Silex Systems Limited (Silex) provided the following update on progress being made in the SILEX uranium laser enrichment project being conducted in collaboration with exclusive licensee, US-based Global Laser Enrichment
The first full-scale laser system module, designed and built at Silex's Lucas Heights laser technology development centre, was recently shipped to GLE in Wilmington following the successful completion of a rigorous eight-month test program. The laser system module has been installed in the Test Loop facility and is currently being commissioned. The commercial- scale laser system is the result of many years of development work and represents a significant leap in performance compared to the previous generation of laser technology utilised in the Test Loop. Construction of a second identical laser system module required for the commercial pilot demonstration project is well advanced, and is expected to be shipped to the Wilmington Test Loop around mid-CY2023, subject to logistics and related scheduling. Separator Systems: The joint GLE-Silex engineering team based at the Test Loop facility in Wilmington has been making solid progress scaling up the separator and gas handling systems required for the pilot demonstration program. Component testing is well advanced and integrated system assembly is underway. Additionally, GLE is expanding its in-house manufacturing capability and expanding the engineering and operations teams. While no decision has yet been made, Silex and Cameco continue to assess the potential to accelerate GLE's prospective commercialisation timeline. With evolving market conditions providing strong support for acceleration, any decision will be considered in light of a number of factors, including the level of support available from Various government and industry initiatives. Acceleration could involve targeting completion of the pilot demonstration program as early as mid-2024, with a view to commencing commercial operations as early as 2027, depending on market demand and other factors. This could also involve bringing forward a commercial feasibility assessment and NRC licensing activities for the proposed Paducah Laser Enrichment Facility (PLEF) project. The diagram below depicts the baseline (original) and potentially accelerated timelines for commercialisation activities.