Name of the Project
Lubambe extension project.

Location
The project is located in the Chililabombwe district of the Copperbelt province, in Zambia.

Project Owner/s
Lubambe Copper Mine.

Project Description
Lubambe Copper is advancing studies for the development of a significant high-grade undeveloped copper deposit, called the Extension Area, close to the Lubambe mine.

Lubambe is an existing underground mine comprising the east and south limbs and a processing plant, with a capacity to process up to 2.4-million tonnes a year.

The Extension Area contains 235-million tonnes of copper/cobalt at an average grade of 3.65% copper and 0.05% cobalt, at a cutoff grade of 2%, with further opportunity for growth.

The project involves the sinking of new shafts and conveyor declines, as well as the development of a new underground mine, with initial production of 90 000 t/y of copper in concentrate and then expanding to 160 000 t.

The project has an initial mine life of 30 years, with further exploration expected to extend the life-of-mine.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create 3 500 jobs for Zambians from the construction phase to production.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
Not stated.

Planned Start/End Date
Lubambe Copper’s plans are to start construc­tion in 2023 and bring the new mine into production in about 2028.

Latest Developments
Zambian President Edgar Lungu has assured ZCCM Investments that the country's government will support the miner’s expansion of its Lubambe copper mine.

In visiting the Chililabombwe-based ZCCM Investments on January 7, Lungu said the Lubambe extension was “too much good news to be ignored” and directed State House Minister Freedom Sikazwe and his office technocrats to ensure the mine gets all the support and necessary approvals required to ensure the project is a success.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Lubambe Copper Mine, tel +260 96 1245800 or email info@lubambe.com.