Copper Mining in Namibia Seeing Significant Revival as of April 2026

Copper mining in Namibia is seeing a significant revival as of April 2026, driven by a national strategy to diversify the mining sector beyond uranium and diamonds. The industry is currently defined by the restart of historical "brownfield" mines and the advancement of massive new porphyry deposits.

Key Mining Developments

• Orion Minerals: Aims to start Prieska Mine production in the Northern Cape, with funding to be secured by mid-2026.

  
  

• Copper 360 & Jubilee Metals: Reopening historical mines in the Okiep district and ramping up tailings processing to target 170 tonnes of copper per month by early 2026.

• DRC & Regional Expansion: Ivanhoe’s Kamoa-Kakula smelter is scaling up, while Palabora Mining advances a $700 million expansion in Limpopo.

Investment: Key developments also include the Lobito Corridor logistics project, renewed exploration by BHP, and KoBold Metals' $200 million Mingomba project.

Despite recent price volatility, the long-term outlook remains positive due to green energy demand.

Key upcoming industry events include African Mining Week which takes place between the 14th and 16th of October at the CTICC in Cape Town. The Electra Mining Africa expo also takes place between the 7th and 11th of September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, Nasrec, South Africa. It is a premier biennial event covering mining, industrial, and manufacturing sectors with over 950 exhibitors showcasing new technologies, machinery, and power solutions.

Operational Mines & Immediate Restarts in Namibia

• Tschudi Copper Mine: Located near Tsumeb, this open-pit mine successfully restarted in late 2024. By March 2026, operator Consolidated Copper Corp (CCC) reported generating N$1.35 billion from the site. It is currently producing LME Grade A copper cathode.

• Kombat Mine: Construction for a full restart began in February 2026. Operated by New Horizon Copper, it is on track to resume production in Q4 2026.

• Hope & Gorob Project: Bezant Resources is advancing this copper-gold project, with first concentrates expected in the second half of 2026. Engineering designs are 100% complete as of March 2026.

Major Projects in Development

• Haib Copper Project: A massive porphyry deposit in southern Namibia owned by Koryx Copper. A September 2025 assessment estimated a 23-year mine life with 92 kilotonnes of copper annually. The company aims to have the project fully permitted and de-risked by the end of 2026.

• Central Operations (Otjihase & Matchless): CCC is currently conducting pre-feasibility studies to restart these underground mines near Windhoek. A 10-year mine plan is expected to be finalized by mid-2026.

• Omitiomire Copper Project: Currently in the feasibility stage, focusing on a bankable feasibility study (BFS) and financing.

In 2023, the Namibian government legislated against the export of unprocessed ore to encourage local beneficiation. This shift is supported by international investment, such as the EU's €1.3 billion Global Gateway package announced in late 2025 to support critical raw materials and clean energy in Namibia.

Source: Mining Weekly