Rosh Pinah Zinc has announced that its expansion project, restarted in the third quarter of 2023, has exceeded the 60% completion mark, positioning the mine for a major production boost.
According to the company, the Rosh Pinah 2.0 project is set to transform the mine into a 150-million-pound-plus zinc producer, with significant by-products of lead and silver.
The expansion will increase mill throughput from 0.7 million tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes of ore per annum, resulting in an average annual zinc equivalent production of 170 million pounds.
“The Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project is making significant progress and has now passed the 60% completion mark,” the company said.
Significant strides have been made in key areas, including the construction of a paste fill plant, which remains on schedule for commissioning in early Q2 2025. Underground piping and boreholes for paste distribution are also being installed as planned.
The water treatment plant, which is crucial for recycling water from underground operations and the paste plant, is advancing well.
“Construction of the water treatment plant to facilitate recycling of water recovered from both the underground and the paste plant is progressing steadily,” the company said.
In addition, groundwork for the SAG mill and flotation cells is advancing rapidly, while newly commissioned state-of-the-art production offices and a centralized control room are now operational.
To meet the expanded operation’s electricity demands, a contractor has been appointed to construct a 20-kilometer powerline, adding further momentum to the project.
“We are proud to share these advancements with you and are looking forward to the continued progress of these state-of-the-art facilities at Rosh Pinah Zinc,” the company said.
Rosh Pinah Zinc, located in southwestern Namibia, is an underground zinc-lead mine with a 2,000-tonne-per-day milling operation. The mine has been in continuous operation since 1969, producing zinc and lead sulphites along with smaller amounts of copper, silver, and gold.
Once completed, the Rosh Pinah 2.0 expansion project will not only enhance production capacity but also solidify the mine’s position as a key player in Namibia’s mining sector.