enCore Energy's first production area at its Upper Spring Creek in-situ recovery uranium project has completed the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's technical review and public notice process, with final authorization expected on or before November 13, 2026, the company said on October 27.

The public comment period on the final draft permit closed on October 19. Receipt of the Production Area Authorization, USC PAA-1, allows enCore to begin in-situ recovery at the wellfield, which the company owns 100%. enCore submitted the application on May 27, 2025; TCEQ's technical review ran through seven revision cycles and two public notice periods.

The Satellite ion exchange plant and first wellfield at Upper Spring Creek are constructed and already expensed, enCore said. Loaded resin will be trucked to the company's licensed Rosita Central Processing Plant for processing into yellowcake. The project also requires TCEQ operational approval of its waste disposal well, which handles the bleed stream from ISR operations; that well is built and in final testing and TCEQ review.

At Alta Mesa, TCEQ is completing technical review of the PAA-8 application and the PAA-3 Extension amendment. enCore expects PAA-3 Extension permitting by the end of the year and PAA-8 early in the new year. Legislative changes to public notice and hearing procedures that took effect May 1, 2026 remove any opportunity for a public hearing that could have delayed the process, the company said.