- Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) has restarted the Tschudi copper plant in Namibia, restoring LME Grade A copper cathode production after a four-year break.
- The plant’s reopening has created 61 new jobs. Over 75% of refurbishment funds were sourced locally, aligning with Namibia’s focus on domestic beneficiation.
- Namibia strengthens its position in the global clean energy supply chain, with Tschudi playing a crucial role in providing copper for sustainable energy solutions.
After a four-year break, Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) restarted the Tschudi copper plant, restoring LME Grade A copper cathode production to Namibia. This milestone marks a significant step in strengthening the country’s role in the global clean energy supply chain.
CCC constructed the Tschudi plant in 2015, making it Namibia’s only facility capable of producing refined copper to LME standards. The plant operated until 2020, generating over 80 kilotonnes of copper cathode before entering care and maintenance. CCC’s decision to restart Tschudi is part of a broader strategy to revive Namibia’s copper industry, which includes plans to recommission three brownfield mines.
John Sisay, CEO of CCC, underscored the importance of this achievement. “Tschudi can compete with the great copper mines of the Central African Copper Belt. However, our success will depend on how much we benefit the local community and contribute to the clean energy value chain,” Sisay said.
The plant’s reopening has created 61 new jobs. CCC sourced over 75% of the refurbishment budget from local suppliers, aligning with the Namibian government’s focus on domestic beneficiation. This policy aims to capture more value from mining activities within the country before export. CCC secured funding for the restart through a US$20 million debt facility from Triangle Resource Partners (TRP), a syndicate of CCC’s founding shareholders.
Sisay also emphasised CCC’s commitment to local development. “We prioritise maximising local employment and education opportunities. Additionally, we support social initiatives to improve livelihoods in all our operational areas. Demonstrating Tschudi’s full potential to benefit the local economy is our first step,” Sisay noted.
Namibia’s push for sustainable mineral beneficiation gained momentum last year when the government introduced legislation to ban the export of unprocessed ore. This policy ensures more value-added processing occurs within Namibia, which boosts the local economy.
The restart of the Tschudi plant goes beyond reviving Namibia’s copper production. It positions the country as a key player in the global transition to clean energy, where copper plays a critical role. As the world shifts toward sustainable energy solutions, Namibia’s contribution to supplying essential metals like copper will become increasingly important.
CCC’s successful recommissioning of the Tschudi plant ensures a steady copper supply while driving local economic development. With Tschudi back in operation, Namibia stands ready to play a vital role in the global clean energy value chain.