Geological exploration company “Two Keys” at the invitation of Rosatom conducted revaluation of reserves complex uranium facility in Namibia. According to the head of the company, Nikolai Kamensky, permission for pilot production is expected. The deposit’s resources are estimated at 30 thousand tons of uranium, but economically efficient development is questionable due to the low permeability of the rocks and water shortages.
Kamensky explained that the technological process may not start there, so each case requires a separate study. Namibia is the world’s third-largest producer of uranium after Kazakhstan and Canada: in 2024, more than 7.3 thousand tons were mined there (about 10% of the world’s volume). Up to 20% of China’s uranium imports come from this African country.
In 2022, a delegation from Namibia visited the Kazakh enterprise Karatau to learn about the in-situ borehole leaching method. Later, Kazatomprom and Rosatom also showed interest in exploration and production in this region.
In parallel, “Two Kays” is working on revaluation gold field Karamurun in the Kyzylorda region. According to old data, reserves were estimated at 4.5 tons, but given the rise in gold prices (from $1,300 to $4,400 per ounce), previously unprofitable areas may become profitable. Control drilling and laboratory analyzes are currently being carried out, after which the development project will be adjusted.
Kazakh geologists are strengthening their presence in the African market and at the same time reconsidering the prospects for domestic deposits in the new economic conditions.
Source: Qazba.kz
Image: Justicia Shipena/Al Jazeera
