Canadian company Trigon Metals conducted its first mining blast on Tuesday, marking the official restart of mining operations at its dormant
Kombat open pit mine in Otjozondjupa region, ahead of initial projec- tions.
The company had planned to conduct the first blast at Kombat Mine on 16 May, as new
mineralisation finds from its drilling campaign are confirmed, but this was moved to 9 May.
The new mineralisa- tion is from the Kavango North area, 150 metres north of the main Ka-
vango Pit, with the impli- cations being a favourable confirmation of the Kom- bat trend mineralisation.
The reported results are from drilling testing gaps in the known min- eralisation previously
thought to be barren. “I would like to thank our staff, con-
tractors, suppliers, local partners and the Namibian government for their efforts in getting Kombat back into production after our pause in July 2022.
“This is an important milestone for our company and the Kombat community. We are excited to begin production and look forward to the continued growth of our operations at Kombat,” said Trigon president and chief executive Jed Richardson.
He said ore will be stockpiled at the mill and first concentrate shipments are anticipated in the second quarter of the year.
The company anticipates the produc- tion of 4,4 million pounds of copper from the open pit by 31 March next year, growing to 6,8 million pounds in the first full year of production, Richardson said.
“The next quarter is expected to also mark the beginning of water pumping from underground in anticipation of
reopening of underground mining in 2024,” he added.
Kombat is the only operating com- mercial copper mine in Namibia. Mining operations started in 1962 and the mine produced a total output of 12,5 million tonnes of ore grading 2,6% copper on average until 2008.
The mine still boasts open pit and underground resources of an additional 12,2 million tonnes at an average grade of 1,9% copper. There is exploration potential close to existing works (sur- face and underground), alongside 35 kilometres of mineralised strike-length Trigon has yet to explore.
The inherited mine infrastructure has an estimated value of more than US$150 million, including a mill that can process 1 100 tonnes per day, an 800-metre shaft with two other vertical shafts, extensive underground workings, a tailings facil- ity, ramp systems, mine buildings and concentrator.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
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