2024 was a momentous year for Bannerman as construction commenced on-site at the Etango Uranium Project. The first two early works contracts approved for Etango – the construction water supply and site access road – were completed in July 2024; safely, on time and on budget.
Following completion of the first two early works contracts, the development of Etango seamlessly transitioned into the next phase of early construction and long-lead order activities.
The bulk earthworks contract was awarded in August 2024 and execution of this key 24-month contract is proceeding well and is on schedule.
A critical enabler for uninterrupted delivery of the bulk earthworks activities is continuity of water supply on-site during the early works and full-scale construction phases. The construction water storage dam, which is designed to ensure such continuity, was successfully completed and filled with water in mid-November 2024.
Similarly, the contract for the construction of power facilities was awarded in October 2024. Key elements of these works include construction of all the permanent 33kV overhead powerlines on the Etango site and the temporary connection to the local electrical distributor Erongo RED.
On reflection of the 2024-year, Bannerman Energy CEO, Gavin Chamberlain commented: “The 12 months since the grant of our Etango Mining Licence in December 2023 was a period of remarkable advancement, both on- and off-site. I believe the entire Bannerman team can take great pride in the safe, systematic and long-term focused manner in which the world-class Etango Project has progressed over that time.
The first blast of the box cut for the primary crusher site was achieved safely and successfully in November 2024 and four further blasts have been completed.
Manufacture of the High-Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR) tertiary crusher, a key identified long lead item for the Etango process plant, commenced in May 2024 and is currently ahead of schedule.
Managing Director, Werner Ewald is pleased with the performance of key contract partners. He comments, “their work to date has been undertaken safely and to a very high standard of delivery. Their output has firmly validated our selection of them as our preferred delivery partners for Etango”.
Bannerman’s ‘phased green light’ approach to construction is a gated approach to Etango development with phased approval of various construction works in line with advancement across broader project workstreams and financial capacity. It is enabled by our strong cash balance and flexible approach to project development.
Systematically advancing the project in this manner best allows us to mitigate timing risks, and more importantly, to ensure that work is undertaken safely and to a high standard of delivery.
To date, there are about 100 contractor employees on site at Etango.
Bannerman remains resolutely focussed on the safe and efficient delivery, taking environmental aspects into account of the Etango Project through 2025, and beyond. Etango offers a tremendous opportunity, and we look forward to capturing it fully for the benefit of all our stakeholders.
Contributed By Bannerman Mining Resources Namibia
