RE:Wet v DryThanks OneDayLate, I don't know of any underground mine that does not have water in it. Mining engineers calculate the water in flow and design pumping systems to with a capacity to pump out more than comes in...that is how you get a "dry" mine. When those calculations do not describe the actual water influx it leads to underdesign of the pumping system and inevitably flooding and loss of equipment as happened at Cigar Lake. Much of the reason for flooding at Cigar was the depth of the porous athabaska sandstone that sits on top of it and the consequent water pressure at mine depth. This is very different from Arrow where the sandstone forms only a minor part of the geology and most of the deposit is within the basement rock. That does NOT mean there will be no water...it just means that the water pressure will be much much lower and it will be far more easily controlled.
Of course we do not know the actual conditions down there but you can get a good idea from the drill cores...as you say...you KNOW when you have hit water at depth....it comes right back at ya.
I have worked for mining engineering companies and a lot of detailed planning goes into designing and building a profitable mine. Water studies and hydrogeologyf the area are a major part of that work. From what I can see now major water problems of the type that have plagued other regions are less likely to occur here. But that should not be taken to mean "no water" just less water...a lot less.
But very early days yet and lots more drilling and analysis will need to be done by NexGen before we get to the mine design stage. However it is all unfolding quite fast and I have no doubts that this is going to be the worlds largest and richest deposit of Uranium Ore.
The preliminary numbers are hard to argue with.
As far as financing is concerned...with folks like Li Ka Shing backing them I really doubt thyey will be short of money to finish the job.
Pleased you enjoy reading my posts. I do try to input some of my knowledge into the discussion to counter some of the baseless rhetoric I see here and it is nice to know there are those that do take the time to read it. I appreciate that. Always open to being challenged - as long as it is respectful and factual.