Dundee’s multi-billion acid plant officially opens

Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb official opened its multi-billion dollar sulphuric acid plant at a gala ceremony in Tsumeb early this week.
The ceremony was attended by the President H.E. Hage Geingob, the Canadian High Commissioner to Namibia, senior government ministers, governors, local officials, senior company representatives and other invited guests such as key contractors and partners including: Outotec, Protea Chemicals, Transnamib, Murray Roberts and many others.
In his address, Dr. Geingob congratulated Dundee and key stakeholders on the work that has been accomplished. “I wish to thank you most sincerely for having accorded me the opportunity to be a part of this milestone in Namibian investment and mining technology,” he said.
The acid plant captures sulphur dioxide (S02) emissions that are part of the mineral smelting process and uses them to produce sulphuric acid which is a critical component for the mining industry in Namibia.
The plant also reduces the unpleasant odour associated with S02 that has plagued the community of Tsumeb since smelting began in the region over 50 years ago.
Built at a cost of almost NAD$2.6 billion the plant created over 1,400 contract jobs during construction and currently provides 50 full time positions. It is the only sulphuric acid plant in Namibia which means mining companies can now acquire the commodity domestically.