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Otjihase

Producer in Namibia with commodities Copper, Gold, Silver, Sulfur, Zinc
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Sections on this page
  1. Identification information
  2. Geographic coordinates
  3. Site location context
  4. Geographic areas
  5. Commodities
  6. Materials information
  7. Nearby scientific data
  8. Ore body information
  9. Economic information about the deposit and operations
  10. Mining district
  11. Mineral rights holdings
  12. Ownership information
  13. Production statistics
  14. Reserves and resources
  15. Workings at the site
  16. Links to other databases
  17. Bibliographic references
  18. General comments
  19. Reporter information

Geologic information

Identification information

Deposit ID 10231627
MAS/MILS ID 7920000007
Record type Site
Current site name Otjihase
Alternate or previous names Otjihase Mine

Geographic coordinates

Point of reference Ore Body
Geographic coordinates: 17.18481, -22.33019 (WGS84)
Elevation 2000
Location accuracy 1000(meters)

Site location context

Political divisions (FIPS codes)

Namibia(country)

Africa(continent)

Land(continent)

Geographic areas

Country
Namibia

Commodities

Commodity Importance
Copper Primary
Gold Secondary
Silver Secondary
Sulfur Tertiary
Zinc Critical Tertiary

Materials information

Materials Type of material
Chalcopyrite Unknown
Pyrite Unknown
Quartz Unknown
Sphalerite Unknown

Nearby scientific data

Ore Body (1) 17.18481, -22.33019
ListMap

Economic information

Ore body information

  • Strike N77E
    Dip 16N
    Thickness 2.5M
    Length 900M
    Width 1800M
    Depth to top 250M
    Field Value
    MAS Matrix # 1
    MAS Column # 1
    Type of Orebody #1 REPLACEMENT
    Shape of Orebody #1 LENTICULAR
    Primary mode of Origin METAMORPHISM
    Primary Ore Control UNKNOWN
    Degree of Wallrock Alter. INTENSE
    Type of Wallrock Alter. #1 SILICIFICATION
    Strike And Dip N77E:16N
    Minimum Depth to Top 0
    Avg. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Min. Thick. Unconsol. Mat. 0
    Date of Last Modification 810813

Comments on the geologic information

  • OREBODY OCCURS WITHIN AMPHIBOLITE BELT IN KHEIS SYSTEM OF PRECAMBRIAN AGE.THE AMPHIBOLITE BELT IS 400 KM LONG AND STRETCHES SW OF WINDHOEK. ORE BODY IS A NARROW (AVG.THICKNESS 2.5 M, RANGE FROM LESS THAN 1 M TO 5 M), ELONGATED, LENTICULAR SHAPE.

Economic information about the deposit and operations

Operation type Underground
Development status Producer
Commodity type Both
Significant Yes
Discovery year 1972
Mining method Open Stope - Pillar and Chamber
Year of first production 1975
Milling method Flotation

Mining district

District name Windhoek

Mineral rights holdings

Type of mineral rights Fee Ownership
Type of mineral rights Private Lease

Ownership information

  • Type Operator
    Owner Tsumeb Corp. Ltd.
    Home office Namibia
    Year 1993
  • Type Owner
    Owner Gold Fields Of South Africa Ltd.
    Interest 70
    Home office South Africa
    Year 1993
  • Type Owner
    Owner Otjihase Mining Corp. Ltd.
    Interest 30
    Home office Namibia
    Year 1993

Comments on the ownership information

  • MINERS DEVELOPMENT PTY. LTD. IS OWNED 50% BY FELDMAR LTD. OF SOUTH AFRICA AND 50% BY THE CONTINENTAL ORE CORP. OF THE UNITED STATES. IN DEC. 1980 THE TSUMEB CORP PURCHASED A 70% INTEREST IN OJITHASE (JOINT VENTURE CO. NAME UNKNOWN-30% OJITHASE MINING AND 70% TSUMEB). PURCHASE OBLIGATED TSUMEB TO PROVIDE FUNDS TO A MAXIMUM OF R 25,500,000 TO BRING OJITHASE TO A TARGET PROD. OF 65,000 MT ORE/MO BEGINNING IN 1982. PURCHASE PRICE = R 32,000,000 - 30% OF CAPITAL NECESSARY TO BRING UP TO TARGET PROD. RATE (PAYABLE TO OJITHASE IN ANNUAL INSTALLMENTS OF R 1,200,000, FREE OF INTEREST).

Production statistics

  • Year 1985
    Description 1.89% Cu, 7 G Ag 832700 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 7g/mt
  • Year 1986
    Description 2.02% Cu, 7 G Ag 867700 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 7g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1987
    Description 2.02% Cu, 7 G Ag 546800 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 7g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1988
    Description 1.93% Cu, 6 G Ag 831600 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 6g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1989
    Description 1.81% Cu, 6 G Ag 763500 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 6g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1990
    Description 1.48% Cu, 5 G Ag 630500 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1wt-pct
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 5g/mt
  • Year 1991
    Description 1.46% Cu, 6 G Ag 651800 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 6g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 1g/mt
  • Year 1992
    Description 1.77% Cu, 6 G Ag 711500 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Trace Ore Silver Silver 6g/mt
    Major Ore Copper Copper 2wt-pct
  • Year 1993
    Description 1.84% Cu 779000 Mt Ore
    Importance Item Commodity Group Amount recovered Grade Recovery percentage
    Major Ore Copper Copper 779000mt 2wt-pct

Comments on the production information

  • A "SMALL" AMOUNT OF ZN CONC. WAS PRODUCED AS BYPRODUCT FROM 1976-1977 AND STOCKPILED IN ANTICIPATION OF FINDING A MARKET.THE ZN GRADE OF ORE OR AMOUNT PRODUCED IS NOT KNOWN,THEREFORE ZN PRODUCTION WAS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE FIRST COST STUDY. PYRITE PRODUCTION IS NOT REGULAR ENOUGH TO BE CONSIDERED A BYPRODUCT IN THIS 1980 STUDY. SAME FOR ZINC. AG IS PRESENT IN THE CU CONC AND WILL BE RECOVERED AT THE SMELTER WITH A 96% RECOVERY TO PRODUCE A 100% AG BYPRDCT.
  • AS OF JULY,1972 24 DRILL HOLES (DEEPEST TO 183 M BELOW SURFACE)-20 HOLES HAD INTERSECTED ORE.INDICATED RESERVE AT THIS TIME WAS 4,500,000 MT AT 2.8% CU. DURING 1973-1974:14 TO 16 DEGREE PROSPECT WINZE TO DEPTH OF 55M&PROSPECT DRIFT OF 458 M ALONG STRIKE.

Reserves and resources

  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Demonstrated 12523000mt ore
    Total resources 12523000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.55 wt-pct Copper Major 1993
    Silver Ag 10 g/mt Silver Minor 1993
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1986
    Demonstrated 8297000mt ore
    Total resources 8297000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.3 wt-pct Copper Major 1986
    Silver Ag 8.5 g/mt Silver Minor 1986
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1987
    Demonstrated 7786000mt ore
    Total resources 7786000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.42 wt-pct Copper Major 1987
    Silver Ag 9 g/mt Silver Minor 1987
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1988
    Demonstrated 8132000mt ore
    Total resources 8132000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.38 wt-pct Copper Major 1988
    Silver Ag 9 g/mt Silver Minor 1988
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1989
    Demonstrated 7204000mt ore
    Total resources 7204000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.35 wt-pct Copper Major 1989
    Silver Ag 9.1 g/mt Silver Minor 1989
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1990
    Demonstrated 7438000mt ore
    Total resources 7438000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.27 wt-pct Copper Major 1990
    Silver Ag 9 g/mt Silver Minor 1990
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1991
    Demonstrated 10868000mt ore
    Total resources 10868000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.46 wt-pct Copper Major 1991
    Silver Ag 10.9 g/mt Silver Minor 1991
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1992
    Demonstrated 10177000mt ore
    Total resources 10177000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.62 wt-pct Copper Major 1992
    Silver Ag 10 g/mt Silver Minor 1992
  • Type In-situ
    Estimate year 1993
    Demonstrated 12523000mt ore
    Total resources 12523000mt ore
    Commodity Subtype Grade units Group Importance Year
    Copper Cu 2.55 wt-pct Copper Major 1993
    Silver Ag 10 g/mt Silver Minor 1993

Comments on the reserve resource information

  • RESERVE TONNAGE OF 19,430,000 MT =PUBLISHED RESERVE ESTIMATE OF 23,000,000 MT * .91(EXTRACTION)- 1,500,000 MT(ESTIMATED PRODUCTION,JULY 1976 TO JAN.1978. S GRADE ESTIMATED FROM PROD.FIGURES AND AN ASSUMED RECOVERY OF 80%.
  • TSUMEB CORP., 1988 AR, P13. (12/31/88) TSUMEB CORP., 1986 AR, P9. (12/31/86)

Workings at the site

  • Type of workings Underground
    Length 1125M
    Field Value
    MAS Development Schedule # 1
    Mining Record # 1
    Status of Mining Method PROPOSED
    Mining Method ROOM AND PILLAR 10-34
    Percent Waste Rock 0
    Percent Recovery 90
    Hardness of Rock HARDROCK WITH LITTLE WATER
    Rock Characteristics UNKNOWN
    Rock Support Chars. SUPPORTING MAY BACK SLAB
    Mine Support Chars. POST, HEADBOARD, CAPS, ROOF BOLTS
    Length of Inclines (m) 215
    Slope of Inclines 15
    Number of Inclines 1
    Avg. Length of Adits (m) 200
    Number of Adits 2
    Capacity 2788
    Capacity Units MT ORE/DAY
    Units of Production $/MT ORE
    Operating Days per Year 312
    Operating Shifts per Day 3
    Year of Information 1986

Comments on the workings information

  • 16 KM ROAD WAS BUILT FROM MINE/MILL SITE TO HOFFNUNG SIDING -ESTIMATED 1973 COST WAS $1,000,000. WATER PIPELINE HAD TO BE CONSTRUCTED-EXACT LENGTH AND SOURCE ARE UNKNOWN-ONLY THAT LENGTH WAS "MANY MILES". IN 1973 ONE SOURCE STATED THAT LABOR IN THE AREA WAS VERY SCARCE AND UNTRAINED WITH POPULATION LIVING PRIMITIVE, NOMADIC LIVES. A 1975 ARTICLE STATES THAT POWER AND WATER WERE PROVIDED BY BY THE SOUTH WEST AFRICA WATER AND ELECTRICITY CORP. (SWAWEK)

Comments on other economic factors

  • CU CONC.TRUCKED TO HOFFNUNG SIDING THEN RAILED TO TSUMED (VIA USAKOS) FOR SMELTING.BLISTER CU FROM TSUMEB IS THEN RAILED TO WALVIS BAY AND SHIPPED TO GERMANY & BELGIUM FOR REFINING.

Reference information

Bibliographic references

  • Production

    MINING JOURNAL, 11/4/94, P.322.

  • Reserve-Resource

    MINING JOURNAL.OJITHASE ON STREAM.OCT.31,1975.

  • Reserve-Resource

    TSUMEB CORP. LTD., 1986 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 9.

  • Reserve-Resource

    TSUMEB CORP. LTD., 1988 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 13.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1989 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 21.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1991 ANNUAL REPORT, P.8.

  • Reserve-Resource

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA LTD., 1992 ANNUAL REPORT, P.8.

  • Deposit

    COAL GOLD&BASE MINERALS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.UNCERTAIN FUTURE

  • Deposit

    FOR JOHNIES' OJITHASE,V.25,NO.6,JUNE 1977,PP.23-25.

  • Deposit

    ENG.AND MINING JOURNAL.SEPT.1973,P.188.

  • Deposit

    COAL GOLD&BASE MINERALS OF SOUTHERN AFRICA.FAT COPPER POT

  • Deposit

    COMES TO THE BOIL,V.23,NO.9,P.61.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL,SEPT.9,1977,P.206.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING.WHAT'S HAPPENING IN WORLD MINING;SOUTH WEST

  • Deposit

    AFRICA, JULY,1972.

  • Deposit

    METALS SOURCEBOOK.ITEM A1351.FEB.12,1973.

  • Deposit

    AFRICA,SEPT.1973.

  • Deposit

    METALS SOURCEBOOK.ITEM B2027.MAR.25,1974.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL.OJITHASE ON SCHEDULE.MAR.8,1974.

  • Deposit

    MINING JOURNAL OJITHASE ON SCHEDULE,APR.25,1975.

  • Deposit

    MINING MAGAZINE.ANNUAL REVIEW.JUNE,1978,PP.474-475.

  • Deposit

    ANON. 1975. "OTJIHASE AND SHANGANI COME ONSTREAM."

  • Deposit

    JOHANNESBURH CONS. INV. GR., MINING CO.'S REPORTS FOR THE

  • Deposit

    QUARTER ENDED DEC. 31, 1976, MAR. 1977, AND AUG. 1977.

  • Deposit

    THE WINDHOEK ADVERTISER. NOV. 15, 1977.

  • Deposit

    NEWMONT MNG. ANNUAL REPORT, 1980.

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB CORP. LTD., 1980-1988 ANNUAL REPORTS.

  • Deposit

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA, 1988 ANNUAL REPORT

  • Deposit

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA, 1989 ANNUAL REPORT, P. 21.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, "SOUTH WEST AFRICA". MAR 81, P. 71

  • Deposit

    GOLD FIELDS NAMIBIA, 1988 ANNUAL REPORT.

  • Deposit

    WORLD MINING, OTJIHASE COPPER MINE WILL BE REOPENED BY

  • Deposit

    TSUMEB; MAR. 1981, P. 71.

General comments

Subject category Comment text
Deposit JCI HAS MINERAL RIGHTS OVER MOST OF THE BELT (EXCEPT FOR CITY OF WINDHOEK AND MATCHLESS MINE-SEQ.NO.792-000-0008). AS OF 1973, JCI HAD PLANS TO PROSPECT BELT FOR NEXT 2 YEARS.
Deposit OJITHASE MINE LOCATED 32 KM NE OF WINDHOEK DEPOSIT DISCOVERED AND DRILLED,1971-1973. PRODUCTION BEGUN JULY 1,1976. TRIED TO REACH DESIGN CAPACITY OF 120,000 MTPM ORE BUT ONLY REACHED ABOUT 70% OF CAPACITY DUE TO PROBLEMS WITH GRADE CONTROL AND EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION.THESE PROBLEMS WERE SOLVED BUT THE NEW OPERATING COST MADE THE PROJECT UNECON- OMIC AT 1976-1977 CU PRICES. MINE&MILL PUT ON CARE AND MAINTENANCE JAN.1,1978. TOTAL LOSSES&CAPITAL EXPENDITURE HAD REACHED R60,700,000 ($ 69,805,000) AS OF JUNE 30,1977. INITIALLY EMPLOYEE REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE 1,100 BLACKS(300 OVAMBO AND 800 KOVANGO)BUT EVENTUALLY WOULD REQUIRE 1,800 BLACKS + 125 WHITES.

Reporter information

Type Date Name Affiliation Comment
Reporter 10-MAR-1997 Porter, Kenneth E. U.S. Bureau of Mines

Beyond USGS

Supplemental information added by qvyshift.com. Not part of the original USGS MRDS record.

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