Luanshya copper mine to resume production in August after two decades idle

Zambia's Luanshya copper mine is scheduled to restart production in August 2026, ending more than twenty years of dormancy at one of the country's historic Copperbelt assets, the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development confirmed on Thursday.

The mine is majority owned by China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC), which holds an 80 percent stake acquired in 2009, with Zambia's state mining investment arm ZCCM-IH retaining the remaining 20 percent. Resumption follows a substantial dewatering programme necessitated by severe flooding that had damaged underground infrastructure. As of 27 March, approximately 87.9 million cubic metres of water had been pumped from the mine, clearing the way for construction and plant development.

According to the ministry, the upper mine will come online first, with production at the lower mine scheduled for 2029 under the ongoing redevelopment of 28 Shaft by China Luanshya Mine (CLM). The 28 Shaft project represents an investment of roughly 710 million US dollars, covering new shaft systems, a concentrator plant, and supporting infrastructure. More than 75 million dollars has been committed to date.

The ministry added that CLM is also exploring potential collaboration with ZCCM-IH on newly acquired licence areas in the region.

Once fully operational by 2030, Luanshya is expected to produce around 100,000 tonnes of copper annually, supporting President Hakainde Hichilema's ambition to lift national output to three million tonnes by 2031, a target that would cement Zambia's position among the world's leading copper producers.