Etango earthworks near done

Bannerman Energy says construction early works at its Etango uranium project in Namibia are tracking on budget and schedule, with bulk earthworks 92% complete and the site workforce surpassing 1.1 million lost-time injury-free hours.

The Australian, Namibia and OTCQX-listed uranium developer said more than 560 personnel from four Namibian contractors are working across earthworks, civil construction, aggregate production and infrastructure at the Erongo Region site.

In May 2026, the project passed the one million lost-time injury-free (LTI)-free hours mark, extending Bannerman's unbroken 17-year LTI-free record.

"Our key contract partners continue to deliver across the Etango site," Bannerman managing director and chief executive Gavin Chamberlain said. "The 24-month bulk earthworks contract is now more than 90% complete, a substantial achievement and a key investment in derisking the critical path for full-scale construction."

Work is concentrated on the heap leach pad, process solution ponds and wet plant terraces. As those areas take shape, Chamberlain said the overall project footprint is becoming increasingly visible.

Concrete construction by local contractor K Neumayer Civil Contractors is continuing across dry plant infrastructure, with 10 800 cubic metres of concrete cast, about 60% of Phase 1 and 2A package requirements. The primary crusher structure's foundations are complete, with structural concrete elements now rising above ground level.

Phase 2A works cover the stockpile tunnel, secondary and tertiary crushing and screening facilities, the fine ore silo and associated conveyor infrastructure, all progressing in line with schedule.

Heap leach drainage aggregate production by Namibian contractor Tulela Mining & Construction has reached about 29% of total volume required. Civil and mechanical design for the dry plant is approximately 94% complete.

On the water supply front, Bannerman has executed a permanent water agreement with NamWater, with Phase 1 of the supply pipeline now 87% complete.

Chamberlain said all contractors currently on site are Namibian businesses, with select early works, including the Etango gatehouse, being delivered by local small and medium enterprises.

"Our support to local SMEs furthers our commitment to maximise Namibian content at the Etango mine," he said.