The MiningWrap BriefNo. 10
Rosh Pinah commissions Namibia's first paste backfill plant
The week in African mining — 5 February 2026.
1ExplorationRosh Pinah commissions Namibia's first paste backfill plantRosh Pinah Zinc has commissioned Namibia's first paste backfill plant, a milestone in its RP2.0 underground expansion project, which was more than 85% complete as of February 2026.
2DiamondsDe Beers slashes 2026 output guidance as Anglo weighs fresh writedownDe Beers cut its 2026 production guidance to 21m-26m carats from 26m-29m carats, after 2025 output fell to 21.66m carats amid extended mine maintenance and weak prices.
3CopperIvanhoe in talks to route Kipushi zinc to US critical minerals stockpileIvanhoe Mines is in advanced talks to send zinc concentrate from its Kipushi mine to the US under Project Vault, a $12bn strategic minerals stockpiling scheme.
4Safety & ESGDRDGold's Ergo operation signs five-year wage deal with NUMDRDGold's Ergo surface-gold operation and the National Union of Mineworkers signed a five-year wage agreement in February 2026, offering guaranteed annual increases and a one-off payment.
5M&AUS-backed Orion consortium signs MOU for $9bn stake in Glencore's Congo copper minesGlencore signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding on 3 February 2026 with the US-backed Orion Critical Mineral Consortium covering a proposed 40% stake in its Mutanda and Kamoto copper-cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.