(Ecofin Agency) - Paladin Energy has revised its uranium production target at Namibia's Langer Heinrich mine to 3 to 3.6 million pounds for the current fiscal year. However, new operational challenges have emerged, raising doubts about the mine's ability to meet these projections.

Paladin Energy announced on March 26 that operations at Namibia's Langer Heinrich uranium mine have resumed after heavy rains disrupted access earlier this month. The interruption has led the company to withdraw its revised production forecast of 3 to 3.6 million pounds for the fiscal year, citing operational constraints, including water ingress delaying mining acceleration.

The mine had produced 1.2 million pounds of uranium by January, but the latest developments cast doubt on whether the annual target can be met by June 30, 2025.

“Whilst onsite pumping infrastructure is adequate to de-water the pits, access to the pits to commence mining is likely to be delayed. The disruption to early commencement of mining, together with the short-term impact of the suspension of operations and the difficulties associated with processing saturated stockpiled ore, has resulted in Paladin withdrawing production guidance for the 2025 financial year,” Paladin said. 

The company added that it does not anticipate reaching its target annual production of 6 million pounds by December 2025 due to operational disruptions at its Langer Heinrich Mine in Namibia. Despite these challenges, the company expects improved performance in H2 2025, though specific production targets next semester remain unclear.

Paladin plans to provide more detailed information on the mine's operations and production outlook in its upcoming quarterly report, scheduled for release in April. This report is expected to offer insights into the company's strategies and potential updates on its final production forecast for the fiscal year.

The Langer Heinrich Mine, which is 75% owned by Paladin and 25% by China National Nuclear Corporation, is one of Namibia's key uranium mines, alongside Swakop and Rössing. 

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou (intern)

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum