Rosh Pinah, Namibia – Appian Capital Advisory has announced the successful commissioning of a new water treatment and recycling plant at the Rosh Pinah Zinc Mine (RPZ), marking a major milestone in sustainable mining practices in Namibia.
The state-of-the-art facility is a central component of Appian’s RP2.0 expansion project at the underground zinc-lead mine, which the London-based investment adviser acquired in 2023. The plant significantly reduces the mine’s reliance on freshwater from the Orange River by treating and recycling process water at scale.
The new water treatment plant forms a key pillar of Rosh Pinah Zinc’s long-term environmental strategy. By retreating and recycling process water, the operation is expected to dramatically lower its freshwater consumption while reducing its overall environmental footprint in the arid southern Namibia region.
This development is particularly significant given the growing pressure on water resources in Namibia and the importance of the Orange River, which serves both mining operations and local communities. The plant strengthens water security for surrounding communities while allowing the mine to scale production responsibly under the RP2.0 expansion.
The water treatment plant commissioning follows the recent successful launch of Namibia’s first paste backfill plant at Rosh Pinah Zinc. Both projects are part of the comprehensive RP2.0 expansion, which is now more than 90% complete, on schedule, and on budget. Full project completion is targeted for the end of 2025.
The RP2.0 project is designed to increase production capacity, extend the mine’s life, and embed world-class environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards into the operation.Ignacio Bustamante, Head of Base Metals at Appian Capital Advisory, commented
“Commissioning the water treatment plant is an important step in delivering on our environmental commitments as we scale the operation under RP2.0. Responsible water management is critical to both our operations and our ESG standards. This milestone demonstrates our commitment to building a sustainable, long-term operation with a high standard of environmental stewardship.”
Key Benefits of the Water Treatment Plant
- Reduced freshwater dependency on the Orange River
- Lower environmental impact through large-scale water recycling
- Improved operational resilience in a water-scarce region
- Enhanced community water security by preserving shared water resources
- Stronger ESG performance, supporting Appian’s value-focused investment strategy
Namibia’s mining industry is a vital contributor to the national economy, but it operates in one of the driest countries on Earth. Projects like Rosh Pinah Zinc’s water treatment plant set a new benchmark for responsible mining in Southern Africa, demonstrating how modern water management technologies can support both increased production and environmental protection.
