Africa-focused Australian mining junior Bannerman initiated a definitive feasibility study on its 80%-owned Etango uranium project, in Namibia, last December, and has since undertaken a range of activities on metallurgical, mining and resource modelling aspects.

Bannerman CEO Len Jubber reports that the company has now received results from a range of continuous flotation tests conducted in January and February. 
These tests followed on the batch flotation testwork undertaken in 2009.

Confidence

“While providing further confidence in the application of flotation beneficiation to the Etango ore, variances from the previous testwork have been recorded. 
Specifically, the continuous tests have indicated average flotation recoveries of 85%, compared with 90% recov-
eries recorded in the batch 
testwork. 
“Further, investigations are being undertaken into the metallurgical parameters required to consistently achieve the higher flotation recoveries prior to progressing to the larger-scale pilot plant testwork,” said Jubber.

External Consultants

Meanwhile, Bannerman and its external consultants have started a review to identify realistic savings in operating cost estimates. 
Bannerman is targeting cash cost reductions of about 10% and, given that over half of total operating costs are mining related, cost savings in this area present a key opportunity.

“Work to date has identified a range of areas for cost improvements, including a review of economic cut-off grade strategies, mine scheduling improvements involving in-pit dumping of waste rock material, a review of waste rock dump locations and dimensions, and an analysis of owner versus contract mining,” said Jubber.

The assessment of all cost reduction opportunities is under way and initial results are expected to be available in the June 2010 quarter.

Bannerman has completed over 284 000 m of drilling within the Etango project.
An updated mineral resource estimate, incorpor-ating the 60 000 m drilled since June 2009, is being completed and due for release to the market in March. 
Inclusion of the latest drilling results into the resource model is expected to significantly improve the confidence of the resource, such that the vast majority of the resource estimate will comprise measured and indicated resource material.

Significant Progress

“Since the announcement of the prefeasibility study results, the project team has made significant progress in the core areas of resource, mining and processing. 
Bannerman has greater confidence in its understanding of the Etango mineralisation and is exploring some excit-
ing opportunities to make full use of the mining scenario with the potential to reduce operating costs.