Trigon Metals issues update on underground mining at Kombat mine
Trigon Metals Inc. has provided an update on the progress of its Kombat underground mine project in Namibia, with a focus on the dewatering efforts and preparations for mining.
Dewatering of the underground mine began in September 2023, and the company has reported a significant decrease in water levels. In the first month of pumping, water levels decreased by 157 meters, and they are on track to fully dewater the shaft by the end of the year.
Kombat underground mine
Trigon installed two powerful 2.5MW submersible pumps in the main shaft at Asis West, along with 7.2 MW of emergency backup generators to ensure uninterrupted power for the dewatering process. The water pumped out of the mine is potable and is piped into an open canal, which feeds reservoirs near Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. This water management system is part of the company’s responsible resource utilization.
An extensive hydrogeology study was completed to understand the water conditions related to the mine. This is crucial for managing water resources during mining operations. Trigon mentioned that open-pit mining has already achieved commercial production, processing 1,000 tonnes of ore per day and shipping 250 tonnes of concentrate per week. The company is actively working to expand the mill’s throughput and plans to commence underground mining, which is expected to triple the production profile while reducing costs and increasing profitability.
The mining fleet for underground operations is expected to begin arriving in December 2023. This will provide sufficient time to prepare stopes (underground mining chambers) and train staff in preparation for the planned start-up in early 2024.
Trigon’s local partner, Knowledge Katti, emphasized the importance of the Kombat mine project for Namibia, especially for the local community. The project is expected to create a minimum of 800 direct jobs, and it has already played a role in supplying underground water to the Namibian national water company.
