Indian multinational conglomerate Jindal Steel and Power (JSP) plans to develop an iron ore mine in the Khomas region, approximately 70 kilometers east of Windhoek city, with mining activities targeted to commence by 2025.
Additionally, Jindal Africa intends to establish an iron ore processing plant, facilitating local beneficiation and value addition as part of the investment.
Jindal said the planned investments are expected to generate local employment opportunities and contribute significantly to the economic growth of the region and the country.
“We believe that Jindal Africa’s Namibia project activities will contribute substantially to economic, social, and infrastructural development in the surrounding community, thereby enhancing the country’s GDP,” the company said.
This comes as the local investment being spearheaded through Jindal Africa and its local unit Jindal Mining Namibia (Pty) Limited acquired Exclusive Prospecting Licenses (EPLs), 4914 & 4013 for base metal and Iron.
As part of the plans, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) process for the development of an iron ore mine has been initiated, with the necessary specialist studies and mining licenses targeted to be secured this year.
Environmental Compliance Consultancy (ECC) reports that the exploration phase, conducted within these licenses, yielded significant findings, estimating an indicated/inferred resource of approximately 750 million metric tons (MMT) of iron ore.
“This reserve is primarily accessible through open-cast mining, with favorable stripping ratios. Initial studies indicate the potential for an annual production of around 7.0 MMT of iron ore from an open pit during the project’s inception phase,” said ECC.
The proposed Jindal Mine project entails the establishment of multiple open pits utilizing conventional drilling and blasting techniques.
ECC noted that ore and waste rock extraction will be facilitated by a fleet of mobile equipment, with waste rock disposal planned at a designated waste rock dump (WRD) site.
“Processing of the extracted ore will occur at a beneficiation plant, involving crushing, pebble milling, magnetic separation, and reverse flotation. The resultant product, iron ore fines, will be transported to Walvis Bay for shipment, utilizing either road or rail infrastructure,” said the consultant.
Meanwhile, Jindal said that in line with its commitment to local engagement and sustainable development, Jindal Africa is pursuing partnerships with local consultants and stakeholders for specialized studies, including Geotechnical assessments, Environmental Social Impact Assessments, and Pre-Feasibility studies necessary for obtaining mining licenses.
“We have engaged and are in the process of engaging consultants for different specialist studies like Geotechnical, Environmental Social Impact Assessment and Management Study, and Pre-Feasibility study for obtaining a mining license,” said Jindal Africa.
