Africa is a major producer of uranium, accounting for nearly 20% of global
production. This production comes from just four major producers, Niger, Gabon,
Namibia and South Africa. All production is from primary uranium deposits,
apart from South Africa where it is produced from certain Witwatersrand gold
mines as a by-product. Niger is the world’s 3rd largest uranium producer,
after Canada and Australia, producing 2 900 t in 2000. Gabon's output slumped by 60% to 294 t, after doubling its output to 731 t in 1998.
Cogema, the French Uranium producer, has mines in both Niger and Gabon.
Cogema has a 39% interest in the Arlit mine in the Aïr Massif. The Arlit
mine is owned by Société des Mines de l’Aïr
(SOMAÏR), which is a joint venture with the other major stakeholder,
ONAREM (the state mineral resources organisation) with a 36.6 % holding.
Rio Tinto’s Rossing mine in Namibia is probably the most efficient open
pit uranium mine in the world. Although production has been decreasing on the
back of a weak uranium price, it produced 3 100t in 2000. Rossing accounts for
3.5% of Namibia’s GDP and 8.5% of total exports (of which diamonds are the
main export product).
Rio Tinto / Anglo American’s Palaborwa also produces minor amounts
(10%) of uranium as a by-product of its copper operations.
Abascis, Abore, Abu Dabbab, Adola, Afema, Afrika Mashariki Gold Mine, Afrikaner Lease, Agbaou, Agnes, Ahafo, Akka, Akoumape, Akouta, Akrokeri, Akwatia, Alamoutala, Alberta, Alpha Anthracite, Amandelbult, Ambatovy Mine :[ View All ]
