Nasdaq-listed Namib Minerals is accelerating its operational improvement strategy at How Mine, pressing ahead with a major expansion of its ore-milling capacity, Mining Zimbabwe can report.
By Ryan Chigoche
In its latest business update, the Company confirmed plans to lift milling capacity from 40,500 tonnes per month in 2024 to 55,000 tonnes per month by 2026, an approximately 36% increase in throughput. Procurement of the required equipment is already underway, with commissioning targeted for the second half of 2026.
“This capacity expansion will enable the Company to process higher ore volumes and offset the reduction in grade experienced to date in 2025,” Namib reported.
Namib Minerals is also positioning itself for sustained long-term growth. Its corporate objective is to evolve into a multi-asset, mid-tier gold producer targeting eventual output of 300,000 ounces per year.
The Company emphasises that this is a long-term strategic aspiration, not production guidance, and is not based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment, Pre-Feasibility Study, or Feasibility Study.
Progress toward this vision hinges on the successful execution of mine-restart programmes, expansion projects, and ongoing exploration and development initiatives.
Against this backdrop, Namib is advancing restart preparations across its other assets. At Redwing, enabling works have commenced, marking the first phased step toward returning the mine to production. Dewatering is scheduled to run concurrently with feasibility studies and is expected to take about eight months to reach the targeted mining levels.
Dewatering forms the backbone of the restart sequence, giving the Company access to underground workings, enabling infrastructure refurbishment, and preparing the ground for a phased production ramp-up. In parallel, surface-infrastructure upgrades, including power-supply reinforcement, are being lined up to match the restart timeline.
At Mazowe, Namib is undertaking similar restart activities. The Company is progressing upgrades to power, water, and tailings-management systems while conducting detailed engineering studies aimed at sharpening capital efficiency and optimising the mine-restart pathway.
As previously reported by this publication, Namib engaged WSP to carry out comprehensive S-K 1300-compliant feasibility studies for both Redwing and Mazowe.
Announced on November 10, 2025, the dual-study programme will run for 12 to 18 months and is expected to form the technical backbone of the restart process. Both mines remain under care and maintenance, with redevelopment contingent on completing dewatering and resource-definition drilling.
The ongoing feasibility work will provide the groundwork for reserve conversion, permitting, and future financing discussions—key steps required before production can resume.
To support its growth trajectory, Namib estimates that total capital requirements for its expansion and restart programme will range between US$300 million and US$400 million, with Redwing Mine expected to absorb the largest share.
The Company is pursuing a balanced funding model designed to minimise dilution, prioritising project debt, strategic partnerships, and internally generated cash flows.
Discussions with multiple capital providers are ongoing. Namib stresses that its funding estimate remains preliminary and is subject to feasibility outcomes, engineering refinements, market conditions, equipment costs, and other external risks.
