Rosh Pinah Zinc has commissioned Namibia’s first paste backfill plant, marking a key milestone in the RP2.0 expansion project and strengthening the mine’s long-term growth outlook.
The new paste fill plant, which has now entered operation, allows underground stopes to be safely and efficiently backfilled. The technology is expected to reduce mining dilution, lower the volume of tailings deposited on surface and improve overall ore recovery. It also represents the first paste backfill operation of its kind in the country’s mining sector.
The commissioning comes as the RP2.0 expansion project advances beyond 85% completion. The project, which will nearly double the mine’s processing throughput to about 1.3 million tonnes per year, remains on schedule and on budget, with completion targeted for the third quarter of 2026. Ramp-up is expected to follow shortly thereafter.
RP2.0 includes further development of the underground mine through a newly constructed portal and decline to access extended ore bodies along strike and down dip. It also involves the construction of new surface infrastructure, including the paste fill plant, upgraded processing facilities featuring a new SAG mill, and a new water treatment plant.
Alongside construction, Rosh Pinah Zinc is pursuing an extensive diamond drilling programme aimed at expanding its mineral resource base and extending the mine’s life. More than 80 kilometres of drilling are planned through to 2027, covering infill, step-out and regional exploration. The programme includes the replacement of in-house diamond drill rigs, with results to date described as encouraging and supportive of further resource growth beyond RP2.0.
The company said it has invested in training and developing local employees to operate and maintain the paste fill plant, contributing to the build-up of technical skills and operational expertise in Namibia.
Alex Mayrick, general manager of Rosh Pinah Zinc, said the commissioning of the paste fill plant was a major step forward for the expansion project. He said the facility enhances both the efficiency and sustainability of operations and confirmed that the project remains firmly on track to be delivered safely and responsibly. Mayrick added that ongoing exploration results continue to highlight the mine’s longer-term growth potential.
Appian Capital Advisory Limited, the investment advisor to long-term private capital funds backing the operation, said the milestone demonstrated Rosh Pinah Zinc’s ability to deliver modern infrastructure while maintaining schedule and cost discipline. Ignacio Bustamante, Appian’s head of base metals, said the paste fill plant strengthens the mine’s operational foundation as it enters the final phases of construction, while exploration success points to additional upside beyond the current expansion phase.
