The company exploring for uranium 25 kilometres south of Alice Springs says it is not yet ready to start drilling, despite awarding a contract to a local business to do the work.

Cameco was given an exploration licence for the Angela-Pamela prospect last October and was expecting to start drilling core samples this month.

The project manager, Stephan Stander, says it has not yet begun.

"That is subject to the approval of our mining management plan which needs to be approved by the NT Government," he said.

"We are awaiting feedback on that."

Despite that, Cameco has let a drilling contract to the Alice Springs company Gorey and Cole.

The company's director, Viv Oldfield, says it will create 25 local jobs.

"People suggest that for every dollar they spend on drilling there's 10 that filters through to the community, so that'll be sort of encouraging for everyone," he said.

He says he hopes drilling work will begin next month.