Elevate Uranium Limited has set August 2026 as the target for releasing results from its U-pgrade™ pilot plant in Namibia, as the company advances towards steady-state operations.
The timeline follows a detailed review of the programme and reflects the time required to stabilise the processing circuit and generate representative metallurgical results.
The company confirmed that previously reported bench-scale test work remains valid and has not been impacted by the delay in achieving steady-state conditions at the pilot plant.
Operationally, Elevate has implemented a series of enhancements aimed at improving plant performance and process stability. These include strengthened site management, refined operating procedures and a more structured approach to circuit optimisation.
“Since his appointment, he has enhanced operating protocols and implemented a more systematic approach to circuit operation and optimisation,” the company said of its Namibian operations manager.
The technical team has also been expanded with the addition of experienced Namibian metallurgical personnel. Managing Director Murray Hill has been on site during March and April, working closely with the operational team to support commissioning and optimisation efforts.
“The company has made significant advances in pilot plant operations and is progressing towards steady-state conditions to facilitate the production of representative results,” Elevate Uranium said.
The U-pgrade™ process is designed as a beneficiation step to remove gangue material and concentrate uranium into a high-grade, low-mass product prior to leaching. This approach has the potential to reduce downstream processing costs and improve project economics, particularly in Namibia’s surficial uranium deposits.
Elevate said its investment in local technical capacity and operational systems aligns with Namibia’s broader push for in-country value addition and beneficiation within the mining sector.
The company also highlighted Fremantle Metallurgy’s experience in developing pilot plants for major mining groups, including BHP, as a key factor supporting the execution of the programme.
Beyond processing, exploration activity continues to advance. Drilling is underway at the Namib IV prospect, located approximately 20 kilometres from the southern extent of the Koppies resource.
Mineralisation at Namib IV was first identified in 2021, with follow-up exploration deferred to prioritise expansion at Koppies. Drilling resumed in late 2024, leveraging geological insights from basement-hosted mineralisation encountered at Koppies, as the company works to expand its uranium resource base in Namibia.
