Mining Intelligence and News
Zambia

Kansanshi Mine

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Kansanshi Mine

Location: 9 km NE from Solwezi, Zambia

Address:

Old Congo Road
P.O. Box 110385
Solwezi
Zambia
40100

Contacts:

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Copper
  • Gold
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
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Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotKansanshi is the site of one of the oldest copper mines in Zambia and dates back to the fourth century A.D. From its two open pits, the Kansanshi copper-gold mine, produces more copper than any other mine in Africa.

The S3 Expansion project received Board approval in May 2022. The S3 Expansion is expected to transition Kansanshi away from the current, more selective high-grade, medium-scale operation to a medium-grade, larger-scale mining operation. The Kansanshi Technical Report includes the plan for a 25 Mtpa expansion of the sulphide ore processing facility, increasing annual throughput to 53 Mtpa. The S3 Expansion will also involve a new larger mining fleet and, combined with the new standalone 25 Mtpa processing plant, is expected to create efficiencies and economies of scale. The majority of the capital spend on the S3 Expansion is expected in 2024, with first production expected in 2025. Deliveries will continue until the second quarter of 2024.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc. 20 % Indirect
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. 80 % Indirect
Kansanshi Mining Plc (operator) 100 % Direct
First Quantum Minerals Ltd has an 80% interest in the Kansanshi Operations, through a subsidiary operating entity, Kansanshi Mining PLC. The remaining 20% is owned by Zambian Consolidated Copper Mines – Investment Holdings, an entity controlled by the GRZ.

Contractors

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SourceSource

Deposit type

  • Vein / narrow vein
  • Hydrothermal
  • Breccia pipe / Stockwork
  • Stratabound

Summary:

Kansanshi mineralisation is hosted by deformed metasediments of the Nguba (formerly Lower Kundulungu) Group within the Katanga Supergroup of the Zambian Copperbelt. The individual mineralised rock units of the stratigraphic sequence comprise dolomites, dolomitic marbles, and various schists and phyllites. Mineralisation is structurally modified across the Kansanshi deposits. The deposits are currently mined from Main and North West Pits.

Kansanshi copper mineralisation is believed to have originated as hydrothermally remobilised copper that has been lithologically and structurally controlled.

Copper mineralisation at Kansanshi occurs as three deposits (Main, North West and South East). The deposits are located within domal structures along the crest of a regional antiform. Deposit mineralisation is closely associated with these domes.

Three styles of primary sulphide mineralisation are associated with these deposits:
• disseminated stratabound mineralisation;
• sub-vertically dipping, quartz-carbonate-sulphide veins crosscutting the stratigraphy;
• localised breccia mineralisation.

Weathering influences mineralisation as follows:
• near surface weathering in the saprolitic zone;
• around vertical veins, with oxide copper mineralisation predominantly evident as malachite, tenorite and chrysocolla;
• mixed primary and secondary sulphide copper mineral assemblages in transitional zones between weathering zones;
• pervasive shallow to deep weathering located along geological structures.

Primary sulphide copper mineralisation is mostly chalcopyrite, with minor bornite. Oxide mineralisation is mostly chrysocolla with malachite. The transition zone contains mixed oxide, primary sulphide, secondary chalcocite and minor native copper and tenorite. Minor copper is hosted in clay and mica minerals, and is classified as refractory. Gold is associated with copper mineralisation.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

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Processing

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Production

CommodityProductUnits2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Gold Metal in conc./ doré koz  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe145130141148136
Total copper t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe232,243251,522250,801253,272226,674
Copper Cathode t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe45,04672,39478,74279,66880,986
Copper Metal in concentrate t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe187,197179,128172,059173,604145,688
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Operational metrics

Metrics202320222021202020192018201720162015
Stripping / waste ratio  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe1.57 1.33 1.72 3
Ore tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe36,325 kt38,481 kt36,603 kt31,679 kt34,105 kt
Waste  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe52,768 kt48,719 kt55,255 kt74,935 kt70,729 kt
Tonnes processed  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe27,808 kt28,080 kt27,883 kt27,017 kt26,040 kt
Annual processing capacity  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe

Production Costs

CommodityUnits2023202220212020201920182017
Credits (by-product) Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe -0.41 / lb   -0.34 / lb   -0.27 / lb  
All-in sustaining costs (AISC) Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1.65 / lb **   1.55 / lb **   1.54 / lb **  
C1 cash costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1.13 / lb **   1.03 / lb **   1.05 / lb **  
C3 fully allocated costs Copper USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1.84 / lb **   1.74 / lb **   1.71 / lb **  
** Net of By-Product.

Financials

Units20242023202220212020201920182017
Capital expenditures (planned) M USD  ....  Subscribe
Sustaining costs M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe
Capital expenditures M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 150   194   183  
Revenue M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 1,581   1,672   1,740  
Operating Income M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 396   555   602  
Gross profit M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 472   623   636  
EBITDA M USD  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe 705   859   915  

Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

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EmployeesContractorsTotal WorkforceYear
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Aerial view:

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