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Plans to restart Uranium project at Kayelekera mine underway

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Plans to restart Uranium project at Kayelekera mine underway

Lotus Resources Ltd  has started a definitive feasibility study (DFS) to assess the possibility of restarting production at its Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi. The DFS will build on strong results from multiple technical studies, which indicated the potential for enhanced outputs and returns.

Kayelekera is a proven operation that has historically produced 11 million pounds of uranium but ceased operations in 2014 due to sustained low uranium prices and was placed on care and maintenance. According to the company the DFS is likely to be completed by mid-2022.

Lotus managing director Keith Bowes said: “Whilst this officially kicks off the definitive feasibility study, the company has been diligently working through a number of technical studies over the course of 2021 that are central to the outcomes of this study.

“Results from the individual technical studies have been impressive, and already indicate significantly improved production rates and/or operating costs compared to our October scoping study.

“The most notable technical study so far has been the ore sorting work, a technology not available when Kayelekera was previously in production.

“This aspect alone could see annual production rates more readily increase to the original nameplate of 3 million pounds (lbs) per annum and this level achieved on a more consistent basis.”

The DFS will incorporate results from multiple technical studies including power supply, ore sorting, acid recovery and tailings that have demonstrated the potential for reduced operating costs and increased production compared to the scoping study.

The October 2020 scoping study was based on real operating data from previous operations and provided an accurate estimate of potential production rates and costs.

Kayelekera Mining

Ore sorting test-work

Ore sorting test-work results indicate a step change for the project, with results seeing grades increase by up to 100% when compared to the feed sample, with high recovery of up to 92%.

The ore sorting provides the option to increase production rates and convert lower marginal grade ores that could extend the mine life.

Lotus is considering a number of different scenarios to enhance the effectiveness of the ore sorting program, including maximising annual production rates to the nominal production rate of the back-end circuit.

The ore sorting program will also focus on the lower grade materials (stockpile and mineralised waste) and convert these from marginal ores to economic feed material for the main process plant.

Bowes said: “There is also scope to extend the mine life through conversion of marginal ores into higher-grade ores.

“Together with the findings of other technical studies, we are confident that a material reduction in operating costs can be achieved.

“The company looks forward to keeping shareholders updated through the year, in what will be a very busy second half to 2021.”

Power supply options

A technical study indicated that a mix of power supply options incorporating connection to the national grid, solar power and energy recovery from the acid plant will be the most reliable and cost-effective option for the project.

This could result in the reduction of power cost compared to historical operations at Kayelekera and will also reduce CO2 emissions.

Tailings storage facilities

The DFS will also incorporate the assessment of tailings storage facilities, which is ongoing with the currently preferred option being to maximise storage in the existing facility and then co-disposal of tailings and waste rock in the depleted open pit.

This option would reduce the life-of-mine capital cost compared to the scoping study

Reducing acid consumption

The company is also assessing the possibility of reducing acid consumption through ore sorting, by installing nano-filtration plant and by improving recirculation.

Acid consumption is a significant cost component accounting for around 14% of the total operating cost of the project.

Update resource estimate

Based on results of the drilling program and a review of the existing geological model and block model, the company will decide whether an updated mineral resource estimate and associated geological models should be generated for the study.

If that happens, an independent consultant has been identified to undertake this work.

This new model and estimate would then form the basis for the new production schedule and would be used to generate a new ore reserve estimate.

***Original Post by Deepak Sharma for Proactive***

Lunzu based NGO donates necessities to students

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Lunzu based NGO donates necessities to students

By Chisomo Phiri

As one way of making sure that students are accessing quality education, a Lunzu-based youth non-governmental organization, Mzati Youth Organization on Saturday donated assorted school necessities to students at Chigodi Primary school in Lunzu, Blantyre.The school necessities include exercise books, pens, soap, toothpastes, mathematical instruments and school uniforms.

Speaking when making the donation, Executive Director for Mzati Youth Organization Lawrence Kumpama said their organization always believes in the importance of education hence made the donation so as to help those who cannot because they do not have the school necessities have the chance to do.
” As a youth organization, we always believe in the importance of education and educating a child most especially a girl child hence making the donation to these students so as they can have a chance of going to without any challenge.
” You know sometimes, students miss classes because they do not have exercise books, uniforms, instruments and even pens. We feel their pain when we see them not going to school for lacking these things and that is why we do share a little we have to make education accessible to all”, said Kumpama.

Kumpama said despite their organization have passion in helping the needy students in primary schools, they still meet challenges to make things happen. He said currently, the organization has no any donor or sponsor to fund their projects making it hard for them to reach out many schools with support hence called on the government and other well wisher for financial support towards the organization’s projects.
” Currently, we do not have any donor or sponsor to fund our projects so as we reach to many students in various schools. In all activities we do, we depend on I the executive officer and my friend Gift John who is the organization’s Programs Officer.
“I and my friend John wake up early in the morning everyday and stand on Chileka road around Kameza roundabout to sell sausages for us to get money to support the office like office rentals, school fees for the students, and other office support. We really need support for our works to be done smoothly”, said Kumpama.

In his remarks, the school headteacher at Chigodi Primary School Felix Malekano thanked Mzati youth organization for making the donation at his school and called on other organizations to emulate what Mzati is doing.
” I am very happy that Mzati is here at Chigodi Primary School donating these items to the students. This should not just end here, we pray for the organization to have donars and supporters so as they reach out many students with the support”, said Malekano.

Malekano said at a time before the donation made, they were registering a high number of students missing the classes due to lack of school uniforms and other school materials but now he has hope that with the school uniforms and other schools materials they have received from the organization, the number will go down.

Malawi to deport Ethiopian Immigrants this Wednesday

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Malawi to deport Ethiopian Immigrants this Wednesday

By Staff Reporter

The Immigration Office in Lilongwe will this Wednesday deport over 100 Ethiopians back to their home country for illegally entering the country.

Central Region Immigration spokesperson Martin Gongolo has confirmed the development.
He says the illegal immigrants will be deported through the Kamuzu International Airport in Lilongwe.

According to Gongolo, the Ethiopians were arrested between November last year and March this year.

“They will board an Ethiopian airline plane which has been chartered by the International Organisation on Migration (I.O.M),” he says.

Back in July this year,Police in Chitipa arrested 77 Ethiopians who had entered Malawi illegally

Journalists drilled on Effective Disaster Reporting

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Journalists drilled on Effective Disaster Reporting

Written by Emmanuel Moyo

The Department of Disaster Management Affairs (DoDMA) in Karonga District has on Monday drilled Karonga based journalists on effective reporting on disaster risk management to enhance correct and positive reporting.

Speaking after disaster risk management orientation workshop for news reporters that took place at Chitipa District Council Chamber, the district Relief and Rehabilitation Officer, Shepherd Jere said journalists have a vital role in dissemination of information hence the need for the orientation.

He said: “The media is a very powerful resource in disseminating information about disaster risk management, so to reduce the communication gap between district council officials and the media practitioners we thought it wise to come together.
“Our interaction was meant to share knowledge on what we are doing about disaster risk management and enlighten the media of effective ways of reporting on disaster risk management through which impacts of disasters can be mitigated.”

Jere has since urged journalists in the district to put more efforts in reporting about mitigation of the effects of disasters.
“As much as journalists focus on reporting on the extent of the damage of a disaster, they should also focus on reporting on the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery measures to the communities to reduce the impacts of disasters when they occur.” He said.

On his part, District Commissioner for Karonga, Paul Kalilombe hailed the workshop saying it is very important because disasters are a very sensitive issue and the media is a the means of disseminating information about disasters.
“It is very important that the media should be oriented on disaster reporting because we want to establish common procedures when reporting on disasters in the district.” He said.

In a separate interview with one of the reporters who attended the workshop, Lusekero Mhango described the orientation as an eye opener.
“The workshop has been an eye opener because we have gained a lot of knowledge on effective reporting on disaster risk management and we need more of these workshops so that we can always report effectively about floods.” He said
The disaster risk management orientation workshop brought together selected reporters who are based in Karonga District.

Standard Bank pairs local businesses to Chinese traders to increase export capacity

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Standard Bank pairs local businesses to Chinese traders to increase export capacity

By Staff Reporter

Standard Bank recently convened a virtual matchmaking conference for Malawian and other African suppliers who the bank matched with Chinese buyers as way of increasing trade flows between Africa and its largest export partner.

The conference – Supply Demand Virtual Matchmaking Conference – was organized by Industrial Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) ahead of the 2nd China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) slated for this month end in China’s Hunan Province.

ICBC, the world’s largest bank by assets, has a controlling stake of 20 percent in Standard Bank Group and has over the years facilitated the opening up of a trade flows between Africa and China.

Head, Business and Commercial Clients at Standard Bank, Graham Chipande

Standard Bank on the other hand operates a trade corridor facility known as Africa China Trade Solutions (ACTS) which is designed to facilitate Sino-Africa trade by doing away with logistical and trade barriers.

During the matchmaking event two Malawian businesses, Nyasa Mining Cooperative (precious stones and jewels) and Saeed Investments Limited (farm produce), were paired with numerous buyers from China, kick-starting a process where they will enhance their export capabilities through creation and nurturing of synergies within respective industries.

The two companies will send samples to the Expo to further increase both network reach and visibility of their products.

The Expo will attract over 500 businesses from across 16 African economies.

Head, Business and Commercial Clients at Standard Bank, Graham Chipande, says the matchmaking exercise and sending of samples to Hunan gives Malawian businesses a chance to penetrate Chinese market and make substantial export gains in the post Covid-19 era.

“Many local businesses are looking for ways to diversify. Standard Bank is therefore connecting clients to right suppliers and buyers to build a comprehensive trade corridor between Malawi and China. In doing so we are finding new ways of making things possible for our clients,” says Chipande.

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