Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has restarted mining at its Chingola B Mine in Zambia after an 18-year shutdown, bringing the historic Copperbelt operation back into production. The restart is expected to add new capacity to Zambia’s copper sector, with the mine projected to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of ore per month at steady state. …
Zambia’s Chingola B copper mine resumes production after 18 years
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has restarted mining at its Chingola B Mine in Zambia after an 18-year shutdown, bringing the historic Copperbelt operation back into production.
The restart is expected to add new capacity to Zambia’s copper sector, with the mine projected to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of ore per month at steady state.
KCM is targeting annual copper production of 300,000 tonnes by 2030, supported by more than US$1 billion in investment from Vedanta.
The revival of Chingola B comes as Zambia seeks to significantly increase national copper production, with a target of 3 million tonnes annually by 2031.
The country’s expansion plans include the redevelopment of dormant mining assets, new projects, increased processing capacity and infrastructure investments.
The return of Chingola B adds to Zambia’s efforts to bring previously inactive mining capacity back into operation and expand copper production, with the broader objective of increasing economic activity and employment linked to the sector.
