A LARGE area near Tennant Creek has been flagged for uranium exploration after geological surveys identified significant potential.

Toro Energy has partnered with world uranium leader AREVA Resources to explore a tenement package of nearly 3000sq km in the Wiso Basin, southwest of Tennant Creek.

Toro Energy’s general manager Dr Vanessa Guthrie said the project was one of a few the company had in the pipeline to secure long-term supplies for export to countries such as India over the next few decades.

“The Northern Territory is one of the richest areas of uranium in Australia and we have a lot of exploration tenements across the NT,” she said.

Toro Energy’s flagship project is the Wiluna mine in WA but the company’s principal ground-holding by surface area is in Central Australia,

Out of the tenements in the Tanamai and Reynolds Range, which are yet to be explored, Dr Guthrie said the Wiso Basin was one of the most prospective ones.

Dr Guthrie recently accompanied the Prime Minister Tony Abbott to India where the historical signing of a uranium trade agreement with Australia took place.

“We had two days of round- table discussions with delegates who have interest in the nuclear sector and securing supplies, particularly in Australia,” Dr Guthrie said.

“For us, this exploration project is in the pipeline.

“We aim to secure long- term supplies for the next 50 years and this exploration target is seeking to backfill for one of those.”

She said it would be about eight to 10 years in development before they were able to move towards a mine.