Australian Rare Earths (ASX:AR3) has been granted approval from the South Australian Department of Energy and Mining for its Exploration Program for Environment Protection and Rehabilitation at the Overland Uranium Project.
The initial approval covers an area on exploration licence 7001, enabling the company to progress with its first drill program slated to commence in the December quarter.
The EPEPR approval marks a milestone for Australian Rare Earths, allowing early access to high-potential uranium targets within the 3,000km2 project area.
The approved EPEPR application spans 2,077km2 across EL 7001, EL 7003, and EL 7005, with immediate drilling permitted on a 463km2 portion of EL 7001.
"We are delighted to have secured this approval so soon after the ELs being granted, enabling us to make an early start with drilling and begin to explore the potential of the Overland Uranium Project," said Travis Beinke, Managing Director and CEO of Australian Rare Earths.
"It will generate valuable data to inform our future exploration activities across our extensive tenure package," Beinke added.
The Overland Uranium Project holds strong potential for in-situ recovery of amenable, sedimentary-hosted uranium deposits.
Australian Rare Earths is advancing with drill target generation and planning for its inaugural drilling campaign, set to commence in December, while it continues to secure necessary approvals for the remaining exploration licences.
Furthermore, the company is committed to stakeholder engagement and is progressing through the Native Title parties' negotiation process for portions of EL 7003 and EL 7005.
The company aims to lodge additional EPEPR applications soon and remains focused on expanding its exploration activities in 2025.