By Koviao Matuzee
Namibia’s uranium sector is set for another major development, with the Russian-backed Project Wings in the Omaheke Region advancing towards the development of a large uranium deposit that could attract about US$500 million in investment and create hundreds of direct jobs.
The project is expected to introduce in-situ leaching (ISL), a uranium extraction technology that has not previously been used in Namibia, while also supporting the training of Namibian specialists in nuclear science, geology, mining and related fields.
Project Wings is based on a major sandstone-type uranium deposit discovered during geological exploration that intensified in Namibia from 2017.
The deposit ranks third in Namibia in terms of the size of its mineral resource base and could become one of the country’s major new uranium projects.
The proposed operation is expected to have a production capacity of up to 3 000 tonnes of uranium per year and an operating life of more than 25 years.
The main geological exploration work is planned for completion in 2026, while industrial production is tentatively expected to start in 2029, subject to the completion of all technical studies, regulatory approvals and other procedures required under Namibian law.
Preparations are currently under way for a field test that will help determine the technological parameters of the project and provide further information on the suitability and environmental performance of the proposed extraction method.
Namibia is already one of the world’s leading uranium producers and holds about 7% of global uranium reserves.
The country was the world’s third-largest uranium producer in 2024, with production estimated at about 7 300 tonnes, equivalent to approximately 12% of global output.
Uranium production has increased significantly over the past decade, rising from about 3 000 tonnes in 2015 to 7 300 tonnes in 2024.
The mineral has also been identified by the Namibian Government as one of six strategically important minerals.
New technology for Namibia Project Wings will use in-situ leaching, a method that extracts uranium through a network of wells rather than through conventional open-pit or underground mining.
The process does not require the development of a large open pit or conventional mine and does not involve the construction of large tailings storage facilities associated with some traditional mining operations.
ISL is already used in countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Its proposed use in Namibia will require detailed assessments of the geological and hydrogeological conditions at the deposit.
Groundwater monitoring and environmental controls are expected to form part of the development process.
In February 2026, the technical aspects of the project were reviewed during an expert mission by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), with recommendations subsequently submitted to the Namibian Government.
The planned field test will provide additional technical information before the project moves towards commercial development.
Jobs and economic activity
The project is expected to create more than 600 direct jobs at the production site once operational.
Up to 20 000 additional jobs are projected in related industries and services.
The wider employment opportunities are expected to include businesses providing transport, construction, engineering, maintenance, supplies and other services to the mining operation.
The project is also expected to generate additional payments to the Namibian Government through taxes and other revenue streams once commercial production begins.
Project estimates indicate that the development could increase Namibia’s gross domestic product by approximately 1% to 2% annually.
The development of local supply chains is expected to provide opportunities for Namibian contractors and small and medium- sized enterprises to participate in the project.
Community support
Community initiatives linked to the project have already been implemented in the Omaheke Region ahead of commercial production. In Leonardville, daily meals are being provided to 615 primary school learners.
A school kitchen has been constructed, while the school’s library has been modernised.
Recreational areas in the town have also been renovated.
In Gobabis, a vehicle has been provided to the local hospital to assist medical teams serving residents in 15 settlements in the region.
Other initiatives include projects supporting water provision in rural communities, school gardens and scholarship programmes
Training Namibian specialists
The project also places emphasis on developing Namibian technical skills.
Since 2020, Namibian citizens have been selected to study at Russian universities in nuclear science and related fields.
As of October 2026, 10 Namibian students are studying in Russia through programmes supported by the Russian nuclear industry, while another eight study places have been allocated for the 2026/2027 academic year.
A joint Master’s programme in geology and mining is also being implemented with the University of Namibia.
One graduate from the 2025 programme is already working in the Namibian division of the project.
Saint Petersburg Mining University and the African Subsoil consortium are also involved in specialist training for the mineral resources sector.
The cooperation extends to Namibian universities and schools through annual lectures by Russian technical universities and programmes designed to expose young people to science and technology.
More than 50 students participated in the HackAtom programme in May 2026.
Namibian schoolchildren have also participated in the Icebreaker of Knowledge programme, including an Arctic expedition aboard a nuclear- powered icebreaker.
Broader Namibia-Russia cooperation
The uranium project forms part of broader cooperation between Namibia and Russia in mining, energy, education and technology.
During a working visit to Moscow from 12 to 15 January 2026, Namibia’s Minister of International Relations and Trade confirmed Namibia’s interest in attracting Russian companies to cooperation in the nuclear sector.
The two countries subsequently discussed cooperation in mining and energy during the 11th meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission held in Windhoek on 16 March 2026.
Namibia is also considering nuclear energy options, including small-capacity nuclear power plants, as part of discussions around future electricity requirements.
For Project Wings, the immediate focus remains on geological exploration, technical testing and the regulatory processes required before commercial production can begin.
If these processes are completed, the Omaheke project will add another uranium operation to Namibia’s growing uranium industry while introducing a new extraction technology and creating opportunities for local employment, specialist training and participation by Namibian businesses.
