Rosh Pinah Zinc commissions Namibia’s first paste backfill plant

Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ) and Appian Capital Advisory announced Friday the commissioning of Namibia’s first paste backfill plant, marking a milestone for the country’s mining industry.  

In 2022, Trevali Mining sold its stake in the Rosh Pinah zinc-lead silver mine to Appian Natural Resources Fund.  

The facility, the company said, allows safe and efficient backfilling of underground stopes, reducing mining dilution, decreasing the volume of tailings deposited at surface and enabling improved ore recovery.  

RPZ has invested in training and developing the local workforce to operate and maintain the plant, further helping to embed durable technical expertise within the country. 

The RP2.0 expansion project comprises further development of the underground mine, including a newly developed portal and decline to access extended underground deposits, enabling efficient extraction of ore from current and future orebodies on strike and down dip, as well as the construction of new surface facilities, including new paste fill, processing, a new SAG mill and water treatment plants. 

In parallel, RPZ said it is undertaking an extensive diamond drilling program aimed at expanding its mineral resource base and extending the mine’s life. The program includes the capital replacement of in-house diamond drill rigs and more than 80km of drilling through 2027, encompassing infill, step-out and regional exploration drilling. 

Results to date have been encouraging, the company said, reinforcing the opportunity for further resource expansion and long-term value creation beyond RP2.0.  

“Commissioning the paste fill plant represents another major step forward for RP2.0,” Alex Mayrick, Rosh Pinah Zinc general manager Alex Mayrick said in a news release. “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 program is delivering encouraging results, reinforcing the strong growth potential of RPZ as we continue to build a larger, longer-life operation.” 

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

Overall construction progress has now surpassed 85% and completion is expected in Q3 2026, with ramp-up commencing shortly thereafter, the company said.