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NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Zambia*

Uranium exploration and mine development

Historical review

Uranium was first observed in Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia) at the site of the Mindola copper mine in Kitwe, leading to the mining of this small deposit between 1957 and 1959. A total of 102 tU3O8 (86 tU) was produced. Although no uranium has been produced from that mine or from Zambia since then, exploration activity has been carried out periodically by the government and by private companies.

Sporadic uranium exploration activities took place during the 1990s but primary attention was focused on copper. It was only in the mid-2000s that interest in uranium was stimulated by the dramatic rise in the spot market price for uranium.

The exploration environment in Zambia underwent a fundamental change in 1969. Prior to this date, all mineral rights were held privately, but in 1969 these rights reverted to the state. In 1969, the state also effectively nationalised mining by becoming a majority shareholder in all mining companies active in the country (principally copper). Financial realities, including a decline in copper prices, along with recommendations from external bodies such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund, encouraged the state to enter into a process of privatisation. This became a reality in 1997 with the primary objective of encouraging foreign investment in the country.

Recent and ongoing uranium exploration and mine development activities

In mid-2011, Equinox Minerals was taken over by Barrick Gold Corp. for CAD 7.3 billion. At that time, a total of 4.2 Mt of uraniferous ore at a grade of 0.118% U3O8 (0.1% U) was stockpiled at the Lumwana copper mine, which could be processed at a later date if Barrick decided to build a uranium mill for an estimated cost of USD 200 to 230 million. In 2012, drilling programmes at Lumwana were focused on resource definition at Chimiwungo, reserve delineation at Chimiwungo and Malundwe, extension exploration drilling at Chimiwungo and condemnation drilling to test for economic mineralisation in areas of planned mining infrastructure. A total of 237 277 m of diamond drilling and 49 029 m of reverse circulation drilling was completed during 2012 in order to better define the limits of mineralisation and develop an updated, more comprehensive block model of the ore body for mine planning purposes. Total resources, including the uranium ore stockpiled at Malundwe, amounted to 7 492 tU at an average grade of 0.07% U. However, the ore body did not meet economic expectations. The drilling defined significant additional mineralisation, some at higher grades. However, much of this mineralisation was deep and would therefore require a significant amount of waste stripping, making it uneconomic based on the expected operating costs and current market copper prices. Activity continues on a number of key initiatives to lower costs, including improvements to operating systems and processes.

* Report prepared by the NEA/IAEA, based on previous Red Books and company reports.

NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Denison completed extensive drilling in 2011 and 2012 on their Mutanga Project. Airborne geophysics techniques were used to locate anomalies and potential uranium mineralisation. Near-surface mineralisation at Dibwe East zones 1 and 2 is consistent over 4 km, with high-grade ore in its core. Future exploration activities are expected to be focused on field programmes including extensive surficial geochemistry and surface radon surveys, geological mapping and airborne geophysics all of which will be used to assist in defining drill targets.

At the end of 2012, African Energy concluded baseline environmental studies for the Chirundu uranium project, the only work completed by African Energy on its uranium projects. The Chirundu Project near the Zimbabwe border is focused on exploring the Njame and Gwabe deposits and reports 4 270 tU as measured, indicated and inferred resources. A mining licence was granted for the project in October 2009, with a view to a 500 tU/yr acid heap leach operation. It includes the Siamboka prospect. A feasibility study was commenced but then deferred because of low uranium prices. The company was also exploring the Chisebuka deposit, 250 km along strike south-west.

In June 2016, GoviEx Uranium acquired Denison’s Mutanga Project, and in October 2017 completed the acquisition of Africa Energy’s Chirundu Project consolidating these adjacent projects. In 2017, GoviEx released a new preliminary economic assessment for the Mutanga uranium project including the mineral resource estimate for Mutanga, Dibwe, Dibwe East, Gwabe, Njame and Njma South ore deposits.

Uranium resources

Identified conventional resources (reasonably assured and inferred resources)

Only three properties in Zambia have reached the stage of development when NI 43-101 or JORC compliant resources have been published in 2017. GoviEx’s Mutanga and Chirundu projects have identified recoverable resources of 20 311 tU. The third project is the Lumwana copper mine, where resources are hosted by mica-quartz-kyanite schists of the Katangan Supergroup with identified recoverable resources of 6 967 tU.

Potential for the discovery of additional uranium resources exists in various parts of the country that have been poorly explored. Of particular interest is the Copperbelt where many copper orebodies have known associated uranium mineralisation.

Uranium production

Historical review

A total of 102 tU3O8 (86 tU) was produced at the Mindola mine in Kitwe during the late 1950s. Production ceased in 1960 and no uranium has been produced since.

Uraniferous ore was stockpiled at Lumwana while mining the higher-grade Malundwe copper deposit. As of March 2011, the stockpile amounted to 4.2 Mt of ore grading at 0.1% U.

Future projects

GoviEx Uranium of Canada is planning to develop a USD 123 million project at Mutanga and Chirundu, when uranium prices have improved to >USD 55/lb. Following successful licence renewal, a preliminary economic study has been undertaken for an open-pit mine with acid heap leaching. The project is licensed with a 25-year mining licence, environmental approval and radioactive materials licence. The project is forecast to produce 920 tU/yr for 11 years.

NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Uranium production centre technical details

(as of 1 January 2017)

Environmental activities and socio-cultural issues

Waste rock management

Equinox Minerals’ original plans in 2003 were to excavate, stockpile and return the uraniferous ore to the Malundwe pit at the Lumwana copper mine, following completion of mining, as it was considered uneconomic at the time to recover the uranium. However, in 2006, with a uranium spot price in excess of USD 50 lb/U3O8 (USD 130/kgU), the project was re-evaluated. In January 2011, Equinox Minerals reported that the portion of the stockpile containing 0.09% U and 0.8% Cu may be treated at a later date, if and when a uranium plant is built. The stockpile is currently classified and expensed as “waste” in the copper project.

Environmental activities and socio-cultural issues

The Mines and Minerals Development Act (1995) makes provision for the preparation of a project brief when applying for a mining licence. This must include an environmental impact statement detailing all potential impacts of the project. Annual environmental audits must be carried out to ensure compliance and contributions must be made to an environmental management fund for rehabilitation.

NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Local inhabitants around the Mutanga Project were involved in public hearings organised by the Environmental Council of Zambia. Agreements were reached regarding the displacement of 107 families in 2 villages to allow for the construction of the mine infrastructure.

Denison/GoviEx has been providing funding to a number of communities and sustainability projects including construction of schools and clinics, water boreholes and agricultural programmes.

African Energy assisted the construction of a community health post and also did a water borehole at Sikoongo Village near their Chirundu Project.

Barrick have invested in a wide range of sustainable development initiatives in 2012, including funding for infrastructure (such as schools and health centres), literacy and agricultural programmes, community sports and recreation, and an initiative to provide microcredit and small business loans to women.

Uranium requirements

Zambia has no nuclear generating capacity. In May 2016, Rosatom signed an intergovernmental agreement on co-operation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, which provides a framework for opportunities to construct nuclear power facilities. Further co-operation agreements were signed with Rosatom in December 2016 and in June 2017. The first is for the training of Zambian specialists in Russia so that within 15 years, Russia will assist Zambia with training young nuclear energy engineers, plan for nuclear power plant personnel, develop a nuclear energy regulator and build a research reactor, which will provide medicine, agricultural services and energy. Zambia aims to become a regional centre for nuclear medicine. In respect to energy, nuclear power is needed to prevent load shedding due to unreliable supply.

Uranium policies, uranium stocks and uranium prices

National policies relating to uranium

Mining activities in general were regulated by the Mines and Minerals Act (1995), but until recently there was no legislation specifically relating to exploration for and mining of uranium. The act was repealed in 2008 following widespread criticism of what was perceived to be excessive scope for granting tax concessions. This act was replaced by the Mines and Minerals Development Act 2008, which ruled that no special agreements should be entered into by the government for the development of large-scale mining licences. It also effectively ended development agreements concluded under the previous act. The Mines and Minerals Development (Prospecting, Mining and Milling of Uranium Ores and Other Radioactive Mineral Ores) and Regulations of 2008 deal with the mining, storage and export of uranium. Mining and export licences will only be granted when the Radiation Protection Authority is satisfied that the operations pose no environmental and health hazards. Applicants for export licences will also have to prove the authenticity of the importers in terms of IAEA guidelines.

A study by the Council of Churches concluded that current legislation and enforcement was inadequate for uranium mining. They recommended that current regulations be revised to address the concerns of local communities and that educational and awareness programmes be initiated prior to any uranium exploration and mining activities.

In 2011, Zambia and Finland signed co-operating projects aimed at helping the southern African nation review regulations on uranium mining as well as the management of the mineral. The two projects are aimed at evaluating current regulations on uranium and other radioactive minerals as well as developing a modern geo-information infrastructure. These projects are designed to help the country evaluate, update and review regulations regarding the safety of uranium mining.

NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Reasonably assured conventional resources by deposit type

(tonnes U)

Reasonably assured conventional resources by production method

(tonnes U)

Reasonably assured conventional resources by processing method

(tonnes U)

Inferred conventional resources by deposit type

(tonnes U)

Inferred conventional resources by production method

(tonnes U)

Inferred conventional resources by processing method

(tonnes U)

NATIONAL REPORTS: ZAMBIA

Historical uranium production by deposit type

(tonnes U in concentrates)

Historical uranium production by production method

(tonnes U in concentrates)

1. Pre-2010 totals may include uranium recovered by heap and in-place leaching.

Historical uranium production by processing method

(tonnes U in concentrates)

Short-term production capabilities

(tonnes U/year)

LIST OF REPORTING ORGANISATIONS AND CONTACT PERSONS

Appendix 1. List of reporting organisations and contact persons

LIST OF REPORTING ORGANISATIONS AND CONTACT PERSONS