Super Pit expansion at Lumwana copper mine launched
The development of a Super Pit at Barrick’s Lumwana copper mine in Zambia has been launched. The country’s Head of State, Hakainde Hichilema performed the launch ceremony in the presence of his members of cabinet and highlighted that the collaboration with Barrick aligns with Zambia’s economic strategy, reinforcing the importance of mining in driving the country’s development.
The estimated $2 billion project is poised to position Lumwana as one of the world’s top 25 copper producers and elevate it to Tier One status. The expansion will significantly increase the mine’s capacity, with a feasibility study expected by the end of the year and construction slated to start in 2025.
Increased output
The project will first double the throughput of the current process circuit and then substantially boost mining volumes. The plant’s annual copper production is projected to grow from 120,000 tonnes to an average of 240,000 tonnes over the mine’s lifespan. By 2028, mining volumes are expected to increase to 240 million tonnes annually, reaching 290 million tonnes per year from 2030 onwards.
Barrick’s president and CEO, Mark Bristow, emphasized that a key aspect of the Super Pit Expansion is its commitment to sustainability, focusing on local capacity building, benefiting nearby communities and businesses. To support the expansion, Barrick plans to hire 550 additional workers over the next five years and employ 2,500 construction workers for a three-year period until 2028. The development will also include the construction of crucial infrastructure like an airstrip and an industrial supplier park, which will promote economic growth in the North-Western Province and beyond.
