URANIUM IN AFRICA:
Current Situation, Prospects & Challenges by Gabi Schneider, Namibian Uranium Institute
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION Current Production:
Namibia Exploration: Niger Algeria South Africa Botswana Central African Republic Past Production: Guinea DRC Equatorial Guinea Gabon Mali Malawi Mauritania Morocco Nigeria Tanzania Zambia Zimbabwe Africa has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium Exploration and mine development is proceeding in countries which have not hitherto supplied uranium Gabon has been a significant uranium supplier in the past Source: WNA Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION
2019 Production 2019 Consumption
Other 16.5% Other USA Niger 5.6% Kazakhstan 26.8% 28.1% Namibia 10.2% 42.5% Korea 6.7% Australia China Russia 15.1% 12.3% Canada France 9.3% 12.9% 14.0%
The other 16.5 % are produced by The other 26.8 % are consumed Russia, Uzbekistan, China, USA, mainly by Belgium, Canada, Finland, Ukraine, South Africa (0.6%), India, Germany, India, Japan, Spain, and Pakistan Sweden, Ukraine, and the UK
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CURRENT SITUATION
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand NAMIBIA Namibia has significant uranium mines capable of providing 10% of world mining output Its first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1976
Deposit Type Resources Measured & Indicated Inferred Rössing Alaskite 239 926 tU in 0.02% ore 26 154 tU in 0.02% ore Husab Alaskite 143 740 tU in 0.048% ore 40 130 tU in 0.04% ore Langer Heinrich Calcrete 34 785 tU in 0.042% ore 3 454 tU in 0.04% ore Trekkopje Calcrete 26 000 tU in 0.01% ore Norasa Alaskite 39 700 tU in 0.0167% ore 8 500 tU in 0.014% ore Etango Alaskite 63 000 tU in 0.016% ore 24 000 tU in 0.016% ore Omahola Alaskite 10 370 tU in 0.041% ore 7 000 tU in 0.043% ore Tumas Calcrete 1 542 tU in 0.028% ore 20 900 tU in 0.03% ore Tubas Sand 10 900 tU in 0.0125% ore Marenica Calcrete 22 040 tU in 0.01% ore 22 039 tU in 0.01% ore
2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Rössing 3449 3519 3083 2641 2289 2043 1308 1057 1569 1790 2102 2449 Husab 192 1140 3028 4010 Langer Heinrich 919 1108 1419 1437 1960 2098 1947 1937 1893 1294 394 [tU] Trekkopje 251 186 Total 4368 4627 4502 4078 4500 4327 3255 2994 3654 4224 5524 6459
Source: NUA, WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand NIGER Niger has two significant uranium mines providing about 5% of world mining output from Africa's highest-grade uranium ores Niger's first commercial uranium mine began operating in 1971
Deposit Proven, Probable & Resources Type Measured Reserves Indicated Inferred SOMAIR Sandstone 3 205 tU in 0.15% ore 30 042 tU in 0.143% ore 22 653 tU in 0.164% ore Arlit Sandstone 20 403 tU in 0.159% ore COMINAK Sandstone 8 702 tU in 0.327% ore 942 tU in 0.277% ore Imouraren Sandstone 213 722 tU in 0.07% ore 62 784 tU in 0.058% ore 2 879 tU in 0.066% ore SOMINA Sandstone 15 600 tU in 0.2% ore Madaouela Sandstone 12 084 tU in 0.1% ore 30 600 tU in 0.12% ore 10 680 tU in 0.11% ore Dasa Sandstone 25 000 tU in 0.26% ore 18 600 tU in 0.22% ore
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 SOMAIR 2726 3065 2730 2331 2509 2164 2116 1783 COMINAK 1075 1506 1508 1501 1607 1313 1332 1128 [tU] SOMINA 64 96 2990 Total 3865 4667 4528 4057 4116 3477 3449 2911 2983 SOMAIR = Arlit/Arlette, Tamou, Tagora, Artois COMINAK = Akouta, Akola, Afasto/Ebba SOMINA = Azelik
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand SOUTH AFRICA
Uranium production in South Africa has generally been a by-product of gold mining Sedimentary uranium occurrences are known from the Karoo Basin
Deposit Resources Type Measured & Indicated Inferred Ezulwini Au Conglomerate 3 200 tU in 0.028-0.045% ore 85 tU in 0.028-0.045% ore Vaal Reef Au Conglomerate 70 520 tU in 0.035% ore Dominion Reef Au Conglomerate 55 00 tU in 0.062% ore 62 800 tU in 0.036% ore Beatrix Au Conglomerate 9 900 tU in 0.079% ore Randfontein Au Conglomerate 41 000 Ryst Kuil Sandstone 16 000 tU in 0.1% ore
2011 2012 2013 2104 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 Ezulwini 34 69 47 67 [tU] Vaal Reef 548 465 531 504 346 423 308 Total 582 465 531 573 393 490 308 346 346
Source: WNA, Kinnaird & Nex, 2016
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand PAST PRODUCTION
Democratic Republic of Congo Provided uranium for the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s, particularly from the Shinkolobwe mine, 25 km west of Likasi in Katanga Subsequently some uranium mining by Union Miniere, up to Independence in 1960, when the shafts were sealed and guarded About 25 000 tU were produced between 1940 and 1960 The deposit has been unofficially mined since 1997 for cobalt In 2009 French Orano’s predecessor Areva signed a uranium exploration agreement for Katanga with the government, focused on Shinkolobwe, but no development has taken place DRC ratified the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty in 1970
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand PAST PRODUCTION GABON Historically, uranium mining in Gabon has been closely linked with Niger due to the role of the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) The Mounana uranium deposits in SE Gabon were discovered in 1956 by CEA geologists and were mined from 1960 to 1999, producing nearly 28 000 tU The best known deposit is Oklo, discovered 1968, which produced over 14 000 tU The Franceville Uranium Mines Company (COMUF), formed by Cogema and the Gabon Government, undertook mining and processing Mining mostly in open pit, but also underground, from five discrete orebodies with average ore grade of 0.37% Production fluctuated from 400 to 1250 tU/yr Facilities were dismantled and the site is in the final phase of rehabilitation. The remaining resources are quoted as 5 420 tU at 0.027% (inferred) Gabon is party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and signed a safeguards agreement in 1979, but does not have a comprehensive safeguards treaty in force
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand PAST PRODUCTION
MALAWI The Kayelekera deposit in northern Malawi, west of Karonga was discovered in the 1980s Australian Paladin Energy acquired the deposit in 1997, and developed it at a cost of US$ 220 million After producing 4 190 tU, the mine was placed on care and maintenance in May 2014 In 2020 Paladin Energy sold its 85% interest in the mine to Lily Resources, 15% of the shares are held by the Malawian Government In 2020 the mine announced an increase in JORC-compliant resources to 1 580 tU measured resources, run of mine stockpile of 10 445 tU indicated, and 2 428 tU inferred, including a low-grade stockpile The average overall grade is 0.053%U and the figures assume a 0.026%U cut-off The Livingstonia uranium deposit is in similar geology some 100 km SE of Kayelekera, but remains as yet unquantified
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION ALGERIA Uranium exploration in the 1970s resulted in the discovery of the Tahaggart deposit Reasonably assured resources of 26 000 tU (< $80/kg) are reported BOTSWANA The Letlhakane project in NE Botswana comprises the Gojwane and Serule orebodies, and the Gorgon, Gorgon South, Mokobesi, and Kraken prospects JORC-compliant resources are 33 000 tU at 0.0167%U indicated and 108 000 tU at 0.0172%U inferred, all at 100 ppm cut-off. The carnotite-calcrete ore is amenable to shallow open-pit mining with heap leach which could produce 1 150 tU/a over 18 years Australian A-Cap Resources received a 22-year mining license in 2016 Construction was planned for 2018, but has been deferred Australian Impact Minerals explored deposits in SE Botswana including Lekobolo, Shoshong and Ikongwe In 2014 Impact put its uranium exploration on hold Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC French Orano’s predecessor Areva proposed to develop the Bakouma project in E CAR at a cost of $ 200 million Open pit mining with 1 200 tU/a from ore grading up to 1.27 % U After a test phase from 2010, full production was planned for 2014-15 Low uranium prices and metallurgical difficulties have delayed the project after an expenditure of €107 million The continental phosphate deposit is unusual for its uranium content Inferred resources are 36 475 tU at 0.03% The CAR government holds a 10% free carried share GUINEA Forte Energy NL, formerly Murchison United NL , encountered good mineralization in 2007 at its Firawa prospect, 600 km east of the Conakry, 7 400 tU JORC-compliant inferred resources were announced, with 1-2% rare earth elements present However, the leases lapsed in 2015 Australian Toro Energy and UK Contico also hold exploration
licences Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION EQUATORIAL GUINEA Government has commenced airborne geophysical surveys to locate uranium mineralization, and has launched a new mining code MALI The Falea uranium deposit , 250 km west of Bamako, was discovered in the 1970s and is currently explored by Canadian GoviEx Uranium Uranium can be mined underground from the mineralised sandstones as a by-product with copper and silver utilising radiometric sorting JORC compliant indicated resources are 8 500 tU at 0.1 % U and inferred resources of 6 200 tU at 0.06 % U A pre-feasibility study is envisaged after 2020 French Orano’s predecessor Areva was exploring the Saraya East uranium deposit, 80 km from Falea, in the past
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION MAURETANIA Australian Aura Energy’s Tiris project in the N of the country in the Sahara Desert has JORC-compliant measured and indicated resources of 6 450 tU at 0.01%U, and inferred resources of 4 580 tU, with a 100 ppm cut-off This comprises shallow calcrete deposits on the Reguibat Craton. Metallurgical optimisation allows for concentrating fine carnotite before alkaline leaching, greatly reducing costs The feasibility of vanadium as a by-product was evaluated in 2018 Aura was granted a mining lease in December 2018 A DFS was completed in 2019 for a truck and shovel mine and a $45 million plant, with production at about 317 tU/yr over 15 years In 2016 Aura signed an agreement with CGN’s Guangdong Power Engineering (GPEC) for engineering services and finance, involving an offtake agreement The Mauretanian Government holds a 15% interest in the project In 2012, Australia’s Forte Energy NL had prospects near Bir Moghrein and Bir En Nar in the N of the country, but these
lapsed in 2015 Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION MOROCCO The Moroccan Government's encourages exploration for uranium in 3 areas: Haute Moulouya, Wafagga and Sirwa (palaeo channels) Australian Toro Energy holds tenements in Haute Moulouya The amount of uranium in Morocco's phosphates is very large, and the feasibility of recovering uranium as a by-product is considered In 2007, 27 million t of phosphate were mined for fertilizer NIGERIA In 2009, Russia signed a nuclear cooperation agreement with Nigeria, including provisions for uranium exploration and mining in the country ZIMBABWE The Zimbabwe Government reports 1 400 tU as reasonably assured resources recoverable in the high cost bracket, and speculative resources of 25 000 tU from a deposit at Kanyemba, N of Harare
Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION
TANZANIA Uranium One’s sandstone-hosted Mkuju River (Nyota) project in the Namtumbo District of S Tanzania has resources of 58 620 tU (measured and indicated resources: 48 000 tU, inferred resources: 10 600 tU, average grade 0.026 % U at a 100 ppm cut- off) Plans are to mine in multiple pits feeding a single mill with conventional acid leach and resin in pulp recovery, producing 1 400 tU/yr, ISL potential also exists S of the Mkuju River project, Australia's Uranex NL was developing the sand- stone-hosted Likuyu project with significant mineralisation of about 2 350 tU In central Tanzania, 80 km W of Dodoma, Uranex reported inferred resources of 12 000 tU at Manyoni , and investigated the Itigi prospect to the W of Mayoni However, in 2014 Uranex suspended all its uranium developments In the SE, Australian East Africa Resources investigated the Madaba-Mkuju sandstone roll-front deposits, discovered in 1978, but relinquished the property in 2015. In 2013, US Uranium Resources Inc (URI) announced inferred resources of 770 tU for its Mtonya project in SW Tanzania, potentially amenable to ISL U Local Kibo Mining held licenses over the Pinewood uranium-coal deposit near Songea in S Tanzania, but the licenses were relinquished in 2017 In 2010 the Tanzanian Government quoted known resources of 21 000 tU at the above sites Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION
ZAMBIA Canada’s GoviEx Uranium will develop its Mutanga uranium project in southern Zambia, when uranium prices improve beyond $65/lb GoviEx’s Chirundu project (Njame and Gwabe) deposits and has 2 850 tU as measured and indicated resources, with 1 460 tU inferred A mining licence was granted in 2009 for a 500 tU/yr acid heap leach operation. GoviEx was also exploring the Kariba Valley/Chisebuka prospect on the other side of the Mutanga tenements, as well as the Northern Luangwa Valley project in N Zambia The combined mineral resources are 5 800 tU measured and indicated resources at 0.028 % U and 17 400 tU inferred resources at 0.025 % U Australian Equinox Minerals is operating the Lumwana project in NW Zambia. This large copper mine announced 2 800 tU indicated resources at 0.079 % U and 2 570 tU in inferred resources recoverable as by-product, there is also uranium stockpiled from earlier copper mining Zambia is a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty and has been a
member of the IAEA since 1969 Source: WNA
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand EXPLORATION Summary
Resources
Indicated Grade Inferred Grade Unspecified
Algeria 26 000 tU
Botswana 33 000 tU 0.0167% 108 000 tU 0.0172%
Central African Republic 36 475 tU 0.03%
Guinea 7 400 tU
Mali 8 500 tU 0.1% 6 200 tU 0.06%
Mauretania 6 450 tU 0.01% 4 580 tU
Zimbabwe 1 400 tU 25 000 tU
Other countries with active exploration but no information are Angola, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Moçambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Tunisia, and Uganda. Wise-uranium.org/upafr.html
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand PROSPECTS
It is clear that Africa is host to a large variety of uranium deposits and that considerable resources remain, including reprocessing of waste material from gold mining Economic viability, however, is driven by World demand and price, and political stability of the countries in which the deposits are hosted Many projects that were explored in the period 2006 to 2009 will become
viable again only when the uranium price rises. Kinnaird & Nex, 2016
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand CHALLENGES
The greatest challenge at present is the low uranium price
Markets are well established and new producers need to secure new contracts
With beneficiation very limited in the case of uranium, African countries need to ensure local benefits from the mining of uranium
Licensing and international instruments controlling the trading of uranium need to be honoured
Occupational health and safety requirements are special in the case of uranium
Environmental requirements are special in the case of uranium
Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand THANK YOU! Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand Promoting the Namibian Uranium Brand