Fourth phase complete at Etango

Bannerman Resources has completed work to de-risk the heap leaching process it intends to use at its Etango uranium project in Namibia. The fifth and final stage of testing is now underway at the Etango heap leach demonstration plant.

Bannerman Resources has completed work to de-risk the heap leaching process it intends to use at its Etango uranium project in Namibia. The fifth and final stage of testing is now underway at the Etango heap leach demonstration plant.

The Etango demonstration plant (Image: Bannerman)

The plant was commissioned in March 2015 to demonstrate the design and projected performance of the Etango project, as well as building knowledge, and to enable the company to pursue value engineering ahead of full production.

The company said in its quarterly update that the fourth phase of the demonstration program, focusing on solvent extraction, has now been completed, delivering final validation across all aspects of the planned process route for the project. Earlier phases have demonstrated or simulated the heap leaching and solution recycling aspects of the route, and validated assumptions made in the definitive feasibility study for the project.

The fifth and final phase which is now underway aims to optimise the process parameters by drawing on lessons learned in the preceding phases.

Earlier this month, Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy approved the renewal of prospecting licences including the Etango uranium project but refused Bannerman's mining licence application, citing current low uranium prices. Bannerman said the mining licence decision was "not unexpected" and it "retains the right to re-apply for a mining licence when the market recovers." Environmental clearances granted in 2010 and 2012, which are pre-requisites for a mining licence, remain valid.

Australia-based Bannerman delisted from the Toronto Stock Exchange in May, but continues trading on the Australian and Namibian stock exchanges.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News