ERA says 3 Deeps on schedule and budget AUSTRALIA'S largest uranium producer Energy Resources of Australia says construction of its Ranger 3 Deeps project has begun and remains on schedule and within budget. ERA, which is majority owned by Rio Tinto, expects to commence underground exploration drilling of the Ranger 3 Deeps exploration decline in the Northern Territory in the second quarter of 2013. "The overall project presently remains on schedule and within budget," ERA said in its March 2013 Quarter Operations Review. Exploration expenditure for the March 2013 quarter was $9 million compared to $17 million in the December 2012 quarter.