Kayelekera Uranium Mine (the Project) is located in northern Malawi, approximately 650 km north of the capital city of Lilongwe and 52 km by road to the west of the lakeside town of Karonga.
The Kayelekera Mine was initially constructed by Paladin in 2007 and open pit mining and processing commenced in May 2008. Due to continued low uranium prices the Project was put in care and maintenance in 2015.
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In 2020, the Project was acquired by Lotus Resources with the intention to restart mining activities, initially focusing on higher grade materials (both mined from the pit and contained on historic surface stockpiles). The Project has a projected mine life of approximately 10 to 12 years.
SUMMARY
Dhamana has been involved with the Kayelekera Uranium Mine since 2021 providing Environmental Management Services supporting the restart of production by Lotus.
Dhamana was initially engaged to revise the environmental and social management plan (ESMP) for the Project to ensure it is ready to be implemented once the Project recommissioned. This included revision of the overall ESMP and various sub-management plans, such as the site water management plan, influx management plan, radiation management plan and stakeholder engagement plan.
The ESMP was revised to comply with Malawani legislation as well as good international industry practice, including aligning the ESMP and sub-management plans with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards, International Labour Organisation (ILO) conventions, the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP), and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) requirements.
The restart of the mine also includes the connection to the Malawian electricity grid and incorporation of renewables, solar and battery, into the power system to reduce both power costs and the mine’s carbon footprint. Dhamana is supporting both the project management, and environmental studies and approvals for these works.
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Dhamana has also provided project management services for the management of the FEED for the restart of production at Kayelekera.
KEY SERVICES
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Update of project ESMP and supporting management plans.
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Management of environmental approvals for 44 km power line to site from national grid.
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Initial “red flag” review of compliance with Equator Principles and IFC Performance Standards to support project financing.
LOCATION
Malawi
YEAR
2021 - Present
