Building Namibia's third gold mine

Twin Hills is under construction, positioning Osino Gold Exploration and Mining and its Chinese parent company, Shanjin International Gold, to become key players in Namibia’s expanding gold sector.

The US$475 million (N$7,79 billion) project is expected to produce an average of 162 000 ounces of gold annually over a 13-year mine life.

Located near Karibib in the Erongo Region, Twin Hills will add to Namibia’s existing gold production from Navachab and Otjikoto. The project has more than two million ounces of proven and probable reserves, which supported Shanjin’s decision to acquire Osino in a C$368 million (N$4,25 billion) all-cash transaction completed in August 2024.

The acquisition gave Shanjin, previously known as Yintai Gold, full ownership of what was then one of Africa’s most advanced undeveloped gold projects. It also expanded the company’s exploration interests in Namibia beyond the Twin Hills deposit.

Osino said bulk earthworks, civil works and contractor mobilisation began in 2025, marking the move from feasibility studies into construction. The company expects the construction phase to create about 1 000 jobs, with approximately 800 permanent positions once production begins.

The investment case for Twin Hills was outlined in Osino’s 2023 definitive feasibility study, which proposed a conventional open-pit mine feeding a five-million-tonne-per-year carbon-in-leach processing plant.

The study estimated a gold recovery rate of 92% and a payback period of 2,2 years.

Since the discovery of the deposit in 2019, more than 282 000 metres of drilling have been completed to define the resource. Measured and indicated resources currently stand at 84,3 million tonnes grading 1,08 grams of gold per tonne, equivalent to about 2,94 million ounces. A further 250 000 ounces are classified as inferred resources.

Construction milestones

In July, Osino reported continued progress on infrastructure development at the site. The company said construction had reached several key milestones, including completion of the 66kV transmission line connecting the Erongo substation to the Twin Hills site.

Excavation work for the project’s new substation has also started, while construction continues on the 11kV power distribution network.

At the processing plant, Osino said work remained on schedule, with major civil works underway on the primary crusher, mill area, tank foundations, pipe racks and conveyor infrastructure.

“The Mining Support Area has now been completed, with major civil works progressing on the primary crusher, mill area, tank foundations, pipe racks and conveyor infrastructure,” the company said.

Supporting facilities, including the Plant Administration Building, First Aid and Emergency Response Building and workshop offices, are also nearing completion.

Construction is continuing on the training facility, security buildings and other infrastructure required for future operations.

Road and water infrastructure have also advanced, with surface works underway on the main access road and mine access roads reaching key construction milestones.

Osino said work was continuing on the water pipeline connecting Twin Hills to the regional supply network after the required wayleave approvals were obtained.

The company said additional resources had been deployed to critical areas to maintain construction progress and quality standards.

“As construction progresses, these milestones continue to position the Twin Hills Gold Project towards its targeted commissioning timeline while creating employment opportunities and contributing to Namibia’s growing mining sector,” Osino said.

For Namibia, Twin Hills represents a potential expansion of the country’s gold production base, alongside existing operations at Navachab and Otjikoto.