Xinfeng processing plant making progress

Xinfeng Investments Namibia, a subsidiary of Tangshan Xinfeng Thermal Group Company, holds lithium mining license no. ML243 and has invested over N$600 million to date. According to spokesperson Hardin Fredericks, this figure is rapidly approaching N$800 million.“Since 2022, we have steadily increased the number of employees at both our mines in Omaruru and Uis. To date, the number of employees is 160 permanent jobs and another 140 temporary jobs, totalling 300 workers,” he said recently.Fredericks added that the processing plant is state-of-the-art and one of only three on the continent that deploy dense medium separation technology. This technology has proven to be efficient, especially in terms of limited water use and reduced operational costs.Full operationalisation is expected before the end of the year.Valuable China is among the top three lithium-producing countries in the world and remains the number one consumer of lithium due to its expanding EV industries. Lithium, a commodity in high demand, is used in batteries, digital cameras, glass and ceramics, to name a few. It is a soft, silvery-white alkali metal, and Xinfeng has built a value chain around its exploitation.Supporting the processing plant, the company’s Uis mine continues to operate. However, the open pit mine “has not exported a single tonne of ore since the final approvals were granted by the minister of mines in November 2023. During 2023, the tonnes exported were used for testing and the result has been the construction of an efficient and fit-for-purpose processing plant,” said Fredericks.“A key result of the 2023 tests proved that there was a significant difference in the quality of lithium ore mined in Namibia, and that required rigorous testing,” he added. “The company remains committed to comply fully with the directive issued by the Namibian government for local beneficiation. The Uis investment remains a priority in light of the stock feed to be expected for processing,” he said.EnvironmentSince 2022, Xinfeng has worked closely with Longfire Investment, a registered Namibian entity, in a joint venture agreement.“In 2023, we were awarded our environmental clearance certificate (ECC) by the ministry of environment and tourism,” Fredericks said.The ECC vets environmental mitigation strategies and technologies deployed to protect the environment and ensure people work in safe spaces, he added. “We depend on that social license for our projects to be deemed as successful,” Fredericks stressed.The current forecast indicates a life of mine for a minimum of 15 years, he added.Social supportXinfeng, meanwhile, has donated N$50 000 to the historic Martin Luther High School and has contributed to the Havana Project School in Windhoek. Moreover, a N$100 000 contribution in support of the Omaruru Town Council was used for the procurement of food parcels for 600 elderly and vulnerable people.

Xinfeng processing plant making progress

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-06

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Xinfeng processing plant making progress

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Namibian Sun 2025-08-06

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