Laramide Resources (ASX:LAM) said an updated preliminary economic assessment for its Westmoreland uranium project in Queensland indicates "strong" project economics with a post-tax net present value of $741.1 million and an internal rate of return of 33%, according to a Thursday filing with the Australian bourse.

The assessment also shows average annual production of about 4.9 million pounds of triuranium octoxide and total production of about 47.9 million pounds over an initial mine life of 11 years, per the filing.

The company said the assessment pegged the initial capital cost at about $456 million, plus a contingency of $84 million, with an estimated payback period of roughly 2.5 years.

The updated study incorporates a decade of technical advancement and replaces a previous assessment from 2016.

"Significantly, this study positions Westmoreland for the next stage of development," said Rhys Davies, Laramide Resources' vice president of exploration. "The company is prepared to lodge a mining lease application as soon as permitted by the Queensland government."