Nqobile Bhebhe [email protected]
NAMIB Minerals has completed commissioning of its expanded milling plant at How Mine in Matabeleland South, paving the way for a 36 percent increase in monthly ore-processing capacity as the gold producer moves to ramp up output and advance plans to restart Redwing Mine.
The commissioning increases How Mine’s monthly processing capacity from approximately 40 500 tonnes to 55 000 tonnes, strengthening the mine’s production potential as the company targets an annualised output run-rate of more than 30 000 ounces at current grades.
In an announcement, the Nasdaq-listed gold producer said the commissioning had been completed ahead of the mid-October deadline previously communicated, marking a key milestone in its Zimbabwe operations.
“The commissioning represents a significant milestone for the Company, with an expected increase in milling capacity of approximately 36%.
“Our focus now turns to a disciplined ramp-up to full capacity and to delivering the expected annualized run-rate of more than 30,000 ounces at current grades that we outlined on our recent call,” said Mr Tulani Sikwila, Chairman and CEO.
The company said its immediate priority was to progressively increase throughput to the expanded plant’s full capacity, with the target set for December 2026.
The successful commissioning is an important step in translating investment in processing infrastructure into increased operational capacity, although actual production growth will depend on the pace of the ramp-up, ore grades and the mine’s ability to sustain throughput levels.
The expansion comes as Zimbabwe’s gold sector continues to attract investment from producers seeking to increase output and capitalise on the country’s mineral resource base.
Improving performance at How Mine is also running alongside efforts to bring additional production capacity into its Zimbabwe portfolio through the planned restart of Redwing Mine.
“The restart of Redwing Mine remains on schedule, with first gold targeted by January 2027,” the company said.
The planned restart could provide an additional source of gold production, complementing the expanded processing capacity at How Mine and supporting the company’s broader growth strategy in Zimbabwe.
However, the timing and scale of any additional output will depend on the successful execution of the Redwing restart programme.
Namib Minerals is a gold producer, developer and explorer with operations focused in Zimbabwe.
It currently operates How Mine, an underground gold mine, and aims to restart two assets in the country.
The completion of the How Mine milling expansion therefore represents a near-term operational milestone, with the next test being whether the company can achieve its December target and translate the additional processing capacity into sustained gold production growth.
