Namibia to Ramp Up Sulphuric Acid Production as Demand Surges from Uranium and Copper Mines
Namibia is set to significantly expand its sulphuric acid production to meet the rising demand from its growing critical minerals sector, with Green Metals Refining and Vedanta unveiling new investment and revival plans.
Sulphuric acid is a key input in the extraction of metals such as uranium, copper, manganese, and rare earths—materials essential for clean energy technologies.
Namibia, already the world’s third-largest uranium producer, is rapidly positioning itself as a leader in the green energy transition, with eight active critical mineral projects under development.
London-based Green Metals Refining announced on Thursday that it will invest $59 million in the first phase of a new plant capable of producing 175,000 metric tonnes of sulphuric acid per year.
The facility’s output is expected to eventually increase to 720,000 tonnes annually, according to the company.
“As Namibia is a net importer of sulphuric acid with a large pipeline of acid-consuming projects, we have established a compelling business case that can benefit local third-party metals projects,” said CEO Derk Hartman.
The sulphuric acid plant will be located within the company’s planned manganese refinery in Walvis Bay, supplying uranium and copper mines. Both facilities are expected to be commissioned by the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, Vedanta announced plans to recommission its sulphuric acid plant at the Skorpion zinc operations within the next four to six months.
The facility, which has been idle since 2020 when the mine was placed on care and maintenance, will produce about 1,000 tonnes of sulphuric acid per day once restarted.
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