Canadian exploration and development company Trigon Metals achieved commercial production at its Kombat Mine in Namibia on 11 October.
According to a statement from the company, this achievement marks a major step forward in Trigon’s journey towards becoming a leading mid-tier copper producer.
The statement defines commercial production status as operating at 70% of production capacity over a period of 30 consecutive days.
“This is testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire team and represents a track record of steadfast commitment to achieving operational targets and managing costs effectively.
“Achieving this milestone marks a pivotal moment in the growth of the company, enhancing the economic viability of Kombat Mine,” the statement reads.
The company says commercial production status was achieved swiftly in line with company targets.
The mill started producing concentrate on 3 August this year and the company marked its first full day of production on 21 August, before ramping up quickly to commercial levels.
Trigon says over the past 30 days, the Kombat mill has operated at 77,8% of capacity, with average recoveries of 86% copper, producing 650 tonnes of concentrate, and the copper concentrate is being shipped to port daily.
Namibian investor and Trigon local partner Knowledge Katti congratulated the company.
“Kombat Mine is a very important project for Namibia, especially the children of the Kombat community. Trigon will deliver sustainable benefits for years to come, including 500 direct jobs already in place.
“The supporting shareholders are all working together as a partnership to deliver positive outcomes for all our stakeholders.
This milestone is testament to the strength of our 500-person workforce and the cooperation of the local communities,” he says.
Fanie Muller, the vice president of operations at Trigon Metals, says: “This achievement is testament to the relentless efforts and dedication of our team members.
I am incredibly proud of our staff for their hard work and commitment during the commissioning phase.
“We will take a moment to enjoy this significant milestone, and at the same time gear up for the next growth phases of Kombat Mine, which include the restart of the underground operations and the mill expansion project,” he says.
– email: matthew@namibian.com.na
