Lotus Resources Limited has received a timely boost for its Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Karonga District after France-based converted Orano Chimie-Enrichissement (Orano CE) accepted its uranium.
This comes at a time the miner’s plans to have its first export of uranium this quarter was subject to final product preparation, testing, acceptance, permits and shipping arrangements.
In an update posted on its website www.lotusresources.com.au, the company said Orano CE has agreed to accept the mine’s product with Lotus Resources providing independent laboratory testing results as a condition for initial shipments.
Reads part of the update: “Lotus has been working closely with Orano CE over recent months as part of a process to optimise and qualify its product.
“Orano CE is also currently reviewing the acceptance of material produced during the commissioning phase in 2025.”
Lotus Resources Limited managing director Greg Bittar is quoted in the update as having described the move as a huge milestone for the mine, saying it positions the company to realise its plans of first exports in the second quarter of this year.
He said: “We are excited to have achieved this acceptance by Orano CE, which allows us to plan for first product to be dispatched from the site.
“The first export of uranium is subject to final product preparation, testing, acceptance, permits and shipping arrangements, all expected to occur in the second quarter of this year.”
Bittar said the company is working to achieve accreditation with other two Western converters, ConverDyn and Cameco to ensure delivery flexibility across all contracts as it will be able to exchange or swap product between converters.
Meanwhile, Lotus Resources Limited says it remains optimistic of achieving production rump up to steady-state of 200 000 pounds per month this quarter following consistent performance improvement in February and March as well as robust supply chain.
The firm, however, said although its preferred export route remains Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania, given the impact of global events on shipping logistics, it is working with road transport groups to start exporting via Walvis Bay in Namibia.
In an interview yesterday, geoscience expert in minerals, mining and metals Ignatius Kamwanje said the progress at Kayelekera Mine is impressive and a major boost to the economy as it is poised to improve the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).
Before Kayelekera Uranium Mine was closed in 2014, mining sector contribution to GDP was at 10 percent, but has over the years, the contribution has dropped to below one percent.
Lotus Resources Limited currently has four binding sale arrangements for up to 3.8 million pounds of uranium.
In July 2024, Lotus Resources Limited signed a mining development agreement with the Malawi Government which, among others, saw Lilongwe owning 15 percent stake in the mine.
Mining, alongside agriculture, tourism and manufacturing are touted as key drivers to spur Malawi’s economic growth.
