Marenica Energy and Paladin Energy have agreed to conduct an U-pgradeTM amenability test work program on low grade ore samples from Paladin’s 75%-owned Langer Heinrich uranium mine (LHM) in Namibia. The aim of the testing is to confirm if implementation of Marenica’s proprietary U-pgrade process can result in substantial benefits; including reduced unit operating costs and to enhance future production expansion.
A representative ore sample has been collected for transit to Australia, with test work expected to be completed within six weeks of the sample arriving at Marenica’s preferred laboratory in Perth.
Marenica Managing Director Murray Hill said “Marenica developed U-pgrade on calcrete uranium ore and have always considered the LHM ore to be a prime candidate for application of U-pgrade.” Marenica hopes to demonstrate the amenability of the process to the highest grade uranium deposit in Namibia and the only operating mine processing calcrete ore.
The mine is located in the Namib Desert, 80 km east of the major seaport of Walvis Bay and about 40 km southeast of the large-scale, hard-rock Rössing uranium mine, by Rio Tinto.
