Norasa uranium project

The Norasa uranium project comprises the Valencia and Namibplaas deposits in Erongo Region in the western part of Namibia. The two parts are 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) apart and both are fully owned by Forsys Metals. It represents one of the largest uranium resources in Namibia, having an estimated resource of 48,200 tU in ore grading 0.014-0.0167% uranium.[1] The Valencia deposit was named after the farm where the uranium deposits were found.[2]

Norasa uranium project
Location
Norasa uranium project is located in Namibia
Norasa uranium project
Norasa uranium project
RegionErongo Region
CountryNamibia
Coordinates22.346345°S 15.235205°E / -22.346345; 15.235205
Production
Productsuranium
Owner
CompanyForsys Metals

If built, the mine was expected to produce 18 million tonnes of uranium a year over an 11-year period.[3] The mine is developed by Forsys Metals.[4]

History

The Valencia deposit was discovered by Trekkopje Exploration in 1972. In 1994, a licence was granted to Tsumeb Corp. a subsidiary of Gold Fields. In 2004, the licence was transferred to Tsumeb Exploration Company, a subsidiary of Ongopolo Mining & Processing. In 2005, Tsumeb was acquired by Forsys Metals.[5]

Preliminary environmental assessment for the mine was completed in the beginning of 2006. The pre-feasibility study was completed in May 2007. The environmental impact assessment and the environmental management plan were approved in June 2008.[6][7] In August 2008, the mining licence was granted.[2]

In 2013, the Valencia and the Namibplaas projects were consolidated as Norasa uranium project.[6][8][9][10] At the same year, Forsys Metals laid off most of the workers of the mine due to the low uranium price.[6] In 2014, it commenced the new feasibility study.[7][11]

Sale controversy

In 2008, it was announced that the project would be acquired by George Forrest International. The deal was cancelled in 2009. According to the documents published by WikiLeaks, the deal was interfered by the United States and Canadian authorities because of the fear that George Forrest will sell uranium to Iran if it obtained the mine.[12][13]

References
  1. "Uranium in Namibia". World Nuclear Association. May 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2018.
  2. Weidlich, Brigitte (7 March 2008). "Govt grants 25-year uranium licence to Canada's Forsys". The Namibian. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  3. "Valencia mine has 11-yr lifespan". The Namibian. 27 April 2007. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  4. "Forsys Closes Non-Brokered Private Placement" (Press release). Forsys Metals. 21 September 2018. Retrieved 2018-09-23 – via Nasdaq.
  5. "Valencia Uranium Project. Public Meetings 23–26 April 2007" (PDF). Forsys Metals. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  6. "New Uranium Mining Projects - Norasa/Valencia, Namibia". WISE. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  7. Kaira, Chamwe (9 July 2014). "Forsys plans feasibility study for uranium project". The Namibian. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  8. Gordon, Julie (28 May 2012). "Forsys plans bigger Namibia uranium mine". The Namibian. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  9. Hartman, Adam (26 July 2013). "Valencia still developing – under the radar". The Namibian. Retrieved 2018-09-25.
  10. "Valencia developers confident about project". Namibia Economist. 1 July 2012. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  11. "Forsys starts feasibility on Norasa uranium project". Namibia Economist. 11 July 2014. Retrieved 2018-10-09.
  12. Rayner, Gordon (2 February 2011). "WikiLeaks: Sale of uranium mine blocked over Iran fears". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2018-09-23.
  13. Clark, Campbell (17 January 2011). "Nuclear worries behind failed Forsys deal: WikiLeaks". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 2018-09-23.


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