CCC Restarts Tschudi Copper Plant in Namibia After Securing $20 Million Loan
UAE-based Consolidated Copper Corp. (CCC) has successfully restarted its processing plant at the Tschudi mine in northern Namibia, marking the production of London Metal Exchange (LME) Grade A copper cathode for the first time since 2020. The plant, originally constructed in 2015, had produced over 80,000 tonnes of high-grade copper cathode before being placed under care and maintenance four years ago.
The revival of operations was made possible through a $20 million loan, as announced by CCC on August 22. This financial injection has not only facilitated the restart of the Tschudi plant but also sets the stage for the potential reopening of three brownfield mines in Namibia.
The restart is in line with the Namibian government's recent policy shift to ban raw mineral exports in an effort to boost local value addition. CCC's Chief Executive, John Sisay, highlighted the broader significance of this development, stating, "Tschudi has the potential to rival the great copper mines of the Central African Copper Belt. However, 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."
The recommissioning of the Tschudi plant has resulted in the creation of 61 new jobs for Namibians, with over 75% of the initial restart budget being spent locally, further emphasizing the project's impact on the local economy. Sisay added, "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."
