https://newsletter.mw.creamermedia.com
Copper|Energy|Renewable Energy|Solar|Technology|Bearing|Cables|Operations
Copper|Energy|Renewable Energy|Solar|Technology|Bearing|Cables|Operations
copper|energy|renewable-energy|solar|technology|bearing|cables|operations

China's Sinomine halts Namibia copper smelter, citing concentrate shortage due to global 'overcapacity'

The Tsumeb smelter

Photo by Sinomine

6th June 2025

By: Reuters

  

Font size: - +

China's Sinomine Resource Group said on Friday it has temporarily paused copper smelting operations at its Tsumeb plant in Namibia, citing a shortage of concentrate following a rapid expansion in smelter capacity worldwide.

Sinomine acquired the Tsumeb smelter, one of the few facilities in the world that can treat arsenic and lead-bearing copper concentrates, from Dundee Precious Metals in 2024.

The smelter, with capacity to process 240 000 metric tons of copper concentrate annually, has previously processed metal from countries such as Chile, Peru and Bulgaria.

Global copper smelting capacity has expanded rapidly in recent years, outstripping production of the metal whose demand has been boosted by its use in renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicles.

Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter CEO Loggan Lou said in a statement that increased smelting capacity in major copper-producing regions has "resulted in substantial overcapacity".

"This has led to a shortage of copper concentrate, placing

pressure on smelters worldwide, including Tsumeb," Lou said.

Sinomine plans to upgrade the smelter to enable the commercial production of multiple critical metals and minerals.

Last September, Sinomine announced that the Tsumeb Smelter contains 746 metric tons of germanium, a critical mineral essential for chipmaking, infrared technology, fibre optic cables, and solar cells.

The smelter is also exploring the addition of germanium and zinc smelting lines to the smelter.

Edited by Reuters

Comments

Showroom

Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd
Hanna Instruments (Pty) Ltd

We supply customers with practical affordable solutions for their testing needs. Our products include benchtop, portable, in-line process control...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Alcohol Breathalysers
Alcohol Breathalysers

Supplier & Distributor of the Widest Range of Accurate & Easy-to-Use Alcohol Breathalysers

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Magazine round up | 06 June 2025
Magazine round up | 06 June 2025
6th June 2025
This week: Following Shuka, two more JSE listings on way; Valterra Platinum makes its debut on the JSE; and, Key public-private direction missing in new draft Minerals Bill, Junior Indaba hears
Resources Watch
4th June 2025

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.156 0.23s - 127pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now