LE BRIEF

Malawi: Kayelekera secures export authorisation, with first uranium shipment expected in November

LE BRIEF • 2026-10-27

Lotus Resources announces the final major regulatory approval for its export route through Zambia and Namibia. An initial shipment of about 145,000 pounds of U₃O₈ is destined for Orano’s conversion facilities.

LE BRIEF — Tuesday, 27 October 2026 edition By the LE BRIEF newsroom Country : Malawi Source publication : 26 October 2026 Event : Authorisation announced on 26 October 2026; export from Walvis Bay planned for November. Illustration supplied for this report. Kayelekera’s commercial restart has passed a regulatory milestone. Lotus Resources announced on 26 October 2026 that it had obtained the final major authorisation needed to export its first uranium shipment produced in Malawi. Issued by Namibia’s radiation protection authority, the approval concerns a logistics chain connecting the mine to Walvis Bay port. Concentrate is to travel by road from Malawi through Zambia before reaching Namibia. A regulated logistics chain across three countries Transporting radioactive material requires several national approvals covering security, transit and export. Lotus says the principal authorisations have now been obtained. Shipment-specific checks and formalities nevertheless remain applicable. The initial shipment is expected to comprise approximately 145,000 pounds of U₃O₈ uranium concentrate. Road transport was due to start during the week following the announcement, with export from Walvis Bay scheduled for November 2026. The cargo is destined for French group Orano’s conversion facilities. Turning production into commercial revenue Kayelekera resumed production in 2025 after a lon...