Sinomine Resource Group has announced the appointment of Logan Lou Yonggang as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter.
Zebra Kasete, former Managing Director will transition into a new role as Executive Vice President: Business Development of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter. He will be accountable for client acquisition, developing strategic partnerships, overseeing stakeholder relations and will continue to support the company’s growth and strategy under the leadership of Yonggang.
Additionally, Kasete will serve as a board member of Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter, together with Chairman Wang Zhenhua, Wang Pingwei, Clara Bohitile and Logan Lou Yonggang. Kasete will also continue to serve as the President of the Chamber of Mines of Namibia, until his term concludes in 2025.
Under Kasete’s leadership, the Tsumeb Smelter achieved significant milestones including improved safety performance with the 2021 Chamber of Mines of Namibia inter-mine safety competition win, enhanced business systems, production, and an improved organizational culture that led to the Smelter being recognized as the best company to work for by Deloitte in 2017. “These are exciting times,” said Kasete as he welcomed the new CEO, during an employee briefing session announcing the structural changes.
Furthermore, Yonggang and Kasete together made courtesy visits to personally inform Honorable Governor of the Oshikoto Region, Penda Ya Ndakolo, Honorable Gotlieb Ndjendjela, Regional Councilor of the Tsumeb Constituency and His Worship, the Mayor of Tsumeb, Mathew Hangula of the news. Yonggang expressed his appreciation to the Namibian government and commended Kasete for his leadership. He assured all stakeholders of Sinomine’s commitment to business continuity, safe production and a brighter future that fosters growth and opportunity for everyone. This announcement is the recent following the acquisition of the Tsumeb Smelter by Sinomine Resource Group.
Yonggang holds a master’s degree in metallurgical science and engineering from Central South University of China and brings over 19 years of experience spanning the metallurgical and financial industries. He has held key positions in the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association, including Director of the Heavy Metal Consulting and Coordination Department, and Secretary General of both the Copper and Lead & Zinc Branches. He has 8 years of management experience in the metallurgical industry and is recognized as a leading expert in metals and new materials, having won multiple top industry awards during his time as Chief Analyst at GuangaFa (GF) Securities and Cinda Securities. In addition to his outstanding track record in the metals industry, Yonggang has held prominent roles at Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd., where he served as Assistant to the Chairman and Senior Manager of the Operations Management Department. Currently, he is a Board of Director of Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd.
The Sinomine Tsumeb smelter, located in Namibia, is one of a few smelters in the world that can treat complex concentrates. Sinomine Resource Group Co., Ltd, a global mining group with a comprehensive resource chain acquired the smelter on 1st September 2024. The smelter is a strategic asset that processes concentrates to produce blister copper, which is then further refined. There are ongoing feasibility studies to revamp the existing copper smelting production line for the development of a Germanium plant, a Cesium plant to achieve commercial production.