Lubambe Copper Mine
LCM
Following discovery of ore deposit in the 1920s, initial mining commenced in the early 1950s for two years before operations ceased. A number of exploration campaigns were undertaken in the area before African Rainbow Minerals (ARM), with Vale as a partner, acquired the mining licence in 1997. Following further exploration work and feasibility studies, construction commenced in 2010 with first concentrate sales in October 2012. In 2017, EMR Capital acquired 80% shares in Lubambe, which were later acquired by JCHX in 2024. In 2024, new capital supported new shaft sinking to access deeper ore (>1,000 m) and boost production and mine life.\nThe mine is a fully mechanized, underground longhole and room-and-pillar mine. It has processing infrastructure that includes a concentrator (crushing, milling, flotation, filtration) designed to handle 2.5 million tonnes per annum of ore at a 2.3% copper grade, yielding 45,000 t of contained copper concentrate annually.
Zambia
Copperbelt Province
2010
Annual Production
| Year | Status | Bauxite | Copper | Cobalt | Lithium | Tantalum |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | operational | - | - | - | - | - |
Mining Details
The Mine is located near Chililabombwe, in Copperbelt Province, approximately 468 km north of Lusaka.
Ownership
Deposit Size
200 million tonnes of ore
200 million tonnes of ore containing 7 million tonnes of copper at 8% grade.
Project Impacts
Labour Worker Rights
Unfair labor practice accusations
ongoingMeaning: The company was accused of unfair labor practices, unfair dismissal.
The company was also accused of unfair labor practices, including unfair dismissal of 174 workers. This was, however, before the company was bought by the Chinese. At the time the project was owned by EMR Capital Group.
Project Impacts
Labour Worker Rights
| Name | Meaning | Year | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unfair labor practice accusations | The company was accused of unfair labor practices, unfair dismissal. | 2022 | ongoing | The company was also accused of unfair labor practices, including unfair dismissal of 174 workers. This was, however, before the company was bought by the Chinese. At the time the project was owned by EMR Capital Group. |
Related News2
Zambia: The Mines Ministry has advised Lubambe Copper Mine to rectify the unjust termination of 178 employees.
On June 18, 2022, Mines and Minerals Development Minister Paul Kabuswe advised Lubambe Copper Mine to reconsider its decision to make 178 workers redundant. Mr. Kabuswe stressed that the mine should retract the letters sent to the affected employees since the government was not consulted beforehand. He urged the Chililabombwe-based mine to enter into discussions with the government and provide an explanation for its intention to dismiss the workers.
Zambia: Four workers file K2 million lawsuit against Lubambe mine after devastating accident
Four workers file K2 million lawsuit against Lubambe mine after devastating accident" 22 September 2024 The four men—Tantu Simbaya, Kelvin Kaunda, James Zimba, and Jonas Chibale—were employed by Reliant Mining and Construction, a company contracted by Lubambe Mine, at the time of the accident, which occurred on April 19, 2024. Both Reliant Mining and Lubambe Mine have been named as defendants, accused of gross negligence and breach of statutory duty.