People and places

Abstract

What are your main objectives as chief operating officer? I am very excited to have joined Desert Lion Energy at a time when we have to transition the company in Namibia from an exploration and development company to a proper mining operation with a solid base and a bright future. The development of the operation is planned in three phases: lithium concentrate production from stockpiles; lithium concentrate production from in-situ ore; and conversion of lithium oxide to lithium carbonate.We are in the process of completing and declaring our maiden resource estimate, the issuance of our mining license is imminent, and we are well on track with regard to building a small lithium oxide concentration plant (phase 1), while finalizing the design work on our bigger concentrator for start-up and commissioning by the end of 2019 (phase 2). The aim of Vision 2030 is the creation of an open, diversified market economy with a resource-based industrial sector, a commercial agricultural sector and with the focus on skills development.