Namibia’s only refined copper plant restarted after four years

Constructed in 2015, Tschudi is host to Namibia’s only LME Grade refined copper processing facility. It produced over 80 kt of LME Grade A copper cathode up until 2020, when it was placed on care and maintenance.

Consistent with the Namibian Government’s focus on domestic beneficiation of locally produced minerals, CCC’s restart of the Tschudi copper plant marks the first phase of a broader strategy to sustainably recommission three brownfield copper mines in Namibia.

Consolidated Copper Corp is dedicated to becoming a responsible producer of metals and minerals critical for the creation of clean energy, setting clear goals to minimise its environmental impact and ensuring the participation of local communities and economies.

The processing plant restart has been funded by a US$20 million secured debt facility from Triangle Resource Partners (TRP), a syndicate of some of the CCC founding shareholders.

John Sisay, CEO of Consolidated Copper Corp, said:

“Tschudi has the potential to rival the great copper mines of the Central African Copper Belt. Yet, the true measure of our success will lie in the benefits experienced by the local community and our contribution to the clean energy value chain.”

Recommissioning the Tschudi processing plant has created 61 new Namibian jobs and more than 75% of the budget for this first phase of the mine restart has been spent locally.

Sisay added:

“We are committed to maximising local employment and education opportunities, alongside supporting social initiatives, to improve livelihoods across all of our areas of operation.

“Demonstrating the Tschudi plant’s full potential to the local economy is our first step. Since its original commissioning, 30 similar refined copper processing plants have been built across the Central African Copper Belt. Now it is Namibia’s time to share in this regional growth story.”

Namibia is currently advancing its efforts in sustainable mineral beneficiation after the government legislated to prevent the export of unprocessed ore last year. This policy aims to capture more value from mining activities within the country before export, to enhance economic prospects for Namibians.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/mining/22082024/namibias-only-refined-copper-plant-restarted-after-four-years/