Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter has received environmental approval to construct and operate a new Germanium Plant in Tsumeb, Namibia, confirming the company’s shift in focus from copper to high-value speciality metals.
The plant forms part of Sinomine’s Multi-Metals Recycling Project and will process historic zinc slag to produce zinc ingots, zone-refined germanium ingots, and high-purity gallium.
The Germanium Plant will be developed in three phases, with production expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2025.
According to the company, the development is central to its long-term strategy to diversify operations beyond copper and align with rising global demand for minerals critical to the energy transition.
This comes as the company has temporarily suspended copper smelting operations at the Tsumeb plant, citing deteriorating global market conditions.
The company attributed the decision to falling treatment and refining charges, a reduced supply of copper concentrate, and overcapacity in global smelting.
As part of its restructuring efforts, Sinomine has also announced plans to reduce operating costs by 30 to 40% and will introduce a voluntary separation programme for employees.
Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resources Co., Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sinomine Resources Group Co., Ltd., acquired the Tsumeb Smelter in Namibia from Dundee Precious Metals Inc. in a deal finalised on 30 August 2024, following an agreement reached on 7 March the same year.
Since the acquisition, the company has undertaken several technical and strategic studies aimed at transforming the Tsumeb facility into a world-class, multi-metal smelting operation.
