HARARE – Redwing Mine, the historic gold mining operation owned by NASDAQ-listed Namib Minerals, has been reconnected to Zimbabwe’s national electricity grid in a significant milestone for the company’s efforts to revive one of the country’s most promising brownfield gold assets.
The restoration of grid electricity is expected to accelerate critical dewatering operations at the mine while also supporting community development initiatives in the surrounding Penhalonga area.
The power infrastructure project was undertaken in partnership with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), which worked alongside Redwing Mine to install power lines and commission a new substation and transformer at the site. ZETDC’s commercial team was present during commissioning to facilitate the transition and ensure the system was brought online successfully.
In a statement, Namib Minerals described the development as a major step forward in the phased restart of the mine.
“In collaboration with the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC), Redwing has successfully installed power lines at the mine and has commissioned a new substation along with a transformer,” the company said.
The return of reliable electricity is particularly important for the mine’s dewatering programme, which remains one of the most critical activities in preparing the underground operation for future production. Years of inactivity left substantial volumes of water underground, making dewatering essential before mining activities can resume safely.
According to the company, four additional submersible pumps have now been connected to the grid, significantly increasing pumping capacity and improving operational efficiency. Since the dewatering programme began at the end of January, approximately one million cubic metres of water have been removed from the mine. Pumping rates have now increased to around 1,400 cubic metres per hour, bringing the project closer to gaining access to underground workings.
“The return of grid power is important for Redwing’s dewatering programme, a critical step in the mine’s restart that will allow access to underground workings,” the company said.
Beyond supporting mining operations, the investment is also expected to generate wider benefits for local residents. Namib Minerals said the new power infrastructure would strengthen future community development initiatives and complement ongoing social investments already being undertaken in Penhalonga.
The company has upgraded the local clinic, which provides free basic healthcare services to members of the surrounding community, and has also acquired a new ambulance to improve emergency medical response capabilities. Discussions are continuing with community stakeholders to identify additional areas where support can be provided.
“The benefits of the power restoration extend beyond the mine. The new power infrastructure is expected to further support future community development initiatives,” the company said.
Redwing Mine is one of Zimbabwe’s historic gold producers and has produced approximately 650,000 ounces of gold over its operational life. The asset currently hosts an estimated 1.18 million ounces of gold in measured and indicated resources, positioning it as a potentially important contributor to future growth in Zimbabwe’s gold sector.
The progress at Redwing comes at a time when renewed investor interest in Zimbabwe’s mining industry is being driven by strong global gold prices and increasing demand for precious metals. Brownfield projects such as Redwing are attracting attention because they can often be brought back into production more quickly and at lower cost than entirely new mining developments.
For Namib Minerals, the successful restoration of power and continued progress in dewatering represent important milestones in unlocking the value of the asset. Once operational, Redwing is expected to contribute to employment creation, export earnings and economic activity in Manicaland Province while strengthening the company’s position in the regional gold mining industry.
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