Namibia: No new exploration licences

15 February 2007

[Mineweb.com, 14 February] Namibia has suspended issuing new uranium prospecting licences as the government reconsiders its policies on the resource. According to Ministry of Mines and Energy permanent secretary Joseph Iita, the country needs to regulate uranium activities in response to the upsurge in global uranium demand. The Namibian government has issued over 15 prospecting licences in the past six months to domestic and foreign companies. Namibia was the world's fifth largest uranium producer in 2005, with an output of 3147 tU. Paladin Resources' Langer Heinrich mine came into production in December, joining Rio Tinto's Rossing mine. Projects at Valencia and Trekkopje are currently under development, with Forsys Metals' Valencia project expected to start production later in 2007.

Further information

Namibian Ministry of Mines and Energy

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