CHAMWE KAIRA
Okorusu Fluorspar mine is planning a new a rare earth element plant, the company announced in documents in which it is applying for an amendment in its environment clearance certificate.
The mine is currently on care and maintenance except for intermittent small-scale mining and processing of magnetite. The graphite processing plant that was constructed in 2016 has been decommissioned.
“Through the construction and operation of a new rare earth element processing plant, the Okorusu mine has the potential once again to contribute to the Otjozondjupa region’s socio-economic development through local job creation,” the company said.
Okorusu Fluorspar is the owner of the land upon which the processing plants are situated and the holder of the mining licences ML90 & ML179, intends to apply for an amendment to the conditions of the environmental clearance certificate.
“The proponent is applying for the addition of a rare earth element processing plant and the cessation of graphite processing at the mine,” the company said.
Okorusu is the holder of the mining licence 90 (ML90) and has 100% Namibian Shareholding.
The company said the processing plant construction will occur over the site of the decommissioned graphite processing plant.
“Construction will begin soon after the approval of the environmental clearance application. Conceptual design layouts are under development. No changes to any other area of the mine’s processing site will be made. All changes are to be confined to the area delineated for rare earth element processing.”
The company explained that in the place of graphite processing plant the new rare earth processing plant will be established.
The location of the rare earth processing plant site relative to the other components within the
Okorusu mine’s accessory works’ footprint, the company said.
Okorusu Mine is a subsidiary of the Canadian company Northern Graphite and is situated near Otjiwarongo.
China is the biggest producer of rare elements in the world. The other big producers are the US, Brazil, Canada, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
The outlook for rare earths is supported by strong supply and demand fundamentals as the world heads into a new economic era with a focus on clean energy and technological advancements.
