Sostenus Wilherm
Navachab Gold Mine is positioning itself for further growth, with a proposed of an estimated N$6.67 billion(US400 million) plant expansion, underground exploration and increased local procurement. This is expected to strengthen its contribution to Namibia’s economy.
The Karibib-based mine spent about N$2.962 billion on procurement in 2025, of which N$2.376 billion was recorded as expenditure in Namibia, while approximately N$41 million was spent locally in Karibib.
Executive director George Botshiwe said the mine’s approach to procurement was aimed at ensuring more value remained within Namibia, particularly where local companies had the capacity to supply the mining operation.
“Our approach is simple, what we can source locally, we intentionally do,” Botshiwe said.
He said Navachab wanted local businesses to grow into competitive suppliers capable of serving not only the mine but other mining operations and sectors.
“Where Namibian businesses can supply competitively, we will continue looking for responsible ways to open the door to their participation,” he said.
The figures were shared during Navachab’s media education held in Karibib on Friday, where the mine outlined its operations, economic contribution, community investments and future development plans.
The mine recorded its highest annual gold production in 2025, producing 4 067 kilograms, representing a 4% increase from 3 902 kilograms produced in 2024.
Mining production reached 21.1 million tonnes in 2025, while processing production stood at 130.7 thousand ounces.
Botshiwe said the record production was part of the mine’s continued efforts to improve a mature operation while preparing it for the future.
“Those are technical names for a practical task – improving how safely and efficiently we mine and process the resource,” he said.
Navachab began its commercial production in 1989, currently operates as a conventional open-pit gold mine, with silver produced as a by-product.
The mine was acquired by QKR from AngloGold Ashanti in 2014, with QKR Mineral Holdings holding 93.73% and Epangelo holding 6.27%.
The mine has mineral reserves of 2.43 million ounces at 0.99 grams per tonne and mineral resources of 5.16 million ounces at 1.14 grams per tonne.
Its future plans include underground exploration, with the mine having commenced trackless underground mining at the end of 2025.
Botshiwe stressed that Navachab should not yet be regarded as an underground mine, saying the current phase is primarily aimed at exploration and geotechnical drilling.
The programme seeks to upgrade about 350 000 ounces of inferred material into the indicated category through approximately 22 kilometres of exploration drilling and four kilometres of geotechnical drilling.
“Any future underground production remains subject to the feasibility work,” Botshiwe said.
A final decision on full-scale underground production is expected by the end of 2027.
Navachab is also studying a proposed 1 000-tonne-per-hour flotation project as part of its broader plant expansion study.
The Class 1 study indicates potential to increase recovered ounces from approximately 1.6 million to 3.5 million ounces and annual gold production from about 140 000–150 000 ounces to between 220 000 and 230 000 ounces.
The expansion could also increase the mining rate from approximately 30 million tonnes per annum to between 60 million and 65 million tonnes, with estimated capital expenditure of about US$400 million, excluding the mining fleet.
Beyond production, Botshiwe said Navachab’s economic footprint extended to taxes, wages, skills development and community investment.
In 2025, the mine spent N$2.3 million on training and skills development and provided practical industry exposure to more than 100 interns.
The operation currently employs 911 people, including 735 permanent employees, 168 temporary employees and seven expatriates, while 573 contractors support its operations.
The mine also spent more than N$33 million on corporate social investment projects in 2025, including the Karibib Medical Centre, Usakos SME Park, Otjimbingwe Mortuary, Usab informal settlement electrification, school renovations and traffic lights in Karibib.
Botshiwe said the mine’s responsibility extended beyond production.
“A successful operation must be safe and responsible as well as productive,” he said.
Navachab has recorded 17 years without a workplace fatality and, as of 15 July, had achieved 12 consecutive months without a lost-time injury and four million lost-time injury-free man-hours.
Botshiwe said the mine recognised that mining remained inherently risky and that safety could not be compromised for production.
“Our duty as leaders is to manage those risks with discipline, every day, and to make sure every employee understands that no production target is more important than returning home safely,” he said.
