Kombat Copper completes resource in Namibia

Kombat Copper (TSXV: KBT) has completed its first resource estimate on a past-producing copper mine in Namibia.

The mine — which between 1962 and 2008 produced 12 million tonnes of ore grading 2-3% copper along with credits for lead and silver — now has a National Instrument 43-101-compliant inferred resource of 1.7 million tonnes grading 1.93% copper, 0.13% lead and 16 grams silver per tonne.

The resource estimate was based on existing historic surface and underground drill holes from the Asis Far West section of the Kombat mine property, which management points out is a “very limited section of the mine’s potential.”

During its 54-year mine life, Kombat was mined over a strike length of 3.5 kilometres and the company says it has yet to assess additional historic resources in the rest of the Kombat mine and along strike.

The company continues to review the historical database, which includes more than 7,000 drill holes, and says it has “identified significant opportunities” to increase resources with additional infill and expansion drilling.

The project also comes with a valid mining permit and existing infrastructure. It has a 1,100-tonne-per-day mill; an 800-metre modern shaft and 3,000-tonne-per-day hoist facility; and three other recently operational shafts, ramp systems, underground workings, buildings and a tailings facility.

There is also a railroad siding at the site, where copper concentrates were once transported 100 km to a copper smelter in Tsumeb, one of five commercial-grade smelters in Africa that is now owned by Dundee Precious Metals (TSX: DPM; US-OTC: DPMLF). The rail line also runs to the port of Walvis Bay.

The Kombat mine is one of three past-producing mines that are situated on five mining licences the company holds in Namibia’s Otavi Mountains, an area Kombat Copper says is well-known for its high-grade copper deposits. Kombat Copper owns 80% of the five licenses.

In addition to the mining licenses, Kombat Copper holds an 80% interest in five Exclusive Prospecting Licenses that cover more than 2,200 sq. km in the Otavi region.