Toro Energy gains approval from West Australian Government for test pit at Wiluna

Emerging uranium exploration and development company Toro Energy (ASX: TOE) has received the green light from the Western Australian Government for a Resource Evaluation Test Pit at the Company’s Uranium Project, located about 30km south of Wiluna in Western Australia.
The test pit is a key component of the Bankable Feasibility Study being undertaken by Toro for the Wiluna Project.
Work on the resource evaluation test pit – which is expected to start in March this year - will be undertaken to provide information on areas, including the geological understanding of the uranium deposit and underlying clays, validating mineral resource grade estimates and testing selective mining and developing mining parameters to convert the mineral resource to ore reserve.
Work on the evaluation test pit, which has received clearance from Native Title representatives, will involve the movement of approximately 45,000t of ore and barren material over a six week period. After sampling, all material will be returned to the pit with full site rehabilitation to occur.
Managing Director Greg Hall said the test pit was an important part of the BFS process to improve geological, technical and environmental knowledge of the deposits.
Mr Hall said the company also advised that its Wiluna Project team had achieved progress with other work in a number of areas.
The company has commenced formal government assessment and approval processes through referral of the project to the WA and Federal Governments and preparation of an Environmental Scoping Document.
It has also undertaken site safety and radiation management plans, enhanced environmental flora and fauna studies, water supply drilling plans with testing to commence in February and groundwater monitoring plans and models are being developed.
Additional resource drilling is planned to commence in the second quarter and the company is preparing a formal document for approval of a trial heap leach.
The Wiluna Uranium Project comprises the Centipede and Lake Way uranium deposits, located to the south of the township of Wiluna.
Toro last year completed an Optimised Pre-Feasibility level report which significantly improved project economics, and included an upgraded resource, which was outlined in the ASX release dated 1st September 2009.
Since then, Toro has raised A$61m to advance the Wiluna Project through to a construction decision, along with its other uranium pipeline projects in Australia. A project team has been put in place and a BFS commenced, with the project approvals have been initiated with the Western Australian and Federal Government.  http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/4098/toro-energy-gains-approval-from-west-australian-government-for-test-pit-at-wiluna-4098.html