ASX-listed Peninsula Energy has appointed Gary Birch chief technical officer and has established a technical committee to provide enhanced technical oversight, governance and operational support for the continued acceleration of low-pH in-situ recovery (ISR) at its Lance uranium project in Wyoming, in the US.

Birch will start in his new position on September 28.

He is an experienced uranium and ISR operations executive with extensive senior leadership experience at resource companies Energy Resources of Australia and Heathgate Resources.

Since 2019, he has served as Healthgate COO with responsibility for operations, maintenance, engineering, IT and projects.

Within his roles at Heathgate, Birch has been accountable for the leadership and coaching of technical teams, leadership of the Heathgate engineering team and the technical performance of the Beverley and Four Mile wellfields and processing plants.

During his two-decade tenure at Heathgate, he was also accountable for the design and project implementation of the Four Mile West low-pH ISR uranium development.

“The appointment of Gary as chief technical officer and the establishment of the technical committee represent important steps in strengthening Peninsula’s technical capability and governance as we continue the ramp-up of low-pH ISR operations at Lance.

“Gary is one of Australia’s most experienced low-pH ISR uranium operators and brings extensive operational experience across wellfields, processing, maintenance, engineering and major projects.

“His practical understanding of low-pH ISR operations and his proven technical problem-solving skills and leadership will be important as we continue to advance production performance at Lance,” Peninsula MD and CEO George Bauk says.

Meanwhile, the company also highlights that the technical committee will provide structured reviews of the operating performance, technical risks, optimisation opportunities and future mine development priorities across the Lance uranium project, working closely with management and the board to support operational execution and long-term production growth.

Moreover, the committee’s initial focus areas will include the review of wellfield performance, solution flow, chemistry optimisation and production improvement initiatives.

Further, the committee will also focus on supporting future mine development planning, including wellfield design, sequencing, reviewing of data, geotechnical modelling, as well as mentoring and capability-building support for Peninsula’s operational and technical teams.

“Lance is a strategically important uranium asset with a substantial resource base, existing processing infrastructure and significant long-term potential. I look forward to working with the other committee members, Gary and [consulting group] Rendement as we provide robust technical review, constructive challenge and improved decision-making to support management as we continue to optimise operations and establish a stronger foundation for future production growth,” says Peninsula nonexecutive director and technical committee chairperson Keith Bowes.

Peninsula has engaged South Australia-based specialist ISR consulting group Rendement to provide technical consulting support, with the initial scope of work set to focus on diagnosing and addressing the priority areas of reduced wellfield performance as a result of lower-than-expected flow rates, and improvements in ion exchange performance.

“The board is focused on ensuring Peninsula has the right technical skills and capability, operating discipline and governance structures in place to support the Lance ramp-up,” Peninsula nonexecutive chairperson David Coyne says.