Australia-based Equinox Minerals, owner of Lumwana mine that will be the biggest copper mine in Zambia upon completion in 2008, has contracted a company to implement a Uranium Feasibility Study (UFS) in Zambia.

Equinox President Craig Williams was cited by Saturday's The Post as saying the company had engaged Ausenco Ltd. to carry out the study.

In 2003, Equinox completed a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) at Lumwana which included work on the extraction of the uranium mineralization to produce uranium oxide, also known as yellowcake.

"Our first objective is to review the 2003 BFS uranium study including resources, metallurgy and process plant design and conduct a further metallurgical test work that will include the designing of a processing plant and infrastructure to produce yellowcake on site," Williams said.

He said the positive long-term outlook for uranium had the potential to enhance the economics of the Lumwana Project if a uranium by-product is economically viable.

"The company is evaluating this potential and considering alternatives for realizing any uranium development option," Williams said.

"This UFS will however not impact on Equinox's current construction schedule for the commissioning of the Lumwana Copper Project in the second quarter of 2008," he added.

The UFS is anticipated to be completed during the first quarter of 2008, said Williams.

Source: Xinhua