Husab production increases by 45%

Swakop Uranium’s Husab Mine has reported a surge in uranium production, outpacing its first-half budget commitment by 10%, with the production level reaching 2 426 tonnes of uranium.

This is a 45% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

The mine observed an upsurge of 29,6% in mining volumes and 20,2% in milling volumes compared to the previous year.

This leap has been credited to rigorous operational improvements and focused strategic planning.

“This performance is an incredible feat for the company, and we remain focused on sustaining it for the foreseeable future,” Swakop Uranium’s executive vice president, Irvinne Simataa, said in a report issued yesterday.

Despite concerns regarding costs associated with water and electricity, along with unplanned maintenance, the company continues to prioritise cost prudence and has implemented strategies to counter water supply challenges typically experienced in the second half of the year.

The execution of multimillion-dollar maintenance plans on both plant and mining equipment has fortified Swakop Uranium’s confidence in its capacity to meet and exceed its production goals.

Swakop Uranium invested over N$6,5 billion in stripping costs through the development of zone 1, stage 3, and zone 2, stage 3 open-pit pushbacks, as well as spending N$81 million on equipment acquisition and resource development.

The company plans an additional N$290-million investment in the second half of 2023 to construct a demonstration heap leach plant intended to boost future uranium production.

“Heap leach pilot plant tests will conclude by the end of 2025, after which further investment will be made to expand to a commercial heap leach plant, if found to be economically feasible,” Simataa said.

Apart from ramping up uranium production, Swakop Uranium has emerged as a significant player in Namibia’s local economy.

The company has spent over N$4,4 billion year to date on the procurement of consumables and services from the Namibian market, contributing to the development of small and medium enterprises in the Erongo region.

In addition to being a key employer with 1 700 permanent employees and over 2 000 contracting staff, Simataa said the company is committed to gender diversity, with women comprising approximately 12% of its workforce.

Swakop Uranium recently also employed 35 engineering and science graduates from local universities.

These graduates, coupled with an intake of 85 artisans from vocational institutions, form part of the company’s talent development plan for the next two years.

“Every year, Swakop Uranium invests tens of millions of Namibia dollars in training, ensuring a skilled workforce for decades to come,” Simataa said.

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