Central Australia may have an operational uranium mine by 2013.

Uranium exploration company, Toro Energy, is looking at the feasiblity of its Napperby site, north-west of Alice Springs.

The company's Greg Hall says despite the global financial crisis, uranium prices are remaining strong, thanks to the increasing reliance on nuclear power world-wide.

"So we're undertaking the scoping study to have a look at the economics, and based on that scoping study we'll continue to put shareholders money into the project," he says.

"We've already spent around $4.5 million to $5 million on Napperby.

"So we need to do another re-check of the economics before we re-commit to more funds."