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Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) has commissioned a new semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill at its underground mine in southwestern Namibia, a critical milestone that will double the site’s processing capacity to 1.4 million tonnes of ore annually.
The installation replaces an aging ball mill and marks the final major processing component of the miner’s RP2.0 expansion project. Backed by investment adviser Appian Capital Advisory, the upgrade is designed to unlock a major step-change in the site’s annual zinc and lead concentrate production as operations ramp up.
The new mill integrates the full RP2.0 processing circuit into a single system, linking newly expanded flotation, thickening, and filtration systems alongside existing paste fill and water treatment plants. According to the company, the revised flowsheet improves comminution efficiency (crushing and grinding) and provides tighter control over grind sizes, boosting metallurgical recovery while reducing per-unit operating costs.
Operationally, the upgrade allows ore to be crushed to a coarser size before entering the SAG mill. This shift reduces dust generation throughout the crushing circuit, improving underground working conditions and overall environmental performance. Crucially, the SAG mill provides the structural capacity to treat harder ore types, which are expected to become more prevalent as mining deepens.
The expansion also lengthens the economic lifespan of the mine by allowing for more efficient resource extraction across the entire orebody. Designed with built-in excess capacity, the infrastructure sets the stage for potential production increases beyond the current 1.4 million-tonne target.
The broader RP2.0 initiative includes deep underground developments, such as the newly established WF3 portal and decline, alongside upgraded surface facilities. The project remains on schedule and within its capital budget, with overall construction now exceeding 95% completion. Management noted that the expansion has logged more than two million hours without a lost-time injury.
“Commissioning the SAG mill marks the completion of our core processing infrastructure and reflects the quality of execution by the RPZ team throughout the RP2.0 programme,” Ignacio Bustamante, head of base metals at Appian, said in a statement. “With the full circuit now operational, the project is positioned to achieve a step-change in production output.”
Bustamante added that the milestone underscores a commitment to “operationally rigorous project delivery,” noting that the joint teams look forward to capturing the full economic benefits of the expansion as throughput accelerates.
