Mine operator Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) and investment adviser Appian Capital Advisory have announced the commissioning of Namibia’s first paste backfill plant at the Rosh Pinah mine, marking a key milestone in the RP2.0 expansion project, which is now more than 85% complete and progressing on schedule and on budget.

RPZ, which owns and operates the mine, said the paste backfill plant is a critical component of the RP2.0 expansion and is designed to support underground mining operations by allowing mined-out areas to be safely filled with processed tailings.

The company says this reduces mining dilution, lowers the volume of tailings deposited on surface and improves overall ore recovery.

The RP2.0 expansion is expected to nearly double the mine’s processing throughput to 1.3-million tonnes a year. Overall construction progress has now surpassed 85%, with completion expected in the third quarter of this year and ramp-up scheduled to begin shortly thereafter.

RPZ said the commissioning of the paste backfill plant represents the first time this technology has been put into operation in Namibia. The company said the facility enables safer and more efficient underground mining while reducing the mine’s surface footprint by decreasing the amount of tailings stored above ground.

It adds that it has invested in training and developing its local workforce to operate and maintain the plant, with the aim of embedding long-term technical skills within Namibia.

The RP2.0 project also includes further development of the underground mine through a newly developed portal and decline, which provide access to extended underground deposits.

According to RPZ, this infrastructure is intended to enable more efficient extraction of ore from both current and future orebodies along strike and at depth. The expansion further includes the construction of new surface infrastructure, including the paste backfill plant, new processing facilities incorporating a semi-autogenous grinding (SAG) mill and a new water treatment plant.

In parallel with construction, RPZ is undertaking an extensive diamond drilling programme aimed at expanding its mineral resource base and extending the mine’s life-of-mine.

The programme includes the replacement of in-house diamond drill rigs and more than 80 km of drilling planned through 2027, covering infill, step-out and regional exploration drilling. The company says results received, to date, have been encouraging and indicate potential for further resource growth beyond the current RP2.0 development.

“Commissioning the paste fill plant represents another major step forward for RP2.0. These facilities enhance the efficiency and sustainability of our operations. With construction now more than 85% complete, we are firmly on track, on schedule and on budget to deliver the RP2.0 expansion safely and responsibly.

“In parallel, our exploration programme is delivering encouraging results, reinforcing the strong growth potential of RPZ as we continue to build a larger, longer-life operation,” RPZ GM Alex Mayrick says.

Appian Capital Advisory, which acts as investment adviser to the long-term private capital funds that own RPZ, said the milestone demonstrated continued progress in executing the expansion strategy.

“The commissioning of the paste fill plant demonstrates RPZ’s ability to execute on key milestones and deliver modern, sustainable infrastructure. This achievement further strengthens RPZ’s operational foundation as we approach the final phases of construction.

“The ongoing exploration success highlights the upside potential beyond RP2.0, supporting long-term value creation for all stakeholders,” Appian base metals head Ignacio Bustamante says.