Australian listed uranium company, Paladin Energy Limited says it has completed the sale of its 85 percent interest in the Kayelekera Uranium Mine project under Paladin Africa to Lotus Resources Limited (65 percent) and Lily Resources Pty Ltd (20 percent).

The mining firm, will however, hold the interest on trust pending receipt of the final in-country approvals.

Following the sale, Paladin will cut its cash expenditure by about $5-million a year according to a statement issued on Friday.

In the statement, Paladin Chief Executive Officer, Ian Purdy, said the company’s total cash spent for 2021 financial year is forecast to be less than $10 million.

“The completion of the sale is a positive step forward for Paladin and one which will deliver significant financial benefits to the company. We can now prioritise our efforts and resources on maximising the value of our world class Langer Heinrich operation.

“We are also pleased to be a major shareholder of Lotus Resources Limited and look forward to their future success in adding value to the Kayelekera mine in Malawi,” Purdy says.

In December 2019, the Malawi government gave a statutory consent for Paladin Energy Limited to divest its 85 percent interest in the Kayelekera mine project.

The deal entails Malawi retaining its 15 percent stake in the uranium mine.

Paladin’s stake in Kayelekera was sold for $5 million, comprising $200,000 in cash and $4.8 million in Hylea shares.