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The first running gold mine in Namibia, Navachab Gold Mine is tucked away in the Erongo Region. Since its founding in 1989, it has been vital for Namibia’s gold output and economic growth. About 10km southwest of Karibib and 170km from the capital, Windhoek, the mine has developed constantly from contractor-based to owner-based operations to guarantee sustainability and efficiency.
Prospecting for carbonate-hosted gold, Anglo-American geologists found the gold deposit at Navachab in 1984 The Anglo-American team carried out a geochemical investigation program that verified the presence of gold despite two previous exploring attempts by other businesses producing no notable results. After a feasibility assessment in 1986, mine building started in 1988 and Navachab poured his first gold bar in December 1989. Sam Nujoma, the founding president of Namibia, opened the mine formally in June 1990.
Karibib Mining and Construction Company first managed operations under a contractor-based approach until January 2004, when Navachab changed to owner-mining. The following years saw mining contractors such as Lewcor (2011–2017) and EVS Mining Contractors (2018) handling different facets of operations. Following an optimization study in 2023, the mine decided to fully reclaim its drilling operations and made investments in six FelxiROC D65 drilling machines from Epiroc South Africa.
Navachab runs as an open-pit mine with a 160,000 tonnes monthly (TPM) capacity for the existing Carbon-in-pulp (CIP) processing plant. The mine is scaling up to process 3 million tonnes annually to support higher output; subsequent plans call for further growth in production capacity.
Navachab has notably raised its gold output in recent years; in 2023 it will record production of 116,740 ounces. Targeting 140,000 ounces by 2024, the mine seeks to reach 150,000 ounces by 2025.
Launched in 2021 following a successful conceptual study carried out in 2020, Project Khaima is one of its main expansion initiatives Targeting 90 new jobs, this underground mining project with an expenditure surpassing N$160 million operated until the end of 2021. Comprising a Vertical Power Mill 10 (VPM10) from Swiss Tower Mills, the mine also brought 140 t/h of gold concentrate grinding capability. This improvement seeks to increase processing efficiency and gold recovery.
Navachab is converting from a mono-sensor to a multi-sensor sorting system to maximize ore sorting even more. Old XSS-T X-sorting systems will be replaced with newly ordered KSS ore sorters from Steinert, therefore boosting processing results and greatly raising gold recovery rates.
Since 2018, when negative cash flow caused sustainability issues for the mine, Navachab’s financial situation has considerably changed. The company raised approximately N$400 million for processing plant expansion and another N$500 million for underground mining development by 2020. These calculated expenditures seek to increase production by forty to fifty percent and extend the life of the mine until 2030.
RMB Namibia arranged a N$3 billion syndicated loan in June 2024 to assist Navachab’s objectives for growth. This financial support emphasizes the mine’s central importance in Namibia’s resource industry as well as investor trust in its long-term survival.
Apart from mining activities, Navachab has shown a great dedication to local procurement and community growth. By procuring goods and services from local suppliers, the mine invested more than N$1.7 billion in Namibia’s economy just in 2023. To guarantee that its expansion helps nearby areas, the corporation also supports regional infrastructure initiatives and sponsors local clinics.
Over the years Navachab’s ownership structure has changed several times. Originally a joint venture between Rand Mines Windhoek, Erongo Mining & Exploration, Metall Mining Corporation of Canada, and Rand Mines Windhoek, the mine ultimately fell under AngloGold Ashanti ownership in 1998. Following a US$110 million purchase of Navachab from AngloGold Ashanti in 2014, QKR Corporation was created.
KI Mining Ltd., which has taken over sole control of QKR, is today’s main stakeholder. Approved by the Namibian Competition Commission in 2023, this transition guarantees ongoing strategic investment and development at the mine.
Looking ahead, Navachab Gold Mine intends to move into underground mining and maintain operations far beyond 2030, so it is ready for a dynamic future. The mine is still a pillar of Namibia’s gold business with strong financial support, modern processing methods, and an eye toward efficiency. Navachab is poised to carry on its tradition of expansion and excellence in the worldwide mining industry by welcoming creativity and sustainability.
