Namibia's Only Refined Copper Plant Resumes Operations After Four Years
- 23-Aug-2024 7:13 PM
- Journalist: Motoki Sasaki
Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) has achieved a significant milestone with the successful restart of operations at the Tschudi copper plant in Namibia. After a four-year hiatus, the facility is now producing high-quality LME Grade A copper cathode, solidifying CCC's position as a key player in the Namibian mining industry. This restart has generated over 60 jobs for Namibians, with 75% of the refurbishment capital sourced from local suppliers. The production milestone is a key step in CCC’s broader strategy to revitalize Namibia’s copper industry by restarting three brownfield mines, with a strong focus on sustainable domestic processing and boosting local economic growth.
The restart of the Tschudi processing plant, funded by a US$20 million secured debt facility, has led to the production of LME Grade A copper cathode in Namibia for the first time in four years. This achievement marks the commencement of Consolidated Copper Corp’s (CCC) ambitious plan to revitalize the country’s copper industry. By rejuvenating operations at Tschudi, CCC aims to strengthen Namibia's position in the global copper market while contributing to local economic growth and sustainability.
Constructed in 2015, Tschudi is home to Namibia’s sole LME Grade refined copper processing facility. The copper production facility successfully operated until 2020, producing over 80 kilotonnes of high-quality copper cathode. Due to market conditions, the plant was subsequently placed in a state of preservation, maintaining its operational capability for potential future reactivation.
In line with the Namibian Government’s emphasis on the domestic beneficiation of locally produced minerals, Consolidated Copper Corp’s (CCC) restart of the Tschudi copper plant signifies the initial phase of a larger strategy aimed at sustainably recommissioning three brownfield copper mines in Namibia, thereby enhancing the country's copper production capabilities and contributing to its economic growth.
Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) is committed to being a responsible producer of metals and minerals essential for clean energy, with a strong focus on minimizing environmental impact and promoting the involvement of local communities and economies. The restart of the Tschudi copper processing plant has been made possible by a US$20 million secured debt facility from Triangle Resource Partners (TRP), a syndicate comprising some of CCC’s founding shareholders. This funding underscores CCC's dedication to sustainable operations and its goal of contributing positively to both the environment and the local Namibian economy.
John Sisay, CEO of Consolidated Copper Corp, emphasized that while the Tschudi mine has the potential to compete with the major copper mines of the Central African Copper Belt, the true success of the project will be determined by the positive impact on the local community and its contribution to the clean energy value chain. The recommissioning of the Tschudi processing plant has resulted in the creation of 61 new jobs for Namibians, with over 75% of the budget for this phase being allocated to local suppliers.