https://www.miningweekly.com
Botswana|Infrastructure|Mining|PROJECT|Resources|Drilling|Infrastructure
Botswana|Infrastructure|Mining|PROJECT|Resources|Drilling|Infrastructure
botswana|infrastructure|mining|project|resources|drilling|infrastructure

Letlhakane uranium project, Botswana

Image of project area of the Letlhakane project

Photo by Lotus Resources

22nd November 2024

By: Sheila Barradas

Creamer Media Research Coordinator & Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

Name of the Project
Letlhakane uranium project.

Location
Botswana.

Project Owner/s
Lotus Resources.

Project Description
Letlhakane is one of the biggest undeveloped uranium deposits in Botswana, with an estimated resource of 155-million tonnes at 345 parts per million triuranium octoxide (U3O8), equivalent to 118-million pounds of U3O8.

The base case is expected to support production of up to 3.3-million pounds a year of U3O8 over an initial 15-year life-of-mine.

The project is designed to use openpit mining methods, with potential for in situ recovery (ISR) for deeper mineralised zones.

The openpit mine is expected to produce 42.3-million pounds of U3O8 over its mine life.

To complement the base case, two other scenarios have also been considered.

The first proposes a smaller operation with less total material movements. 

This was developed by analysing pit shells from the optimisation work with a reduced revenue factor.

The second scenario considers a much larger project with a higher throughput, based on analysing pit shells with an increased revenue factor.

Potential Job Creation
Not indicated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Startup capital is estimated at $465-million. This includes costs for mining, processing infrastructure and an on-site sulphur-burning acid plant for producing the necessary 
reagents.

Planned Start/End Date
Lotus aims to start production in 2025. 

A resource update and further optimisation work are scheduled for early 2025.

Latest Developments
Lotus is working to optimise the project to ensure economic viability under different uranium-price scenarios.

Current developments include ongoing trade-off studies, an infill drilling programme aimed at upgrading resources, and assessments for using ISR methods.

The results from these studies are expected by the end of 2024.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
SnowdenOptiro (mineral resources and mining and openpit optimisation); Ashmet (processing and infrastructure costs); and ERM Australia Consultants (ISR assessment).

Contact Details for Project Information
Lotus Resources, tel +61 8 9200 3427 or email info@lotusresources.com.au.
 

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

Actom image
Actom

Your one-stop global energy-solution partner

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Weir
Weir

Weir is a global leader in mining technology. We recognise that our planet’s future depends on the transition to renewable energy, and that...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 06 December 2024
Magazine round up | 06 December 2024
6th December 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.055 0.097s - 128pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now