By: Nghiinommenwa-vali Hangala
Updates on the development and construction of another uranium mine, the Etango Uranium Mine in Erongo Region, have revealed that the bulk earthwork is 92% done.
Bannerman Energy, which is developing the mine, provided the progress update on the construction of early works activities at its Etango Uranium Project on the two stock exchanges it is listed on (Australia and Namibia).
The mine developer indicated that the key contract partners continue to deliver across the Etango site; the 24-month bulk earthworks contract is now more than 90% complete.
Bannerman Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Gavin Chamberlain, stated that the progress “is a substantial achievement and a key investment in derisking the critical path for full-scale construction of the Etango Project.”
Explaining that the bulk earthworks contract is advancing well, the focus now remains on the freshwater pond, wet plant terraces, and heap leach pad.
The update also revealed that approximately 29% of the total requirement of the production of heap leach drainage aggregate has been completed.
The blasting, crushing and screening is being done by a Namibian contractor, Tulela Mining & Construction (Pty) Ltd.
Concrete construction activities continue across key dry plant infrastructure areas, with major processing facilities now beginning to take shape.
A total of 10,800m³ of concrete has been cast, representing approximately 60% of the Phase 1 and 2A packages, the developer revealed.
Concrete construction activities are being done by Namibian contractor, K Neumayer Civil Contractors (Pty) Ltd.
Key dry plant infrastructure areas, with major processing facilities are now beginning to take shape across the Etango Project site.
In terms of civil and mechanical design for the dry plant, the developer has indicated that it is approximately 94% complete and aligned with scheduled requirements for issue of construction drawings.
In terms of power, a definitive power supply agreement with NamPower has been signed.
A detailed design of the dedicated feeder bay for Etango at NamPower’s Kuiseb substation is progressing according to the mine developer.
The Engineering, Procurement and Construction Management (EPCM) consultant for these works is now expected to be appointed during Q3 of 2026.
In terms of acid requirement, detailed design activities for the acid storage and handling facility at Walvis Bay port are ongoing.
A local consultant, Windhoek Consulting Engineers, is progressing engineering and design works, which are approximately 69% complete. The mine developer has also revealed that the permanent water supply agreement was executed with NamWater, with Phase 1 of permanent water supply pipeline installation now estimated at 87% completion.
The developer has also revealed that the contractor workforce on site has exceeded 560 personnel across four Namibian contractors delivering earthworks, civil construction, aggregate production and infrastructure works.
During May 2026, the Bannerman Mining Resources Namibia team and its contract partners achieved one million Lost Time Injury (LTI) free hours on the Etango Project.
This achievement extends Bannerman’s 17-year LTI-free record and reflects the strong safety culture embedded across all project activities.
The developer explained that safety leadership initiatives, workforce engagement programmes and ongoing awareness campaigns continue to reinforce Bannerman’s proactive approach to risk management and safe work practices.
Etango Mine will be a conventional open-pit mining and heap leach that is expected to process a deposit of 8Mtpa throughput (for average annual output of 3.5 Mlbs U3O8).
In March 2024, a scoping study demonstrated the capacity to expand annual production to 6.7 Mlbs U3O8.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
