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The Zambian mining sector is approaching a significant milestone as the Luanshya Copper Mine prepares to resume production this August following a dormant period lasting over twenty years.
This resurgence is driven by the China Nonferrous Mining Corporation (CNMC), which maintains an 80 per cent majority stake in the venture, while Zambia’s state mining investment vehicle, ZCCM-IH, holds the remaining 20 per cent.
The path to reopening has been physically demanding, requiring an extensive dewatering operation to rectify severe flooding that had previously crippled the mine’s infrastructure. By late March, nearly 88 million cubic metres of water had been successfully extracted, allowing for the critical redevelopment of the site to proceed.
The multi-stage revival centres on the redevelopment of the 28 Shaft, a project representing a massive investment of approximately $710 million. While the upper mine is slated to begin output in August 2026, the lower mine’s operations are projected to commence in 2029. This capital-intensive undertaking involves the construction of entirely new shaft systems and a modern concentrator plant. To date, over $75 million has been injected into the project, and China Luanshya Mine is reportedly looking to broaden its footprint by collaborating with ZCCM-IH on further exploration opportunities within the surrounding region.
This project is a cornerstone of Zambia’s broader economic ambition to triple its national copper production to 3 million tons by 2031. Once the Luanshya mine reaches full operational capacity, it is expected to contribute roughly 100,000 metric tons of copper annually by 2030. This increase in output is vital for the nation’s standing as Africa’s second-largest copper producer and reflects a concerted effort to modernise and expand its primary export industry through strategic international partnerships.
As the Ministry of Mines confirmed in a recent statement regarding the progress of the site:
“Luanshya Mine … is scheduled to resume production at its upper mine in August 2026. Production at the lower mine is expected to commence in 2029 under the ongoing redevelopment of the 28 Shaft being undertaken by China Luanshya Mine.”
