By: African mining market

The Otjikoto gold mine in Namibia is projected to produce between 185,000 and 200,000 ounces of gold in 2025, generating revenues in excess of US$310 million (approximately N$5.8 billion). This forecast, announced by B2Gold Namibia Country Manager John Roos, signals another record year for the operation.

The announcement was made during the launch of a new 10 MW solar power project near Otjiwarongo, a landmark initiative that is the first of its kind to utilize Namibia's power wheeling framework.

Over the past five years, the mine has consistently produced between 170,000 and 180,000 ounces annually. While the mine's open-cast operations are now in a gradual ramp-down phase as accessible ore bodies are depleted, B2Gold has shifted its focus to processing stockpiles, which will sustain production for several more years.

The newly launched solar facility, a partnership with Sustainable Power Solutions (SPS), is valued at about N$200 million and is designed to generate 26,360 MWh per year. Under the wheeling arrangement, SPS injects electricity into the national grid at Maxwell Farm, and B2Gold draws an equivalent amount at the mine, offsetting its energy demand with clean power.

Roos stated that this initiative is central to B2Gold's strategy of managing operational costs, noting, "We don’t manage the gold price; we manage our costs. And that’s why we need to focus on renewables to get our cost curve down even more." The project also supports the company's global target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030.