By Rudairo Mapuranga
The expansion will increase How Mine’s monthly processing capacity from approximately 40,500 tonnes to 55,000 tonnes, adding 14,500 tonnes of capacity per month.
The commissioning was completed ahead of the mid-October deadline previously communicated to the market, with the company now focusing on ramping up operations to reach full capacity by December 2026.
Namib Minerals Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Tulani Sikwila said the immediate priority was to translate the completed expansion into higher processing throughput and deliver the production rate outlined in the company’s recent investor call.
“Our focus now turns to a disciplined ramp-up to full capacity and to delivering the expected annualised run rate of more than 30,000 ounces at current grades that we outlined on our recent call,” Sikwila said.
The projected production rate is based on current ore grades and remains dependent on the successful ramp-up of the expanded plant. The increase in processing capacity does not, on its own, guarantee a corresponding increase in gold output, which also depends on ore grades and other operational factors.
The expansion represents a significant increase in How Mine’s processing capability as Namib advances its Zimbabwe gold operations. The company has not yet reached the expanded plant’s targeted monthly throughput, with December set as the deadline for achieving full capacity.
Redwing Restart Remains on Schedule
Alongside the How Mine expansion, Namib continues to advance plans to restart Redwing Mine, with first gold targeted for January 2027.
The company said dewatering at Redwing, the first stage of its five-step restart programme, was completed ahead of schedule in September.
The second stage, involving a definitive feasibility study technical programme, is fully funded and underway.
Namib has also secured a US$6.5 million non-dilutive term loan facility from BancABC to partially fund the third stage, which covers resource definition and bankability work.
The progress at both mines forms part of the company’s efforts to advance its Zimbabwe gold portfolio, although Redwing’s targeted restart remains dependent on completing the required technical and development work.
