Watch: Powerful blast brings Kayelekera uranium mine back to life

Lotus Resources has marked a significant milestone by completing the first mining blast at the open pit of its Kayelekera Uranium Mine in Malawi, signaling the transition from processing stockpiled ore to extracting uranium from newly mined material. This development follows the recommissioning of the processing plant and the production of the first yellowcake from stockpiles in August 2025. The company plans to begin delivering freshly mined ore to the processing circuit soon, aiming to reach a steady-state production rate of 200,000 pounds of U₃O₈ per month by early 2026. Managing Director Greg Bittar highlighted that the ore processed so far has exceeded expectations, and the shift to newly mined ore will support the planned production ramp-up. Kayelekera, which initially operated from 2009 until its closure in 2014 due to uranium price collapses after the Fukushima disaster, was acquired by Lotus Resources in 2020. After six years of care and maintenance,