Kansanshi mine surpasses 135k tonnes of copper production in first 3 quarters of 2026

The drop was primarily due to lower throughput resulting from planned maintenance on the S3 and mixed circuits, although this was partially offset by higher ore grades. Earlier in the year, first-quarter production reached 45,345 tonnes, down by 2,310 tonnes compared to the previous quarter, mainly due to lower feed grades and recoveries.

This, however, was partially compensated by increased throughput from the S3 circuit. Given year-to-date performance, National Union of Miners and Allied Workers (NUMAW) President, Saul Simujika, has welcomed this development.

When asked earlier by ZBT, about the impact of increased mining activities on workers, Simujika highlighted ongoing improvements in conditions of service. “At Kansanshi, salary increases are negotiated annually.

In 2024, we secured a two-year agreement that provided a total He also praised the workforce at Kansanshi Mine for their dedication and consistency. “We’ve seen a strong sense of ownership and commitment among the employees.

Their hard work has been vital to the mine’s recent successes.” Simujika further noted that the increase in production comes at an opportune time, as global copper prices remain high. “We are delighted to be moving in this direction, and we are optimistic that production numbers will continue to improve.”

He said the continued growth in copper production at Kansanshi underscores the mine’s critical role in supporting Zambia’s mining sector and national economic objectives.

Simujika concluded by expressing optimism about continued growth in both production and worker welfare at Kansanshi Mine, citing collaboration between management and employees as key to ongoing progress.

Article by Justine Phiri