Bannerman Energy says construction of its Etango uranium project outside Swakopmund remains on schedule and within budget, with major early works nearing completion as the company moves closer to full-scale mine construction.
According to the company’s latest construction update, the bulk earthworks contract is now about 92% complete, while more than 560 workers are on site, collectively achieving over 1.1 million lost-time injury-free hours since work began.
The project has also reached several major construction milestones. Approximately 10,800 cubic metres of concrete have now been poured, representing around 60% completion of the Phase 1 and Phase 2A concrete packages. Permanent processing infrastructure, including the primary crusher, stockpile tunnel, secondary and tertiary crushing facilities and the fine ore silo, is beginning to emerge across the site.
Managing director Gavin Chamberlain said the progress had significantly reduced execution risk ahead of the main construction phase.
“Our key contract partners continue to deliver across the Etango site. Of particular note is that the 24-month bulk earthworks contract is now more than 90% complete, a substantial achievement and a key investment in derisking the critical path for full-scale construction of the Etango Project,” he said.
Bannerman said detailed engineering is also advancing steadily. Civil and mechanical design for the dry plant is about 94% complete, while engineering work on the wet plant remains on schedule for construction drawings to be issued later this year.
Supporting infrastructure is progressing alongside construction. The company has signed a permanent water supply agreement with NamWater, while installation of the first phase of the water pipeline is approximately 87% complete. A definitive power supply agreement has also been concluded with NamPower, and detailed design work continues on the acid storage and handling facility at the Port of Walvis Bay.
Bannerman said local content remains a key focus, noting that all contractors currently working on the project are Namibian companies. Several construction packages, including the gatehouse, have been subcontracted to locally owned small and medium enterprises to broaden participation in the mine’s development.
The Etango-8 development is designed to produce an average of 3.5 million pounds of uranium oxide annually over an initial 15-year mine life.
