Consolidated Copper Corp is investigating the potential to restart Central Operations and is developing a 10-year mine plan as part of its feasibility studies.
Otjihase and Matchless underground mines form Consolidated Copper Corp’s Central Operations.
Otjihase is 18km northeast of Windhoek, while Matchless is 30km southwest of Windhoek.
Otjihase and the processing plant were last operational in 2015, whilst Matchless was last mined during the 1980s.
The mines share an 800ktpa concentrator, which Consolidated Copper Corp has confirmed to be in excellent condition.
The mining and processing infrastructure is currently subject to care and maintenance.
Old Matchless mine was opened in 1855 by Walwich Bay Mining Company, but operations were suspended in 1860. It was redeveloped in 1967, with production starting in 1970 and was closed in the 1980s.
A circuit of copper smelter commenced smelting concentrates from Otjihase Mine in the 1970s.
Weatherly took over Ongopolo Mining and Processing Ltd and put Matchless and Otjihase on care and maintenance.
In 2011, they reopened the mines and copper production restarted, but in 2015, they were again put into care and maintenance.
In 2018, Weatherly administrators appointed John Sisay to review the assets.
In 2022, Consolidated Copper Corp was formed with Sisay as CEO.
The company then acquired Matchless and Otjihase into its asset portfolio for future production.
Consolidated Copper Corp plans to analyse the potential of an early restart programme to target approximately 1 million tons of accessible ore and restart the concentrator whilst a detailed study is carried out on accessing the Tigerschulcht orebody.
The company also plans to review historical mining methods, establish a new way forward, and explore sustainability initiatives for mine operations.
