Rössing Uranium Board of Directors have approved a life-of-mine extension for Namibia’s longest-running uranium mine by ten years, from 2026 to 2036, following the completion of a bankable feasibility study.
Announced by Rössing Uranium Managing Director, Johan Coetzee last month the extension to July 2036 comes as a result of a 15-year mining license which was approved by Namibia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2021.
“The objective of the feasibility study was to evaluate and document the technical, practical and economic feasibility to extend the mine’s lifespan,” Coetzee stated, adding, “This provides Rössing with a new lease of life and translates to the continuation of various macro-economic benefits for its stakeholders. We appreciate all the support received from our board, employees and other stakeholders during the journey of extending our life of mine to 2036.”
Serving as the southern African country’s first commercial uranium mine, having started production in 1976, and producing 2.9 million kg of triuranium octoxide (U3O8) in 2021, it was announced that work on the push-back will start this year as production continues through Phases 2 and 3, with the start of Phase 4 poised to begin in 2026.