Langer Heinrich Mine

The Langer Heinrich Mine (LHM) is a large open pit mine located in the western part of Namibia in the Erongo Region. Langer Heinrich represents one of the largest uranium reserves in Namibia having estimated reserves of 57,000 tonnes of ore grading 0.055% uranium.[1] The Langer Heinrich Mine is currently owned by Paladin Energy Ltd with a 75% stake and CNNC Overseas Uranium Holding Ltd with a 25% stake.[2] Paladin Energy sold the 25% to the Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) in 2014 for a reported $190 million.[3] The mine is under care and maintenance since 2018.

Langer Heinrich Mine
Langer Heinrich Mountain and beyond the uranium mine seen from 2000 m altitude. (2018)
Location
Langer Heinrich Mine is located in Namibia
Langer Heinrich Mine
Langer Heinrich Mine
Location in Namibia
Erongo Region
CountryNamibia
Coordinates22°48′52.9194″S 15°20′1.68″E
Production
ProductsUranium
History
Opened2006
Owner
CompanyPaladin Energy Ltd
Websitewww.paladinenergy.com.au/langer-heinrich-namibia-background
Year of acquisition2002
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Langer-Heinrich-Uranmine.

History

The uranium deposit was discovered at the Langer Heinrich Mine in 1973, however the mine only commenced uranium mining operations in 2007 after the mine had been unused for nearly 7 years.[4]

Development

In 2008, Paladin Energy announced that the Langer Heinrich Mine had achieved its production target for December 2007.[5] In 2008 though, two incidents occurred that halted production: The open pit was flooded with runoff rainwater rendering it unusable for over a month. The second was an electrical accident injuring three people.[6]

In August 2008, Paladin announced an increase or 64% in Inferred Resources and 46% increase in the Measured and Indicated Resources of the Langer Heinrich Mine.[7]

In June 2009, Paladin announced the approval of the Stage III Expansion of the mine which was forecast to increase production capacity to 5.2 million lb U3O8 [2000 t U] per year, a reduction on previous forecasts. In October 2009, the company announced a Stage 4 Expansion forecasting production to increase to 10 million lb U3O8 [3,846 t U] per year using heap leaching.[8]

In 2010 Paladin Energy announced the sale of uranium to China would start in 2011 after signing an agreement with China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group Co.[9] In 2011, Stage III Expansion was halted due to a miners strike by 600 workers.[10] This was followed by another strike in 2013 by 300 mine workers.[11]

In 2013, mines across Namibia faced an uncertain future due to a lack of water needed for mine operations due to a widespread drought in the region.[12] In 2014, the sale of 25% of the mine was concluded with Chinese National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC).[13] In the same year, Paladin Energy announced that Stage 4 Expansion would be halted due to the weakened price of uranium.[14] In 2015, further cost-reduction projects were put in place by Paladin Energy. The Prime Minister of Namibia released a report on the state of the mine addressing safety concerns and working conditions. In July 2016, Paladin announced the sale[15] of a further 24% of the Langer Heinrich Mine to CNNC to cover mounting debts, bringing the total ownership by the Chinese owned company to 49%.

In May 2018, Paladin confirmed that the mine would cease operations and would be placed into care and maintenance.[16] It was still in this state in 2021, awaiting higher uranium prices.[17]

References
  1. "Uranium in Namibia". world-nuclear.org. 2014. Archived from the original on 2016-02-09. Retrieved 2014-10-15.
  2. "Uranium Mine Ownership – Namibia". www.wise-uranium.org. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  3. "Paladin Energy Ltd: Sale of Minority Interest in Langer Heinrich Mine, Namibia". Marketwired.com. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  4. "Langer Heinrich Uranium Mine". Mining Technology. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  5. "Paladin Energy Ltd. Achieves Six-Month Production Forecast at Langer Heinrich Uranium Project". Marketwired.com. Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  6. Swanepoel, Esmarie. "Accident injures 3 at Langer Heinrich". Engineering News. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  7. "Paladin September 2008 Quarterly Report" (PDF). Retrieved 2018-07-08.
  8. "Mining Weekly – Mining in Africa projects 2009". www.miningweekly.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  9. "Paladin to sell uranium to China next year". Miningreview.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  10. "Langer Heinrich hit by strike". The Namibian. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  11. "Protests hit second largest uranium mine in Namibia | MINING.com". MINING.com. 2013-07-02. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  12. Njini, Felix (2013-11-19). "Rio Tinto, Paladin Namibia Uranium Mines Face Water Shortage". Bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  13. "China's leading nuclear utility buys 25% stake in Paladin's Namibia uranium mine | MINING.com". MINING.com. 2014-01-21. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  14. "Uranium projects on hold in Africa after price collapse". Financial Mail. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  15. Reporter, Creamer Media. "Paladin to sell stakes in Langer Heinrich, Manyingee for up to $205m". Mining Weekly. Retrieved 2016-11-15.
  16. "LHM Confirmation of Care and Maintenance" (PDF). ASX Market Announcements. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  17. Ndjavera, Maihapa (10 June 2021). "Langer Heinrich Uranium still awaits recovery of uranium prices". New Era.
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