Kombat Mine is set to resume operations in the fourth quarter of 2026 after construction officially began this month, marking the latest chapter in the revival of one of Namibia’s most historically significant copper operations.
A construction commencement ceremony held on 6 February 2026 formally signalled the restart of development activities at the mine, now operated by New Horizon Copper (Pty.) Ltd. and backed by majority shareholder Horizon Corporation Ltd.
The event was attended by senior leadership from both companies, Namibian government representatives and local community stakeholders, highlighting the national and regional importance of the restart.
Kombat is a high-grade, volcanogenic massive sulphide copper system with a long production history dating back to the 1960s.
Over several decades, the mine produced copper, along with by-products of lead, silver and gold, before repeated shutdowns linked to ownership changes, funding constraints and operational disruptions.
The deposit is characterised by multiple mineralised lenses, including the Asis West, Kombat and Gross Otavi zones, which have historically supported underground mining.
The mine hosts a substantial remaining resource base, defined by high-grade copper mineralisation that underpins the current restart strategy.
New Horizon Copper has previously indicated that existing resources, combined with significant exploration upside along strike and at depth, provide a foundation for a staged restart and future expansion as capital and development work progress.
Under the current plan, Kombat will be developed in phases, with throughput ultimately expected to double historical levels to 60,000 tonnes of ore per month.
Initial work is focused on safely reopening and expanding underground mining areas around the Asis West Shaft, supported by upgrades to processing infrastructure.
These include the planned installation of sensor-based ore-sorting technology to improve feed grades, reduce waste, and enhance overall processing efficiency.
New Horizon Copper chief executive officer Rennie Morkel said the start of construction marked a decisive break from the mine’s stop-start past.
“This represents a break from the past, as we now rebuild together for the future. We are confident that this substantial investment into Namibian mining, together with a renewed operational approach, will bring much-needed stability to this operation,” Morkel said.
Horizon Corporation co-chief executive officer Darius Ghesmati said the Kombat restart followed more than a year of negotiations and restructuring.
“The reopening of Kombat Mine illustrates our belief in Namibia as an investment opportunity and in a team that will re-establish this mine as a world-class copper producer,” he said.
Horizon has committed more than US$24 million, equivalent to about N$390 million, in equity funding to restart and expand the operation.
Of this, US$4.5 million has already been deployed during the temporary closure phase to fund care-and-maintenance activities, dewatering, and early works required before construction.
New Horizon Copper said early progress includes more than 31,000 lost-time-injury-free shifts, the implementation of a comprehensive dewatering strategy to access underground workings, and the commencement of key civil works.
These milestones are intended to de-risk the restart and support a transition into sustained production.
Founding shareholder and director Knowledge Katti said the revival of Kombat carried deep socio-economic significance for surrounding communities and the wider Otjozondjupa Region.
He highlighted the creation of skilled jobs and opportunities for youth, as well as the potential to address long-standing infrastructure and housing challenges in the area.
Katti also pointed to the role of Epangelo Mining, which holds a 10% interest in the mine, as a mechanism for state participation and local benefit.
Located in central-north Namibia, Kombat Mine is owned 80% by New Horizon Copper, with the remaining 20% held by Namibian partners.
At steady state, the operation is expected to produce saleable copper concentrate from up to 60,000 tonnes of ore per month, positioning Kombat as a key contributor to Namibia’s renewed copper production pipeline.
