Mr Williams said the company had received formal approval for the clean-up of unauthorised waste buried within the Arkaroola pastoral lease and wilderness sanctuary.

In February this year, the South Australian government suspended Marathon's drilling program after an investigation found the company had buried drill cuttings and other waste material on the site.

"We are pleased the state government has approved our rectification plan and Marathon looks forward to getting the clean-up job completed as soon as practically possible," Mr Williams said.

"The completion of the rectification plan will enable us to take the next steps towards seeking the necessary approvals to re-commence our drilling program."

At the time the government suspended Marathon's licence, Premier Mike Rann said the decision sent a clear message to all mining companies involved in exploration and development of the state's natural resources in sensitive areas.

"This is a remote part of our state but it is not the wild west," Mr Rann said.

"Mining companies must respect the environment and the view of local stakeholders if they are going to explore in the area and we will be watching to make sure they do so."

At the same time Mr Williams said Marathon remained committed to the Mt Gee project, one of the largest undeveloped uranium deposits in Australia.

In December, the company announced an accelerated drilling program at Mt Gee and said the project was on track to begin production in the early part of the next decade.