Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine has commissioned a new semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill, the final major processing component of its planned expansion. The milestone brings the underground zinc operation in Namibia closer to completing a project aimed at extending its life and boosting throughput.
The expansion is designed to increase mining capacity and processing rates at the site, which has been in operation since 1969. Rosh Pinah is jointly owned by South Africa's Exxaro Resources and the Olan Group, with the asset representing one of the world's oldest continually operating zinc mines.
No timeline was provided for the full completion of the expansion beyond the mill's commissioning. The project has involved significant underground development and surface infrastructure upgrades over recent years to support higher production levels.
The development comes as global zinc supply faces constraints, with several mines closing or reducing output due to depletion and low prices. Rosh Pinah's expansion positions it to potentially fill some of that gap in the Southern African region.
While the mill commissioning is a positive step, the operation still faces challenges typical of aging underground mines, including deeper ore bodies and rising extraction costs. The full financial impact of the expansion will depend on sustained zinc prices and successful ramp-up to planned capacity levels.