Rössing Uranium Mine
One of the world's longest-running open-pit uranium mines, with its life extended to 2036.
Rössing is a large open-pit uranium mine in the Namib Desert near Arandis, about 65 km north-east of Swakopmund. It has produced uranium oxide since 1976. China National Uranium Corporation (CNUC) has been the majority owner since buying Rio Tinto's stake, and the mine's output is largely shipped to China. In 2023 its board approved extending the life of mine from 2026 to 2036 through a Phase 4 pushback of the main SJ pit. The company is also studying a new pit within its mining lease to supplement feed and potentially run beyond 2036.
- 01Extend production to 2036 through the Phase 4 pushback of the SJ pit
- 02Evaluate a new pit within the mining lease to raise output and extend life beyond 2036
- 03Supply uranium oxide for nuclear power, mainly to China
- 04Maintain safe operation of one of the world's longest-running uranium mines
1976 · completed
Production Start
Rössing began producing uranium oxide.
2019 · completed
Ownership Change
China National Uranium Corporation completed its purchase of Rio Tinto's majority stake.
2021 · completed
Licence Extended
Namibia's Ministry of Mines and Energy extended the mining licence to July 2036.
2023 · completed
Life of Mine to 2036
The board approved extending the life of mine from 2026 to 2036 after a bankable feasibility study.
2026 · in progress
Phase 4 Production
Production is planned from the Phase 4 pushback of the SJ pit.
2026 · in progress
IDC Stake Sale
South Africa's Industrial Development Corporation began selling its roughly 10% stake.
Mining Infrastructure
SJ Pit
The main open pit, being extended through the Phase 4 pushback.
Mineral Resource
Uranium Ore
Large, low-grade uranium deposit hosted in alaskite.
Processing Plant
Processing Plant
Leaching and ion-exchange plant producing uranium oxide.
- Large-scale open-pit mining of low-grade alaskite ore
- Crushing and grinding
- Acid leaching and ion exchange to recover uranium
- Precipitation and calcining to uranium oxide (U3O8)
What it means for the community
Rössing has been a cornerstone of Namibia's economy and of the coastal Erongo Region for nearly 50 years, and the town of Arandis was built for its workforce. Its ownership is unusual: an Iranian stake has been frozen by sanctions since 2007, and Namibia's government holds a small equity stake but a majority of voting rights.
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- CNUC (about 69%)
- Iran Foreign Investment Company (about 15%)
- IDC (about 10%)
- Government of Namibia (about 3%, with majority voting rights)
- Local minority shareholders
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