31 Oct 2024 21:20

RosGeo begins uranium exploration in Trans-Baikal Territory's Badinskaya area, work to conclude in 2027

MOSCOW. Oct 31 (Interfax) - RosGeo began searching for uranium deposits suitable for underground leaching in Transbaikal Territory's Badinskaya area during Q2, according to information published in the state register of geological exploration work.

According to a geological study project, RosGeo will conduct gravity, magnetic, and electrical surveys each totaling 97 km by the end of this year. Lithogeochemical work is planned for 2025, followed by the drilling of 23 exploration wells with a total length of 17.61 km in 2026, along with geophysical surveys, sampling of rock and mineral resources and their extraction. Hydrogeological, topographic, laboratory, and in-office studies are also planned.

All work is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. A report is due to be submitted to the geological information funds in Q1 2027. The total cost of the work is 575 million rubles.

According to data from the All-Russian Scientific-Research Institute of Mineral Resources published in 2022, the projected increase in uranium resources in the Badinskaya area is estimated at 10,000 tonnes in the P1 category and 40,000 tons in the P2 category.

RosGeo published a project for assessment work on uranium located within the Dulesminskoye ore field, in Buryatia's Vitim uranium ore district, in August 2024.

Work on the project, which costs 779.5 million rubles, was launched in March. RosGeo is set to drill 149 exploratory wells by the end of 2026 and conduct geophysical surveys, sampling of rock and mineral resources and their extraction, as well as hydrogeological, topographic, laboratory, and in-office work. A report to the geological information funds is also required by Q1 2027.

Russian Natural Resources Minister Alexander Kozlov previously said in an interview with Interfax that uranium projects in Buryatia and in Trans-Baikal and Krasnoyarsk Territories are priorities for the Geology: Revival of the Legend federal project.