Paladin Energy expects only to start mining operations at the Langer Heinrich mine in Namibia by June 2025, with the resumption of uranium production in the first quarter of next year.
“We are looking at the first 15 months of stockpiled material, and in the middle of 2025 we will introduce fresh ore from the mine. But if we find the ramp-up goes better than expected, we are also ready to accelerate that mining ramp-up if we need to,†Paladin Energy CEO Ian Purdy said.
The restart plans come after Langer Heinrich mine was placed under care and maintenance in 2018 due to a decline in uranium market conditions.
Restart costs for the Langer Heinrich operation have previously been estimated at N$1.5 billion (US$81-million), with the project’s life-of-mine production estimated at 77.4-million pounds over a 17-year mine life, at an estimated C1 cost of $27.40/lb.
Purdy said on Tuesday that there was significant potential to expand the orebody and explore the Paladin tenements, and that there was significant exploration potential in the region.
“We have world class processing facility infrastructure that has been dormant for many years, and prior to that the uranium market was constricted. So, no one has done any active groundwork on our tenement for over a decade. Once we are up and running, our first priority will be to expand, optimise and grow the operation in Namibia. But we have to deliver the base case first,†Purdy said.
As part of restart plans, the Langer Heinrich mine has commenced with the Environmental Clearance Certificate (ECC) renewal process.
The current ECC, which covers mining, processing, and related activities, is set to expire this month.
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