By: Nghiinomenwa-vali Hangala
The Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine has announced that it has completed its production ramp-up phase, exceeding its FY2026 projected production, sales and cost of production targets.
Last quarter which ended on 30 June, the mine revealed that it has mined and produced 1.23 million pounds of uranium oxide (Mlb U₃O₈) in the quarter and 4.82Mlb U3O8 for FY2026.07.26.
The company targeted 4.5 – 4.8 million pounds of uranium oxide in 2026, which it exceeded.
In terms of sales, Langer Heinrich sold 1.35Mlb U₃O₈ at an average realised price of US$70.6/lb U₃O₈ for the quarter, with FY2026 sales totalling 4.35Mlb, exceeding the upper-end of the FY2026 guidance.
The mine, in its quarterly update, indicated that the ramp-up to full mining and processing plant operations is now completed, while also meeting the upper-end of its revised production guidance.
“The full mining fleet is now operational with mining activities established and positioned to support FY2027 production objectives,” the quarterly update read.
The mine extracted 7.45 million tonnes (Mt) total material for the quarter, a 21% uplift from the previous quarter and the highest quarterly mining rate achieved since the restart, reflecting the full mining fleet in operation.
According to the mine, the increase in material mined was in line with the planned mining sequence, which focused on waste stripping and stockpiling of lower-grade ore to access higher-grade ore for processing.
As for the crusher, throughput was 1.19Mt at an average ore feed grade of 488ppm.
LHM produced 1.23Mlb U₃O₈ at an average recovery rate of 90% for the quarter.
According to the Chamber of Mines Annual Review, LHM produced 1,832 Tonnes of uranium oxide last year, and earned N$4.215 billion.
The mine reported a loss in 2025 of N$1.923 billion in 2025.
It is estimated that the miners, will extract and process uranium oxide until 2041, according to the life of the mine estimate.
Langer Heinrich Mine is owned by Paladin, which owns a 75% controlling interest, and 25% is owned by China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) Overseas Uranium Holding Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of CNNC.
erastus@thevillager.com.na
