Rössing Uranium Limited experienced a slump in production last year, recording 2 659 tonnes of uranium oxide compared to 2 882 tonnes produced in 2021, despite having a busy year.
This was said by managing director Johan Coetzee in the mine’s 2022 sustainability and performance report issued on Monday, where he said 16,6 million tonnes of ore were processed last year compared to 20,7 million tonnes in 2021.
Coetzee further said waste and low-grade ore totalled 7,4 million tonnes.
“The lower mining volume was due to the stripping of waste to ore reducing as we move deeper into the pit, nine million tonnes of ore was milled, compared to 9,6 tonnes milled in 2021,” he said.
He said Rössing contributed approximately 4,4% to world primary production during 2022, with Namibia now being the third largest primary producer of U308 globally after Kazakhstan and Canada, and this resulted in an interim dividend of N$49,7 million that was declared and paid to shareholders.
Coetzee said 2022 was a busy year for Rössing, with focus on finalising the life of mine feasibility study, which resulted in approval of an extension from 2026 to 2036. This can be achieved with further pushback of the existing SJ Pit, fully utilising the 15-year mining licence granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2021.
He said the objective of the feasibility study was to evaluate and document the technical, practical and economic feasibility to extend the life of mine beyond 2026 and issue a feasibility report to inform an investment decision by the board of directors.
The highlight was, however, the commissioning of the mine’s new water reservoirs at a cost of N$100 million, he said.
“These reservoirs provide an additional 60 000 cubic metres of storage capacity, enabling us to continue operating during periods of high sulphur bloom in the Atlantic Ocean, resulting in fresh water supply interruptions due to stoppages at the Orano desalination plant during these periods,” Coetzee said.
He further said no fatalities, permanent disability injuries or significant process safety incidents were recorded last year.
“We were able to achieve this performance safely and efficiently through a commitment and hard work of our own employees, as well as the support from the contractors delivering services to us,” he said.
According to Coetzee, Rössing as a major employer and purchaser of goods and services, made a significant annual contribution to the economic development of the Erongo region and Namibia, spending N$2,54 billion on local suppliers last year compared to N$2,25 billion in 2021, accounting for 74% of the total procurement expenditure.
“For Rössing Uranium, 2023 will be another important year, as we look forward to the implementation of the life of mine project following the board’s formal approval in February this year, of the extension to 2036,” Coetzee added.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
