As uranium developer Bannerman Resources progresses with its plans for an initial eight-million-tonne-a-year Etango project, in Namibia, it is casting its gaze towards a broader horizon. The company has started to delve into potential expansion options, aiming for a larger-scale operation in the future.

The ASX-listed junior recently completed a scoping study that looks at the long-term optionality afforded by the large-scale Etango resource. Executive chairperson Brandon Munro highlighted the study’s findings, emphasising a “clear pathway” towards achieving a production capacity of 6.7-million pounds a year.

The study evaluated two future phase options: a post-ramp-up expansion in throughput capacity to 16-million tonnes a year (Etango-XP) and an extension of operating life to 27 years (Etango-XT).

For the Etango-XP option, projections indicate a life-of-mine (LoM) uranium octoxide (U₃O₈) throughput of 95.2-million pounds over 16 years, with yearly output of 6.7-million pounds of U₃O₈. This expansion entails an estimated investment of $325-million.

Alternatively, the Etango-XT life extension option maintains the current mine and plant throughput of eight-million tonnes a year, but extends the mine life from 15 years to 27 years. This option yields LoM U₃O₈ output of 95.2-million pounds, with yearly output at 3.5-million pounds.

The scoping study’s aims is to underscore the technical and economic viability of these expansion and life extension options, post successful construction and ramp-up of the base case Etango-8 project.

Munro reported that Bannerman continued to advance project workstreams for the Etango-8 project. Front-end engineering design is progressing to schedule and is expected to be completed in the second quarter.

Simultaneously, Bannerman is also actively pursuing financing activities for the $320-million project.