Rosh Pinah Zinc commissions Namibia’s first paste backfill plant

Rosh Pinah Zinc (RPZ), together with Appian Capital Advisory, has announced the commissioning of Namibia’s first paste backfill plant, marking a milestone in the African nation’s mining industry.

The new plant is part of an ongoing expansion at the Rosh Pinah lead-zinc mine situated near the Orange River in southwestern Namibia. The underground mine has been in operation since 1969, making it a cornerstone of the local mining town, also named Rosh Pinah.

Since taking 90% ownership of RPZ from Canada’s Trevali in 2022, Appian has begun a significant expansion project called RP2.0 — which aims to increase the mill throughput from 700,000 tonnes to 1.3 million tonnes of ore per annum.

The RP2.0 expansion project entails further development of the underground mine, including a newly developed portal and decline to access extended underground deposits. It also involves the construction of new surface facilities, including new paste fill, processing, a new SAG mill and water treatment plants.

Completion in Q3

The newly commissioned paste fill facility 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 said in a statement on Friday.

“Commissioning the paste fill plant represents another major step forward for RP2.0,” RPZ 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.” Completion is expected in the third quarter of 2026, with ramp-up commencing shortly thereafter, according to RPZ.

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

Resource expansion

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 80 km of drilling through 2027.

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