Growing volumes of pyrolusite moving through Walvis Bay point to an increase in production at some of the country’s uranium mines. Since January 2019 Namport has handled more than 37 000 metric tons of pyrolusite (manganese), in comparison to about 29 800 metric tons in 2018. Another consignment of about 7 500 metric tonnes is expected to arrive at the Port in December, according to Namport’s Immanuel Tino !Hanabeb. The cargo originates from Safi in Morocco. A number of mines have closed in recent years due to depressed international prices and technical difficulties. However, at the beginning of this year Fitch Solutions predicted that uranium production in the country would double in 2019. According to the report China is the main buyer of Namibian uranium (and now owner of the mines). Demand is being driven by the completion of a number of nuclear Chinese reactors and stronger demand from France. According to the World Nuclear Association Namibia has the capacity to provide 10% of world mining output. Rössing, its first commercial uranium mine, opened in 1976.