Trigon Temporarily Pauses Kombat Mine Operations to Address Setback
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) has announced a temporary suspension of operations at its Kombat Mine in Namibia due to the failure of both main submersible dewatering pumps. The suspension is expected to last 6-9 months, with operations projected to resume in Q3 2025.
The breakdown has resulted in water levels returning to 60 metres below service at Shaft 1 and 120 metres at Shaft 3, necessitating a pause in mining operations. Both pumps have been sent to a third-party engineering firm for analysis. As a consequence, the company will implement a temporary workforce reduction, offering severance packages, extended healthcare benefits, and job placement assistance to affected employees.
The company plans to use this period to implement comprehensive repairs and upgrades to ensure long-term operational resilience. Management remains optimistic about rehiring workers once operations resume.
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) ha annunciato una sospensione temporanea delle operazioni presso la sua Kombat Mine in Namibia a causa del guasto di entrambe le pompe sommergibili principali per il drenaggio. La sospensione dovrebbe durare 6-9 mesi, con la previsione di riprendere le operazioni nel terzo trimestre del 2025.
Il malfunzionamento ha portato i livelli dell'acqua a tornare a 60 metri sotto il servizio all'Impianto 1 e 120 metri all'Impianto 3, rendendo necessaria una pausa nelle operazioni di estrazione. Entrambe le pompe sono state inviate a un'azienda di ingegneria terza per l'analisi. Di conseguenza, l'azienda attuerà una riduzione temporanea della forza lavoro, offrendo pacchetti di fine rapporto, benefici sanitari estesi e assistenza per la collocazione lavorativa ai dipendenti colpiti.
L'azienda prevede di utilizzare questo periodo per eseguire riparazioni e aggiornamenti completi per garantire una resilienza operativa a lungo termine. La direzione rimane ottimista riguardo alla riassunzione dei lavoratori una volta riprese le operazioni.
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) ha anunciado una suspensión temporal de operaciones en su Kombat Mine en Namibia debido a la falla de ambas bombas sumergibles principales de desagüe. Se espera que la suspensión dure de 6 a 9 meses, con la proyección de reanudar las operaciones en el tercer trimestre de 2025.
La avería ha resultado en un retorno de los niveles de agua a 60 metros por debajo del nivel de servicio en el Pozo 1 y 120 metros en el Pozo 3, lo que hace necesario pausar las operaciones mineras. Ambas bombas han sido enviadas a una empresa de ingeniería externa para su análisis. Como consecuencia, la compañía implementará una reducción temporal de su fuerza laboral, ofreciendo paquetes de indemnización, beneficios de salud extendidos y asistencia para la colocación laboral a los empleados afectados.
La empresa planea utilizar este período para llevar a cabo reparaciones y mejoras integrales para garantizar la resiliencia operativa a largo plazo. La dirección se mantiene optimista respecto a la reincorporación de los trabajadores una vez que se reanuden las operaciones.
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF)는 나미비아의 Kombat Mine에서 두 개의 주요 잠수식 배수 펌프가 고장 나면서 운영을 일시적으로 중단한다고 발표했습니다. 운영 중단은 6-9개월 지속될 것으로 예상되며, 2025년 3분기에 운영이 재개될 것으로 예상됩니다.
고장으로 인해 1번 샤프트에서 수위가 서비스 수준보다 60미터 아래로, 3번 샤프트에서는 120미터로 돌아갔으며, 채굴 작업을 일시적으로 중단해야 합니다. 두 개의 펌프는 분석을 위해 제3자 엔지니어링 회사에 송부되었습니다. 이에 따라 회사는 일시적인 인력 감축을 시행하며, 영향을 받는 직원에게 퇴직 패키지, 연장된 의료 혜택, 직업 찾기 지원을 제공합니다.
회사는 이 기간을 사용하여 운영의 장기적인 탄력성을 보장하기 위한 종합적인 수리 및 업그레이드를 시행할 계획입니다. 경영진은 운영이 재개되면 근로자를 재고용할 수 있다는 희망을 유지하고 있습니다.
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) a annoncé une suspension temporaire de ses opérations dans sa Kombat Mine en Namibie en raison de la défaillance des deux principales pompes submersibles de drainage. La suspension devrait durer de 6 à 9 mois, avec une reprise des opérations prévue au troisième trimestre de 2025.
La panne a entraîné un retour des niveaux d'eau à 60 mètres sous le niveau de service au puit 1 et 120 mètres au puit 3, nécessitant une pause des opérations minières. Les deux pompes ont été envoyées à une entreprise d'ingénierie tierce pour analyse. En conséquence, l'entreprise mettra en place une réduction temporaire de la main-d'œuvre, offrant des indemnités de licenciement, des prestations de santé prolongées et une assistance pour le placement professionnel aux employés concernés.
L’entreprise prévoit d’utiliser cette période pour effectuer des réparations et des améliorations complètes afin d’assurer une résilience opérationnelle à long terme. La direction reste optimiste quant à la réembauche des travailleurs une fois les opérations reprises.
Trigon Metals (TSX-V: TM; OTCQB: PNTZF) hat eine vorübergehende Einstellung der Aktivitäten in seiner Kombat Mine in Namibia angekündigt, da beide Haupttauchtiefpumpen ausgefallen sind. Die Unterbrechung wird voraussichtlich 6 bis 9 Monate dauern, und die Betriebsaufnahme ist für das dritte Quartal 2025 geplant.
Die Störung hat dazu geführt, dass die Wasserstände auf 60 Meter unter dem Servicelevel im Schacht 1 und 120 Meter im Schacht 3 zurückgekehrt sind, was eine Pause im Bergbau erforderlich macht. Beide Pumpen wurden zur Analyse an ein externes Ingenieurbüro geschickt. Infolgedessen wird das Unternehmen eine vorübergehende Reduzierung der Belegschaft vornehmen und betroffenen Mitarbeitern Abfindungspakete, erweiterte Gesundheitsleistungen und Unterstützung bei der Arbeitsplatzvermittlung anbieten.
Das Unternehmen plant, diesen Zeitraum zu nutzen, um umfassende Reparaturen und Verbesserungen durchzuführen, um die langfristige Betriebseffizienz sicherzustellen. Das Management bleibt optimistisch, dass die Arbeiter nach Wiederaufnahme der Arbeiten wieder eingestellt werden.
- Comprehensive recovery plan being implemented including equipment upgrades
- Clear timeline for operations resumption in Q3/Q4 2025
- Generous severance packages and support provided to affected employees
- Complete operational shutdown for 6-9 months
- Failure of both main dewatering pumps
- Major workforce reduction through retrenchment
- Loss of production and revenue during suspension period
The submersible pumps are crucial to the Company's operations at the Kombat Mine, and the unexpected breakdowns have left Trigon with no immediate solution for full restoration of its systems. Both pumps have been hoisted out of the shafts and sent to a third party engineering firm for independent verification of the root causes for the failures.
Unfortunately, due to water levels returning to their normal levels of 60 metres below service at Shaft 1 and 120 metres at Shaft 3, mining operations will be paused until dewatering activities have recommenced. The Company anticipates that dewatering will restart in Q3 of 2025, once the pumps have been repaired and the risk of reoccurrence has successfully been mitigated.
Strategic Operational Update
The Company is implementing a comprehensive recovery plan including advanced repairs and upgrades to critical equipment, to ensure long-term operational resilience and efficiency. Trigon has initiated a phased recovery strategy following the identification of maintenance needs in two key submersible pumps at the Kombat Mine. Both pumps have been safely retrieved and are undergoing rigorous analysis by a leading third-party engineering firm to optimize their performance and durability . While dewatering activities will pause during this period, the Company has a clear pathway to resume operations in Q3/Q4 2025, with enhanced systems designed to mitigate future risks.
Temporary Workforce Adjustment and Employee Support
As a result of this operational setback, the Company also announces the retrenchment of the majority of its onsite employees. To align with this short-term operational adjustment, Trigon will implement a temporary workforce reduction at the mine site. This decision, while necessary under the current circumstances, is one of great regret, as the Company values its team and recognizes the impact this will have on its employees and their families.
The Company deeply values its employees and is committed to supporting all affected team members through this transition. This includes generous severance packages, extended healthcare benefits, and dedicated job placement assistance in collaboration with local partners. Trigon remains optimistic about rehiring and re-engaging its workforce once operations resume.
Jed Richardson, CEO and Executive Chairman of Trigon Metals, commented, “While this temporary pause is not the outcome we envisioned, it is a critical step to strengthen Kombat’s infrastructure for sustained success. Our team is already advancing solutions to modernize our systems, ensuring we return to operations with greater reliability and efficiency. We extend our deepest gratitude to our employees and contractors, whose dedication has been instrumental in our progress to date, and to our stakeholders for their unwavering trust. Trigon is committed to emerging from this phase as a more resilient company, poised to deliver value for years to come.”
Knowledge Katti, Namibian Businessman and local partner of Trigon Metals, commented, "We acknowledge the valid concerns of the Kombat community and all Trigon Mining employees during this challenging period. While this temporary pause is a setback, it is also an opportunity to strengthen our foundation for the future. Our commitment to Kombat remains unwavering—we are dedicated to ensuring that operations resume more sustainable than before. We will continue working to support our workforce and the broader community through this transition. Together, we will come back stronger."
The Company also reassures its stakeholders that it is exploring all viable options to restore operations as quickly as possible and minimize disruption to services. Trigon is actively engaging with technical experts and partners to accelerate repairs and explore innovative dewatering solutions. The Company reaffirms its confidence in the Kombat Mine’s long-term potential and is prioritizing investments in equipment upgrades and process improvements. Regular updates on recovery milestones will be shared with stakeholders, including progress toward the Q3 2025 restart target.
Qualified Person
The technical information presented in this press release has been reviewed and approved for disclosure by Fanie Müller, P.Eng, VP Operations of Trigon, who is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.
Trigon Metals Inc.
Trigon is a publicly-traded Canadian exploration and development company with its core business focused on copper and silver holdings in mine-friendly African jurisdictions. Currently, the company has operations in
Cautionary Notes
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. These statements include statements regarding the operations at the Kombat mine, the Company’s ability to restart the operations at the Kombat mine, the impact of the flooding at the Kombat mine, the financial viability of Trigon, the timing for the repair or replacement of equipment, the Company’s ability to complete a sale of the Kombat mine, the Company’s strategies and the Company’s abilities to execute such strategies, the economic viability of the Kombat Mine, the Company’s expectations for the Kombat Mine, and the Company’s future plans and objectives. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially because of factors discussed in the management discussion and analysis section of our interim and most recent annual financial statements or other reports and filings with the TSX Venture Exchange and applicable Canadian securities regulations. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250131584420/en/
For further information, contact:
Tom Panoulias, VP Corporate Development
+1 647 276 6002 X 1127
IR@trigonmetals.com
Website: www.trigonmetals.com
Source: Trigon Metals Inc.
FAQ
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