Lotus Resources (ASX:LOT) - Kayelekera Restart Targets 2.4M lbs Uranium in 2026

Sep 11, 2025

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Interview with Greg Bittar, Managing Director of Lotus Resources

Our previous interview:

Recording date: 10th September 2025

Lotus Resources presents a compelling uranium investment opportunity as one of the few companies to successfully restart production in a supply-constrained market. The company has demonstrated operational excellence by bringing the Kayelekera mine in Malawi back online after a decade-long closure, targeting steady-state production of 2.4 million pounds annually by 2026.

The investment thesis centers on strategic market positioning during a critical industry inflection point. As Managing Director Greg Bittar emphasized, "This is no longer a demand story. This is a supply story." Utilities globally face acute supply shortages while rebuilding inventories and securing long-term contracts, creating favorable conditions for new producers with operational capability.

Lotus Resources has structured its production profile to maximize upside exposure while maintaining revenue stability. With 65% of production uncontracted, the company provides substantial leverage to uranium price appreciation, while 35% contracted volumes through 2029 ensure cash flow certainty. This balanced approach allows management to implement a patient inventory strategy, building working capital to capture anticipated price increases rather than immediately monetizing output at current market levels.

The company's operational advantages distinguish it from competitors facing technical challenges. Hard rock mining operations at Kayelekera utilize proven metallurgy and established processing parameters, reducing technical risk compared to in-situ recovery methods experiencing industry-wide difficulties. The operation previously produced successfully until 2014, providing management with operational knowledge and historical performance data to optimize the restart process.

Financial discipline characterizes the company's approach to capital allocation. The $50 million restart investment minimized dilution while maintaining operational flexibility through $40 million in deferred capital expenditures. These strategic deferrals, including power grid connection and acid plant reconstruction, create a clear pathway to $5-6 per pound cost reduction once commissioned, enhancing operational competitiveness and margin expansion.

The development pipeline adds significant value through the Letlhakane project in Botswana, representing 115 million pounds of uranium resources grading 360-365 ppm. This larger-scale, longer-life asset can be funded through Kayelekera cash flows, providing growth optionality without additional dilution. The strategic timing aligns with anticipated supply shortfalls in the late 2020s and early 2030s, positioning the asset for optimal market entry.

Geographic positioning in stable African jurisdictions provides operational and political advantages. Strong government support, demonstrated through presidential participation in reopening ceremonies, combined with 95% local employment and community engagement initiatives, creates sustainable operational frameworks. Established supply chains and regulatory environments in both Malawi and Botswana reduce execution risk compared to less developed mining jurisdictions.

The macro environment strongly supports uranium producers with operational capability and strategic positioning. Chinese demand acceleration, Western utilities' need to replace Russian supply sources, and limited new mine development have created unprecedented supply constraints. Lotus Resources exemplifies the opportunity to capitalize on this transformation through immediate production capability, substantial price exposure, and development optionality.

Risk considerations include inherent commodity price volatility, operational challenges associated with mining operations, and geopolitical factors affecting African mining jurisdictions. However, the company's proven operational capability, strategic market positioning, and financial flexibility create a compelling framework for uranium sector exposure during this critical market transformation.

View Lotus Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/lotus-resources-limited