Copper production at Kitumba Mine in Zambia to begin in 2026
Sinomine Resource Group has unveiled plans to launch copper production at the Kitumba Copper Mine in Zambia’s Central Province by September 2026, marking a significant step forward in the development of the site.
Kitumba Mine
The mine, situated in the Mumbwa District, is set to benefit from a substantial $560 million investment, with the initial phase of work already underway. Sinomine recently began stripping operations, which involve removing the surface layer of soil and rock to expose the copper ore beneath — a key early stage in mine development.
The Kitumba project holds a mineral resource estimate of 27.9 million tonnes of copper-bearing material, according to a 2015 independent report by MSA Group. The mining license for the project runs from November 2014 to November 2039, although development activities have been largely dormant until now.
Sinomine, a China-based mining and exploration company, intends to begin full-scale production within three years, following the start of construction and development activities in 2024. A 2015 pre-feasibility study recommends a sub-level caving mining method and the establishment of a hydrometallurgical and electrowinning plant for copper processing.
Company Chairman Wang Pingwei has stated that Sinomine plans to speed up construction and conduct additional exploration drilling to potentially increase the size of the resource base and improve the mine’s long-term profitability. Once operational, the Kitumba mine is expected to play a key role in expanding Zambia’s overall copper production capacity, strengthening its position as one of Africa’s top copper producers.
