Bannerman has awarded the Etango Phase 1 concrete contract to Namibian firm K Neumayer Civil Contractors for the construction of the primary crusher structure.
The contractor has begun onboarding and establishing on-site, part of a broader ramp-up that will see the workforce expand from 120 to approximately 400 people over the next quarter.
The first blast of rock material for the heap leach pad drainage was carried out on September 26, 2025, by local contractor Tulela Mining & Construction.
The blasting contract and crushing work were both awarded to Namibian companies.
The bulk earthworks contract, awarded in August 2024 as a 24-month programme, is now 42 per cent complete, with the excavation of process solution ponds underway and the construction of the heap leach pad advancing.
The Etango site access road, including the upgraded C28 intersection, has been completed.
Main access parking areas and pedestrian walkways are being finalised.
The 33kV construction power reticulation system has been commissioned, with three mini substations already live, supplied by Erongo Red.
The contract for the construction of the power facilities has been completed, and the site is now live on power.
Final pressure testing of the site water network has been completed, and water supply is now available at all construction laydown areas.
The contract for the installation of Phase 1 of the permanent water line will be awarded to a local Namibian contractor, with work commencing in the next quarter once the conditions are finalised.
At Walvis Bay, Bannerman has received an Environmental Clearance Certificate for the planned acid storage and handling facility, with a site lease agreement secured with Namport.
Local consultant Windhoek Consulting Engineers has been appointed for detailed design and supervision, with geotechnical and survey work scheduled to begin in October 2025.
Utilities supply agreements are advancing.
Bannerman has signed a full-form power supply agreement with NamPower, which has appointed a project manager and will commence design and construction of an additional feeder bay at the Kuiseb substation.
An infrastructure development agreement for the water pipeline from NamWater’s base station to Etango has been signed, with a final water supply agreement expected soon.
The Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) of the High-Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) tertiary crusher was completed in Hattingen, Germany, in September 2025.
The unit has since been packaged for transport to Namibia.
Engineering on the dry plant is 86 per cent complete. Issued For Construction drawings are full for the primary crusher, stockpile tunnel, and secondary/tertiary crushing areas.
Structural steel calculations are nearing completion. The wet plant design is 22 per cent advanced, with mechanical procurement packages issued to the market and layouts being updated.
The project has maintained a lost-time injury-free period of 15 years and 357 days. Site inductions are underway for new construction teams as early works expand.
Bannerman Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Chamberlain, said the focus on tight contract and activity controls continues to be consistently applied by the team.
He added that Bannerman’s strong balance sheet provides strong support for corporate strategy as the company moves through stage gate approvals for ongoing early works and maintain tight capital control.
“A highlight for the project team was the completion of the Factory Acceptance Testing for the HPGR tertiary crusher earlier this month in Germany. The contract for the manufacturing of this key piece of equipment has been well managed by Wood, and the quality of final construction was at the expected highest level,” Chamberlain said.
