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Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) has successfully restarted the Tschudi copper plant, marking a significant milestone for Namibia’s copper industry. For the first time in four years, LME Grade A copper cathode is being produced in the country, underscoring Namibia’s emerging role in the global clean energy value chain.
The Tschudi copper plant, constructed in 2015, is the only facility in Namibia capable of producing LME Grade refined copper. It was operational until 2020, producing over 80 kilo tonnes (kt) of copper cathode before being placed on care and maintenance. The recent restart of the plant is the first phase in CCC’s broader strategy to rejuvenate Namibia’s copper industry, with plans to recommission three brownfield copper mines.
Consolidated Copper Corp’s Chief Executive Officer, John Sisay, highlighted the broader implications of this restart. He noted, “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.”
The recommissioning of the plant has already created 61 new jobs in Namibia, with more than 75% of the refurbishment budget sourced from local suppliers. This aligns with the Namibian government’s focus on domestic beneficiation, aiming to capture more value from mining activities within the country before export. The restart of the Tschudi plant was funded by a US$20 million secured debt facility from Triangle Resource Partners (TRP), a syndicate of CCC’s founding shareholders.
Sisay also noted CCC’s commitment to local development: “We are committed to maximising local employment and education opportunities, alongside supporting social initiatives, to improve livelihoods across all our areas of operation. Demonstrating the Tschudi plant’s full potential to the local economy is our first step.”
Namibia’s push for sustainable mineral beneficiation gained momentum last year when the government introduced legislation preventing the export of unprocessed ore. This policy aims to enhance economic prospects by ensuring that more value-added processing takes place within the country, benefiting the local economy.
The Tschudi plant’s restart not only revives Namibia’s copper production but also positions the country as a key player in the global transition to clean energy, where copper is a critical component. As the world increasingly focuses on sustainable energy solutions, the successful recommissioning of Tschudi is a positive step towards ensuring a steady supply of critical metals while bolstering local economic development.
