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Jubilee Metals (JLP) has resumed full operations at its Roan concentrator in Zambia following the successful completion of its annual maintenance shutdown, marking a key step in stabilising and scaling its integrated copper production platform.
The restart includes the commissioning and ramp-up of the new fine copper concentrate dewatering circuit, a critical addition designed to improve processing efficiency and expand operational flexibility. The circuit enables the processing of both newly generated fine concentrate and historical stockpiles, strengthening throughput consistency and supporting higher recovery rates. “The dewatering circuit marks a key milestone in expanding our Zambia operations, improving flexibility and supporting the scale-up of our integrated copper strategy. Following the planned maintenance shutdown, operations have returned to full capacity targeting 30,000 tonnes per month, with June performance expected to provide a clearer view of sustainable recovery efficiencies,” said Leon Coetzer, Chief Executive Officer of Jubilee.
Operations have returned to full capacity, targeting run of mine throughput of 30,000 tonnes per month. While production in May 2026 was temporarily impacted by the planned shutdown, the company expects June performance to provide a clearer indication of sustainable operating capacity as the system stabilises and in-circuit inventory is rebuilt. Roan remains central to Jubilee’s three pillar copper strategy, converting third-party ore into concentrates for refining at the Sable refinery, while also producing sulphide concentrate for direct sale. Over the past three years, the facility has been progressively upgraded to handle variable ore quality, positioning it as a flexible solution for processing complex copper resources.
The newly commissioned dewatering circuit targets a key efficiency gap. Fine concentrate accounts for approximately 25.5% of contained copper in Roan’s feed and the ability to process and transport this material more effectively is expected to unlock additional value. Early indications show the circuit can operate above current production levels, with optimisation now focused on achieving stable, continuous performance under varying feed conditions. The maintenance window was also used to implement cost-mitigation measures in response to rising input prices. The expansion of the copper oxide flotation circuit is expected to lift recovery rates by around 5%, helping to offset sharp increases in fuel and chemical costs.
Local fuel prices have risen by nearly 80%, significantly impacting transport costs for both ore supply and concentrate movement, while acid consumption and logistics together account for over a third of monthly operating expenditure. Jubilee also retains optionality to increase throughput further through the integration of its front-end DMS circuit, which is under consideration for deployment in June 2026. The Roan restart comes at a time when Zambia’s broader copper sector is navigating a complex operating environment, with multiple processing facilities undergoing maintenance and global supply chains facing disruption.
In this context, Jubilee’s focus on efficiency, flexibility and recovery optimisation positions it to better manage near-term constraints while advancing its longer-term production ambitions. The company is expected to provide updated production guidance once steady-state performance has been consistently achieved across the integrated Roan and Sable operations. With a targeted production goal of 25,000 tonnes per annum, Jubilee continues to build a vertically integrated copper business in Zambia, leveraging technology and innovative processing to unlock value from both primary and previously underutilised resources.
