Overview
In 2002 Namibia produced 17,850 t of copper compared to 27,015 t in 2001. Tsumeb Copper Limited (TCL), Namibia’s largest copper and lead mine was placed under provisional liquidation in 1999. Several tenders were made to acquire the assets of the company which include the smelting operations at Aus and the Kombat, Tsumeb, Otjihase and Khuiseb Spring copper mines. The Ongopolo Mining and Processing (OMP) has been awarded these assets for approximately ZAR 57 million (Approx. $10 million). OMP produces blister copper from Otjihase, Khusib Springs and Kombat mines that have collective proven and probable reserves of 18.8 Mt grading at an average 2.13% copper. OMP have also entered into a joint venture agreement with UK based ZincOx Resources Plc that intends evaluating the extensive Tsumeb slag heaps.
An estimated N$600,000 was spent on a renovation programme for the 35,000 t/y Tsumeb concentrator, completed in October 2002; the plant will treat additional ore from the new mining operations being developed at the nearby Tschudi deposit, Tsumeb West and Tsumeb Upper Levels. Further development work was carried out at the Kombat mine near Tsumeb which, along with the Otjihase mine near Windhoek, will remain the main source of domestic concentrate feed for the Tsumeb smelter. Development planning work at the Tsumeb West mine was completed in 2002, with production scheduled to have started during the second quarter of 2003. At the Tschudi deposit some 20 km west of Tsumeb, full-scale mining could start during 2004, following the completion of test mining currently under way to determine the most suitable ore recovery method.
Rusina Mining Ltd (formerly Copper Mines and Metals Ltd) is awaiting improvements in the copper price before continuing on the low grade Haib copper project. The company considers a copper price of US$1.10/lb a suitable buffer against technical and project risk. Haib is a massive porphyry copper – molybdenum deposit in southern Namibia. If given the go ahead, Haib with become one of the largest copper mines in the world with an expected pit measuring 2200m long by 1 500m wide and 500m deep. Two grades of copper ore will be processed, the higher grade at 0.41% copper and the lower grade at 0.19% copper. If the mine proceeds, it will be processing some of the lowest grade copper ore to be mined commercially anywhere in the world.
Haib will produce 85 000 tons a year of cathode copper, 7000 oz of gold and 357,000 kg of molybdenum concentrate during a 25 year life.
Organisations (1)
Ongopolo Mining and Processing :[ Add More ]
Facilities (19)
Atlantic 1, Block 9, Block G – Namibia, Daberas, Diamond Area 1, Elizabeth Bay mine, Haib, Khusib Springs, Kombat, Marshall’s Fork, Navachab, Omaue Mine, Otjihase, Rosh Pinah, Rossing, Skorpion, Tantalite Valley, Tsumeb, Tsumkwe
Participating Organisations
Ongopolo Mining and Processing
OMP is Namibia’s largest producer of copper, from several small scale operations located throughout Namibia.
