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Weatherly reviews Tsumeb West, Tsumeb Tailings

With construction of its Tschudi mine anticipated to be completed on time and within budget, Weatherly has set its sights on the Tsumeb West and Tsumeb Tailings projects for possible revival, according to Rob Webster, CEO of Weatherly Mining Namibia.
He said: “ There are no current plans to reopen the old Tsumeb Mine but options are being reviewed regarding the Tsumeb West and Tsumeb Tailings projects.
Weatherly also operates the Matchless Mine and the Otjihase Mine, both in the vicinity of Windhoek. Production from these mines have in the recent past bolstered the finances of the mining house and have provided the necessary capital for the initiation of its Tschudi mining project.

Quoting the Business Reporter, Weatherly plc CEO Craig Thomas said about the projects, “They have made a lot of money in 2011 and, although the price of copper meant they did not generate as much as in the second year, it was still enough cash to allow us to develop Tschudi.”
Otjihase and Matchless have an anticipated remaining mining life of at least 10 years but are no longer Weatherly’s main focus according to Thomas. Figures obtained from the Chamber of Mines of Namibia Annual Review indicate that Weatherly produced 5,182 tonnes of copper these two mines.
Added Thomas, “What we like about Tschudi is that it is a straightforward open pit. At this moment it is just designed to reach 200 metres depth and, in that, we have a reserve of 23 million tonnes at just under 1% copper.
A ground breaking ceremony for the Tschudi mining project was held late in 2013. It is anticipated that the mine will commence production in the second quarter of 2015 and will become the first mine to produce pure refined copper metal in Namibia.

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