London Metal Exchange (LME) A-grade copper cathode has been produced at Consolidated Copper Corp’s (CCC’s) Tschudi facility, in Namibia, for the first time in four years.

For a copper cathode to be classified as LME A-grade, it must meet a purity level of at least 99.99% copper. This grade ensures the copper is of high quality, suitable for use in electrical wiring, electronics and manufacturing.

Built in 2015, Tschudi is host to Namibia’s only LME-grade refined copper processing facility. It produced over 80 000 t of LME A-grade copper cathode up until 2020, when it was placed on care and maintenance.

The restart of the Tschudi copper facility by CCC is the first step in a larger plan to sustainably recommission three brownfield copper mines in Namibia, which is in line with the government of Namibia's emphasis on domestic beneficiation of locally produced minerals.

The processing plant restart has been funded by a $20-million secured debt facility from Triangle Resource Partners (TRP), a syndicate of some of the CCC founding shareholders.

"Tschudi has the potential to rival the great copper mines of the Central African Copper Belt. Yet, the true measure of our success will lie in the benefits experienced by the local community and our contribution to the clean energy value chain,” CCC CEO John Sisay said on August 22.

Recommissioning of the Tschudi processing plant had created 61 new Namibian jobs. The company said more than 75% of the budget for the first phase of the mine restart had also been spent locally. 

"We are committed to maximising local employment and education opportunities, alongside supporting social initiatives, to improve livelihoods across all of our areas of operation,” Sisay added.

Namibia is advancing its efforts in sustainable mineral beneficiation after the government legislated to prevent the export of unprocessed ore last year. This policy aims to capture more value from mining activities within the country before export, to enhance economic prospects for Namibians. 

“Demonstrating the Tschudi plant’s full potential to the local economy is our first step. Since its original commissioning, 30 similar refined copper processing plants have been built across the Central African Copper Belt. Now it is Namibia’s time to share in this regional growth story,” Sisay said.