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Rosh Pinah Zinc Corporation has kicked off construction on what is set to be the largest diameter raise bore ever attempted in Namibia. The WF3 Primary Exhaust Raise, a key component of the company’s RP2.0 Expansion Project, involves two massive vertical ventilation shafts, each measuring 5.1 metres in diameter and stretching a combined 542 metres underground.
Described as a groundbreaking undertaking in the country’s mining sector, the project represents a significant leap in scale and ambition. “To put this in perspective, our current underground ventilation raises are usually drilled 3 metres wide and 25 metres deep. The WF3 Exhaust Raise is over 20 times deeper and over three times wider, a scale unprecedented in the nation’s mining sector,” said Alexander Shapumba, senior mine planner for technical services and project manager for the vent shaft.
The WF3 system is more than a record-setting engineering feat; it’s essential to the success of Rosh Pinah Zinc’s broader expansion plans. The RP2.0 project aims to nearly double ore production from 0.7 million tonnes per annum to 1.3 million tonnes by 2027. Enhanced ventilation will be critical to supporting deeper mining activities, improving underground air quality and ensuring safer working conditions for mine workers.
To bring the ambitious vision to life, Rosh Pinah Zinc has partnered with Master Drilling, a tier-1 international raise bore contractor. Pilot drilling began in June 2025 using Master Drilling’s 97R machine and is expected to continue until February 2026. The process involves 0.38 metre diameter pilot holes, which will then be reamed out to the full 5.1 metre diameter.
Head of Operations Richard Murrell stressed the importance of staying on schedule. “Any postponement would jeopardize the RP2.0 schedule and cost the mine significantly in lost production time. Fast-tracking this project is both technically necessary and economically prudent,” he said.
The scale of the WF3 project requires precise coordination and advanced engineering. Specialized surveying, construction of reinforced concrete pads, complex underground logistics, ventilation control systems and rigorous safety measures are all part of the process. The result will be a state-of-the-art ventilation system that boosts airflow and underpins the next phase of growth at Rosh Pinah.
With this bold move, Rosh Pinah Zinc is not only advancing its own production capabilities but also setting new benchmarks in Namibia’s mining industry. The WF3 Primary Exhaust Raise is a clear sign of the scale and seriousness with which the company is approaching its future.
