Six Namibian construction companies are carrying out work on Bannerman Energy’s US$353 million Etango uranium project in the Erongo Region, where approximately 523 contractor personnel are involved in the mine’s development ahead of planned first production in 2028.
Bannerman’s latest quarterly activities report, covering the period ended 30 September 2026, identifies three principal construction contractors and three smaller Namibian-owned businesses undertaking work ranging from the mine’s processing infrastructure and permanent water supply pipeline to fencing, culverts and a gatehouse.
The companies are Tulela Mining & Construction, K Neumayer Civil Contractors, AN Construction, Dappa Trading Group CC, Dannie Construction CC and Nelugo Trading Enterprises CC.
Their participation comes as Etango prepares to move from early construction works into full-scale development following the joint venture’s final investment decision on 23 October.
The report shows that bulk earthworks were approximately 99% complete, while concrete construction across the primary crusher and associated processing infrastructure had reached 86% of the planned volume under the first two construction phases.
Tulela Mining & Construction is producing aggregate for the mine’s heap leach drainage system, with approximately half of the required material already produced by the end of September.
The company’s work involves blasting, crushing and screening aggregate before it is stockpiled for use in the drainage system.
K Neumayer Civil Contractors is undertaking concrete construction at the primary crusher and other dry processing plant infrastructure, including the stockpile tunnel, secondary and tertiary crushing facilities, screening structures, fine ore silo and associated conveyors.
Approximately 14,700 cubic metres of concrete had been poured across these construction packages by the end of September, with the works preparing the processing infrastructure for subsequent structural, mechanical and piping installations.
AN Construction is responsible for construction of the permanent water supply pipeline, which was approximately 90% complete.
The work includes underground pipe installations, pressure testing, pipe bridge fabrication and pipe pedestal installations. The pipeline forms part of the mine’s permanent water infrastructure under Bannerman’s supply agreement with NamWater.
Smaller Namibian-owned businesses are also participating through subcontracting arrangements.
Dappa Trading Group CC is constructing the mine’s gatehouse through K Neumayer Civil Contractors, while Dannie Construction CC is undertaking fencing works.
Nelugo Trading Enterprises CC is responsible for in-situ culvert construction through Namibbeton.
Bannerman said these subcontracting opportunities form part of its approach to increasing local participation in the development of Etango and allowing smaller Namibian businesses to contribute directly to project delivery.
The report does not disclose the individual contract values, the combined value of work allocated to the six companies or how many of the 523 contractor personnel are Namibian nationals.
Bannerman said construction activities were progressing within budget and schedule, with the fourth phase of bulk earthworks expected to be completed in December.
The dry processing plant’s design was approximately 98% complete, while detailed structural engineering of the wet plant had reached 33%. Engineering work was also continuing on the project’s electricity infrastructure and the proposed sulphuric acid storage and handling facility at Walvis Bay.
The Etango joint venture approved full-scale construction on the basis of the Etango-8 development plan, which provides for average annual uranium oxide production of approximately 3.5 million pounds.
Bannerman estimates that US$64 million of the project’s US$353 million pre-production capital expenditure had been incurred by the end of September. The joint venture held approximately US$295 million in cash, excluding funds in Namibian subsidiaries, to finance the remaining construction expenditure.
Bannerman managing director and chief executive Gavin Chamberlain said the company’s early works programme had been delivered within budget and schedule, providing the foundation for full-scale construction.
“With our early works program transitioning into full-scale build activities, it is timely to recognise our outstanding multi-year execution. Delivered on budget and schedule, the early works program is truly a credit to all that have worked on it,” Chamberlain said.
Etango is expected to begin producing uranium in 2028, with the current construction programme providing continued work for Namibian contractors as the mine moves towards commissioning.
