Paladin Energy overcomes short-term challenges to ramp up Langer Heinrich uranium production
Paladin Energy (ASX: PDN) has identified several solutions to help overcome short-term operational challenges as it continues ramping up the Langer Heinrich uranium mine (LHM) in Namibia.
The LHM re-commenced commercial production on 30 March 2024 following the successful completion of the restart project and is undergoing an operational ramp-up during FY2025, with ore feed to the plant sourced from previously mined stockpiled ore.
Mining activities are expected to resume in FY2026, ahead of achieving nameplate production of six million pounds per annum by the end of 2026.
Ore feed impacted
Paladin revealed in its latest quarterly report that it had encountered issues during the period that affected ore feed, recovery rates and production volumes.
The efficiency challenges included variability in the stockpiled ore processed, resulting in a lower feed grade than planned for the quarter.
The mine’s performance was also impacted by the delayed commissioning of a second classification circuit, while lower-than-anticipated tailings water recovery necessitated adjustments to the water balance within the plant, resulting in lower levels of fines rejects and variability in recoveries.
With the Paladin team working through these issues, production continued to ramp up, with 0.64Mlb of uranium produced during the quarter.
Progressing solutions
Chief executive officer Ian Purdy said the operations team is progressing solutions to address the challenges, with an independent third party also engaged to assist in improving the tailings water recovery process.
He noted that significant improvements have been supported by crusher upgrades that have eliminated the previous bottleneck, demonstrating sufficient capacity to achieve full production at the mine.
Paladin is preparing for a planned two-week shutdown in November to allow for further improvements and operational upgrades to be implemented.
Upgrade benefits
“The ramp-up of production at the LHM continues to de-risk the project and demonstrates the benefits of the plant upgrades,” Mr Purdy said
“While production in the second quarter of the ramp-up encountered some process recovery and efficiency challenges, the onsite team has begun implementing operational and process design improvements, which delivered improved performance towards the end of the quarter.”
“Our global clean-energy customers have commenced receiving and processing our product, with Paladin now delivering on its mission to resource a carbon-free future.”
Paladin continues to develop its world-class offtake contract book, with three additional sales agreements signed during the quarter and approximately 23Mlb of production contracted through to 2030.