Zambia: President Hakainde Hichilema has officially relaunched operations at Lubambe Copper Mine. The ceremony for the relaunching ceremony was hosted in Chililabombwe District in Copperbelt Province.
The revitalisation of Lubambe mine was done with the help of a U$300 million investment by China’s JCHX Mining. The Chinese corporation acquired a 70 percent stake in the mine in 2024. The remaining 30 percent stake is held by ZCCM Investments Holdings.
The investment will fund the development of new infrastructure, including a 1.5-kilometer-deep shaft to access untapped copper deposits. The funds will also help develop a 750-metre shaft and the introduction of advanced mining technologies.
The revitalization of the mine is set to create more direct and indirect jobs and deliver substantial benefits to surrounding communities.
The relaunch marks a significant milestone in Zambia’s mining sector and its commitment to attaining the national target of 3 million tonnes of copper by 2030.
President Hakainde Hichilema highlighted the Lubambe Mine project’s alignment with the government’s broader economic strategy emphasising that the partnership between the Chinese and Zambia was working because it was delivering results.
“This is what we want to be in partnerships in a manner that delivers value to business and community,” President Hichilema said.
He said that the sinking of two shafts at Lubambe mine will boost production and make the mine commercially viable as the new technology will extract copper ore more efficiently.
The Head of State said that when the country reaches one million tonnes target of copper production, it translates into better lives for the people of Zambia.
President Hichilema has called on the stakeholders to engage in responsible mining. This will help the organization promote sustainable development and to protect nature.
Minister of Mines and Minerals Development, Paul Kabuswe said Lubambe was a joint venture in which the government has increased its shares from 20 percent to 30 percent.
Further Lubambe Copper Mine Chief Executive Officer, Shuanjun Wu appreciated the role President Hakainde Hichilema played in the transition from EMR capital to JCHX.