• CNMC to restart Zambia’s Luanshya copper mine in August
• $710 million investment to reach 100,000 tons annual output by 2030
• Project expected to create 3,000 jobs and boost national production

China Nonferrous Metal Mining Group (CNMC) plans to restart production at its Luanshya copper mine in Zambia in August, backed by an estimated $710 million investment, the Ministry of Mines said in a statement on Thursday.

Luanshya, one of the country’s oldest copper mines, was acquired by CNMC in 2009 amid declining output. The company is carrying out rehabilitation work, including dewatering, ahead of the restart.

Production is expected to resume in the lower section by August, while work on the upper section will continue, with full capacity targeted by 2029. Output is projected to reach about 100,000 metric tons per year by 2030, supporting Zambia’s goal of increasing national production to 3 million metric tons by 2031, from 890,346 metric tons in 2025.

The ministry said the restart marks progress in reviving operations at Luanshya and reflects the government’s commitment to developing the mining sector.

Beyond output, the project is expected to generate revenue and create around 3,000 jobs at peak activity. Other projects are advancing, including Barrick Mining at Lumwana, JCHX Mining Management at Lubambe, and Vedanta Resources at Konkola.

Aurel Sèdjro Houenou