LUSAKA, Jan. 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese mining firm Luanshya Copper Mine has completed the shallow-level dewatering program at its Shaft 28 in Luanshya town on Zambia's Copperbelt Province, an industry body said on Wednesday.
According to the Chinese Mining Enterprises Association in Zambia, the shallow-level dewatering phase has been completed and the company is expected to transition to deep-level dewatering operations later this year.
Xu Laixiang, the association's general secretary, said the shallow-level restoration project is scheduled for commissioning in August this year.
"Once full production capacity is reached, it is expected to achieve an annual output of between 12,000 and 15,000 tons of copper in concentrate," he said while making a presentation at a Foreign Private Investment and Investor Perception Survey 2025 dissemination workshop in Lusaka, organized by the Bank of Zambia.
The mine, a subsidiary of China Nonferrous Metals Corporation (CNMC), began the dewatering project for Shaft 28 in April 2024, aimed at pumping out more than 170 million cubic meters of water from the flooded mine, which had been closed for over 23 years.
Xu said mining firms in Zambia remain committed to supporting the country's strategy of attaining copper production of 3 million metric tons by 2031.
He noted that the firms are focusing on sustainable mining practices, technological innovation and community engagement in their operations in Zambia.
Xu added that the companies will continue to engage with stakeholders, including the government, to ensure policy consistency and sustainable development.
According to him, a transparent and stable regulatory framework is key to attracting long-term, high-quality investment. ■
