To further advance the development of its Muntanga uranium project in Zambia, Canadian Africa-focused uranium company GoviEx Uranium has appointed a seasoned Zambian metallurgist with heap leach and uranium experience.

Deogratias Bukunkwe, to be the project / commissioning metallurgist, brings more than 25 years of process start up and operations experience, including senior start up roles at Kayelekera and Langer Heinrich uranium mines, leading the operational readiness at plant operations company DRA Minopex, and most recently serving as commissioning manager on American copper producer Freeport-McMoRan’s Grasberg gold and copper cleaner concentrator in Indonesia.

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His immediate focus will be to build the detailed pre-commissioning framework that will get Muntanga project-ready for lender due-diligence. Bukunkwe will also be responsible for the commissioning and management of the processing plant when it starts production, which the company anticipates could be in 2028, subject to project financing.

“Working on the Muntanga project in my home country is an incredible opportunity. My career has focused on guiding plants to production, and I plan to use that experience to ensure a safe and high-performing project that benefits all stakeholders. I also look forward to collaborating with prospective lenders as we design and validate a robust pre-commissioning programme to advance the Muntanga project’s development,” says Bukunkwe.