Orano Advances Plans to Restart Trekkopje Uranium Mine in Namibia

Mining company Orano is advancing plans for a possible restart of its Trekkopje uranium project in Namibia.

The company has begun the process to amend its Environmental Clearance Certificate to enable the completion of the processing plant and the construction of new infrastructure.

The proposed developments include a 4km pipeline linking the Erongo desalination plant to the NamWater system, upgrades to the access road from Arandis and the construction of a cement-dosing plant, evaporation ponds, stormwater systems and a wash-water treatment facility.

With an estimated 340 million tons of ore at an average uranium grade of 0.014%, the Trekkopje deposit is among Namibia’s largest. Operations were halted more than a decade ago due to falling uranium prices. However, with prices nearing US$100 per pound in 2024, Orano has resumed its evaluation of the project’s potential.