
Valencia
The Norasa Uranium Project is operated by Valencia Uranium, a subsidiary of Canadian Forsys Metals Corporation, listed on the Toronto and Namibian Stock Exchanges. Norasa is located on the eastern edge of the Khan River valley approximately 80km from Swakopmund in the Erongo Region. It is a consolidation of two adjacent uranium projects, the Valencia Uranium Mining Licence, valid until 2033, and the Namibplaas exploration project. A mining licence for the Namibplaas project has been applied for. Environmental clearance for both projects is in place.
Exploration of the project by Valencia commenced in 2005 and the company has drilled more than 260 000 m in over 1 200 exploration holes, including diamond, reverse circulation and percussion holes, in order to understand the geology and develop resource models for mine design work. The preferred mining method is a low cost, traditional open pit operation employing excavators, off road haul trucks and bench drills.
In 2015, the company completed a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) on the Norasa Project, which resulted in Measured and Indicated Resources of 17 500 tU in 0.014% ore, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 16 400 tU in 0.009% ore. For the development of a mine, the planned ore processing rate is 11.2 million tonnes of ore annually. This will require an average waste stripping of 3.2 tonnes for every tonne of ore. The expected mine life is in excess of 15 years producing up to 2 000 tU annually. Norasa will eventually consist of 2 large open pits and a number of smaller, satellite pits. The largest pit will be on Valencia and is currently planned to be 1 660 m long, 980 m wide and over 400 m deep.
At present, Forsys is busy conducting studies to update and improve on the 2015 DFS. The company sees potential to improve project economics by optimising pit parameters and examining the potential of using heap leaching in mineral processing. The work programme started in 2023, and includes drilling, geotechnological optimisation of pit parameters, evaluation of alternative metallurgical processes including heap leaching, and a critical review of all linear infrastructure and utilities. The first blast for a box cut to produce a metallurgical sample was done on 1 August 2024. An updated DFS on the project is anticipated to be completed before the end of 2024.
During the environmental impact assessment for Valencia, specialists identified the presence of substantial numbers of elephant’s foot plants (Adenia pechuelii), which is semi-endemic to Namibia. Although not a threatened species, the plant is not well understood. As many plants would be affected by construction and mining operations, Valencia sponsored an experimental transplant project, which could play a part in the mine’s rehabilitation program. Sixty plants were transplanted to a nearby area, and all plants survived one year after transplanting and showed signs of vitality. Six years after transplanting, 80% of plants are alive.