• First Quantum Minerals (FQM) recorded a 9% year-on-year drop in copper production, reaching 104,626 tonnes in Q3 2025.
• The decline primarily reflects lower output from FQM's Zambian mines, Sentinel and Kansanshi, which contributed 93% of the company's 2024 annual production.
• FQM revised down its full-year 2025 copper production guidance to a maximum of 410,000 tonnes, from an initial 440,000 tonnes.

First Quantum Minerals' copper production reached 104,626 tonnes in the third quarter of 2025, a decrease from the 116,088 tonnes reported for the same period in 2024. This operational update, published on Tuesday, October 28, marks a 9% year-on-year decline, largely reflecting the broader production decrease observed in Zambia.

The Canadian group operates the Sentinel and Kansanshi mines in the Southern African nation, which accounted for 93% of its annual production in 2024. Both assets showed a year-on-year decrease in Q3 2025. Kansanshi delivered 46,881 tonnes during the period, compared to 49,810 tonnes in 2024. Sentinel showed a more substantial drop, producing 51,336 tonnes compared to 58,412 tonnes in 2024.

First Quantum anticipates improved performance at both sites for the remainder of the year, particularly at Kansanshi, where the S3 expansion project began operations. However, this did not prevent the company from revising down its 2025 production forecast to a maximum of 410,000 tonnes of copper, from the 440,000 tonnes initially projected. This forecast also includes the group's other copper sites, whose contribution remains marginal compared to the Zambian mines.

Fourth-quarter data will ultimately measure the progress of activities at Sentinel and Kansanshi. These two mines also hold significant importance for Zambia, having collectively represented nearly half of the nation's declared production in 2024. The country targets the one-million-tonne copper production mark this year.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum