Navachab Gold Mine, located near Karibib in the Erongo Region of Namibia, is setting its sights on a significant production milestone, aiming to produce 150,000 ounces of gold by 2025.
The target follows a year of record-breaking success, with the mine achieving a remarkable output of 116,740 ounces of gold in 2023. The achievement has been attributed to expanded mining and processing capacity, along with the successful commissioning of a second milling circuit and a leach expansion.
Erongo Region Governor Neville Andre highlighted this accomplishment, crediting an aggressive expansion drive that has bolstered both mining and processing capacities. “The mine continues to ramp up operations, targeting a production of 140,000 ounces in 2024 and 150,000 ounces in 2025,” Andre stated during a recent address, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to growth and excellence.
Navachab’s recent success is underpinned by a significant increase in mining operations. In 2023, the total mining output reached an impressive 24.2 million tonnes, a substantial leap from the 1.7 million tonnes mined in 2019. This expansion was made possible by the acquisition of a new mining fleet valued at over N$650 million and the recruitment of 50 new employees who received state-of-the-art training.
To support these expanded operations, Navachab also onboarded 22 artisans to maintain the fleet in-house and drilling assistants to manage its drilling operations.
These strategic hires are part of the mine’s broader efforts to optimize efficiency and reduce operational costs.
A key driver of Navachab’s recent success has been its investment in innovative processing technologies. By implementing high-pressure grinding rolls and a Swiss Tower Mill to grind and mill gold-bearing ore, Navachab has positioned itself as a pioneer in the gold mining industry. This advanced technology operates at a lower cost than conventional methods and requires less power and water, reflecting the mine’s commitment to sustainability. The processing projects, which were completed at a cost of nearly N$1 billion, are expected to further enhance Navachab’s production capabilities in the coming years.
Navachab invested over N$1.7 billion in the local economy by procuring goods and services from domestic suppliers in 2023.
