Key facts
- Lotus Resources has resumed sulphuric acid production and uranium processing at its Kayelekera mine.
- Production was halted in June due to third-party acid supply disruption and acid plant commissioning issues.
- The acid plant has sufficient sulphur inventory and supply visibility for the rest of 2026.
- The restart is expected to improve acid supply security and reduce reagent costs.
Sulphuric acid production and uranium processing have resumed at Lotus Resources' Kayelekera uranium mine, the company announced on August 12. Both the acid plant and processing plant were halted in June following the disruption of third-party acid supply and a setback in the commissioning of the acid plant due to the partial failure of refractory bricks within the sulphur furnace. The acid plant has sufficient sulphur inventory onsite and supply visibility for the remainder of 2026, managing director Greg Bittar said. This is a key strategic project for Kayelekera and will deliver improved acid supply security and significantly reduced reagent costs, he added. The sulphur burner is understood to produce around 73,000 t/yr of sulphuric acid, requiring around 24,000 t/yr of sulphur to operate at full capacity.