Navachab Gold Mine is exploring the possibility of extending its life beyond the limits of its open pit as it advances an underground exploration programme targeting about 350,000 ounces of inferred mineral resources.
The mine, which has been producing gold since 1989, is currently a conventional open-pit operation but has begun underground development and exploration as part of efforts to better understand mineral resources that extend beyond the ultimate open-pit limit. Speaking during Navachab’s first Media Day in Karibib on Friday, Managing Director George Botshiwe said the current underground phase should not yet be interpreted as a final decision to move the mine into full-scale underground production. “An underground trial mine in 2022 and 2023 produced encouraging results,” Botshiwe said. He said the present phase is primarily focused on creating platforms for further exploration and geotechnical drilling.
The programme includes approximately 22 kilometres of exploration drilling and four kilometres of geotechnical drilling, with the aim of upgrading about 350 000 ounces of inferred material into the indicated category. Navachab’s underground portal recorded its first blast on 15 September 2025, with underground development and exploration continuing. The mine has contracted Australian underground mining specialist Byrnecut to assist with the underground project. Navachab says the arrangement also includes succession planning and training aimed at transferring specialist skills to Namibian employees. The distinction between exploration and actual underground production remains important. According to information presented to the media, any future underground production remains subject to technical and feasibility studies, approvals and investment decisions. The mine is also considering a major processing expansion.
A proposed 1 000-tonne-per-hour flotation project forms part of the broader Navachab Plant Expansion Study. The study indicates the potential to increase annual gold production from approximately 140 000–150 000 ounces to between 220 000 and 230 000 ounces. The study also indicates the potential to increase the mining rate from around 30 million tonnes per annum to between 60 million and 65 million tonnes. The estimated expansion capital, excluding the mining fleet, is approximately US$400 million. Botshiwe said these possibilities provided reason for optimism but stressed that technical and feasibility work would guide future investment decisions. Navachab currently has a reported mineral reserve of 2.43 million ounces at 0.99 grams per tonne and a mineral resource of 5.16 million ounces at 1.14 grams per tonne.
The mine, located near Karibib in the Erongo Region, has been operating for more than three decades. QKR Mineral Holdings owns 93.73% of Navachab, while 6.27% is held by Epangelo. The current underground work therefore represents an important stage in determining whether some of the mineral wealth beyond the open pit can eventually support another chapter in the mine’s history.
By Sharlien Tjambari
