China’s Sinomine Resource Group has announced that its Tsumeb Smelter in Namibia contains 746 metric tons of germanium, a critical mineral essential for various technologies including chipmaking, infrared applications, fiber optic cables, and solar cells. The company plans to conduct a feasibility study to revamp the existing copper smelting production line, aiming to incorporate germanium and zinc smelting production lines to achieve commercial production as soon as possible.
Sinomine holds a 98% stake in the Tsumeb smelter through its subsidiary, Sinomine (Hong Kong) Rare Metals Resources. Additionally, the smelter’s tailings are reported to contain approximately 410 tons of gallium metal and 209,459 tons of zinc metal, according to a technical report compliant with NI 43-101 standards.
China, the world’s leading producer of germanium, has recently imposed export controls on this strategic metal, which has resulted in a surge in spot prices. From August 1, 2023, to September 2, 2023, germanium ingot prices rose by 80%, reaching a record high of 17,250 yuan per kilogram.