Australian-listed exploration company Golden Deeps Limited is positioning Namibia as a global leader in critical metals production through its groundbreaking discoveries in the Otavi Copper Belt. Recent mineral resource estimates reveal world-class deposits of copper, silver, vanadium, zinc, lead, and rare metals like gallium and germanium – all crucial for renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technology applications.
The company’s extensive portfolio in northern Namibia covers over 680km² of Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPLs), making it the largest tenement holder in this historically rich mining district. The Otavi Belt forms part of the Damaran Mobile Belt, a geological marvel that also hosts Africa’s legendary Kalahari and Zambian copper belts. This region previously produced staggering grades at the Tsumeb Mine – 27 million tonnes at 4.3% copper, 10% lead, 3.5% zinc, plus significant silver and germanium. Golden Deeps is now proving this mineral endowment extends across its projects.
At the forefront is the Khusib Springs project, where recent drilling uncovered exceptional silver-copper zones beneath historical mine workings. One drill intersection yielded 90 meters grading 83g/t silver equivalent (52.3g/t silver and 0.29% copper), with higher-grade pockets reaching 159g/t silver and 1.1% copper over 2 meters. The company estimates 492,000 tonnes at 116g/t silver equivalent, containing 1.9 million ounces of silver equivalent. These results confirm Khusib Springs as Namibia’s next major silver-copper deposit, with potential for substantial expansion.
The Nosib discovery represents another triumph, revealing a polymetallic cocktail of vanadium-copper-lead-silver with gallium enrichment. Surface sampling returned spectacular results including 15 meters at 197g/t gallium oxide (critical for semiconductors), 1.52% copper, 1.42% vanadium pentoxide, and 9.1% lead. The maiden resource stands at 707,660 tonnes grading 1.06% copper equivalent, with high-grade zones reaching 4.36% copper equivalent. This positions Nosib as a potential source of multiple critical metals from a single deposit.
Vanadium – essential for grid-scale batteries and steel alloys – features prominently at the Abenab project. Metallurgical tests produced concentrates grading up to 15% vanadium pentoxide, 11% zinc, and 38% lead. The resource estimates 2.3 million tonnes at 1.11% vanadium pentoxide equivalent, with indicated sections averaging 1.34%. These results demonstrate Namibia’s potential to become a significant vanadium producer amid growing global demand.
Golden Deeps’ recent acquisition of the Central Otavi Project adds zinc-lead-silver resources at Border (16 million tonnes at 2.12% zinc+lead) and high-grade vanadium-copper-lead-zinc mineralization at Kaskara, where surface samples reached 5.79% lead, 1.81% zinc, and 2.52% vanadium pentoxide over 21.9 meters. The company is also investigating “Tsumeb-type” copper-silver-germanium targets across six newly identified zones, with exploration programs underway.
The projects benefit from Namibia’s stable mining jurisdiction and existing infrastructure, including the Tsumeb smelter and Kombat processing plant. Metallurgical studies confirm excellent metal recovery potential through conventional methods, with test work showing 88% lead recovery and 82% zinc recovery at Border through dense media separation and flotation.
CEO Jon Dugdale emphasizes the strategic timing: “Our critical metals discoveries align perfectly with global decarbonization efforts. The copper, vanadium, gallium, and germanium we’re finding are exactly what the world needs for solar panels, wind turbines, and electric vehicles.” The company’s market capitalization of $3.72 million (as of June 2025) significantly undervalues its mineral assets relative to peers, presenting a compelling investment opportunity.
With four established mineral resources, multiple expansion targets, and Namibia’s pro-mining policies, Golden Deeps is poised to become a significant contributor to the country’s mining sector. As exploration continues, the Otavi Copper Belt may soon reclaim its position as one of Africa’s most valuable mineral districts – this time supplying the metals driving the 21st century’s clean energy revolution.
For Namibia, these developments promise job creation, skills development, and economic diversification. The government’s commitment to responsible resource development positions the country to benefit fully from these critical metal discoveries while ensuring environmental protection and community upliftment. As global demand for these commodities surges, Golden Deeps’ projects could place Namibia at the forefront of the green energy supply chain.