The construction of Osino Resources’ Twin Hills gold project is set to create between 700 and 750 employment opportunities, the mining firm has confirmed, with recruitment already underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour.
Ralf Schommarz, Osino Resources’ Manager for Operational Readiness, said the construction is scheduled to commence later this year and will span approximately two years.
“The recruitment has commenced and we are working with the Ministry of Labour and urge all to submit their CVs through the ministry, because there are not hundreds, [but] thousands of applications.To be able to do justice to each and every person that wants to apply, that is the process,” Schommarz said.
During the peak of construction, the number of workers engaged through contractors is expected to reach between 700 and 750.
However, the workforce will be reduced to between 400 and 450 once the project transitions into the production phase.
“Construction phase will go up to about 700, 750, so there’ll be a big number, but then it drops off to 400 within the production phase,” he explained.
Schommarz further emphasised the company’s cooperation with government agencies and contractors, particularly in adhering to environmental regulations.
“I had two visits with the Department of Forestry as before you can start a project like this, you need to apply for a clearance permit.So we did those, we got those approved, but they’ve come to site and they’ve actually done sensors of the trees and the vegetation that is going to be disturbed,” he said.
The Twin Hills project, located in Namibia’s Erongo Region, is poised to become one of the largest gold processing operations in the country, with a planned capacity of five million tonnes of ore per annum.
For comparison, B2Gold’s Otjikoto Mine processes approximately 3.4 million tonnes annually, while Navachab Mine has expanded its capacity from two million to around three million tonnes.
“In terms of scale, this is going to be a flagship operation.We’re talking about a large open-pit mine with four starter pits, each targeting the highest-grade ore first. That strategy allows us to maximise early returns, and as operations continue, those pits will be expanded further into the ground,” Schommarz said.
The development follows the acquisition of Osino Resources by Chinese gold producer Shanjin International Gold Co., Ltd. (formerly Yintai Gold), in a deal valued at approximately C$368 million.
The transaction was concluded on 29 August 2024 after securing all required regulatory approvals, including from the Namibian Competition Commission.
Shanjin International is ranked among China’s top five gold producers and operates four gold and one silver mine. The Twin Hills project marks its first foray into the African mining sector.
The Twin Hills project spans 11 exclusive prospecting licences (EPLs) across 153,206 hectares, solidifying its status as Osino’s flagship asset in Namibia.
