ZAMBIA : GOVIEX ’ S MUNTANGA PROJECT RAMPS UP FOR 2023
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ZAMBIA : GOVIEX ’ S MUNTANGA PROJECT RAMPS UP FOR 2023
GoviEx is the only uranium developer with two African projects in development and expected near term production .
Educational programmes supporting local employment On 22 May , GoviEx announced the launch of two education programmes in the vicinity of its Muntanga Project in Zambia - the Back to School Project and GoviEx ’ s Youth Trainee Programme .
Location : Zambia Phase : Exploration Resource : Uranium
Mid-May this year , GoviEx Uranium Inc . announced that , following a successful drilling programme in 2022 on its Muntanga uranium project in Zambia , it will expand the scope of the Feasibility Study ( FS ) for the project to include detailed engineering and design . The company will also complete the project ’ s Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ( ESIA ) update and undertake additional drilling to target mineralisation extensions along sections at the project ’ s Dibbwi East deposit .
In 2022 , the company conducted an extensive 15 500m infill drilling programme at the Dibbwi East Deposit , which is targeting conversion of the current 29 million pounds U3O8 from inferred into indicated resources . GoviEx is due to provide an update to its mineral resource estimate too .
Analysis of the 2022 drilling results has highlighted that the Dibbwi East deposit is open up and down dip , as several sections have not closed off the uranium resource . In response , GoviEx plans to conduct 7 000m of mud rotary drilling to target these areas of open mineralisation at the deposit and further enhance its understanding of the deposit ' s potential .
Currently , over 4 tonnes of ore samples have been delivered to the Copperbelt University in Zambia where confirmatory metallurgical test work is ongoing . This will be used to support the FS process design and costing .
Daniel Major , company CEO , said : “ Our continued progress on the Muntanga uranium project reflects our commitment to responsible and sustainable development in Africa . With the completion of our ESIA and FS planned for 2024 , we are well positioned to advance this project towards near term production and to become a significant contributor to the global uranium market . We are excited about the potential of the project and the positive impact that it will have on our stakeholders and the local community ."
GoviEx is the only uranium developer with two African projects in development and expected near term production . Based on the 2017 PEA , Muntanga ’ s anticipated output is forecast to be 2.5 million pounds per annum , with Madaouela ’ s Project in Niger forecast to produce 2.6 million pounds per annum .
Both initiatives were born out of the company ’ s commitment to local employment and local development . The company has recognised the challenges in hiring local talent due to a lack of formal education and has taken a proactive step towards addressing this issue . By equipping the community with the necessary literacy and numeracy skills , GoviEx aims to unlock the full potential of the local workforce , enabling them to actively participate in the development of the Muntanga Project .
The Back to School Project is an adult education initiative run in partnership with the District Education Board Secretaries ( DEBS ) for the Siavonga and Chirundu Districts . It will focus on providing educational opportunities for adults who may not have had previous access to formal education .
In addition , GoviEx ’ s Youth Trainee Programme is taking another step forward in empowering local youth by funding the tuition , boarding and upkeep of an initial six students from three communities in the areas around the Muntanga Project . The students started courses in Mechanics , Power Electrical and Plumbing at the Lusaka Vocational Training College this May .
This is in addition to two Community Health Assistants students that the company is currently sponsoring at Mwachisompola College of Health Sciences in Chibombo . Since it started operations in Zambia , GoviEx has built or contributed to the construction of five schools in five different communities along its project area .
These initiatives form part of GoviEx ’ s wider ESG strategy and commitment towards local development and employment . This includes GoviEx ’ s Madaouela Project in Niger , which allows four months of staff training prior to the commencement of mine operation and also has a 5 % training budget built into its Feasibility Study .
GoviEx is targeting conversion of the current 29 million pounds U3O8 from inferred into indicated resources .
www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • September 2023 • 11