de 12-15 meses
- Actualmente hay 17 perforadoras operando en Alta Mesa, con 43 pozos de inyección y 36 pozos de recuperación añadidos al Campo de Pozos 7
- Planes para reactivar el Campo de Pozos 6 en un plazo de 6 meses, que contiene 370,000 libras de recursos de uranio medidos restantes
- Un tercer Circuito IX planeado para 2026 aumentará la capacidad de procesamiento a 7,500 GPM
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU)는 Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery 우라늄 중앙 처리 공장에서 두 번째 이온 교환(IX) 회로를 성공적으로 시작하여 총 유량 용량을 분당 2,500갤런에서 5,000갤런으로 두 배로 늘렸습니다. 이 확장은 우라늄 포획 능력을 향상시키며, 시설은 현재 처리 용량의 약 75%를 사용하고 있습니다.
주요 운영 하이라이트는 다음과 같습니다:
- Alta Mesa의 우물 필드가 4개월 이상 만에 80%의 우라늄 포획을 달성하여 일반적인 12-15개월 회수 기간보다 훨씬 빠릅니다.
- 현재 Alta Mesa에서 17개의 드릴링 장비가 운영 중이며, 43개의 주입 우물과 36개의 회수 우물이 우물 필드 7에 추가되었습니다.
- 370,000파운드의 남은 측정된 우라늄 자원이 포함된 우물 필드 6을 6개월 내에 재가동할 계획입니다.
- 2026년에 계획된 세 번째 IX 회로는 처리 용량을 7,500 GPM으로 증가시킬 것입니다.
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU) a lancé avec succès son deuxième Circuit d'Échange Ionique (IX) à l'Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery Uranium Central Processing Plant, doublant la capacité de flux totale de 2 500 à 5 000 gallons par minute (GPM). L'expansion améliore les capacités de capture de l'uranium, l'installation utilisant désormais environ 75 % de la capacité de traitement actuelle.
Les points clés des opérations comprennent:
- Le champ de puits d'Alta Mesa atteint 80 % de capture d'uranium en un peu plus de 4 mois, ce qui est significativement plus rapide que les périodes de récupération typiques de 12 à 15 mois.
- 17 foreuses sont actuellement en fonctionnement à Alta Mesa, avec 43 puits d'injection et 36 puits de récupération ajoutés au Champ de Puits 7.
- Des plans sont en cours pour réactiver le Champ de Puits 6 dans les 6 mois, qui contient 370 000 livres de ressources d'uranium mesurées restantes.
- Un troisième Circuit IX prévu pour 2026 augmentera la capacité de traitement à 7 500 GPM.
enCore Energy (NASDAQ: EU) hat erfolgreich seinen zweiten Ionenaustausch (IX) Kreis in der Alta Mesa In-Situ Recovery Uran Zentralverarbeitungsanlage gestartet und die Gesamtdurchflusskapazität von 2.500 auf 5.000 Gallonen pro Minute (GPM) verdoppelt. Die Erweiterung verbessert die Uranrückgewinnungskapazitäten, wobei die Anlage nun etwa 75% der aktuellen Verarbeitungskapazität nutzt.
Wichtige betriebliche Höhepunkte umfassen:
- Das Brunnenfeld von Alta Mesa erreicht in etwas mehr als 4 Monaten eine Uranrückgewinnung von 80%, was erheblich schneller ist als die typischen Rückgewinnungszeiträume von 12-15 Monaten.
- Derzeit sind 17 Bohranlagen in Alta Mesa im Einsatz, mit 43 Injektionsbrunnen und 36 Rückgewinnungsbrunnen, die zum Brunnenfeld 7 hinzugefügt wurden.
- Es gibt Pläne, Brunnenfeld 6 innerhalb von 6 Monaten wieder zu aktivieren, das 370.000 Pfund an verbleibenden gemessenen Uranressourcen enthält.
- Ein dritter IX-Kreis, der für 2026 geplant ist, wird die Verarbeitungskapazität auf 7.500 GPM erhöhen.
- Doubled processing capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 GPM with second IX Circuit
- Accelerated uranium capture rate: 80% recovery in 4 months vs industry standard 12-15 months
- Aggressive expansion with 17 drill rigs operating at Alta Mesa
- 370,000 lbs of measured uranium resource remaining in Wellfield 6
- Planned capacity increase to 7,500 GPM with third IX Circuit in 2026
- Steep wellfield decline curve requires aggressive drilling and well completion schedule
- Higher operational urgency and oversight needed for wellfield development
- Currently operating at 75% of processing capacity, indicating room for optimization
Insights
enCore Energy's announcement reveals a significant operational advancement with the successful deployment of a second Ion Exchange Circuit at its Alta Mesa facility. This expansion doubles the processing flow capacity from 2,500 to 5,000 gallons per minute, a critical metric directly correlated with uranium capture potential. What's technically impressive is the extraction efficiency at Alta Mesa compared to industry standards - achieving 80% uranium recovery in approximately 4 months versus the typical 12-15 months at comparable Wyoming operations.
This accelerated recovery rate creates a compelling economic advantage through faster capital recovery, but introduces logistical challenges requiring aggressive wellfield development. The company has responded appropriately by deploying 17 drill rigs at Alta Mesa alone (out of 22 company-wide) and has already installed 79 new wells in the past six months with 26 more planned in the coming weeks.
The planned reactivation of Wellfield 6, containing 370,000 pounds of measured uranium resource, represents another near-term production catalyst. With systematic expansions including a potential third IX Circuit in 2026 (increasing capacity to 7,500 GPM), enCore is executing a well-structured scaling strategy that maximizes the technical advantages of their Alta Mesa asset.
This capacity expansion at Alta Mesa represents a meaningful production breakthrough for enCore Energy. The doubling of processing capacity directly addresses the fundamental principle of ISR mining - at any given uranium concentration, increased solution flow translates to higher uranium capture. The company's disclosed extraction timeline showing 80% recovery in just over 4 months creates a distinctive operational model requiring continuous wellfield development but offering accelerated returns.
The systematic approach to expansion is particularly noteworthy. Beyond the immediate capacity increase, enCore has simultaneously expanded Wellfield 7 with 43 injection wells and 36 recovery wells, with plans to reach full circuit utilization through additional development. The planned reactivation of Wellfield 6 with its 370,000 pounds of remaining measured uranium further strengthens the production outlook within a six-month timeframe.
This operational expansion represents a material scaling of enCore's production profile. The company's aggressive deployment of drilling resources demonstrates commitment to maintaining adequate wellfield capacity to support the accelerated extraction model. With a third IX Circuit planned for 2026 to reach 7,500 GPM total capacity, enCore is establishing a clear production growth trajectory tied to tangible infrastructure development rather than speculative projections.
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In conjunction with the expansion of processing capacity, enCore has installed additional injection and extraction wells in the currently permitted and operational Wellfield 7 ("PAA-7"). The combination of the second IX Circuit and wellfield expansion utilizes approximately
Executive Chairman, William M. Sheriff, stated: "At any given concentration of dissolved uranium in water, the more solution you pump, the more uranium that can be captured. At the Alta Mesa CPP, we have learned that our extraction process is faster than anticipated, which is expected to be positive for revenue and return on investment. The work on the second IX Circuit and additions to the wellfield have been underway for several months. While we are pleased to see the second IX Circuit operating, we look forward to full utilization of this increase in capacity. With additional drill rigs and accelerated effort, we look forward to steady advancement of our uranium capture rates."
To view the Alta Mesa CPP and Wellfields map please visit: https://rb.gy/s1hpzy.
Significant Highlights:
- The wellfield decline curve at Alta Mesa is quite steep, achieving approximately
80% uranium capture in just over 4 months. While total capture of uranium is comparable between most Wyoming ISR operations and Alta Mesa, the wellfield decline curve at other projects tends to be much flatter, taking 12 to 15 months for80% recovery months due to differences in physical and chemical properties of the host rock and the process water; - With this capture rate, enCore experiences a very quick recovery of uranium, however this necessitates an aggressive drilling and well completion schedule with an emphasis on logistics, urgency and oversight in the continued development and expansion of the wellfield;
- With the addition of the second IX Circuit, the Alta Mesa CPP now has a total flow capacity of 5,000 GPM, operating two of its three fully licensed IX Circuits at the Alta Mesa CPP;
- Work is underway for systematic and more aggressive expansion of Wellfield 7 with 22 drill rigs now operating on the Company's projects; 17 drill rigs are currently working on increasing uranium extraction at Alta Mesa. The drilling program has been expanding since year end and the Company is actively engaged in further increasing this number of drill rigs in the coming weeks and months;
- During the past six months, an additional 43 injection wells and 36 recovery wells have been added to Wellfield 7 feeding the second IX Circuit at the Alta Mesa CPP with a total flow rate of 1,450 GPM. Ongoing development of the wellfield to supply additional uranium bearing water to the second IX Circuit is continuing toward total circuit flow capacity with the addition of 13 injection wells and 13 recovery wells anticipated over the next 6 weeks;
- Work is underway to return Wellfield 6 ("PAA-6") to operation within the next 6 months. Wellfield 6 was in operation when Alta Mesa shut down in 2012/2013 with 370,000 lbs. of a Measured uranium ("U3O8") resource remaining1;
- There is currently 1 drill rig operating at the Upper Spring Creek Project where drilling will be completed in the next few days. The drill rig will be redeployed to Wellfield 7, bringing the total there to 18, after a short program at the Rosita Extension where a series of close space fences will delineate a portion of the wellfield that has not been exploited to date. Depending on the outcome, drilling of additional wells may be expected to come online within the next 3 to 4 months at the Rosita CPP;
- Construction and installation of the wellfield at the Upper Spring Creek Project will commence once the final permits have been received, this is expected before year end;
- A third IX Circuit is on site and recommissioning is planned for 2026. Once the third IX Circuit is online, it will bring processing capacity to 7,500 GPM, which will bring the Alta Mesa CPP to
100% of its IX capacity; - An IX Circuit is similar to a water softener treatment which selectively removes hardness ions from water. Each IX Circuit at the Alta Mesa CPP contains four upflow columns and 2 downflow columns that contain the IX resin used to capture uranium from the produced water before it is recycled back into the wellfield, thereby minimizing the amount of water consumed in the ISR process.
About the Alta Mesa Uranium CPP and Wellfield
The Alta Mesa Project hosts a fully licensed and constructed ISR Central Processing Plant and operational wellfield located on 200,000+ acres of private land and mineral rights in and regulated by the state of
The Alta Mesa CPP historically produced nearly 5 million lbs. of uranium between 2005 and 2013 when production was curtailed as a result of low prices. The Alta Mesa Project utilizes well known ISR technology to extract uranium in a non-invasive process using natural groundwater and oxygen. Currently, oxygenated water is being circulated in the wellfield through injection or extraction wells plumbed directly into the primary pipelines feeding the Alta Mesa CPP. Expansion of the wellfield will continue with production to steadily increase from the wellfield as expansion continues through 2025 and beyond.
John M. Seeley, Ph.D., P.G., C.P.G., enCore's Manager of Geology and Exploration, and a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 and Regulation S-K subpart 1300 of the Exchange Act of 1933 as amended, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this news release on behalf of the Company.
About enCore Energy Corp.
enCore Energy Corp., America's Clean Energy Company™, is committed to providing clean, reliable, and affordable fuel for nuclear energy as the only
Following upon enCore's demonstrated success in
1Alta Mesa Uranium Project, |
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements:
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Canadian securities laws that are based on management's current expectations, assumptions, and beliefs. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by such words as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "believes", "intends", "continue", "potential", "remains", and similar expressions or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", or "will" be taken. Forward-looking statements and information that are not statements of historical fact include, but are not limited to, any information relating to statements regarding future or potential extraction, and any other statements regarding future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects, statements regarding the success of current and future ISR operations, including projects in our pipeline, our accelerated wellfield development and uranium extraction plans, the timing and number of additional injection and recovery wells, the expectation that the Company's extraction process is faster than anticipated will be positive for revenue and return on investment and anticipated processing capacity, the processing capacity once the third IX Circuit is online, anticipated production increasing from the wellfield as expansion continues through 2025 and beyond should be considered forward looking statements. All such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results and forward-looking statements are subject to important risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward looking statement, including those described in greater detail in our filings with the SEC and on SEDAR+, particularly those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, annual information from and MD&A. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with assumptions regarding timing and schedule of the projects, general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the ability of enCore to implement its business strategies; and other risks. A number of important factors could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated or implied by such forward-looking statements, including without limitation exploration and development risks, changes in commodity prices, access to skilled personnel, the results of exploration and development activities; extraction risks; uninsured risks; regulatory risks; defects in title; the availability of materials and equipment, timeliness of government approvals and unanticipated environmental impacts on operations; litigation risks; risks posed by the economic and political environments in which the Company operates and intends to operate; increased competition; assumptions regarding market trends and the expected demand and desires for the Company's products and proposed products; adverse market conditions, the failure to satisfy ongoing regulatory requirements and factors relating to forward looking statements listed above. Should one or more of these risks materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated, or expected. The Company assumes no obligation to update the information in this communication, except as required by law. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by the Company with the various securities commissions which are available online at www.sec.gov and www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations, beliefs and plans of management. Such statements may not be appropriate for other purposes and readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, that speak only as of the date hereof, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.
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SOURCE enCore Energy Corp.
FAQ
What is the new processing capacity at enCore Energy's Alta Mesa facility after adding the second IX Circuit?
How quickly does enCore's Alta Mesa facility achieve 80% uranium capture compared to other operations?
How many drill rigs and wells has enCore Energy (EU) added to Alta Mesa's Wellfield 7?
When will enCore Energy's Wellfield 6 resume operations and what is its remaining uranium resource?
What will be Alta Mesa's total processing capacity once the third IX Circuit is operational in 2026?
