Zambia’s Luanshya copper mine set to restart after 20 years shutdown

Zambia is preparing to bring one of its long-dormant copper assets back online, as the Luanshya mine moves toward production after more than 20 years of inactivity. 

The project, majorly owned by China Nonferrous Mining Corporation, is slated to restart operations in August, according to the Ministry of Mines.

The reopening underscores Zambia’s broader ambition to reclaim its position as a global copper powerhouse, capitalizing on surging demand driven by energy transition technologies and electric vehicles.

Infrastructure recovery clears key hurdle

Progress has accelerated following a large-scale dewatering effort that removed approximately 87.9 million cubic meters of water from the flooded mine. The clearance allows for critical infrastructure upgrades and construction work to resume after years of operational paralysis.

Authorities say initial production will begin at the upper section of the mine, while deeper operations linked to the 28 Shaft redevelopment are expected to come online by 2029.

$710 million investment anchors expansion

The 28 Shaft project, a cornerstone of the mine’s revival, carries an estimated investment of $710 million. The development includes new shaft systems, a concentrator plant, and supporting infrastructure designed to modernize output capacity.

More than $75 million has already been deployed, signaling early-stage momentum. The project is being executed by China Luanshya Mine, a subsidiary of CNMC, with potential collaboration under discussion with ZCCM Investments Holdings to unlock additional mineral prospects in the region.

Output targets align with national growth plans

Once fully operational, the Luanshya mine is expected to produce up to 100,000 metric tons of copper annually by 2030. The restart is central to Zambia’s aggressive strategy to more than triple national copper production to 3 million tons by 2031.

Zambia, already Africa’s second-largest copper producer, is betting on large-scale mine restarts and expansions to meet rising global demand, particularly from renewable energy and battery supply chains.

Strategic asset in Africa’s copper belt

CNMC, which acquired an 80% stake in the Luanshya operation in 2009, remains one of the most prominent foreign investors in Zambia’s mining sector. The remaining 20% is held by ZCCM-IH, the country’s mining investment arm.

The revival of Luanshya reflects a broader trend across Africa’s Copperbelt, where aging assets are being redeveloped to extend production life cycles and attract fresh capital.

As global competition for critical minerals intensifies, Zambia’s push to reactivate dormant mines could position it as a key supplier in the next phase of the energy transition economy.