Elevate Uranium says the construction of its U-pgrade™ demonstration plant, which is expected to enhance uranium ore beneficiation at the Koppies Uranium Project, is on track for completion by mid-2025.
The plant, being built by Fremantle Metallurgy Pty Ltd, is a key part of the company’s strategy to expand and optimize its resource development.
Elevate stated that a metallurgical team recently visited Namibia to evaluate potential locations and necessary infrastructure for the plant.
Once constructed, it will undergo factory acceptance testing in Perth before being containerized, shipped to Namibia, reassembled, and used to process at least 60 tonnes of ore from Koppies.
The results according to the company, will guide the design of a full-scale commercial processing facility.
“We are making significant progress in the design and construction of the U-pgrade™ demonstration plant. Construction began in December 2024 and is on track for completion by mid-2025,” said Elevate Uranium Managing Director Murray Hill.
According to Elevate, the U-pgrade™ process is designed to remove gangue waste material and concentrate uranium into a high-grade, low-mass product before leaching. Hill emphasized Fremantle Metallurgy’s experience in building pilot plants for major mining companies, including BHP, as a key factor in ensuring the project’s success.
Meanwhile, drilling operations continue at Namib IV, located 20 kilometers from the southern portion of the Koppies resource. The mineralization at Namib IV was first discovered in 2021, but further exploration was delayed to prioritize the expansion of Koppies. Exploration resumed in late 2024, leveraging insights gained from Koppies’ basement-hosted mineralization.
