Green sulphuric acid plant for Tsumeb
Construction of the N$2.3 billion sulphuric acid plant in Tsumeb started on 05 September when two ministers broke the ground for this new industrial facility. The plant will produce sulphuric acid captured from smelter waste and sold to uranium mines in the Erongo Region.
required by the copper smelter operated by Dundee Precious Metals Tsumeb.
The groundbreaking ceremony marked the official start of an intensive one-year construction project aimed at eliminating problematic sulphur dioxide gas that is released during the copper-smelting process.
From an environmental perspective, the plant will finally solve the issue of sulphur dioxide emissions that have plagued Tsumeb residents since the smelter opened in 1963. Once completed, the plant will capture and convert sulphur dioxide into a value-added product, namely sulphuric acid, to be sold to uranium miners for use in their production processes. Currently, these companies import sulphuric acid from abroad. The facility will be capable of producing between 270,000 and 340,000 tons of acid annually.
In 2012, the Dundee Precious Metals board led by then CEO Jonathan Goodman travelled to Namibia to tour the Tsumeb Smelter and meet President Pohamba and senior ministers to discuss Dundee’s short and long-term investment commitment to the project and to the country. This week, the new CEO, Rick Howes, along with other DPM officials, met Prime Minister Hage Geingob to update him on the progress made since Dundee Precious Metals acquired the smelter in 2010. Geingob welcomed DPM’s investment and emphasized the need for the company to continue its commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring the health and safety of the workforce.
