New Horizon Copper (NHC) is rapidly rebuilding the workforce at the historic Kombat Mine, reaching approximately 429 employees and targeting about 600 by the end of the year as it prepares to restart underground mining operations halted by flooding in early 2025.
This workforce expansion accompanies a comprehensive redevelopment program that includes major infrastructure upgrades, a redesigned dewatering system, and plant enhancements aimed at ensuring sustainable and increased production capacity.
Reviving a historic mine
Kombat Mine’s underground operations were suspended in January 2025, after flooding caused by the failure of critical dewatering pumps. At that time, the workforce was drastically reduced from over 500 employees to a small core team. The operation, previously managed by Canadian-listed Trigon Metals, experienced both open-pit and underground mining phases before the shutdown.
Following operational challenges and the flooding incident, ownership changed hands. On 23 December 2025, Horizon Corporation Limited acquired Trigon’s 80% interest in Kombat along with associated mineral licenses, with remaining shares held by Namibian shareholders including Texel Mining and Exploration (10%) and the state-owned Epangelo Mining Company (10%).
Significant investment and strategic upgrades
Since acquiring Kombat, New Horizon Copper has initiated a redevelopment investment totaling N$462 million, with plans to expand to nearly N$1 billion. The redevelopment focuses heavily on resolving the underground water management issues that historically disrupted production.
Key upgrades include:
- A redesigned and robust dewatering system to prevent future flooding
- Processing plant upgrades incorporating sensor-based sorting technology
- Expansion plans to increase processing throughput from 30,000 tonnes per month to between 90,000 and 120,000 tonnes as more orebodies are developed
These improvements aim to restore and enhance Kombat’s production capacity while securing its long-term operational stability.
Workforce rebuilding and operational momentum
As part of its operational ramp-up, NHC has been actively recruiting across mining, processing, engineering, and support roles. Recent hires include general and casual workers, underground construction staff, and operators for the new sorting plant. The current workforce stands at around 429, with expectations to grow to 600 by year-end.
Reflecting the increasing activity, NHC has issued a tender for exclusive on-site food truck and catering services, set to begin on 12 October 2026, coinciding with the anticipated commissioning of the processing plant.
New Horizon Copper has set ambitious milestones, including completing underground dewatering by September, plant commissioning in October, and resuming underground mining by November. While the company has not publicly confirmed reaching the September dewatering target, progress is evident as the mine moves closer to a full restart.
The revitalization of Kombat Mine not only holds promise for significant copper production but also for sustained employment and economic activity in the region, reaffirming the mine’s key role in Namibia’s mining sector.
