Bannerman Energy says it has completed the N$36 million (US$2 million) construction of an access road and water supply pipeline for the Etango Project, ahead of schedule.
According to Bannerman’s CEO, Gavin Chamberlain, the access road provides a dedicated route for the transportation of equipment and materials to the project site, streamlining logistics and construction activities.
The construction water supply pipeline ensures a reliable source of water for use during the construction phase.
“So we have managed to complete construction for the access road and I must say within budget and on time and we also completed the construction of the water supply pipeline also within budget and on time,” he said.
He added that for construction, the company has a dedicated pipeline separate from the main supply. This smaller pipeline acts as a connection point to NamWater’s existing infrastructure.
The company also highlighted having a signed agreement in place where it pays for the specific amount of water it uses. This, the company explained, ensures a reliable source for both its earthworks and concrete work.
While the construction water supply ensures immediate needs are met, Bannerman has emphasised a long-term solution for water security and has secured separate pipelines for permanent water supply and construction water.
“Additionally, we have enough on-site storage to hold a day’s worth of construction water in case of any temporary disruptions in the main supply,” he said.
He further said that N$2 billion (A$85 million) raised by Bannerman will be used to de-risk the construction schedule, with a particular focus on bulk earthworks.
Key areas of attention include the heap leach pad and the primary crusher construction. The heap leach pad design utilises a dynamic approach with a maximum height of 5 meters, mitigating safety risks associated with larger heaps.
To ensure a stable foundation for the critical primary crusher, Bannerman has secured an expert who played a key role in a similar project, aiming to avoid potential delays.
“The funds raised will be used for various initiatives, but our primary focus is mitigating risks associated with the final construction schedule. Unlike most projects in the area, ours heavily relies on earthworks. This means the success of the bulk earthworks phase is crucial for the entire project timeline. By awarding this contract, we’ve taken a significant step towards achieving our ultimate goal – delivering uranium to the market by 2027,” he said.
Furthermore, the mining company said a temporary power supply will be secured by August 2024 to facilitate initial construction activities.
By year-end, permanent construction power will be available to support the ongoing project needs.
“While the earthworks contract requires minimal power, we’re currently seeking a temporary power solution to meet our needs until the permanent construction power infrastructure is established. We anticipate awarding the temporary power contract in August and having it operational by year-end,” Chamberlain said.
He also said that Bannerman remains focused on securing Final Investment Decision by the end of 2024.
Detailed design and construction team mobilisation are ongoing to keep the project on track for its target schedule.
Bannerman Energy is an Australian listed uranium development company.
