Zambia is set to revive the long-idled Luanshya Copper Mine in August, marking a significant step in the country’s drive to expand copper production and strengthen its mining sector.
The Ministry of Mines said the operation, majority owned by China Nonferrous Mining Corporation, will resume output after more than 20 years of inactivity, following extensive rehabilitation work to address flooding and damaged infrastructure.
The Chinese firm holds an 80 percent stake in the mine, while ZCCM Investments Holdings owns the remaining 20 percent.
Before production could restart, the mine underwent a large-scale dewatering process to remove water that had accumulated over decades of closure. Authorities said approximately 87.9 million cubic metres of water had been pumped out as of late March, clearing the way for redevelopment and construction.
“Luanshya Mine is scheduled to resume production at its upper section in August 2026,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that deeper operations at the lower mine are expected to begin in 2029.
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The restart forms part of a broader redevelopment plan led by China Luanshya Mine (CLM), a unit of China Nonferrous Mining Corporation. The project includes the rehabilitation of the 28 Shaft, a key underground structure, alongside the construction of new shaft systems, a concentrator plant and associated infrastructure.
Officials said the redevelopment of the 28 Shaft represents an investment of around $710 million, with more than $75 million already committed to the project.
The government also indicated that CLM is exploring further collaboration with ZCCM Investments Holdings to expand mining activities in newly acquired areas around Luanshya.
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Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce about 100,000 metric tons of copper annually by 2030, contributing to Zambia’s broader ambition to significantly increase national output.
Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is targeting production of around 3 million tons per year by 2031 — more than triple current levels — as it seeks to capitalise on rising global demand for copper driven by energy transition technologies, including electric vehicles and renewable power systems.
Analysts say the reopening of the Luanshya Copper Mine underscores the growing role of foreign investment, particularly from Chinese firms, in revitalising Africa’s mining sector.
The project is also expected to create jobs, stimulate local economic activity and improve infrastructure in the Copperbelt region, historically the heart of Zambia’s mining industry.
However, experts caution that the success of such projects will depend on stable regulatory conditions, efficient project execution and sustained global demand for copper.
With the restart of Luanshya, Zambia is taking another step toward repositioning itself as a major global supplier of the metal, which is increasingly seen as critical to the transition toward a low-carbon economy.
