Uranium in Africa
(May 2009)
- Africa has considerable mineral deposits, including uranium.
- Exploration and mine development is proceeding in countries which have not hitherto supplied uranium.
Please note:
The country papers on: Namibia, Niger & Gabon, South Africa should be consulted for information in those areas.
This paper will deal with other countries in Africa where uranium deposits having JORC or NI 43-101 compliant resources are known or understood to exist.
Algeria
A lot of uranium exploration occurred in the 1970s, resulting in the discovery of the Tahaggart deposit, as well as other mineralisation. The government reports Reasonably Assured Resources of 26,000 tU in the under $80/kg category.
Botswana
The Letlhakane project in the east of the country comprises three orebodies: Gorgon, Mokobaesi and Kraken, totaling 38,000 tU as of July 2008. Further uranium at Serule nearby is being evaluated. The ore is carnotite in calcrete, is shallow and amenable to alkaline heap leaching. Production from 2011 is envisaged by Australian-based A-Cap Resources, exported through Namibia.
Central African Republic
Having taken over UraMin Inc, Areva is proposing to develop the $200 million Bakouma project, originally discovered by Cogema (Areva) and more recently taken forward by UraMin Inc of Toronto. It aims to start open pit mining in 2010, at 1200 tU/yr. Resources have been reported as 38,000 tU, though UraMin's web site (October 2007) said 16,000 tU as historic resource estimate reported by a previous owner. Areva Resources Southern Africa holds a 90% interest over ten discrete deposits, the government holds a 10% free carried share, and was disputing some aspects of the Areva takeover of UraMin's rights until an agreement was signed in mid 2008.
Congo
The Belgian Congo, as it then was, provided much of the uranium for the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s, particularly from the Shinkolobwe mine, 25 km west of Likasi in Katanga. There was some uranium mining subsequently by Union Miniere, to inependence in 1960, when the shafts were sealed and guarded. About 25,000 tU was produced in the two decades until then.
The deposit has been unofficially mined since 1997 for cobalt. A UN report in 2004 described the situation as anarchistic. This has prompted some concern by the International Atomic Energy Agency on account of the possibility that some uranium might be finding its way to countries with illicit weapons programs. In the south-eastern region of Katanga the geology is contiguous with the Zambian copper belt.
In 2009 Areva signed a uranium exploration agreement for Katanga with the government.
The country ratified the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty in 1970.
Guinea
Several companies are exploring for uranium in Guinea. In August 2007 the government noted that Murchison United NL had encountered some encouraging mineralization (or even "commercially viable deposits") at its Firawa prospect, 600 km east of the capital, Conakry. Toro Energy and Contico also hold exploration licences.
Equatorial Guinea
The government has commenced airborne geophysical surveys to locate uranium mineralization, and has launched a new mining code.
Malawi
Paladin Energy, based in Perth, Australia, has developed the Kayelekera uranium mine in northern Malawi. As of late 2008 this has reserves of 11,265 tU at 0.04% cut-off, within 15,000 tU measured and indicated resources in average 0.08% ore (JORC and NI 43-101 compliant). The orebody remains open to the west and exploration is proceeding here and on nearby leases.
The deposit was discovered by UK's CEGB and a feasibility study was subsequently undertaken in the 1980s. Paladin acquired the deposit in 1997, accepted a Bankable Feasibility Study early in 2007, and following environmental approval undertook a US$ 220 million mine development. The mine was opened and commenced production in April 2009. Paladin's interest following the Development Agreement with the Government of Malawi is 85%. Production is with a conventional acid leach treatment process, and will ramp up to 1400 tU/yr.
Mali
The Falea uranium-silver deposit in western Mali is being explored by Rockgate Capital Corp of Canada, though some earlier work was done by Cogema in the 1970s. Indicated and inferred resources of 8533 tU (NI 43-101 compliant) were reported in May 2009, much of it at average 0.15% U grade, with about 5% of the deposit drilled. Mineralisation is in sandstones, and the project is 20 km north of the Guinean border.
Morocco
The government's Office National des Hydrocarbures et des Mines (ONHYM) is encouraging exploration for uranium to build upon that done by French and Russian geologists prior to 1982. Three areas are under investigation: Haute Moulouya, Wafagga and Sirwa. The first two have palaeochannel deposits. Toro Energy holds tenements in Haute Moulouya area.
In October 2007 Areva signed an agreement with Morocco's Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP) to investigate recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid. The amount of uranium in Morocco's phosphates is reported to be very large.
Tanzania
Several companies are exploring for uranium in Tanzania. Australia's Uranex NL reports inferred resources of 5850 tU in a shallow deposit at Manyani, 80 km west of Dodoma, which it hopes to mine in 2010.
Zambia
Equinox Minerals, based in Perth, Australia, is developing the US$ 762 million Lumwana project in NW Zambia. This is primarily a copper project, but following a bankable feasibility study on uranium recovery the company has announced 3800 tU indicated resources and 2570 tU in inferred resources in discrete zones separate from the copper and this will be mined at the same time. Treatment of uranium ore to produce 700 tU/yr, was planned from 2010. An environmental impact assessment of the uranium project was approved in December 2008 but investment in the $230 million uranium mill has been deferred due to difficulty in financing. Uranium ore will be stockpiled.
Malundwe will be the first of two uranium mines within the overall project, where the mineral is in discrete veins in the broader copper mineralisation. The uranium development will be a separately-financed US$ 150 million exercise.
Denison Mines of Canada announced a NI 43-101-compliant resource for its Mutanga uranium project in March 2009, based on three shallow orebodies. Measured resources are 770 tU, indicated resources 2230 tU and inferred resources 5000 tU. Following successful licence renewal, a feasibility study is under way for an open pit mine with alkaline leaching. The project, formerly known as Kariba, was developed by OmegaCorp which identified an inferred resources of 4300 tU (JORC compliant) in 2006, prior to its acquisition by Denison.
Albidon Ltd based in Western Australia is exploring the Njame and Gwabe deposits and reports 3680 tU as indicted resources. It has 30% of the Chirundu joint venture project and African Energy Resources holds 70%.
Zambia has upgraded its mining legislation to take in uranium, following detailed consultation with the IAEA. It started issuing uranium mining licences late in 2008. It is signatory to the NPT and has been a member of the IAEA since 1969.
Main references:
OECD NEA & IAEA, 2006, Uranium 2005: Resources, Production and Demand.
Paladin Resources
UraMin