Berg Aukas
Berg Aukas Is In The Pipeline
Berg Aukas is a historical underground zinc mine, currently in care and maintenance. This development asset has been managed by Consolidated Copper Corp since mid 2022.
To assure the sustainability and longevity of the mine, CCC is investing in extensive pre-feasibility research to determine the most suitable and value adding course of action for future restart activities of Berg Aukas.
Future works for Berg Aukas will include the assessment of marketing and exploration opportunities, with an ex-Glencore underground mining specialist recruited to assist on our portfolio of underground mines (Central Operations and Berg Aukas, respectively).
Overview
The zinc-lead-vanadium deposit of Berg Aukas was discovered in 1913. The mine was operational on and off from 1920 onwards in varying capacities.
Grade
A PFS of the Berg Aukas mine, last updated in 2018, has identified a variety of minerals below the surface. The project hosts a historical resource estimate (JORC 2004) of 1.26Mt grading 15.47% zinc and 3.84% lead. A Definitive Feasibility Study will identify optimum mine life and treatment options through a metallurgical testwork programme. An early restart programme on retreating known feed will be analysed with the possibility that a simple DMS process may be able to be used in the initial stages.
There is potential for a 10+ year life of mine.
Location
The Berg Aukas mine is located about 100km southeast of Tschudi copper mine site and the Otavi Mountain Range. It is within an easy driving distance of the farming town of Grootfontein, which has a rail terminus for North Eastern Namibia.
Timeline
1950 - 1980: Site History
A Lead-Zinc-Vanadium Mine
The Berg Aukas mine opened in the 1920s and was significantly operational from 1958 to 1978.
From 1967 to 1978 it was reported that 2.3Mt of material at 15.0% zinc, 3.9% lead and 0.85% vanadium oxide were hoisted from the mine and, of this, 1.5Mt of ore at 21.5% zinc, 5.5% lead and 1.23% vanadium oxide was milled. The mine closed in 1978 with significant resources remaining unexploited.
1980 - 2015: Berg Aukas Out Of Operation
This Multi-Mineral Mine Remained Underutilised
In 2014, China Africa Resources, a previous mine operator identified an “exceptionally high-grade zinc and lead deposit, with significant infrastructure in place including a 700m shaft and underground development for a rapid, cost-effective reopening of the mine”. Their quest to restart Berg Aukas was never fulfilled, with Berg Aukas lapsing back into care and maintenance.
2015 - Current: Consolidated Copper Corp Takes The Lead
Excitement Builds to Restart a Mine with Huge Potential
China Africa Resources completed a PFS in 2014 and CCC is currently having this updated. The first phase of restart is now underway and significant resource expansion potential has been identified at the asset.
Project Gallery
Next Steps at Berg Aukas
- Targeting review of marketing and exploration opportunities
- Continue seeking a processing solution for the underground mine
- Explore capacity for additional concentrator to toll treat other ores
With a leadership team passionate about building on existing opportunities in Namibia, the Berg Aukas mine is perfect for a restart. The mine will provide new opportunities for employment of the Namibian locals. From a sustainability perspective, grid connection is available with renewable purchasing options to be evaluated.
