Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter Jobs: Up to 1,600 at Germanium Plant
Quick answer: Sinomine expects 1,400 to 1,600 people at the peak of building its N$4 billion germanium plant in Tsumeb, with permanent staff rising from 350 to about 580 when operations start in 2028. The company says it will prioritise young Namibians, but no official vacancy notice or application process has been published yet.
Key takeaways
Sinomine's germanium plant in Tsumeb could employ 1,400 to 1,600 people at the height of construction.
The permanent workforce is expected to grow from 350 to about 580 once the plant operates.
The N$4 billion second construction phase is due to finish by the end of 2027, with operations from 2028.
Sinomine says it is working with UNAM and NUST to find and train skilled Namibian workers.
No official application process has been announced, so job seekers should avoid anyone charging fees.
Last updated: 7 October 2026
Sinomine Tsumeb smelter jobs are set to grow sharply: the company expects between 1,400 and 1,600 people to work on site at the peak of construction of its germanium plant in Tsumeb, Oshikoto region, according to the Windhoek Observer. Once the expansion is running, Sinomine says its permanent staff should rise from 350 to about 580. No formal vacancy notice or application process has been published yet.
How many jobs will the Sinomine expansion create?
Sinomine projects a construction workforce of 1,400 to 1,600 at its peak and about 580 permanent posts once operations begin. That compares with 350 people employed today, according to the Windhoek Observer; The Brief put the workforce at 336 in August 2026.
Current permanent workforce: 350 (reported by Windhoek Observer)
Peak construction workforce: 1,400 to 1,600 (reported by Windhoek Observer)
Construction (CEO estimate during the Namibia–China state visit): Close to 1,600 (reported by The Brief)
Permanent workforce after expansion: About 580 (reported by Windhoek Observer)
Jobs after construction (CEO estimate): More than 500 (reported by The Brief)
The Windhoek Observer figures were announced on Monday at the handover of N$100,000 (Namibian dollars) by the Sinomine Community Trust to the office of the Oshikoto regional governor, Sacky Kathindi, for community projects.
What is Sinomine building in Tsumeb?
Sinomine is building a Multi-Metal Recovery (MMR) plant that will mainly extract germanium, a critical metal, from old tailings left by historic mining around Tsumeb. The Windhoek Observer describes it as Namibia's first germanium plant.
Investment: N$4 billion for the second construction phase.
Construction start: the second quarter of 2026, according to The Brief.
Completion target: the end of 2027.
Start of operations: expected in 2028.
Why does the germanium plant matter for local employment?
The plant will process old tailings from historic mining, creating a new line of work at a site where copper smelting has been paused. The Brief reported in August 2026 that copper processing had been suspended since August 2025, with the copper smelter placed under care and maintenance.
According to The Brief, the plant is a circular-economy project that converts legacy tailings into a strategic resource while reducing the environmental footprint of historic operations. Sinomine Resources Group chairman Wang Pingwei, who visited the site in June 2026, said the investment would create jobs and stimulate industrial growth. The company's chief executive, Mr Lou, has said the project aims to revitalise the Tsumeb community by spurring economic activity.
The company also points to its community spending. Tsauses said, according to the Windhoek Observer, that from September 2024 to mid-2025 Sinomine spent N$4.6 million on community development, with education the largest focus, including IT equipment for schools in Oshikoto. The Brief puts the education share at close to 50%.
Who is Sinomine looking to hire?
The company says it is prioritising Namibians, with special attention on young people. Executive vice president Barcelona Tsauses said, as reported by the Windhoek Observer, that local employment and skills transfer are priorities as building work progresses.
Sinomine names the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) and the University of Namibia (UNAM) as partners to secure skilled workers and to strengthen the abilities of professionals already qualified. Because the plant will use advanced processing technology, The Brief notes a strong emphasis on skills transfer and capacity building.
For Sinomine Tsumeb smelter jobs, the company has not published job titles, qualifications, salaries or numbers per trade for these roles. Those details are not stated in any of the reports.
How do I apply for Sinomine Tsumeb smelter jobs?
There is no official application process for Sinomine Tsumeb smelter jobs yet. Neither report includes a closing date, an application address or an online portal, so treat any "Sinomine recruitment" message that claims otherwise with caution.
While you wait for an official notice, you can prepare:
Update your CV with any mining, construction, plant operation, maintenance or laboratory experience, and list certificates clearly.
If you are a UNAM or NUST student or graduate, ask your faculty or careers office about the industry partnership with Sinomine.
Watch Sinomine's own announcements and reputable national media for a formal vacancy notice.
Keep certified copies of your ID, qualifications and references ready so you can apply quickly once posts are advertised.
Beware of fake Sinomine job offers
Large job numbers attract scammers, so verify every offer. Genuine employers never charge application, training or placement fees, and they do not recruit only through WhatsApp numbers.
Do not pay anyone to "secure" a construction or plant job.
Be suspicious of offers that arrive without an interview or a written contract from the named employer.
Check that any advert names Sinomine or a named contractor and gives verifiable contact details.
What this means for you
For job seekers in Tsumeb and the wider Oshikoto region, Sinomine Tsumeb smelter jobs could offer one of the larger local hiring opportunities, mainly during construction until the end of 2027. Most of the projected jobs are construction-phase roles, while about 580 permanent jobs are expected once operations begin in 2028.
Students and graduates of UNAM and NUST may benefit from the company's stated partnerships with those institutions, although the specific fields have not been announced. Everyone else should prepare documents now and apply only through verified channels when official adverts appear.
For related reading on Jobsiz, see "Namibia Mining Jobs: MPs Flag Labour Hire Abuses (2026)", "Minimum Wage Namibia 2026: Rates by Sector" and "Retrenchment Package in Namibia: What Workers Are Owed".
Frequently asked questions
How many jobs will Sinomine create in Tsumeb?
Sinomine expects 1,400 to 1,600 workers at the peak of construction of its germanium plant. After the expansion, it plans to grow its permanent workforce from 350 to about 580.
Is Sinomine Tsumeb hiring now?
No formal vacancy notice has been published in the reports. The company says construction is under way and that it is prioritising Namibians, especially young people, but it has not announced how or when to apply.
When will the Sinomine germanium plant open?
Sinomine aims to finish the second construction phase by the end of 2027 and to begin operations in 2028. Construction of the plant began in the second quarter of 2026.
What will the Sinomine plant produce?
The Multi-Metal Recovery plant will mainly recover germanium from old tailings left by historic mining around Tsumeb. It is described as Namibia's first germanium plant.
Which universities are working with Sinomine?
Sinomine names the Namibia University of Science and Technology and the University of Namibia as partners. The aim is to secure skilled workers and build the skills needed for the new technology.
Do I need to pay a fee to get a Sinomine job?
No. Genuine employers never charge application, training or placement fees. Treat anyone asking for money or recruiting only through WhatsApp as a likely scam.
Sources
Windhoek Observer – Sinomine's N$4b expansion to create up to 1 600 jobs
The Brief – Sinomine Tsumeb Smelter invests over N$4 billion in MMR plant
This article was compiled by Jobsiz from the sources listed above, with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. Published 7 October 2026. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.