Yeelirrie uranium project
| Company type | Mining project |
|---|---|
| Industry | Uranium mining |
| Predecessor | WMC Resources |
| Founded | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Wiluna , Australia |
Area served | Mid West, Western Australia |
| Products | Uranium oxide (U3O8), vanadium oxide (possible secondary product) |
| Owner | Cameco |
| Parent | Cameco |
The Yeelirrie uranium project is a uranium deposit situated roughly 70 km to the southwest of Wiluna within the Mid West area of Western Australia. The project derives its name from the nearby sheep station known as Yeelirrie.
In the Wiluna region, additional uranium ventures include Lake Maitland, Centipede, Millipede, and Lake Way.
History
Initially discovered in 1971 by WMC Resources, Yeelirrie entered into a joint financing arrangement with Esso and German company Urangesellschaft Australia Pty Ltd in 1978, with plans to commence production by 1984. Development activities started in 1980, featuring trial mining operations and a pilot processing facility located near Kalgoorlie. A feasibility study conducted in 1982 estimated an annual uranium oxide (U3O8) output, alongside the possibility of producing vanadium oxide as a secondary product.
The project was suspended in 1983 due to the Australian Labor Party's Three mine policy and subsequently placed under care and maintenance. Rehabilitation of the site was finalized in 2003.
Following BHP’s acquisition of WMC Resources in 2005, the company took ownership of Yeelirrie. After a rise in uranium prices and changes in government policy in 2008, BHP intended to initiate mining operations by 2014. The goal was to achieve a weekly uranium oxide production rate with an anticipated mine lifespan ranging from 20 to 40 years. Ore processing was planned to be conducted onsite, with finished product transported to Kalgoorlie for rail shipment to export terminals.
In 2010, BHP revised its annual production target downward from to U3O8, citing uneconomical acid heap leach processing methods. The project encountered opposition from local Aboriginal communities concerned about employment opportunities and protection of cultural heritage sites significant to the Wongutha people.
An environmental assessment carried out in 2011 documented 143 species within the area, including three newly identified species. Among these, Atriplex yeelirrie is classified as threatened and exists only in two populations close to the proposed open pit mine location.
In August 2012, Canadian mining company Cameco acquired Yeelirrie from BHP for US$430 million.
Environmental approval for the project was granted by Western Australian authorities in January 2017. Although legal challenges were mounted by environmental organizations and traditional owners contesting procedural matters, courts dismissed these cases through to 2019. In April 2022, Environment Minister Reece Whitby declined an extension for the existing approval.
Reserves and resources
As reported on 31 December 2018, measured and indicated resources at Yeelirrie amounted to 58,100 tonnes (128.1 million pounds) of U3O8, with an average grade of 0.15% U3O8.