Rössing Uranium officially launched its 2022 Sustainability and Performance Report.
Rössing Uranium’s Managing Director Johan Coetzee said, the year 2022 was indeed a busy one for Rössing Uranium, with focus being on finalising the Life-of-Mine Extension (LoME) feasibility study.
A highlight for Rössing in 2022 was the commissioning of the mine’s new water reservoirs at a cost of N$100 million. These reservoirs provide an additional 60,000 cubic meters of storage capacity, enabling us to continue operating during periods of high sulphur bloom in the Atlantic ocean, resulting in fresh water supply interruptions due to the stoppage of the Orano desalination plant during these periods.
Our production in 2022 was lower when compared to 2021. A total of 16.6 million tonnes was mined, compared to 20.7 million tonnes in 2021, with waste and low-grade ore totalling 7.4 million tonnes. The lower mining volume was due to the stripping ratio of waste to ore reducing as we move deeper into the pit. 9.0 Million tonnes of ore was milled, compared to: 9.6 million tonnes milled in 2021.
A total of 2 659 metric tonnes uranium oxide was produced, compared to 2,882 metric tonnes in 2021.
Rössing contributed approximately 4.4% to world primary production during 2022, with Namibia now being the 3rd largest primary producer of U3O8 globally, after Kazakhstan, (who continues to dominate the market from a supply side), and Canada.
No fatalities, permanent disability injuries or significant process safety incidents were recorded in 2022. The All Injury Frequency Rate (AIFR) of 0.43 was lower than the target of 0.48, underlining our commitment to achieving zero harm.
We were able to achieve this performance safely and efficiently through the commitment and hard work of our own employees, as well as the support from the contractors that are delivering services to us.
During 2022, Rӧssing has been operating on an approved LoM plan to 2026, but has now completed a bankable feasibility study for a Life of Mine extension to 2036. This can be achieved with a further pushback of the existing SJ Pit (Phase 4), fully utilising the 15-year mining licence granted by the Ministry of Mines and Energy in 2021. The objective of the LoME Feasibility Study was to evaluate and document the technical, practical, and economic feasibility to extend the LoM beyond 2026 and issue a Feasibility Study Report to inform an investment decision by the Rössing Board of Directors.
As a major employer and purchaser of goods and services, we make a significant annual contribution to economic development in the Erongo Region in particular and to Namibia at large. Rössing’s spend on local suppliers amounted to N$2.54 billion during 2022, (compared to N$2.25 billion in 2021), accounting for 74% of our total procurement expenditure. An interim dividend of N$49.7 million was declared and paid to our shareholders.
“2023 will be another important year for Rössing Uranium, as we look forward to the implementation of the LoME project, following the Board’s formal approval of the Life of Mine Extension until 2036 in February this year.”
Deputy Minister of Mine and Energy, Honorable Kornelia Shilunga and the China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) chairman Mr Yu. Jianfeng, officially launched the Rössing Uranium 2022 Sustainability and Performance report.
From Left, Mr Jingtao (Frank) Chang; Vice-President of CNUC Namibia and majority shareholder representative, non-executive director on the Rössing Uranium Board of Directors, Mr Harry Louw, Rössing Uranium Board of Director, Independent non-executive director; Advocate Deidre Sauls-Deckenbrock; Independent Non-Executive Director and Vice-Chairperson of the Rössing Uranium Board; Mr Steve Galloway, Chairperson of Rössing Uranium Board of Directors; Deputy Minister of Mine and Energy, Honorable Kornelia Shilunga; China National Nuclear Cooperation (CNNC) chairman Mr Yu. Jianfeng; Rössing Uranium Managing Director Johan Coetzee; Mrs Gloria Simubali; Government of the Republic of Namibia’s Shareholder Representative; Non-Executive Director; H.E. Zhao Weiping, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to Namibia and Mr. Chen Junli, Chairman of China National Uranium Cooperation (CNUC), at the officially launch the Rössing Uranium 2022 Sustainability and Performance report.