Khoemacau looks to soar on strong copper prices
Friday, May 13, 2022 | 3050 Views |
Ramping up: A truck being loaded at Khoemacau PIC: KHOEMACAU.COM
Built at $412 million (P5 billion), Khoemacau Copper Silver Mine is currently the country’s sole producer of the base metal, as efforts are ongoing to resuscitate the BCL Mines and the Mowana operation, now known as Kopano Copper Mine. Khoemacau produced its first copper-silver concentrate in July last year and in February, officials said production rates were at about 40% of the nameplate 65,000 tonnes and two million ounces of copper concentrate per annum.
With copper prices having risen by about 125% since March 2020, driven by resilient Chinese demand and slowing global production, Khoemacau Copper Mining CEO Johan Ferreira said the emerging mine was looking to ride the wave.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...