Name of the Project
Rosh Pinah expansion (RP2.0).

Location
Namibia.

Project Owner/s
Trevali Mining Corporation.

Project Description
A feasibility study has reaffirmed RP2.0’s robust project economics.

The project has total proven and probable reserves of 12.35-million tonnes grading 6.41% zinc, 1.36% lead and 19.8 g/t silver.

The RP2.0 project will modernise and expand the 50-year-old mine, increasing throughput by 86% – from 700 000 t/y to 1.3-million tonnes a year – and production at a significantly lower operating cost.

Average payable zinc production is estimated at 135-million pounds of zinc.

Payable lead and silver production are estimated at 23.7-million pounds and 303 000 oz respectively.

The feasibility study incorporates a planned upgrade to the comminution circuit to include a new, single-stage semiautogenous grinding mill and pebble crusher. The expansion also includes primary crushing upgrades and an ore blending area, along with other circuit modifications intended to provide increased flotation, thickening, filtration and pumping capacity to achieve the target throughput of 1.3-million tonnes a year. The upgrade will also include several flowsheet modifications aimed at improving the concentrate grade and metal recoveries.

A dedicated portal and decline to the WF3 deposit will be built to support the increase in mine production levels and reduce operating costs. The planned trucking decline is 3.9 km long, excluding level access and stockpiles.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of $156-million and an internal rate of return of 58%, with a payback of 4.6 years.

Capital Expenditure
The expansion will cost $111-million.

Planned Start/End Date
Detailed engineering and procurement of long-lead items is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2021, with construction expected to start in mid-2022.

Commercial production is expected in about mid-2024.

Latest Developments
Trevali has received credit approval from Standard Bank for $110-million to fund the expansion Rosh Pinah. Credit approval follows the fulfilment of a mandate agreement with Standard Bank in March and completion of legal and technical due diligence of the mine and project, including a site visit to the operation.

Trevali is continuing to pursue the arrangement of an export credit agency-backed equipment finance facility, which may increase the amount available under the senior secured financing facility by up to $20-million.

Negotiations for other components of the comprehensive funding package for RP2.0 and the refinancing of the existing corporate revolving credit facility and Glencore loan facility, which mature in September, are ongoing, the company has stated.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
AMC Consultants (mining and mineral reserve estimation, geology and mineral resource estimation, as well as underground infrastructure); DRA Projects (metallurgical and ore processing, as well as ore processing and surface infrastructure aspects).

Contact Details for Project Information
Trevali Mining, tel +1 778 655 5885 or email info@trevali.com.