Chamwe Kaira
Koryx Copper says it has made significant progress on infrastructure planning for its flagship Haib Copper Project in southern Namibia, including signing a memorandum of understanding with NamPower for a bulk electricity supply connection and advancing plans for water supply from the Orange River.
The company announced the developments as it continues work toward completing a pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the project, which is expected to be published later this year.
Under the agreement with NamPower, Koryx and the national power utility will begin designing the grid connection infrastructure required to support the mine’s operations.
The project’s power requirements are expected to be met through a hybrid system combining electricity from the national grid with solar photovoltaic generation and the potential addition of battery energy storage systems.
The proposed power system is designed to meet an estimated peak demand of 152 MVA and annual electricity consumption of about 1,131 GWh.
Electricity would be supplied through a new double-circuit 220 kV overhead transmission line linking the mine to NamPower’s Harib Substation, located approximately 68 kilometers away.
Koryx said the design will allow for future expansion to 200 MVA, enabling the possible introduction of electric haul trucks equipped with trolley-assist technology, which could significantly reduce diesel consumption.
The company noted that the project will require substantial upgrades to existing NamPower infrastructure as well as the construction of new transmission assets aimed at strengthening the national grid in southern Namibia.
Upon completion, the infrastructure is expected to be handed over to NamPower for operation and maintenance.
Discussions are continuing with NamPower to secure a formal grid power supply offer, which will serve as the basis for a final power supply agreement.
On water supply, Koryx is evaluating two options to meet the mine’s estimated raw water demand of 20 million cubic meters annually.
These include sourcing water from the Orange River, located about 20 kilometers south of the project site, or from the Neckartal Dam, approximately 260 kilometers to the north.
The company said water from the Orange River remains the preferred option from both technical and financial perspectives.
Plans include a single abstraction point on the river and the development of off-channel water storage facilities to manage seasonal fluctuations and drought conditions.
Hydrological studies have indicated that a dedicated on-site reservoir will be required to ensure reliable supply during periods when river abstraction is restricted due to low water levels or drought.
Koryx said it is continuing its engagement with NamWater to ensure compliance with national water supply standards.
Once completed, the water infrastructure is expected to be transferred to NamWater, which would operate and maintain the system under an agreed tariff arrangement.
Koryx president and chief executive officer Heye Daun said recent metallurgical test work at the Haib project had confirmed the potential to improve processing grades through the use of coarse particle flotation technology.
Koryx Copper, headquartered in Luxembourg, owns 100% of the Haib Copper Project and is also expanding its copper exploration portfolio in Zambia.
