Ministerial visit to Tsumeb finds out how smelter works

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Hon Obeth Kandjoze (centre right) and the Mining Commissioner, Erasmus Shivolo (centre left) last week paid a second visit to the copper smelter in Tsumeb operated by Canadian extractive company, Dundee Precious Metals.

The minister was hosted by the Managing Director of Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb, Zebra Kasete (second from left), the smelter’s Senior Manager Social Performance, Isai Nekundi (left), a member of the Dundee Advisory Council, Haroldt Uirib (second from right) and the Dundee Communications Manager, Alina Garises.

According to Dundee Precious Metals, the minister said nearly half of the country’s GDP, both directly and indirectly, comes from mining.

The minister visited the smelter to familiarise himself with its production processes, and to witness the Corporate Social Investment projects in which Dundee Precious Metals play a key role.

During the extensive tour of the facility, Kandjoze was shown how the converters operate, the waste disposal site, the slag mill, the crush plant and the recently-completed, high-tech acid plant.

Regarding the N$3.9 billion acid plant, the minister exclaimed “it is extremely superb, excellent work has been done here.”

Afterwards the minister had the opportunity to witness first-hand some of the social projects supported by Dundee Precious Metals for the benefit of local communities in Tsumeb. These projects help community members set up and run micro projects to generate their own income.