Name of the Project
Rosh Pinah zinc/lead/silver mine expansion (RP2.0).

Location
Namibia.

Project Owner/s
Trevali Mining.

Project Description
A prefeasibility study (PFS) has envisaged the expansion of the current throughput at the Rosh Pinah mine from 700 000 t/y to 1.3-million tonnes a year through the modification of the processing plant, construction of a paste fill plant and development of a dedicated portal and ramp to the WF3 deposit.

The PFS incorporates an upgrade to the comminution circuit to include a new single-stage semiautogenous grinding mill and pebble crusher. The upgrade also includes primary crushing upgrades and an ore-blending system, along with other circuit modifications to provide increased flotation, thickening, filtration and pumping capacity to achieve the target throughput of 1.3-million tonnes a year. The upgrade will also include several flowsheet modifications aimed at improving the concentrate grade and metal recoveries.

A dedicated portal and decline to the WF3 deposit will be built to support the increase to mine production levels and reduce operating costs. The trucking decline will be 3.9 km long, excluding level access and stockpiles. For construction purposes, the decline is separated into five independent stages to allow for concurrent development and reduce overall construction time. Internal stages of the trucking decline will be developed from existing development, with take-off positions selected to minimise interaction with the underground operation.

The new trucking decline will act as an additional fresh-air intake within the ventilation network and will allow for direct ore haulage from the WF3 zone to a new surface primary crusher station using large-scale trucks. Ore sourced from other areas – EOF, SF3, SOF, and BME – will be transported to the existing underground crushing system using the existing 30 t truck fleet and conveyed to surface through the existing conveying system.

The expansion will increase the mine’s life to 11 years.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has a net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $142-million and an internal rate of return if 65%, with a payback of less than four years.

Capital Expenditure
The project is estimated at $93-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Construction is expected to start in the first quarter of 2022, with commercial production expected in the first half of 2023.

Latest Developments
Before making an investment decision, the company plans to start a feasibility study of the RP2.0 Expansion in the first quarter of 2021.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Trevali Mining, tel +1 778 655 5885 or email info@trevali.com.