Our Journey

Reigniting the Copper Era with Accountability, Grit, and Tenacity

Success is never easily achieved—it is built through resilience, determination, and a deep connection to purpose. My journey, from growing up in Springbok, Namaqualand—a place where copper once defined lives and livelihoods—to reignite the copper fields, is rooted in a dream much larger than myself.

A Vision Rooted in Heritage

Springbok and its surrounding towns once thrived as the heartbeat of the world’s richest copper region. The Okiep Copper Company shaped the lives of so many—our parents and grandparents gave their best to build that legacy. Watching the mines fall silent and communities lose their shine was deeply painful.

For me, this isn’t just about mining copper again—it’s about giving back to the land and its people, reviving hope and pride in a region that carries so much history. My dream is to see Namaqualand flourish once more, bringing life and opportunity to the place that shaped who I am.

Rekindling a Legacy

The reopening of the Rietberg Mine is more than a business decision; it’s a symbol of possibility. It stands for a revival of what once was and what can be again. Every ounce of copper extracted carries the spirit of those who worked the mines before us and the promise of a better future for their descendants.

This journey hasn’t been without challenges—years of planning, countless hurdles, and unwavering persistence. Yet, at every turn, the belief that Namaqualand deserves to shine again has driven me forward.

Hope in the Face of Adversity

Namaqualand is a land of strength, where families have endured so much but continue to persevere. I see this same spirit in Copper 360—a company built on the grit of those who believed copper could once again define our future.

This is not just my story; it belongs to everyone who calls this land home. It belongs to the men and women who worked the mines, the communities who built their lives around copper, and the generations who dream of something more.

A Future for All

Reigniting the copper era is about more than restoring a mine; it’s about restoring hope, creating jobs, and showing the world that Namaqualand’s story is far from over.

I dream of a future where every person in this region, whether working with Copper 360 or benefiting from its ripple effects, feels proud of what we are building together. I want the sons and daughters of this land to believe in their potential, knowing they are part of something meaningful and enduring.

A Shared Legacy

This journey is for the people of Namaqualand—for the fathers and mothers who worked for the O’Okiep Copper Company, their children who remember the stories, and the communities who deserve a future as rich as the past.

Together, we are not just mining copper; we are restoring a legacy. Namaqualand’s copper era is not just a memory—it is alive and thriving, waiting for all of us to be part of its resurgence.

– Shirley Hayes, Founder of SHiP; Est. 2008 –