Paladin Energy’s Langer Heinrich Mine processed a record 1.17 million tonnes of ore during the June 2025 quarter, surpassing its previous peak throughput set in 2014.
The milestone was driven by improved plant performance, better feed blend quality, and consistent operations, with the recovery rate averaging 87%.
Uranium oxide (U₃O₈) production totalled 993,843 pounds for the quarter, pushing the mine’s total annual output to 3.0 million pounds.
Paladin sold 710,051 pounds during the period, contributing to a full-year sales total of 2,705,693 pounds.
Located in the Namib Desert near Swakopmund, Langer Heinrich is 75% owned by Paladin Energy, with CNNC Overseas Uranium Holding Limited holding the remaining 25%.
The mine, which was placed on care and maintenance in 2018 due to low uranium prices, officially restarted production in March 2024 following a multi-year restart programme.
The operation is now transitioning from processing stockpiled medium-grade ore to newly mined material, with full-scale mining and processing expected to be completed by the end of FY2026.
During the quarter, mining activity advanced steadily in the G2A pit, where drilling, blasting, and load-and-haul operations continued.
Two fleets of 100-tonne dump trucks were mobilised, alongside Paladin’s mining and blasting contractors.
The company also opened additional benches to ensure a consistent ore supply to the run-of-mine pad.
It began upgrading infrastructure in preparation for expanding into the G3A pit later this year.
The G-pit is planned to evolve into a single, large open pit, combining several sub-pits and requiring the removal of increased volumes of waste material, including sections that were previously flooded.
Paladin is implementing advanced pit wall design and water control infrastructure to ensure safe management.
On the processing side, the blending of freshly mined ore with medium-grade stockpiled material improved feed consistency and plant stability.
Captured rainwater was used to supplement the process water supply, part of ongoing water management strategies.
Commercially, the mine signed a new uranium sales agreement during the quarter, bringing its total number of active contracts to 13.
These agreements now cover 24.1 million pounds of U₃O₈ through to 2030.
Paladin’s customer base spans the United States, Europe, and Asia, with clients accounting for over 40% of global reactor demand.
Among them is a life-of-mine agreement with China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), one of the world’s largest uranium consumers.
Looking ahead to FY2026, Paladin expects Langer Heinrich to produce between 4.0 and 4.4 million pounds of U₃O₈ and sell between 3.8 and 4.2 million pounds of U₃O₈.
The cost of production is forecast to be between US$44 and US$48 per pound, with capital and exploration spending set between US$26 million and US$32 million.
Realised prices will vary based on spot market conditions, with current forecasts indicating sales could achieve anywhere from US$54 to US$94 per pound depending on price movements.
Paladin aims to complete its operational ramp-up by the end of fiscal year 2026, with steady-state operations expected in fiscal year 2027.
The mine continues to play a growing role in meeting global uranium demand as the nuclear energy sector gains renewed momentum.
