Trigon Metals Updates on Progress for Underground Mining at Kombat, Namibia
Trigon Metals Updates on Progress for Underground Mining at Kombat,
Namibia
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 25, 2023--Trigon Metals Inc. (TSX-V: TM;
OTCQB: PNTZF) (“Trigon” or the “Company”) is pleased to provide an update on work on the
establishment of the Kombat underground mine planned for early 2024. Dewatering the
underground mine began in September 2023. Water levels have decreased 157m in the first
month of pumping and is on track to have the shaft fully dewatered by year-end. This will allow
for mining to begin in the first half of 2024.
In July and August 2023, Trigon installed two powerful (2.5MW) submersible pumps in the
main shaft at Asis West, together with 7.2 MW of emergency backup generators to ensure
uninterrupted power. The water pumped out of the mine is potable and piped into an open canal
that feeds reservoirs near Windhoek, the capital of Namibia. An extensive hydrogeology study
was completed to understand water related to the mine. The pumps have the capacity to remove
in excess of 2,000 cubic metres per hour, sufficiently more than the total inflow when the mine is
completely drained.
Commenting, Jed Richardson, Trigon President and CEO, “Now that open pit mining has
achieved commercial production, processing 1,000 tonnes per day of ore and shipping 250
tonnes of concentrate a week. It is important to understand work is well underway to expand the
mill’s throughput and commence mining from the underground, leading to a tripling of
production profile while lowering production costs and amplifying profitability.”
The mining fleet for underground mining is expected to begin to arrive in December 2023,
providing sufficient time to prepare stopes and train staff before the planned start-up.
Trigon Investor and Local Partner, Knowledge Katti commented, “The Kombat mine is a very
important project for Namibia especially the children from the Kombat community. Once in full
production, Trigon Namibia will deliver sustainable benefits for years to come, including an
expected minimum of 800 direct jobs. The supporting shareholders are all working together as a
partnership to deliver positive outcomes for all our stakeholders. The project has already been
instrumental in supplying underground water to the Namibian national water company. We
anticipate this partnership continuing for the foreseeable future since we upgraded our
infrastructure to be able to pump more water to the Omatako Dam. We are looking forward to
more success on behalf of all stakeholders.”
Trigon Metals Inc.
Trigon is a publicly traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core
business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently,
the company has operations in Namibia and Morocco. In Namibia, the Company holds an 80%
interest in five mining licences in the Otavi Mountainlands, an area of Namibia widely
recognized for its high-grade copper deposits, where the Company is focused on exploration and
re-development of the previously producing Kombat Mine. In Morocco, the Company is the
holder of the Silver Hill and Addana projects, highly prospective copper and silver exploration
projects.
Cautionary Notes
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements
regarding the Kombat Mine, the reopening of the Kombat Mine, the Company’s ability to restart
operations, the dewatering of the Kombat underground mine, the economic viability of the
Kombat Mine, the Company’s ability to mine underground and the related timelines, the impact
of new personnel on the Company’s operations, the ability to obtain adequate equipment and
requisite financing, reliance by the Company on contractors, the infrastructure required for
Trigon’s operations and the Company’s future plans and objectives. These statements are based
on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual
results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and
analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and
filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do
not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by
applicable laws.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts
For further information:
Jed Richardson
+1 647 276 6002
Website: www.trigonmetals.com