Langer
Heinrich Mine
A strategic tier one uranium asset with a long-life operation.
Our Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia (75% Paladin ownership) is a significant player in the decarbonisation economy of the near future. Uranium concentrate production and drumming was achieved on 30 March 2024.
We have secured a strong uranium offtake portfolio within a rising market. At full production, the Langer Heinrich Mine’s annual uranium output is enough to supply over ten 1,000 Mwe nuclear power plants for a year.
The mine is located in central western Namibia approximately 80km east of Swakopmund and 85km northeast of the Walvis Bay major deepwater harbour. Modern infrastructure provides reliable and smooth access from the mine to the well-established port at Walvis Bay.
The deposit was discovered in 1973, and Paladin acquired Langer Heinrich Uranium (Pty) Ltd and its assets from Aztec Resources Ltd in August 2002.
An independent producer
Our Langer Heinrich Mine has already produced over 43 million pounds of U3O8 over a successful 10-year track record. The mine is projected to produce over 77 million pounds of U3O8 in the future.
The uranium mined and processed at the Langer Heinrich Mine will be used to resource nuclear power plants, helping drive the global energy transition to a carbon-free, sustainable future.
Langer Heinrich Mine:
delivering sustainable production
(75% Paladin ownership)
Proven history
- 10 years of production history
- Simple, proven process flow with competitive cash cost position
- Over 43Mlb U3O8 produced and sold
- Placed into Care & Maintenance in 2018 due to sustained low uranium price
Present
- First production achieved on time, on 30 March 2024
- First customer shipment departed Walvis Bay, Namibia, on 12 July 2024
- Restart Project completed on time and within cost forecast, with total capital expenditure of US$119.7M
Future success
- Peak production of 6Mlb of U3O8
- 17 year mine life, producing 77Mlb of U3O8
- Independent producer in a premier jurisdiction
- Further upside available through operational optimisation
Namibia: a premier
uranium jurisdiction
1. Source: Bank of Namibia
Historical Performance Parameters
| FY2013 | FY2014 | FY2015 | FY2016 | FY2017 | FY2018 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mining Rate (in-situ) | Mt | 27.8 | 21.6 | 20.2 | 24.6 | 7.6 | 0 |
| Mill Throughput | Mt | 3.44 | 3.72 | 3.40 | 3.57 | 3.52 | 2.95 |
| Mill Feed Grade | ppm | 812 | 783 | 768 | 699 | 610 | 475 |
| Recovery | % | 86.0% | 87.0% | 87.6% | 86.3% | 87.7% | 88.5% |
| U308 Production | Mlb | 5.3 | 5.6 | 5.0 | 4.8 | 4.2 | 2.7 |
| C1 Cost of Production | US$/lb | 30.0 | 27.7 | 29.0 | 25.9 | 18.9 | 26.2 |
Notes
- Stage Three Expansion Project completed in 2013 generating 5Mlb pa U3O8 production capacity
- Mining suspended November 2016
- Production suspended May 2018
History of Langer Heinrich Mine
Paladin acquired Langer Heinrich Uranium (Pty) Ltd and its assets from Aztec Resources Ltd (formerly Acclaim Uranium NL) in August 2002.
Our purchase consideration was A$15,000 and a production royalty of 12 Australian cents per kilogram of yellowcake produced and sold.
1973
The deposit is discovered after a government-sponsored airborne radiometric survey of the area.
1980
General Mining Union Corporation Limited (Gencor) undertakes extensive evaluation work at the site from 1974-1980. Suspends work on the project in mid-80s following a fall in the prevailing uranium price.
1998
Acclaim Uranium NL acquires the project from Glencor, completes a pre-feasibility study, and puts project on hold again due to prevailing uranium prices.
2002
Paladin Energy acquires Langer Heinrich Uranium (Pty) Ltd in August and its assets from Aztec Resources Ltd (formerly Acclaim Uranium NL).
2007
Langer Heinrich commences production with a capacity of 2.7Mlbpa.
2008
Construction of Stage 2 expansion to 3.7Mlbpa commences at the mine.
2009
Langer Heinrich reaches Stage 2 design capacity in December.
2010
Construction of Stage 3 expansion to 5.2Mlbpa commences early in the year.
2012
Completion of Stage 3 expansion is achieved at the end of March.
2014
The sale process for a 25% interest in the mine by CNNC is completed in July.
2015
Process innovation focuses on the Bicarbonate Recovery Plant (BRP) which is commissioned in early March, resulting in significant reagent cost reductions.
2016
With the continued decline in uranium prices, Langer Heinrich introduces a mining curtailment strategy in November.
2018
Paladin places Langer Heinrich mine into care and maintenance in May due to sustained low uranium spot price. Mine successfully transitions to full C&M in August.
2019
Paladin commences a Prefeasibility Study in February to further refine and verify the Langer Heinrich mine restart plan.
2020
Paladin completes the Langer Heinrich Restart Plan, providing a clear pathway back to reliable production and re-engages with its long-term customers in an improving uranium market.
2022
Paladin made the decision to return the Langer Heinrich Mine to production, supported by strong uranium market fundamentals and continued progress on marketing activities.
2023
The Langer Heinrich Mine restart project progressed well during 2023, targeting first production in Q1 CY2024.
2024
First production was achieved on 30 March 2024 at the Langer Heinrich Mine.